98 N.S. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



THE TEACHING OF ENTOMOLOGY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 



Prof. LpA^pe Wolfe 

 Director of rifopri Education. 



"OOSSIBLY one of the most fascinating topics for Nature Study in 

 -*- schools is that of Insects. I shall outline briefly what I think are a 

 few of the strong points in favor of this subject. 



First. A Study of Insects is Suitable to all Grades. 



Very young children, in their play, are interested in "bugs." The 

 unnatural fear and disgust displayed by some of our school teachers when 

 asked to pick up a caterpillar are quite absent with children. The young- 

 er children, therefore, play with them. Older ones become acquainted 

 with the habits of a few common insects; and still older ones study them 

 from the economic standpoint, or possibly even the scientific standpoint. 



Second. Material is Abundant. 



Children may search long and far for some rare plant. But if we use 

 the material at hand, plants are abundant. So it is with insects. In the 

 winter,eggs and cocoons may be found; and in summer the caterpillars, 

 maggots, grubs and their corresponding adult forms are everywhere. 



Possibly the teacher feels more competent to teach about plants; 

 but it is a mistake to ignore the insect world, when our gardens are over- 

 run with insect pests. 



Third. This Study Teaches Scientific Observation. 



We make many mistakes by not having learned the scientific habit 

 of thinking and reasoning. Nothing, perhaps, will better teach this habit 

 than a study of insects. Cause and effect are often separated. One ob- 

 serves a certain result. The cause may not be evident; but is usually as- 

 sumed. A man told me, only a few days ago, that the Lady Beetles were 

 destroying the leaves on his elm trees. The leaves were curled and with- 

 ering; and the Lady Beetles were there. Therefore, his conclusion was 

 convincing. He had not noticed the plant lice on his trees. He did not 

 know they were the real cause; and that the Lady Beetles were possibly 

 there through a personal interest in the plant-lice. He might have no- 

 ticed ants on the same trees; and blamed them for the damage. But it 

 chanced that he did not. 



One accustomed to careful insect study will examine more closely 

 before drawing a conclusion. They will prove rather than assume. 



Fourth. Some Insects (Butterflies and Moths) are Beautiful. 



The showy insects always claim first attention, through their beauty. 

 Children become interested in collecting them. The teacher will use 



