38 MUSEUMS. 



Each teacher, of course, has his own idea of the better way 

 to utilize such visits. The more genera] ami probably more efficient 

 method from au educational standpoint is as follows : — Care is taken 

 not to endeavour to cover too wide a field, and one or two cases or a 

 group of specimens, is selected which illustrates some important 

 facts in Nature. The teacher, or one of the Museum Staff, gives a 

 brief and simple demonstration, in which these particular facts are 

 emphasized, and the inter-relation between the specimens pointed 

 out. The children, with note-book in hand, are then left to them- 

 selves, with the simple instruction to limit themselves to these 

 particular specimens, and to make drawings and notes of any of them. 

 The next day, in school, they are called upon to write a short essay, 

 with the help of their drawings and notes, on their visit to the 

 museum. From inquiries made, the instruction thus imparted 

 is found very satisfactory, and of far greater educational value than 

 is the case when the class wanders indiscriminately through the 

 galleries, with mi special object. Every encouragement is given to 

 teachers to make use of the Museums in tliis way. and it is gratify- 

 ing to record an increasing appreciation of these facilities by the 

 teachers. 



The Introductory Boom to the general collection of animal 

 groups on the upper floor of the recently completed extended 

 galleries, is especially suitable for lessons of this character, 

 and has already been made use of on several occasions by 

 the schools. Its arrangement i> as follows: — On entrance 

 a case is set out, in which, under a tabular statement that 

 all matter is divisible into inorganic and organic groups, specimens 

 of rocks and animals are shown under these respective heads. Then 

 of the organic group of plants and animals (examples of which 

 arc contrasted), taking animals, the chordates or vertebrates are con- 

 trasted with invertebrates by typical specimens. Xext follows a 

 series of special exhibits, arranged so as to bring before the eye as 

 prominently as possible the comparative characters of the classes of 

 the C'hordata. In the first case is a series of stuffed specimens — 

 mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian and fish, &c. — arranged in the 

 order named one below the other. A concise explanatory label is 

 attached, drawing attention to the principal points to observe, i.e., the 



