144 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW 



Another day a collection of minerals and rocks might be shown. 

 Loose labels might be on the table with the suggestion that any 

 one who wishes may place them on corresponding specimens. 

 Much discussion will be aroused if enough people know something 

 about minerals. 



Another day there might be shown photographs taken or sketches 

 made on earlier trips, to illustrate places and physical features, 

 trees, ferns, birds or other animals, clouds or passing shower. 



But all these so far mentioned deal with material brought to 

 "headquarters" although necessitating field work, either in groups 

 or singly. 



What about trips afield? 



We might discuss bird study, ferns, flower study, trees, stars, 

 moon, or any other such topic, but rather let us devote a few min- 

 utes to some less talked-of subjects. 



Personally, I found the study of minerals and rocks and physical 

 features of the region extremely attractive to young people. 



A labeled collection of the common minerals and rocks of the 

 area, together with a few less common but striking specimens 

 obtained on one or more special excursions to another section are 

 treasured as choice possessions. For into that collection has gone 

 much hard work in the way of breaking stones, trying their hard- 

 ness, noting the faces, edges and corners, the lustre and color, 

 the comparison with others' specimens, the endeavor to get a 

 "better one," and many haps and mishaps, of scrambles, slides 

 and clayey slips, good times all. 



If we are in a glaciated area as most of us will be, then the obser- 

 vation of ice- work and water-work and their comparison, and the 

 old, but ever fresh, story of the ice-sheet and its results of trans- 

 ported material, covered outline of hill and rocks, and scratched 

 on the smoothed faces of the rocks will charm and arouse wonder. 

 Always the evidence of change, in the "everlasting hills," always 

 the question — what caused this? 



On long trips and hikes there is constant outlook for new speci- 

 mens, new changes. Another type of study, less common under 

 topics of Nature-Study, but much in evidence among biologists 

 under the head of ecology is the more intensive or shall I say ex- 

 tensive study of some limited area the observation of the living 

 forms, plant and animal, the number of species and of individuals 



