TO THE TEACHER. xi 



the pupils are made to feel that they are doing the work. The 

 wise teacher will generally endeavor to keep himself in the 

 background, like a magnet under a paper making the particles 

 of iron filings above take on definite arrangement, wholly un- 

 conscious of any power acting upon them. 



The study of the functions of the organs is the keynote of 

 interest in the study of all living things ; and the divorcing of 

 anatomy from physiology is proving bad for students in higher 

 grades, and infinitely bad for elementary students. The young 

 student will learn all the anatomy he needs to know in getting 

 the answers to the questions about the functions of the dif- 

 ferent organs. We must take into account the psychological 

 principle that when the mind is roused, where there is interest, 

 there ideas may gain lodgment, and take root and grow. Of 

 course we may continue to present the dry facts, or even con- 

 tinue to require the pupils to memorize the statements of a 

 book, but this is not learning the actions of the body ; it is 

 merely " studying physiology " (to pass an examination), and 

 will always furnish the absurd statements above referred to, 

 merely a jumble of words. 



Of course the teacher, or some of the more advanced pupils, 

 will prepare the more difficult dissections. If possible save 

 the best dissections in alcohol. They will many times serve 

 when fresh material cannot be obtained, and often in review 

 when some point needs to be brought up anew. 



If the physiology comes in the winter term the teacher 

 should lay in a supply of frogs in the fall for demonstrating 

 muscle action, the action of the nerves, reflex action of the 

 spinal cord, circulation of the blood, etc. It is almost impos- 

 sible to dispense with the frog, if these points are really to be 

 made clear. The frogs may be easily kept in a box in a cellar, 

 pouring a little water over them every day or two. They will 

 not need food, for at this time of the year they are naturally 



