28 The Ottawa Naturalist. [April 



and general characteristics of sixty species and to make a careful 

 and thorough study of one species as regards life-history, life- 

 relations, care, etc. The invariable opinion expressed by the 

 students is that they find the intensive study more interesting 

 than the more extended observation. 



From the standpoint of the learner, the actual knowledge 

 gained is of genuine value, being in a very especial sense his own. 

 It is probable, however, that what may be called the indirect 

 results of such an investigation are really of most worth to the 

 student. The attention is sure to be attracted to a thousand in- 

 teresting phenomena which otherwise would have passed un- 

 noticed. For example, in the foregoing investigation certain 

 kinds of trees were found to be grouped in favorable places in 

 their own special habitats. There was a preponderance of ferns, 

 fungi and mosses on the northern exposure where there was least 

 evaporation, and swamp plants were found in the lowest parts of 

 the island. 



Many other interesting phenomena in connection with soil 

 formation, heat and moisture conditions, were similarly incident- 

 ally noted. 



Further, in such study one is sure to become impressed with 

 the fact that the investigation of sequential life history is more 

 interesting than the study of a cross-section. " What have we 

 here?" is seldom as productive a question as '* How did it get 

 here ?" or " Whither does it tend ?" 



While carrying on the foregoing investigation, such problems 

 as the following naturally suggest themselves : '* How were the 

 seeds brought to the island?" " In what order did the trees ap- 

 pear?" " What other trees will come and how will they come?" 

 " Will the struggle for supremacy leave conditions as at present, 

 e.g. , will the poplar continue to rule the pine ?" 



The narrow limits of such a paper will not admit of further 

 reference to the more fascinating and productive studies of struc- 

 ture, function and life-relations. The interest in such work is 

 always cumulative, the Nature Study attitude soon becomes 

 habitual, and after that all is clear sailing. 



