50 The Nature-Study Idea 



varices, the work will naturally become more 

 systematic, until. In the high school, it may 

 develop Into more formal teaching, and then a 

 regular period will be required. Those who 

 complain that nature-study Is desultory are 

 really thinking of science, not of nature-study. 

 Although not the teaching of science, as such, 

 nature-study Is not unscientific. It is not In any 

 sense a letting down of standards. If properly 

 handled, but a new Intention In education. 



What may he the results of nature-study? 



Its legitimate result Is education — the de- 

 veloping of mental power, the opening of the 

 eyes and the mind, the civilizing of the Indi- 

 vidual. As with all education. Its central 

 purpose is to make the individual happy; for 

 happiness Is nothing more nor less than pleasant 

 and efficient thinking, coming from a conscious- 

 ness of the mastery, or at least the understand- 

 ing, of the conditions In which we live. 



The happiness of the Ignorant man is largely 

 of physical pleasures; that of the educated man 

 is of intellectual pleasures. One may find com- 



