388 Presidential Address. [Sess. 
We have wandered afield under the gladdening sun and the 
moistening rain——the two chief supporters of animal and. 
vegetable life. We have seen Nature at home busying herself 
with her manifold everyday duties, never resenting a call from 
the reverent and sympathetic naturalist, to whom she has much 
to say, much to reveal, and of which those who pass by on the 
other side, caring for none of those things, know nothing—to 
their great loss. 
What refreshment of spirit, stimulus of mind, and invig- 
oration of body have we not received through our commun- 
ings with Nature, out under the blue canopy of heaven or in 
under the roof of our own cosy curtained sanctum? It is 
this, and such as this, that raises us to a higher ideal of true 
manhood, with its infinite possibilities and great responsibil- 
ities, which reveals an ever-widening horizon, taking us 
out of our narrow, hardening shell, and causing us te look 
upon the affairs of everyday life with a real and increasing 
interest. 
We can find everything in Nature if we only know how 
and where to look for it. An observer has discovered in the 
animal world a type of the man who lets everything alone 
and takes not. the slightest interest in the affairs of life—the 
oyster! He says that, so far as he knows, “it really lives a 
blameless life, is always sober, never fights, does not interfere 
with its neighbours’ affairs. It pursues the quiet peaceful life 
which is the outcome of a good digestion anda hard head. It 
interferes with nothing, it cares for nothing.” That is mere 
selfish animal existence, and of a low type. The naturalist 
cannot descend to a life like that—and remain a naturalist. 
Therefore, let as many as can become naturalists, rise above 
the mere oyster-existence and aspire to be intelligent, active, 
useful citizens, no matter what their daily occupation may 
happen to be. Nature-study knows no social rank; it ele- 
vates all who engage in it, and begets and prolongs true 
friendships. 
The naturalist who studies the ever-open book of Nature 
discovers much by which to arouse himself and his fellows. If 
he finds himself becoming lazy, with a tendency to business, or 
intellectual, “ loafing,’ he can “go to the ant and consider her 
ways.” If he is becoming careless and improvident, let him 
