258 THE NATURE-STUDY REIIEW |2^8-nov., 1906 



nature-study in Northern and Southern California," the other on "a 

 natural history survey of California." These reports were presented 

 at the meeting of 1897. ' The following summary of the first report 

 will indicate the progress of the subject up to 1897. 



"In the courses of study now enforced by the school authorities there is already 

 a place given to nature-study, but the work outlined is not satisfactory as yet in 

 either matter or method." 



"Among the teachers there is a wide-spread belief that nature-study is a neces- 

 sity. In addition a relatively large number are doing work, good so far as 

 individual lessons are concerned, but at irregular intervals and without definite 

 plan." 



"In a few cities the work has been done on such a scale and in such a way as 

 to afford a basis for the coming year." 



"The teacher's preparation need not be more than the present four years 

 course at our State Normal Schools or its equivalent— a high school course plus 

 professional training — and less than this should not be accepted as sufficient 

 preparation for any teacher." 



The second report will indicate something of the ideal of the work 

 as held by prominent leaders in the movement. It is, in part, as 

 follows: 



"To catalogue the literature of the natural history of California, with special 

 attention to the literature of the distribution and life-history of such animals and 

 plants whose use in nature-study seems to be specially feasible and advantageous, 

 as for instance, a complete bibliography of Odonata (dragon-flies) of California, 

 a list and description of all the species of dragon-flies known to belong to Cal- 

 ifornia with synopsis and key for identification of species, and an account of the 

 natural history and methods of rearing dragon-flies." 



" To conduct a natural history survey with the special object of determining 

 the distribution and life-history of those animals and plants which seem to be 

 specially available and important for use in nature-study in the schools. (Dragon- 

 flies to be taken up first). To arrange and publish the results of the survey work 

 so as to make these results available for use of teachers." 



Professor Vernon Kellogg who made this report also presented 

 concrete examples (subject dragon-flies) "as illustrative of the 

 various aspects of the undertaking." 



The same idea of a natural history survey was presented by Pro- 

 fessor (). P. Jenkins at the 1897 meeting of the Southern California 

 Teachers' Association. 



Although Professor Kellogg prepared an account of the Odonata of 

 California with key for determining species and a brief description of 

 each species, for some reason no attempt was made to publish it. 

 Here the Association missed an opportunity. But however good its 



1 Proceedings of the California Teachers, Association for 1897. pp. 195-19S. 



