NATURE STUDY IN THE TOWN. 53 



\ nothing. An enthusiastic teacher will never lose a good 

 ' opportunity of finding lesson material, and the best lessons 

 will always be taught from that which has cost some 

 trouble. At the same time official assistance is an absolute 

 necessity for first-class work in the vast majority of cases. 



To meet the difficulties of town schools the following 

 suggestions are made : 



1. The Making of Collections. 



Natural History collections should be gradually built up. 

 Country teachers can to some extent assist their town 

 brethren in such matters, and School Boards should be 

 approached for the means to provide others. For a list of 

 useful objects see p. 335. 



2. Aquarium Studies. 



In spring several glass jars should be stocked with 

 fresh water animals, which will provide studies for a 

 considerable part of the year. 



3. Birds of the Town. 



The birds of the town should all be identified, and their 

 life history and habits investigated. Winter feeding affords 

 an excellent opportunity. 



4. Flower Cultivation. 



On the plant side a fair amount of flower cultivation in 

 boxes or in pots can be engaged in at small cost. 



f>. The use of Public Parks, etc. 



Something should certainly be done in the way of visits 

 to parks in the city, and occasionally to* suitable places 

 near it. In each district there are local natural features 

 which the teacher ought to make his or her business to be 

 intelligently familiar with ; pupils should be taken to these 

 at. the most suitable times of the year. Coast towns, for 

 example, are favourably situated for the study of marine 



