130 The Ottawa Naturalist. [October 



struction was of course different from that usually adopted in our 

 Public and Normal schools. The instructors gave no set of 

 lectures ; they acted as guides, and suggestors of lines of investiga- 

 tion. The topics assigned to each student for investigation related 

 as far as possible to matters of economic importance to the agri- 

 culturist ; for it was believed that such investigations would 

 carry out the dual purpose of Nature-Study, which is : first, to 

 " develope an attitude — a power of interpretation and apprecia. 

 tion of nature, a power of self expression which will enable the 

 student to gain a better control of himself and his surroundings, 

 to live a fuller life, and to be of greater service to society than he 

 otherwise would be " ; and, second, to gain that intimate know- 

 ledge of nature which will make men better able to cope with their 

 living environment, or, in other words, for its economic usefulness. 



From the very outset, the subjects assigned to each student 

 could be studied best at that particular season ; for the writer 

 believed strongly that Nature-Study should be taken up from a 

 seasonal standpoint. Every student had to show the results of his 

 studies in careful drawings and well-kept notes. For the first two 

 weeks all the students took the same work, but for the remainder 

 of the term individual work was the rule. Classes were formed 

 for the study of birds every morning, and besides, excursions were 

 made to the museum. Excursions took place also for the study 

 of the structure and habits of the forest trees, the spring plants, 

 the life of ponds and streams, and the common insects of the 

 orchard ; as well as the study of the different soils of the Farm, 

 and the rocks of the neighborhood. 



Particular attention was given to the study of the winter buds 

 and twigs of our common shrubs and trees. Keys were made for 

 the determination of the common shrubs and trees on the College 

 campus by means of their winter buds. 



Following were some of the topics assigned : Recognition of 

 trees and shrubs by the winter twigs and buds ; the story of an 

 apple twig ; a study of the fruit-spurs of our common orchard trees 

 and shrubs ; a study of trees, from a distance and at close range ; 

 a study of germinating seeds ; a study of the wood of dicotyledon- 

 ous trees ; a study of the wood of coniferous trees ; recognition of 

 grasses by their leaves ; studies of the sundew ; studies of the 



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