1 8 THREE KINGDOMS. 



word for it, you and they will fare none the worse at 

 the end of the term for the exchange of one or two 

 grammar recitations, or examinations in geography, 

 for a little practical knowledge of what lives and 

 moves and has its being out of doors, and a few lung- 

 fuls of crisp June or October oxygen. 



Your own ignorance, if that is what you do own on 

 these matters, will the better enable you to study with 

 your pupils ; and next to instruction from the most 

 gifted master, nothing is more inspiring than such 

 friendly companionship in learning. As for failing to 

 interest your pupils, remember that a taste for the pure 

 pleasures of natural science, like a taste for olives, 

 must be cultivated by persistent tasting! After one 

 or two excursions, followed by a careful study of the 

 specimens obtained, with the personal use of micro- 

 scope or blowpipe, enthusiasm generally grows like 

 purslane. You will find, too, that the Association will 

 be a great help to you. We have now about fifty 

 scientific specialists always ready to aid the members 

 by answering their letters of inquiry, and by determin- 

 ing their specimens for them, free of cost, save postage. 



A boy in a grammar school in the uttermost parts 

 of Dakota becomes interested in fishes. He finds the 

 common varieties that he knows, and studies them. 

 By and by he takes in his net or on his hook a 

 stranger. He finds no account of him in the small 

 zoology in the school library. The teacher cannot 

 help him. He studies the fish with his eyes, examines 

 fins, and scales, and skeleton. Then he prepares a 

 description, as accurately as he can, perhaps aided in 

 this by the teacher, and sends it with a rude sketch, it 

 may be, to Dr. Holder, of the New York Central Park, 

 who is one of the gentlemen who kindly assist our 

 students. In a few days he receives a letter, giving 

 him the name of his fish, and, what is better, the name 



