Xll INTRODUCTION. 



Let me give two definitions by two great authorities. 

 " Nature Study is learning those things in Nature that 

 are best worth knowing, to the end of doing those things 

 that make life most worth living" (Hodge). "Nature 

 Study is the culture of the habit of observing and thinking 

 for one's self, and at one's best, without books or helps, in 

 presence of the facts, and in the open air" (G-eddes). I 

 should supplement these truths by saying that " In Nature 

 Study we aim at seeing, understanding, enjoying and prac- 

 tically learning from the natural world round about us." 



If there be validity in the view of Nature Study briefly 

 suggested above and expounded in this book then there 

 are several very important practical corollaries. 



(1) For instance, Nature Study should vary in garb 

 according to the locality. Its urban expression is different 

 from its rural expression. Here it should be more physio- 

 graphical and there more biological ; here it should have 

 much to do with stones and there with flowers ; here it 

 should make much of the migrating birds and there of 

 the shifting clouds. It matters not what the predominant 

 subject-matter is if it be congruent with the locality, if it 

 be not too narrow, and if it be not dwelt on so persistently 

 that the youthful mind becomes bored. All roads lead to 

 Eome, and what we wish to develop is not so much know- 

 ledge as a lively interest, a scientific way of looking at 

 things, and some joyful appreciation besides. 



(2) Again, Nature Study should vary in expression 

 according to the teacher. Every man should teach his 

 own hobby, and it is better to ride our hobby than wait 

 indefinitely for Pegasus. Enthusiasm is personally infec- 

 tious. Moreover, although there is truth in the common 

 educational maxim that we should work from the general 

 to the particular, there is reason to believe that most 

 children care more for a turn of the road than for scenery, 

 more about particular flowers than "the plant," more 



