Back Matter

Chapter I

Questions and Exercises

1. Boil some river-water in a flat dish until all the water is gone. Do the same with some sea-water, or, if this is not at hand, make some brine. Examine the two dishes, and tell what you see.

2. Take a glass gas chimney, and tie a piece of bladder, or parchment, over one end of it. Half fill it with sugar and water. Now place it with its tied-up end bottommost in a tumbler of clear cold water. After an hour or so taste the water in the tumbler. What have you to say about it?

3. What takes place when brine and clear water are separated from one another by a piece of skin (parchment)?

Chapter II

Questions and Exercises

1. Why do branches wither quickly when cut from the tree? How would you keep them from withering quickly?

2. Place two small panes of clean glass close together. Dip the corner of them in coloured water, and watch what happens.

3. Why do we never see the silky root-hairs  when we dig or pull a plant out of the ground?

Chapter III

Questions and Exercises

1. Write down the names of some animals you would expect to find if you walked along the bank of a stream.

2. Describe the Otter and the Weasel. Tell in what way they are like and unlike.

Chapter IV

Questions and Exercises

1. Name some flowers that grow among the corn in summer and in autumn.

2. Describe the Rat.

3. Do you know any other animals that have teeth like the rat?

4. What other animals, besides the harvest-mouse, store up food for the winter?

Chapter V

Questions and Exercises

1. Tell the story of a wheat plant from the time it begins to grow from the seed until it is ready to be cut.

2. Where does the making of a loaf of bread really begin? From what you have learnt in the lesson, trace the history of a loaf of bread.

3. Make a list of crops grown on the farm, and tell the use of each.

Chapter VI

Questions and Exercises

1. The squirrel has chisel-shaped teeth suited for gnawing. Name other animals of the same kind.

2. The squirrel's bushy tail is of great use to him. Why?

3. Make a list of our wild animals (1) which sleep through the winter, and (2) which store up food for winter.

Chapter VII

Questions and Exercises

1. How is rust formed?

2. Explain why things which are made of iron should be painted.

3. A grate full of coals burns away and only a small quantity of ash is left in the grate. What has become of the coals?

Chapter VIII

Questions and Exercises

1. Take an empty bottle and heat it gently. Now turn it upside down, and place the neck of it in cold water. Why does the water rise in the bottle?

2. How is a draught  caused?

3. Why does a fire burn more brightly on a cold, frosty day, than on a warm summer's day?

Chapter IX

Questions and Exercises

1. Tell the life-story of the common gull.

2. Make a list of all the sea birds you know.

3. The common gull has very large wings, curious beak and feet. Can you explain what these are for?

Chapter X

Questions and Exercises

1. If you place a saucer full of water outside on a hot day in the morning, and go back to it in the evening, you will find the saucer dry. Where has the water gone?

2. Fill a tin can with a mixture of salt and snow (or chopped ice). Place it in a warm room. Frost  comes on the outside of the tin. Place a glass jug of water in the same room. Dew  is formed on the outside of the jug. Can you explain this?

3. Let the steam puff of the kettle strike against a cold sheet of glass or metal, or a slab of stone. What is formed?