TEACHER'S LEAFLETS 



FOR USE IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 



PREPARED BY 



No. 7. 



JUNE 1, 1897. 



THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, 

 CORNELL UNIVERSITY, 



Issued under Chapter 128 

 of the Laws of 1897. 



ITHACA, N. Y. 



I. P. ROBERTS, Director. 



Hints on Making Collections of 



Insects. 



BY ANNA BOTSFORD COMSTOCK. 



T is the purpose of this leaflet to give a few 

 suggestions to aid those pupils of the 

 secondary schools, who desire to make 

 — ^ collections of insects. 



There are several good reasons why 

 children should be encouraged to make collections of flowers, 

 birds and insects; and the least of these reasons is the posses- 

 sion of such a collection on the part of the child. Making a 

 collection of natural history specimens should only be the 

 means to an end, i. e., training the child to observe. When 

 eyes are opened to the wonders of nature, every roadside, 

 brook, and woodland is fraught with interest which is un- 

 dreamed of to those who are nature-blind. It is sad to think 

 of the hosts of people who go through this beautiful world hav- 

 ing eyes but seeing not, having ears but hearing not. The 

 eyes must be unsealed in youth, when the mind is alert and 

 receptive if the man or woman is to find in later life that 

 nature is not only a resource and recreation but an ever faithful 

 friend holding out comforting arms to those who are weary in 

 soul and body. 



Not only does the study of nature open the child's eyes, but 

 it also teaches him the value of accuracy. The young naturalist 



