190 Lessons in Nature Study. 



and placed the different varieties on mats of cotton in each 

 compartment. Some such method is indispensable to one 

 who has a large collection. 



III. Other Animals. 



Summer is the time for creeping things. Alcoholic prep- 

 arations are easily put up. One who attempts such collec- 

 tions will be able to interest the children where he may be, 

 and thus his collection will immeasurably grow with but the 

 slightest effort on his part. To illustrate : A collection of 

 over 500 insects, 240 skulls, and 17 snakes, worms, etc., was 

 made with scarcely an effort on my part. As soon as the 

 children learned my fondness for such things everything 

 curious drifted toward me. I never feel like encouraging 

 the collection of eggs. 



IV. Minerals. 



Minerals may be gathered if one is among the mountains, 

 but not there alone, for the gravel and bowlders round 

 about any country place are filled with most interesting and 

 beautiful things. 



V. General Collections. 



If the teacher spends her summer in the city, she has 

 many advantages for securing specimens for her classes. 

 Every manufactory should be laid under contribution for 

 samples to illustrate processes. Thus, samples of rubber in 

 all stages of manufacture, leather, cloths, paper, china, glass, 

 gas, and metals in various stages of reduction serve as hints 

 of what may be collected in many cities. 



VI. Historical Collections. 



Things from places made famous in history, may serve a 

 double purpose if they are also of scientific value. Nature 

 may be made the most entertaining feature of school-work, 

 and yet not interfere with the three R's. It may be made a 

 basis on which all the other work of the school rests. It is 

 sometimes more interesting and profitable to the teacher tQ 



