It is desired that the pupils consult teachers, parents, and others, who may be able to advise as to the subject, kind and extent of the work, also as to the best arrangement and wording of the report, and the labelling and preparation of the accompanying illustrative material.
The report is to contain a detailed account of the work actually done by the pupil and in no case to contain anything not his own.
The names of those entering the competition must be sent to the undersigned on or before March 30th. The suggestions, directions and explanation of the three subjects proposed are as follows:
Bryological.—All the kinds of Mosses in the region should be collected and put under slight pressure till dry; then a small portion should be glued directly upon a piece of card-board and a larger amount placed in a paper pocket and attached to the same piece; the notes and drawings can also be attached to the same card-board which for each species should be 8¼ x 11½ inches. Most of the kinds (species) can be found in fruit; the latter is a capsule (little pod) on a slender stem called the seta. Specimens without fruit are not very satisfactory.
Tell in each case on what the specimen grows, as the ground, tree trunk, old log, rock, boulder, etc.; add other notes relating to its situation (habitat), abundance, appearance, general character (habit), etc.
Draw an enlarged figure at least of the capsule (fruit) of some or all of the species (kinds) collected. In the early stage there is usually a cap (called calyptra) on the capsule. When the capsule is ripe it opens by a lid (called the operculum) for the escape of the spores. Notice the teeth (called collectively the peristome) surrounding the mouth of the capsule—evident when the operculum falls off.
A good pocket lens must be used for this work. The drawings must be clear; after completed with a sharp lead pencil it would be well to retrace with a fine pen and india (or drawing) ink. Excessive shading of the figures is objectionable.
If a book is desired, a suitable one for beginners is Grout’s “Mosses with a Hand-lens,” price $1.10; orders sent to the author or to the writer of this article will be promptly attended to. But for the purposes of this competition the botanical names of mosses are not required; it will be of course more interesting if an attempt at the identification of the species is in all cases made.
Lichenological.—All the kinds of Lichens in the region should be collected. The little disks, or saucer-like bodies, on the plants are the fruit (called the apothecium); the apothecia are more distinct and striking in appearance, as is the whole plant also, when moist; therefore the best time to collect lichens is after a prolonged rain, or when the air is moist; when dry they are usually brittle and cannot be satisfactorily handled.
Do not save specimens that have no fruit, except in case of rare species. Only enough pressure on the specimens (placed between blotters or soft papers) should be brought into requisition as is necessary to keep them from curving or crumpling while drying. Then glue a specimen to a card-board, 8¼ × 11½ inches, and also attach a paper pocket containing ample material, and the drawings (if any are attempted), also the notes, to the same piece of card-board. Use a separate card-board for each kind (species).