OPINIONS CONCERNING 



From the Nation. 



Natural history is about as well suited to be taught by a text-book as mo- 

 rality or religion. If a book must come into the business, it will be good in 

 proportion to its want of all the characters which belong to the class. Judged 

 by this standard, we must award the unpretending work of Miss Yonmann 

 high praise. The authoress has unquestionably the true conception of the duty 

 of the teacher. Every effort is made to keep the attention of the student upon 

 the object to be studied, and so well has she succeeded that one may safely say 

 that the student can do nothing with the book unless he has the specimen in 

 hand. The plan is so arranged as to be suitable for a primary school, but the 

 method is one which may apply to the college as well. We heartily recom. 

 mend every teacher in any department of natural science, who is wise enough 

 to doubt the perfection of his methods, to look over this book. 



As an appendix, the authoress gives us her opinions on the educational 

 claims of botany. Although she assigns a high value to this study, it is not 

 a higher value than any teacher, who has had varied experience in teaching 

 natural history, must award to it. The proper road into the biological sci- 

 ences is certainly through the vegetable kingdom. The material is more ac- 

 cessible ; the forms are less influenced by vitality, and the problems are not 

 BO complicated ; and, in giving us this good guide for the student and better 

 guide for the teacher, Miss Youmans has earned the thanks of all those who 

 desire to see education what it should be. 



From EDWARD SMITH, Superintendent of Schools, Syracuse, N. T. 



Miss Youmans's Botany is the only work I have ever seen that meets the 

 wants of our schools in the lower grades. I believe it will do more to turn th 

 attention of instructors into the proper channel for the education of children 

 than any thing heretofore published. 



From PBOI-. WM. F. PHBLPS, Principal of the Normal School, Winona, Minn. 



I am delighted with this little work. It gives us a scientific plan for the de- 

 velopment of the observing powers of the young. Send us at once 150 copies 

 for the use of this institution. 



After using it several weeks, Prof. Phelps thus closes an elaborate notice 

 of the book in the Winona Republican : 



Every class in the institution is now devoting a regular portion of its 

 time, daily, to this study pursued in this practical way. The results thus far 

 are highly satisfactory. It has awakened a new interest in study throughout 

 the school. Many, who have heretofore been indifferent in their work, have 

 taken hold with great zeal, and are pursuing this fascinating branch with ardor 

 and enthusiasm. It is no uncommon spectacle, as we are informed, to see 

 children occupying their play-hours with a bunch of plants, and, book in hand, 

 pursuing this study as a pastime. This, surely, is an unerring test of ita 

 value, as it is the highest recommendation that could be given of its adaptation 

 to the wants of our primary schools. We heartily commend the book to pai 

 ents and teachers everywhere. 



