344 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [11:7— Oct., 1915 



tion, instruction with more human content, conscious ethical aims 

 and aesthetic appreciation and a nature-study with more stamina. 

 This is a scientific age but in no age can cold facts function most 

 efficiently as motive power to human advancement until coupled 

 up with a sense of harmony we call beauty and impelling sentiment. 



Book Reviews 



Natural History of the Farm. James G. Needham. Pp. 348. 

 Comstock Publishing Company. $1.50. 



This book is the result of, and the text in, a course given by Mr. 

 Needham to freshmen students in an attempt to familiarize them 

 with the farm environment and something of the significance of 

 the various factors from the natural history point of view. The 

 work has been done largely by out-of-door excursions, the class 

 meeting in an outdoor auditorium for the necessary lectures. It 

 is one of the most suggestive nature-study books that can be put 

 into the nands of a teacher for it is not only full of suggestive topics 

 of study, but also gives many directions as to the method of con- 

 ducting work. Moreover, the work is arranged seasonally. After 

 the introductory chapter on Mother Earth, there follow chapters 

 on the wild fruits of the farm, the nuts of the farm, the farm stream, 

 with a typical map, the fishes of the farm stream, pasture plants, 

 the edible wild roots; and so the topics continue through some 48 

 chapters, and there is an appendix on outdoor equipment. Just as 

 an illustration of the unique method of handling the subject mat- 

 ter, the contents of chapter 1 1 , on the fuel woods of the f arm may be 

 outlined. There is a map of the farm wood-lot; an apt quotation 

 from Whittier's Snowbound opens the chapter; the important 

 place of fire in the economy and evolution of the savage is noted; 

 the various qualities of fire wood are reviewed ; and there is a dis- 

 cussion of the ways in which different types of camp fires are built, 

 with illustrations to show the methods of building. There are 

 suggested then a number of exercises to be conducted in the wood- 

 lot, testing out the burning qualities and heat-giving powers of the 

 various woods. The Indian method of making a fire with the 

 fire stick is shown, and described. 



There are several other chapters on various phases of the farm 

 trees, such for instance, as the insects that attack them, the various 

 kinds of trees and the uses to which the wood may be put upon the 



