3iQ ITiald. iijiri 



teacher herself study Nature and wild life generally, and teach the 

 simplest rudiments, in the simplest manner, to the little ones, awaken 

 their interest in things beautiful, and the}- will take the keenest 

 delight in the pursuit of this new hobby : the weary walk of yesterday 

 will be a pleasure and joy to-da\-, not onl)- to the youngsters, but to 

 their teacher as well. 



If the teacher can urge them to select a few of the simplest leaves 

 and flowers (also impressing on them that they must be gathered 

 without injury to the plants) and, on reaching home, encourage them 

 to make little pencil drawings, what a good work that \vould be ! 



These early efforts may be crude and almost laughable perhaps ; 

 but, above all, be encouraging ; the elements of an intelligent interest 

 in Nature are there, and will develop and fructify as time 

 goes on. 



After the little student has made his rude drawing 

 from the natural flower, ask him some elementary 

 questions respecting its form, number 

 of petals, etc., teach him the simple 

 English name, and anything else you 

 know about it that is not beyond his 

 comprehension. 



The once dull perfunctory walk is 

 now a quest of delight, and the 

 specimens gathered will afford an 

 occupation for dull days, when lessons 

 are over, and even romping has palled : 

 while the progress of the pupils will 

 stimulate the teacher to fresh efforts and 

 interest in a most fascinating pursuit 

 on her own behalf as well. 



Who can deny the refining and 

 educational influence of this habit of 

 observation on all ? It is almost im- 

 possible to gauge the far-reaching 

 results it may have on the future. Not 

 only is the child learning much of 

 botany, natural history, and Nature 

 wonders generally, but he is being 

 trained into a habit of looking intelli- 

 gently and with understanding at all 

 he sees around him, which will, without 

 doubt, be of immense service to him 

 in later life. Whatever his future 

 calling, whatever his rank in life, be 

 he poet, philosopher, painter, musician, 



The 

 Rosy'Red 

 Campion. 



49 



