146 THREE KINGDOMS. 



history, and, better still, be taught how he may best 

 study by himself its structure and its history. Some 

 of these professors have even volunteered to conduct 

 courses of study in various branches. We have had 

 courses in botany, entomology and mineralogy. 



It seems at first thought difficult, if not impossible, 

 to suggest any general principle of study that can apply 

 to the whole association, for it is composed of elements 

 so diverse. We are of all ages, of varying capacitievS and 

 differing- desires, living in places widely distant and 

 strangely different. Some of us pick our violets in June, 

 others in January. But there is a common ground on 

 which all stand love for nature, and desire to learn. 

 And there is one principle that underlies and determines 

 the methods of our study. It is this: Nature must be 

 studied from her own book. 



While, therefore, we do not undervalue the printed 

 records of others' work, and while we ever recog'nize in 

 printed books and papers necessary and cherished 

 guides, yet we believe that our first business is to meet 

 Nature face to face. Therefore we leave the confines of 

 the library and school, and go out under the open sky 

 into the forest, and along the stream. Forgetting theory 

 and useless wrangling, it is our purpose to see things as 

 they are, and to record them as we see them. It is- the 

 business of the Agassiz Association to live for the truth. 



Those who first joined our ranks are growing out 

 of childhood into manhood and womanhood. Many adult 

 chapters, too, are forming; and perhaps to-day one- 

 quarter of our total membership may be over twenty 

 years of age. What can we do for this increasing class? 

 In the first place we can give them the opportunity to 

 help the younger, even as they themselves have been 

 helped while young. It is to them, the scientists of the 



