2 1 4 77/^ A^4 TURE-STUD V RE VIE IV 2 :6 -sbpt., 1906 



But Darwin needn't feel badly, for nobody had heard of Leidy, either. 

 One would hardly expect these two to be mentioned in a list of nature-study 

 (not science) books if Huxley, Spencer, Gray and Le Conte had not been 

 included. 



Burroughs needn't feel chagrined, for one writer knew him by his "Squirrels 

 and Other Fur-Bearers" — a collection of excerpts. I do not believe that 

 "the dean of American naturalists" even suspected that his "Squirrels" is 

 his high-tide mark. But it seems that it is. Seton Thompson comes into 

 the list, but no one had a kind word to say for Long. But Long needn't 

 feel hurt for he was left out in good company, and so fared Torrev, Van 

 Dyke, Mabie, Hulbert, Williams, Lubbock, Taylor. But Maeterlinck 

 got hit once — by a stray bullet, probably. 



Though nature-study is supposed to have some sentiment mingled with its 

 cold facts, no mention was made of Wordsworth, Whittier, Brvant or Keats. 

 In fact the poets were not "in it." But who cares ? We got "Sanitary 

 Health," "Bacteria," and some science readers. I have great respect for 

 the nature-study worker who would include "Mary's Little Garden" among 

 the best ten nature-study books. I am sure that botanically that book is all 

 right. But as I am somewhat of a zoologist, I want to put in a plea for 

 that classic commonly known as "Mary's Little Lamb." 



Stamford, Conn. Edward F. Bigelow. 



I was much interested in the suggestions regarding the best nature-study 

 books, in the last issue of the Review. I understand that you had in mind 

 such a list as would be helpful to the average grade teacher. I must confess 

 that the teachers with whom I have had experience could not use at all the 

 great majority of books suggested. From three years' experience as supervisor 

 of nature-study, I would suggest the following list for the use of the average 

 teacher who has nature-study in her list of subjects to be taught: 



Hodge's "Nature-Study and Life;" "Cornell Nature-study Leaflets;" 

 Bailey's "Nature-Study Idea;" Blanchan's 'Bird Neighbors;" Blanchan's 

 "How To Attract The Birds;" Comstock's "Insect Life;" Miller's "Brook 

 Book;" Keeler's "Native Trees;" Dana's "How to Know the Wild 

 Flowers;" Dana's "How to Know the Ferns." 



I think a single list of about fifteen selected from those handed in would be 

 helpful to teachers. 



Passaic, N. J. Gilbert II. Trafton. 



