1906] Nature Study No. 33. 27 



The time and labor requisite for collecting, identifying and 

 mounting specimens and for measuring trees in such an investi- 

 gation is not great. Nor is the collection of specimens a neces- 

 sary condition of satisfactory work. The study of the living 

 organism from the genetic functional standpoint is of much 

 greater value than the mechanical examination of dead specimens. 

 One of the best features of such work is that it presents obstacles 

 which furnish a natural stimulus to endeavor and which when 

 overcome afford genuine satisfaction. Where serious difficulty is 

 presented and individual observation and text-books prove inade- 

 quate, the Canadian Government has wisely made provision for 

 all emergencies by providing trained specialists, who are able and: 

 willing to answer questions submitted to them and to whom in- 

 quiry can be sent postage free. In this connection my best thanks 

 are due to Dr. Fletcher, of the Experimental Farm at Ottawa, 

 who not only supervised the classification made, but also made a 

 personal inspection of the locality studied. 



The essential requirement of a university post-graduate dis- 

 sertation is that it must add something, no matter how little, to 

 the sum total of human knowledge. Measured by this criterion 

 such an investigation as the foregoing, be it ever so limited in 

 scope or unpretentious in character, at once becomes important, 

 for one finds oneself doing that which has been done by no one 

 else, and if the work be honestly performed and the records ac- 

 curately kept, the information gained (although apparently trivial); 

 may prove to be of genuine public service in future interpretation. 



Another of the advantages of such definite research work is 

 that it is adapted to the stage of development reached by the 

 adult learner who, although he has omitted Nature Study in early- 

 life, has acquired as the result of natural growth and activity in 

 other studies a scientific attitude of mind which causes him to 

 appreciate the meaning and value of the laboratory method and, 

 to prefer it to a more superficial treatment. 



The experience of the Ottawa Normal students in the study 

 of birds affords practical illustration of this fact. For a number 

 of years each student has been asked to learn the identification 



