52 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



phatically an active institution, and has never lacked zealous and enthu- 

 siastic workers. By an inevitable law of growth, as the museum is 

 active and progressive, it constantly demands more room and greater 

 facilities. Already in the short space of eight years it has twice out- 

 grown its quarters. While the present building is commodious, the 

 needs of the future were kept in mind in both construction and site, 

 so that successive additions can be made until the building forms a 

 quadrangle. When this extension is completed the main divisions of 

 natural history, geology, botany and zoology will each have a floor space 

 equal in extent to that of the present structure. With such a building 

 Springfield's needs for museum facilities will be amply satisfied and 

 the range of work and influence broadened. 



And the field for the museum of natural history when conducted 

 with enterprise and wisdom is one that well repays all effort and labor. 

 Much of the best instruction in the public schools, training in observ- 

 ing and reflecting on the facts of nature is well adapted to assist the 

 museum, while the latter institution, rightly used, widens the outlook. 

 A growth in familiarity with the region surrounding the city makes 

 possible profitable holiday rambles and vacation outings for the study 

 of local natural history. There may be developed a love and apprecia- 

 tion of the delights that nature has in store for her students. Such 

 pursuits are antidotes for the cares and perplexities that burden too 

 many lives, so that a more healthful tone will pervade the social life 

 of the community; nature opens her treasures to rich and poor alike, 

 and the fullest indulgence in these joys carries no sorrow with it. In 

 the larger centers well-equipped museums may well serve as training 

 schools and points for the distribution of materials and examples of the 

 best methods of administration. Their influence could be brought to 

 bear on the smaller towns. Such a system with a very moderate ex- 

 penditure of money would do much to relieve the barrenness and mo- 

 notony which too often characterize the intellectual and social life of 

 the country town. 



