426 



THE GUIDE TO NATURE. 



can show it to. A pleasure shared is a 

 pleasure doubled. At the meetings every 

 member is sure of an attentive and 

 friendly audience. 



Then, too. you can do many things as 

 a society that you could not do alone. 



You can purchase good books and ap- 

 paratus ; start a library, build a cabinet ; 

 rent rooms ; engage lecturer ; take ex- 

 cursions. 



To the student a day outdoors redeems 

 the whole calendar. Lungs expand, eves 

 brighten, pulses quicken, the step be- 

 comes elastic. The mind is challenged 

 at every step. Each pebble is a problem, 

 each plant a puzzle. There is food for 

 thought for every age and for every de- 

 gree of mental power. 



Having now set forth the motives 

 which have led us to desire a union of 

 local societies for the personal vet united 

 study of nature it only remains to ex- 

 plain why we chose to give to our asso- 

 ciation the name of Agassiz. 



It is not merely because he was a fam- 

 ous, a world-renowned scientist, although 

 he stands among those most highly hon- 

 ored ; it is not because he left the cross 

 of Switzerland under which he was born 

 for the Stars and Stripes under which 

 he died ; it is not because of the important 

 contributions he made to the sum of 

 human knowledge during his life of pa- 

 tient study; it is not alone on account of 

 his consecration to the cause of truth, 

 nor his legacy of the- remembrance of a 

 life consistently devoted to the advance- 

 ment of science; any one of these would 

 have justified our choice, but the name 

 that was adopted draws its most inspiring 

 power from the fact that Louis Agassiz 

 lived his life under the control of three 

 distinct and abiding convictions. He be- 

 lieved that he who would learn of Nature 

 her deepest truth, must wrest it from her 

 by personal encounter; he believed that 

 no knowledge and no habit of thought is 

 too good for all the people; and therefore 

 he freely bestowed on others the learning 

 which he had himself acquired, in the 

 only way which any knowledge can be 

 imparted, by teaching others how to 

 study, and by affording them the means 

 of study ; and finally, he believed in the 

 existence and protecting care of a divine 

 Creator, and he regarded this beautiful 

 world whose structure he knew so well. 



not as a prison whose walls are closing 

 on their inmates with the doom of death, 

 hut rather as one of the chambers in a 

 heavenly Father's mansion, from which 

 death is but a door opening into larger 

 and brighter rooms beyond. 



( )ur thought of Agassiz delights, it 

 is true, to contemplate him as a young 

 mid ardent student, bending in sleepless 

 interest over the fishes of Neuchatel ; we 

 honor Agassiz, the philanthropist, as he 

 toils with unflagging energy to found the 

 museum which shall forever lead his 

 countrymen to clearer views of the order 

 and unity of nature; but our hearts go 

 out most lovingly to Agassiz, the revered 

 and reverent teacher, as he pauses for a 

 moment in silent prayer before opening 

 his famous school in Penikese : 



"When the Master in his place, 

 Bowed his head a little space, 

 And the leaves by soft airs stirred. 

 Lapse of wave and cry of bird. 

 Left the solmen hush unbroken, 

 Of that wordless prayer unspoken. 

 While its wish on earth unsaid 

 Rose to Heaven interpreted." 



Invitation. 



We invite you to join us in our de- 

 lightful work. Organize a Chapter in 

 your town. Only three besides your- 

 self are needed. 



If this is not convenient, join us by 

 yourself. Full directions in Handbook. 

 ^Ye bespeak the co-operation and as- 

 sistance of all parents and teachers, of 

 all interested in the study of nature and 

 natural science, useful employment, 

 healthful recreation, and a knowledge 

 of the outdoor world; we invite espe- 

 cially all young people, boys ami girls, 

 young men and women, to join our 

 ranks. 



DESERTED BIRDS' >EST. 



The Rev. P. B. Peabody.P.lue Ra- 

 pids, Kans., in connection with his 

 work on the Advisory Council of The 

 Agassiz Association, desires particu- 

 larly to urge UDOn all bird-lovers the 

 critical study of deserted birds' nests, 

 during the winter and early spring. 

 Of identified nests careful notes as to 

 location and elements of concealment 

 should be made ; and analysis of mate- 

 rial and structure should be made and 

 recorded. Mr. Peabody will gladly 



