24 The Nature-Study Idea 



of the results was made. The work secured 

 such a good hold that the committee was finally 

 discontinued. In the same year the subject was 

 taught in the institutes, held each fall and spring 

 throughout the State under the auspices of the 

 State Board of Education, and then for ten 

 years Mr. Boyden taught and lectured in these 

 institutes from one end of the State to the other. 

 Printed outlines and illustrated lessons were 

 given. In 1889, also, a department of nature- 

 study was established in the summer school at 

 Cottage City, and Mr. Boyden carried it till 

 1 90 1. The definite beginning of the move- 

 ment, as such, in Massachusetts seems to have 

 been in 1889. At first the work was called 

 "elementary science," but this seemed to be 

 inappropriate, and "nature-study" was sug- 

 gested. This term seemed to be a good 

 equivalent of the German "naturkunde" — na- 

 ture knowledge. On all programs it was 

 thus printed and quickly secured standing. 

 Shortly after the movement began, the "Con- 

 ference of Educational Workers" was estab- 

 lished. One of the committees had charge of 



