NEW BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS 231 



Readings, the story of lower animal life, including the protozoans, 

 sponges, corals, shells, insects, and crustaceans, is presented 

 simply. The narrative is untechnical, and popular in form. The 

 volume is interesting and may prove useful as a supplementary 

 reader in schools. Much of it would be a useful guide when 

 spending a summer at the seashore. It is to be hoped that it will 

 never be used as a text-book, for which it is said by the author 

 to be adapted. A volume to follow will complete the survey of 

 the animal kingdom. 



Field Studies of Some Common Plants. Revised Edition. By C. 

 H. Robison. Published by author, Mayville, X. D. Part I 

 50 pp., paper. 25 cents. 



These " Outlines " are intended to direct pupils in out-door 

 study. " They aim to tell the student exactly what to look at, and 

 how to do so, without telling him what he is expected to see." 



The topics are foliage leaves, stems, roots and trees in autumn. 

 For these general subjects there are arranged outlines which in- 

 clude the most interesting points in the elementary text-books of 

 botany. The book is certainly useful in connection with high- 

 school botany and for nature-study teachers who wish a guide 

 for their own studies and suggestions for pupils' work. 



A second part on " Spring Flower Studies " is mentioned in 

 the preface, but the reviewer has not a copy at hand. No doubt 

 it has the points of excellence found in Part I. 



Nature-Study and Agriculture. Circular No. 60, Office of 

 Experiment Stations (free upon application to Department of 

 Agriculture), deals with teaching agriculture in rural common 

 schools and the progress of the movement for agricultural educa- 

 tion is traced. As obstacles to general introduction of agriculture 

 into rural schools, the circular cites : conservatism or apathy of 

 school officers, teachers with little or no normal training, salaries 

 do not attract professional teachers, rapid shifting of teachers, 

 short terms. The practical remedy is consolidation of schools. 



In a rural school with program of studies extending over eight 

 years, the nature-study should be in six years, and elementary 

 agriculture in last two years, each subject at least one hour per 

 week. 



" During the first two or three years in school the children should 

 spend a short time each week in forming an acquaintance with the 



