198 Lessons in Nature Study. 



Nearly every form of root, stem, leaf, inflorescence, etc., 

 was collected and mounted on cards 14X16 inches and 

 filed away in envelopes for future use. 



These " definition-cards " proved so useful in nature les- 

 sons that he has never failed to recommend them as a helpful 

 device. 



Prof. Davey of East Orange exhibited some " definition- 

 cards " at Dover, N. J., recently. These were made circular 

 in form, and upon one of these circles of Bristol-board were 

 mounted leaf-margins ; upon another apexes and bases. 

 The idea of circular cards originated with one of the East 

 Orange teachers. The effect is very artistic and pleasing, 

 and such things may serve somewhat to decorate the often 

 bare walls of a school-room. 



Wherever possible, the child should see the things them- 

 selves. In Morristown, N. J., several school-rooms have 

 large cards covered with mounted vegetable forms. The 

 educational value of this method cannot be denied even in 

 schools of highest grade. 



Dr. Rusby, of the New York College of Pharmacy, showed 

 the writer definition-cards which are constantly in use in 

 that great institution. 



Dr. Rusby has thousands of specimens illustrating every 

 vegetable form. These are classified in a large room, and 

 a very large part of the work in botany is done upon such 

 specimens as these. If schools of highest rank require such 

 aids as these, how much more are such things needed in 

 schools of the humbler sort. 



Moisture of the Air. 



A very good device for detecting the relative amount of 

 moisture in the air may be made by selecting a stick of 

 straight grain, about three or four feet long. This stick 

 should be whittled off to a long tapering point at one end 

 somewhat like a blackboard pointer, while the other end 

 should be left large and round. A large newspaper, thor- 

 oughly dried, should be opened out flat and then lifted up 



