Vlll METHOD OF TEACHING. 



animal kingdom, but specimens of the vegetable kingdom are 

 particularly useful, and very easy to obtain. 



As regards the lessons, the best plan is to follow the manual 

 step by step, for it is .in reality the detailed explanation of the 

 names and objects on the diagrams to which it refers throughout ; 

 and by thus following it, repetitions and omissions will be 

 avoided. But the teacher will often have to add his own observa- 

 tions to what is said, and to enlarge upon the parts which are 

 most interesting in his neighbourhood. 



Besides regular lessons, accidental circumstances will frequently 

 give opportunities for a lesson, which should be taken advantage 

 of. The return of the swallows, for instance, will give a good 

 opportunity for a lesson on the migration of these birds, and the 

 service which they render us, like nearly all birds which feed on 

 insects in the spring. The children should be forbidden to molest 

 birds or take their nests, and be taught to appreciate the mischief 

 which their destruction causes at this season of the year in 

 particular, etc., etc. 



In order to follow the lessons in their regular and proper 

 order, it would be necessary to begin by giving the pupils a 

 general idea of the value of instruction in the natural sciences ; 

 but we must remember that the practical part of this instruction 

 will appear in a much more striking light to the pupils after they 

 have gone through the course; and it will therefore be better 

 not to speak of this till afterwards. In fact, it is manifest that 

 it is extremely useful to know our organization, and to know 

 by what mechanism our movements follow the directions of our 

 thoughts ; how we breathe, see, and feel. It is not less useful to 

 know those animals which are real aids to agriculture, and without 

 which our crops would be injured, and our ruin imminent. Alas, 

 most of these true friends who do us nothing but good, are 

 generally as pitilessly destroyed as our real enemies. 



What absurd fables have been related about the poor bat, 

 which has nothing formidable about it but its reputation, and 

 which unceasingly pursue our enemies, the night-flying insects. 



