THE PLANT WORLD 93 



to find the name, as the book used had " 7, chestnut," described as heart- 

 shaped at the base. The class corrected this mistake, showing their 

 books and pressed leaves as proof. 



Next, the descriptions of a few trees were read from Gray's botany 

 and names supplied by the class. They then corrected the sizes of some 

 of the leaves, as the sizes given by the pupils were based upon one or 

 two leaves only. 



Later, a professor from another department, who was nevertheless 

 interested in work of the kind, used the books before the class, and found 

 them to work fairly well. He then tried to name a leaf not described by 

 the boys, but could not, thus proving the work reasonably definite. Some 

 small faults — such as too great abbreviation of words without an explan- 

 atory key, or the using of one symbol for different words, as R for ' ' round ' ' 

 and also for " radiate," were noted. 



The good results obtained by such work are, first, the accomplish- 

 ment of a definite piece of work ; and second, training of the kind most 

 needed for real life and success in the world. The boys found that mis- 

 takes, lack of detail, and neglect of essential characteristics meant poor, 

 unsatisfactory results. They were forced to ask themselves, "Why is 

 this poor? " and to find a way of correcting the lack or mistake. They 

 could but see the evil of generalizing upon too few instances, and the 

 need of revising judgments. 



The work with trees is ordinarily limited to recognizing the various 

 kinds. The boys gained that, without a doubt, and much more, not the 

 least important being the power to classify this knowledge. 

 N. J. Normal and Model Schools. 



The Beginning of Spring in Florida. 



By H. Nehrling. 



Spring-time in the northern parts of our country is usually very 

 unsatisfactory, particularly at its beginning in March. The winter with 

 its long strain lies behind us, but cold and rough winds, ice and snow 

 are still prevailing. From the top of an elm or some other tall tree the 

 first robin announces its arrival by its lorn, flute-like song. In spite of 

 chilly winds and flurrying snow the dainty bluebird makes its appearance. 

 Flying about in the wintry landscape it incessantly utters its indescribably 

 sweet warble, filling the heart of every lover of nature with hope and 

 delight. No flower is yet to be seen in woodland or meadow. Weeks 



