254 Fifth Conference 



obligatory part of the curriculum of the normal 

 colleges. For my part, I welcome even more cor- 

 dially the Board's recognition that for this subject 

 a formal written examination is out of place. The 

 pernicious system of payment by individual pass and 

 class is abandoned. There are to be no more marks 

 and pasteboard diplomas, which inevitably led to 

 text- book cram, and seemed to aim at making 

 teachers encyclopaedias of second-hand unassimilated 

 scientific information. 



For the teachers of the future who pass through 

 a course of normal training I see daylight. Nature- 

 study will fitly form part of the training of the teacJier 

 while in college. It will not be left to be picked up 

 along with certain other certificates and diplomas in 

 after-life. Indeed, may we not devoutly hope that 

 this subject will never be guillotined by these instru- 

 ments of modern torture? The thoroughness and 

 reality of the work done will be tested by inspection 

 inspection of the methods and teaching in the 

 college, and of the studies and note-books and intelli- 

 gence of the students. 



P'or those teachers who have not in the past had 

 opportunities for this study and for those in the 

 future who do not pass through the college course 

 we must look to the local educational authorities 

 to provide classes of instruction. Possibly, as Mr. 

 Hanbury suggested, the agricultural colleges may 

 offer valuable help. 



Here, in passing, I would refer to the great aid 

 given by most cities represented in this exhibition, 

 such as those of Leeds and Liverpool. In the one 

 case the museums are not merely open for, but 



