72 The Nature-Study Exhibition 



Group E. There were fourteen exhibitors in the 



Character Of group set apart for training colleges. As 

 the Exhibits. is natural, the more informal Nature- 

 study is here supplemented by systematic 

 scientific work. 



At the House of Education, Ambleside, the work " is 

 entirely training, and not teaching". The Nature-study 

 undertaken is described as 



" Nature-lore, which includes the acquiring of a familiar acquaintance 

 with the natural objects wild flowers and fruits, trees, bird and insect 

 life of this beautiful country ; field work (in Botany, Natural History, 

 and Geology), and the keeping and illustrating, with brush drawings, of 

 a Nature Diary. The ' Nature-lore ' Certificate assures a knowledge 

 which should enable the governess to gratify the intelligent curiosity of 

 children, or to introduce her older pupils to the delightful pursuits of 

 the field naturalist. The 'Nature-lore' work is supplemented by definite 

 scientific teaching in biology, &c. , with the use of the microscope." 



The exhibits from this institution chiefly consisted of 



" Illustrated nature diaries kept by past and present students, to- 

 gether with original notes on birds and on general nature rambles. 



" The diaries show the leading idea in the nature-studies of the House 

 of Education students, viz. observation of Nature herself the succession 

 of the flowers and the varying aspect of the seasons, &c. , together with 

 notes of class-lectures on various nature subjects. In the keeping of 

 these diaries the individuality of the student is untouched, but from the 

 very beginning of her college course each one is helped to take an 

 intelligent interest in natural phenomena an interestwhich almost always 

 develops into that true love of nature which will communicate its living 

 enthusiasm to the children. 



"In addition to general field-work, the students take up botany for 

 the South Kensington examination, and lectures are given to them on 

 biology and geology. The aim of all Nature-study at the House of 

 Education is not the production of 'specialists' in any one branch, but 

 rather the sending out to the children those who, having themselves 

 ' the seeing eye and the hearing ear ', shall be intelligent guides of, and 

 enthusiastic co-learners with, their pupils, the motto of the college being 

 ' For the children's sake '." 



