364 



THE GUIDE TO NATURE 



fer to draw the things they see com- 

 monly about them, and they can talk or 

 write best of the things of which they 

 know most- But the purposes and 

 methods of nature study must not be con- 

 fused with those of science. Neither is 

 nature study agricultural even in its 

 elementary form. When the pupil reaches 

 an age that he is to study agriculture, he 

 can better understand it by having been 

 taught rationally and plainly some of the 

 fundamental principles of the sciences 

 which are recognized as its foundations. 

 My plea then is, not so much against 

 nature study and agriculture, as for the 

 sciences first. These can be taught as 

 elementary as may be desired, and in 

 properly teaching them we are giving 

 instructions not only in agriculture, but 

 also in dozens of other arts or practical 

 fields in which the pupils thus become 

 prepared later in life, if they wish- 



Summer Sessions for Delight. 



Two superior courses are ofifered stu- 

 dents of marine biology — one by the old 

 and extensive laboratory at Woods Hole, 

 Massachusetts ; the other by a younger 

 but as efllicient laboratory at Cold Spring 

 Harbor, Long Island- The laboratory at 

 Woods Hole will soon hold its twenty- 

 ninth session, while the one at Cold 

 Spring Harbor will soon hold its twenty- 

 seventh. For particulars and circulars, 

 address the laboratories at the addresses 

 given. Full particulars will be sent in 

 an attractive pamphlet- 



These laboratories are .great American 

 factors in promoting an interest, in biol- 

 ogy. The editor has enjoyed a session 

 at each laboratory, and knows that the 

 facilities are unexcelled, the instruction 

 pleasing and efficient, and the surround- 

 ings ideal for a vacation at the seashore- 



We have among our readers a number 

 of cultured and educated people who do 

 not realize that either of these labora- 

 tories is especially adapted to them. Per- 

 haps they think of them as something for 

 the college professor or special student, 

 something to supply credits toward a 

 learned degree. They are that, but they 

 are more. They are thoroughly, enjoy- 

 able places for using one's brains at the 

 seashore, as well as in having good food. 

 good bathing and the sight of pictur- 

 esque seaside surroundings. 



We number among our readers many 

 who are accustomed to spend their sum- 

 mer at fashionable hotels at vjirious re- 



sorts. Many of these are genuine nature 

 lovers. It has perhaps not occurred to 

 them that here is an opportunity to have 

 nature study that is worth while and 

 under competent supervision. If you are 

 tired of the trite round of ordinary activi- 

 ties at the fashionable seaside hotel, try 

 at least one session at one of these labora- 

 tories- You will find it a delight of your 

 life. 



To teachers and students of biology, 

 the editor need say nothing. These labo- 

 ratories are known to all of them as the 

 lie plus ultra of a summer vacation. 



What is Beauty? 



Beauty and goodness are to be found 

 everywhere when we forget and over- 

 look the ugly and the bad. There is 

 nothing in all the world that has not 

 some beauty and goodness. This 

 would be a suburb of heaven if people 

 would stop making it the opposite. 



These thoughts came to mind as the 

 result of a little experience that I had 

 a few evenings ago with four cultured 

 ladies from Greenwich. They had 

 telephoned for special appointment at 

 the Astronomical Observatory. I 

 therefore had planned to show them 

 the best at my disposal. 



I first turned the telescope upon 

 Saturn. Their enthusiastic words 

 were gratifying. Then we tried the 

 Orion Nebula. They did not know 

 that there was such a beautiful thing 

 in all the heavens. That too gratified 

 me. After seeing the "Jewel Boxes" 

 of Perseus, they seemed eager to use 

 all the commendatory words in the dic- 

 tionary. Their enthusiasm knew no 

 bounds. As the climax and the closing 

 event of the astronomical exhibit, I 

 tried Castor. It seemed to be a new 

 idea that a star can be two in one, and 

 I do not know when visitors have been 

 so pleasingly and appreciatively ex- 

 pressive. 



They then visited the Laboratory 

 where I showed them a few microscop- 

 ical marvels. Arranged diatoms seemed 

 to be a vision of a new world- 

 This was succeeded by the tritest of 

 "Oh, my !" slides, and my callers lived 

 up to their reputation. In the last few 

 minutes, as they were about to leave 

 me to overtake a train, I told them I 

 would show the acme of the evening's 

 exhibition. T placed under the lens, 

 and carefully adjusted the light, one 

 of my best slides. It was a jov to hear 



