1901 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIKTY. 21 



closed by the frass it leaves behind it. As the larva grows it enlarges its tunnel till at length 

 its instinct warns it to work upward and outward. This it does till it leaves only a film ot bark 

 between it and the outer air. It then retires some inches down its tunnel so as to be out of 

 the reach of the sharp bill and long tongue of the wood-pecker. There it assumes its pupal 

 form. When the time for the imago to appear approaches how can the footless chrysalis ascend 

 its shaft and push its way through the screen of bark 'i Ah, that difficulty has been foreknown 

 and provided against by Him, " who sees the end from the beginning." Around every abdom- 

 inal segment of the chrysalis there are teeth or serrations iu due order, which enable the chry- 

 salis to secure a hold on the sides of its tunnel, to work its way up and to give it a purchase so 

 that it can break through the closure of bark. It extrudes its body till the wing-cases are free, 

 and then its skin is rert and the moth escapes. 



Man learns by observation, experience and communication with his fellows, and provides 

 asjainst possible contingencies, but this creature, up to the time it leaves the chrysalis, has had 

 no intercourse with its kind — has led a solitary existence, pursuing the course marked out for it. 

 It has been ignorant of its future. It could not of itself provide either against danger or 

 change. But its course, its wants, the means for its security and comfort, its entrance upon a 

 higher existence, all these on the dawn of creation — 



" Hid in God's foreknowledge Uy." 



The Grand Architect of the universe made careful and exact provision for the creatures of 

 His hand. 



The science of entomology abounds in lessons. To the consideration of the lovers of beauti- 

 ful objects, of the young, of pleasure-seekers ; of gardeners, fruit-growers and farmers ; of mer- 

 chants, store-keepers and house-keepers ; of physicians, pastors and teachers ; of thoughtful and 

 pious men and women everywhere, I commend it. It is of importance to the community at large. 



The Chairman, Hon. J. Dry den, expressed the pleasure with which he, and he was sure 

 all present, had listened to Dr. Fyles's interesting and instructive address. He then spoke of 

 the powers of observation with which everyone is endowed, and impressed upon all the import- 

 ance of cultivating this faculty to the utmost and obtaining the valuable results which would 

 follow from doing so. 



Dr. James Fletcher, of Ottawa, Dominion Entomologist and Botanist, was next called 

 upon to address the meeting. He spoke of " The Value of Nature Study in Education," and 

 held the close attention of the audience during his half hour's address, of which the following is 

 a brief outline : — "Nature Study," he said, was a very simple matter, but one which was often 

 misunderstood. It was not a study of natural history but a training to enable us to observe 

 and understand, as far as possible, everything that comes before us. It teaches a child to notice 

 the common objects about it and to see far more than it otherwise would. The addition of the 

 study of natural objects to the school and college curriculum would exercise a very useful and 

 important influence. True education is the drawing out of the faculties to enable the child, 

 when grown up, to use its mental powers fully and properly ; nature study does this and is 

 therefore the common sense'of education, for it teaches a child not only to see but.also to think. 

 He then described how bad boys in school may be improved. They are generally acti ve_and 

 restless, wanting something to interest them and to use their faculties upon ; but get them to 

 join in investigating some of the lovely natural objects about them, no matter how common they 

 may be, and a bond of sympathy with the teacher is at once created and their restl ess spir its 

 find something to expend themselves upon. 



Some of the benefits of Nature study are thvt it compels people to realize that everything 

 iu a state of niture is absolutely perfect and beautiful ; it leads the student to become habitu- 

 ally neat and methodical in all his work ; it promotes habits of care and accuracy ; it insists upon 



