tage. May they use their opportunties to develop a corresponding wealth of manhood and womanhood! State Flower. The Pasque Flower is the state flower. It is found growing wild over the north central states, extending from Illinois to the great plains. A variety of the plant is found in northern Europe, growing wild and also cultivated in gardens. It received its name in France because it blossoms there at about Easter time, the word pasque (in modern French it is "paque") meaning Easter. As it is the first flower to blossom on our prairies, the motto accompanying the flower is "I Lead." The State Flag. In 1909 the legislature of South Dakota adopted a state flag. One side of the flag is shown on the cover of this book. The reverse side has the state seal in the center. It was the intent of the law to have the flag a light blue color, but for some reason a dark blue is used. The seal should be printed in dark blue, but gold is used instead. Following is the law describing the flag: "The state flag, or banner, of South Dakota shall consist of a field of blue one and two-thirds as long as it is wide, in the center of which shall be a blazing sun in gold two-fifths as wide in diameter as the width of the flag. Above this sun shall be arranged in the arc of a circle, in gold letters, the words "South Dakota," and below the sun in the arc of a circle shall be arranged the words, in gold letters, "The Sunshine State," and on the reverse of the blazing sun shall be printed in dark blue the great seal of the state of South Dakota. The edges of the flag shall be trimmed with a fringe of gold to be in proportion to the width of the flag. The staff shall be surmounted with a spear head, to which shall be attached cord and tassels of suitable length and size."-Session Laws, 1909. Old Glory. While we love our state and all its blessings, there is no glow of patriotism like that which wells up in our hearts when we salute "Old Glory," as we fondly call our national flag. The thirteen stripes symbolize the thirteen original states which united to form this nation. There is one star for each state. On the fourth of July following the admission of a new state an additional star is added to the flag. "Citizens, by birth or choice, of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name American, which belongs to you in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations."-Washington, Farewell Address. QUESTIONS. A REPUBLIC OF FRIENDS. What is the meaning of "Dakota?" From what is it derived? How did the word Sioux originate? STATE SEAL. What is the motto of South Dakota? Where found? Describe the state seal? For what is it officially used? By whom? (See "seal" in the Index.) How should our state motto inspire us? Read the description of the state seal in the constitution (Article XI). SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES. When was the seal adopted? Describe it. For what is it used and by whom? THE SUNSHINE STATE. What is the nickname of South Dakota? Why so called? Of what special value is the great amount of sunshine? HEALTH. What can you say as to the healthfulness of South Dakota? Compare the records. Name four causes for the unusual degree of health. WEALTH. What can you say as to the wealth of the state according to population? How many acres of land are there, on the average, for each South Dakota family? STATE FLOWER. What is the state flower? Describe it. What is the origin of its name? What motto accompanies the flower? Repeat the two stanzas by Doane Robinson on the state flower. STATE FLAG. Describe the state flag. OLD GLORY. Describe the flag of the United States. What is the "flag salute" given by millions of American pupils each school day? What is the South Dakota salute? CHAPTER II SURFACE FEATURES Near the Heart of the Continent. Draw lines diagonally across a map of North America and you will find that they cross at almost the exact center of South Dakota--at Pierre, the capital. Thus we see that the Sunshine State lies in the center of North America, near the heart of the continent. The Atlantic, the Pacific and the Fig. 6. "At the heart of the continent." Gulf of Mexico are each about 1,300 miles distant. The state is situated half way between the equator and the North Pole, the 45th parallel crossing the northern portion of the state. Blessed Land of RoomEnough. The area of South Dakota is 77,650 square miles (land 76,850; water 800), being larger than all of the New England states combined and over one-third as large as France. The population averages about eight for each square mile. How many acres does this average for each man, woman and child in the state? The length of the state, east and west, averages about 370 miles and the width about 210 miles. Boundaries. The states surrounding South Dakota are shown in Fig. 8. Name them. The boundary lines are also shown. Be able to name all of them. Land of Fertile Plain and Prairie. The surface, for the most part, is a gently rolling prairie. It rises from a plain east of the Missouri river to a plateau in the west ern portion and mountains (the Black Hills) in the southwest. Two low table lands from 1,500 to 2,000 feet above sea level extend north and south in the eastern half of the state. One, the Coteau* des Prairies, is near the eastern border. The other, the Coteau du Missouri, is just east of the Missouri river. Both of them are cov * Coteau (Ko-to') means a hilly divide between two valleys. |