gs, voracious appetite,
movements, rapid growth, destructiveness.

PUPA.--Observe the larvae disappear from the plants; a search underground
reveals the resting stage, or pupae. After ten days, the adult beetles
emerge.

ADULT.--Observe the colour, the hard shell covering the head; the hard
outer wings and membraneous inner wings; the hard shell on the under
surface of the body; the feelers, and legs.

Why will spraying with a poison, such as paris-green, kill these
insects?

REFERENCES

Dearness: _How to Teach the Nature Study Course Stories in Agriculture,
Bulletin No. 124._

FISH

The Nature Study lessons must be based upon observations of the living
fish, preferably in May or June, September or October. The best place
for this is on the bank of a clear stream from which it is possible to
observe the fish in their natural environment. Here their life
activities, their struggles, their conquests, and silent tragedies are
enacted before the eyes of the observer. Many observations may be made
in this way which will create a life-long interest in these reticent,
yet active creatures. Since this method of study is practicable in but
few cases, the study of the living fish in the aquarium is the best
available substitute.

The teacher or the boys of the class can catch a few fish of three or
four inches in length and carry them in a jar of water to the aquarium.
Minnows, chub, perch, catfish, or other common forms will do.

OBSERVATIONS

I

The general shape, and the suitability of the shape for swimming.

The surface of the body and the protection it affords. Note the scales
and the slime, the latter a protection against the growth of fungi, etc.

The gills--two openings behind the flaps at the rear of the head. The
colours, and their value in concealing the fish. The dark upper surface
makes it inconspicuous from above; the light under surface blends with
the shadow and dims it.

The divisions of the body--head, trunk, and tail.

Movements of the fish and the part that the various fins play in these
movements.

Note that the broad tail fin is the most useful fin for locomotion, the
others act as balancers or as brakes, or for causing currents of water
near the gills. Observe the movements of the pair of fins nearest the
gills, the movements of the mouth, and the currents of water entering
the mouth and passing through the gill slits. When a fish is kept in a
very small quantity of water, observe