2 2 o THE NA TURE- S TUB V RE VIE W [3 : s-nov. , 1907 



opportunity presents itself naturally, as it surely will, the teacher 

 can elucidate the most important truths of the reproductive life 

 and become a valuable factor in inculcating the new ideal. 



For instance, through the work in structure and function of 

 either plant or animal the idea of the reign of law can be strongly 

 impressed. From beginning to end nature-study -should enforce 

 a consciousness of the reign of law, of the necessity of obedience, 

 of the immediate or remote consequences of disobedience. 

 Respect for law should be inculcated in unostentatious teachings 

 from the lowest primary to the highest high-school grade. A 

 sense of the beauty of law, of its beneficence, a vivid feeling that it 

 acts as a friend not as an enemy, should be a part of the treasure 

 of the heart as well as of the mind that the child takes into life 

 with him as a result of his school teachings. In this connection 

 the laws of heredity can be helpfully discussed, the value of this 

 mysterious force of inheritance and the value and duty of trans- 

 mitting to posterity strength instead of weakness. A sense of 

 responsibility to the future can be impressed on many young 

 minds even to the point of serving as help in time of need. As 

 the work unfolds and the interest increases the skilful teacher of 

 the higher grades can introduce ethical and moral problems con- 

 necting the physiological side of the subject with the social side. 

 And of course, in physiology as a subject the teacher should not 

 fail to handle clearly and as exhaustively as circumstances permit 

 the physiology of the reproductive life, here too connecting the 

 physical and ethical aspects of the subject. 



Such teaching could not fail in time to create a powerful body 

 of thought in the right direction. In the beginning there might 

 be difficulties, though were the work conducted cautiously enough 

 in the lower grades and with wisdom in all, there ought to be little 

 opposition encountered; and in the near future the school could 

 rank among the most efficient assistants in raising the moral tone 

 of the people on the subject of the reproductive life. 



