XIV INTRODUCTION. 



observation, nor making fun of facts ! And yet the serious- 

 ness may be preposterously overdone with young pupils. 



Let me explain. Play is the natural expression of 

 youth, it has a deep biological significance, it is older even 

 than our humanity. Similarly, as Dr. Eennie points out, 

 interest in the world around us is a natural expression of 

 youth. Therefore, just as we must not peer into play too 

 much, inspecting and criticising, so we must not codify, 

 rationalise, and examinify Nature Study too much. Gram- 

 mar badly taught is very bad, but it does not spoil a life, 

 whereas harshly severe Nature Study may dim the eyes for 

 life. Only as we keep it fairly free and flexible will, as 

 Blackmore says, " a thousand winks of childhood widen 

 into one clear dream of age." 



Therefore, while we wish to be thorough in parts and 

 most serious at times and clear always, we must keep in 

 mind the risk that scientific study prematurely forced may 

 blast the buds of joyous wonder. It is rather terrible that 

 the lover of flowers should be killed by the botanist, and 

 that he who has " a love exceeding a simple love of things 

 that glide in rushes and rubble of woody wreck " should 

 die that a " Nature-student " may live. I entirely agree, 

 therefore, with what the author says as to enjoying Nature. 

 Perhaps the via media is most likely to be found if we bear 

 in mind that what we wish is not information but inquisi- 

 tiveness, not learning-up about things but thinking about 

 things in presence of the things, not to teach scientific 

 principles (an understanding of which comes later, if ever) 

 but to develop the scientific mood which is as natural as 

 breathing. 



The author illustrates a third aim of Nature Study 

 besides knowing Nature and enjoying her for ever, and 

 that is learning lessons that are of practical use. This aim 

 is full of promise, and also full of danger. To learn a little 

 about the weather, about the seasons, about the soil, about 



