Canon Steward's Address 255 



rooms are set apart for children and their teachers; 

 in the other case the objects are distributed on loan 

 among the teachers, and the curators of the museum 

 assist the movement by every means in their power. 

 In some towns the Kyrle Society provides botanical 

 specimens; in others, as in the London Board, the 

 Board sends to each school, on requisition of the 

 teachers, the specimens asked for. The Liverpool 

 Board has inaugurated a very thorough system of 

 excursions for Nature-study, to which I would draw 

 the attention of every teacher. In Liverpool also 

 there is a "Teachers' Nature-study Club", with some 

 150 members. The primary work of the club is done 

 by excursions, with lectures preceding or following 

 them. It is very gratifying to learn the keen interest 

 taken by the teachers, as is evidenced by the fact that 

 no less than 800 teachers have availed themselves of 

 the help of the lectures. 



I look forward to the day w r hen we shall have 

 closer co-operation of the various agencies, with 

 more economy of effort, and when the sympathy of 

 the different societies and individuals will be enlisted 

 towards one common end. At present we see 

 museums put to very narrow use, laboratories closed 

 except to the clientele of some particular teacher, 

 field-clubs limited to the select few, and many a 

 keen naturalist who, if asked, would undoubtedly 

 give his knowledge both on country walks and in 

 the lecture-room. 



I am inclined to think that science specialization 

 has begun too soon in the elementary or primary 

 school. Nature-study will correct this. In child- 

 hood we must not narrow the sympathies, restrict 



