2. Find where the leaves of the dandelion are, and bring a leaf to school next morning, and also observe how the leaves are grouped or placed.
To the teacher.—Dandelion flowers close up in the evening; the green leaves beneath the head wrap closely around the flowers to form a snug covering. The leaves have margins with teeth shaped like those of a lion, and from this the plant gets its name, for the name is the French dent de lion, which is pronounced very much like the word dandelion. The use of the leaf cluster as a system of rain-spouts for guiding the rain toward the root should be noted.
SECOND EXERCISE
1. Why is the dandelion easy to find?
2. What makes it easy to find even in long grass?
3. What insect friends visit the dandelion?
4. Find out just how these visitors act during their visits, and find whether they carry anything to or away from the flowers.
To the teacher.—The bright yellow colour of the dandelion attracts attention. When it grows in long grass, the flower stalk grows long, so that the flower surmounts its obstructions and climbs up to the sunshine. The flowers are visited by ants, bees, and wasps, and these may be seen burrowing into the flowers in search of honey. If their bodies and legs be touched, the yellow pollen of the flowers will be found sticking to them.
THIRD EXERCISE
1. Look for flower heads that do not open to the sun. Do not disturb them, but watch them for a few days and find out what they become.