CHAPTER II. 



THE BEGINNING OF A COLLECTION AND A STUDY OF THE 

 o METAMORPHOSES OF INSECTS. 



HE mere reading of books 

 about natural objects will do 

 but little toward forming an 

 intimate acquaintance with 

 Nature. If one would really 

 know about the creatures that 

 are near us wherever we go, 

 he must study them directly, and not depend on 

 what others have said about them. 



It is for this reason that these first lessons in 

 Insect Life are based on the study of specimens that 

 the pupils have collected for themselves. It will be 

 far better for the pupils to learn a few things at first 

 hand than to memorize a great mass of information 

 from books. 



In most places it is comparatively easy to find 

 insects. The pupils can collect them while going to 

 and from school or during recess ; or a class may be 

 excused for an hour or two occasionally to make 

 longer trips, under the direction of one of the older 

 pupils ; but, when possible, the teacher should accom- 

 pany the pupils in their excursions. More insects 

 will be found on warm days when the sun is shining 

 than at other times. 



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