i 9 4 



The Ottawa Naturalist. 



[December 



the most energetic, and the Entomological Society of Ontario, 

 with its branches in Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, Guelph and 

 Vancouver. The influence of these Societies was quite marked, as 

 many of the members were persons of note in their respective 

 districts, and many young men received their first impetus to 

 study nature at their meetings. Besides, the annual reports of 

 some of these Societies, containing illustrated articles, were dis- 

 tributed freely throughout the country, diffusing much useful 

 nature knowledge among the people. 



While the Natural History Societies were quietly diffusing 

 useful knowledge among the masses, and inspiring many persons 

 with a desire for the study of nature, the Science teachers of the 

 High Schools and Academies were also opening the eyes of their 

 pupils to the wonderful things of Nature. For many years, it is 

 true, the biology course as laid down in the syllabus for high 

 schools did not tend to make nature students ; but in later years 

 the courses were more rational, and many young persons were 

 roused to take anjnterest in natural history. The great majority 

 of the Science teachers are enthusiastic nature students, and are 

 doing much to encourage the newer movement by their personal 

 work and influence. 



The Normal Schools have for many years given courses in 

 Science, but perhaps with too little emphasis on the biological 

 side, with the result that the teachers on graduation were but 

 slightly interested in the great nature-world around them. For 

 the last five or six years, however, more attention has been given 

 to Nature-Study, and most of the new teachers now begin their 

 work with a high opinion of its educational value. To such men 

 as Dearness, Elliott, Scott, Sinclair, and Brittain of the Normal 

 Schools we are indebted for the development of the pedagogical 

 side of Nature-Study, and for their efforts in demanding the right- 

 ful place for Nature-Study on the school curriculum. 



One of the most potent agencies for the spread of the Nature- 

 Study idea throughout the country was the Ontario Agricultural 

 College. For more than 30 years it has stood for a careful study 

 of Nature and Nature's processes as an essential factor in success- 

 ful agriculture, and it has strenuously insisted that such a study 

 is one of the very best foundations for general culture. The 





