242 SOCIETY OF NATURALISTS. 



other subjects, their powers of observation and of imagination of 

 physical plienomena are well-nigh atrophied ; and the loving 

 interest in nature, innate in every normal child, instead of being 

 svstematically developed, is well-nigh extinguished. 



*•' The remed\' for this state of things is to be found in the intro- 

 duction of elementary lessons in science at a much earlier period 

 of the course. We believe that the studv of nature should begin 

 in the Primary School, and should continue, in incieasingly 

 svstematic and philosophical methods, through all grades of the 

 educational system. We believe that, in the light of sound 

 ])rinciples of pedagogics, a system of education must be pio- 

 nounced radically defective, which fails to gratify and to stimulate 

 the cm^iosity of children in regard to the things about them and 

 within them, confining them to more abstract studies, some of 

 which are better suited to maturer minds. 



" .So far as the reform which we advocate relates to schools 

 below the grade of the High School or Academy, we can ask 

 from you only sympathy and moral support. But one most im- 

 portant step of progress is absolutely dependent upon the action of 

 College Faculties and Corporations. The better class of High 

 Schools and Academies are prepared to furnish instruction of 

 very respectable quality in various departments of science ; and 

 actually do furnish such instruction to those of their students who 

 are not preparing for College. They are ready to furnish such 

 instruction to those students who are preparing for College, just 

 as soon as it can find recognition in the Colleges as a part of the 

 preparatory course. 



" Hence we are led to make an earnest appeal to the Faculties 

 of the Colleges to make some work in science form a part of the 

 requirements for admission, being assured that in so doing they 

 will be taking a most important step in the direction of a sym- 

 metrical and philosophical arrangement of the educational course. 



"The question of the particular sciences which should be re- 

 (juired for admission is a comparatively unimportant one. In 

 the report adopted at the meeting of the Society in i8S8 (a copy 

 of which is forwarded herewith), the Committee recommended 

 the selection of Phienogamic Botan}', Human Physiology, and 

 Physical Geography ; the first, as furnishing most conveniently a 

 thorougii observational discipline; the second, as aflbrding in- 



