62 THE NEW METHOD 



"North America is about seven inches long," and 

 that the " meridians are lines crossing the equator at 

 right angels," was greatly in need of a few object 

 lessons in geography as well as upon angles. 



Of course it is not necessary to always have the 

 object present. After we have once seen the rain- 

 bow, observed with care all the facts relating to it, 

 impressed upon the memory its blended colors, and 

 the order of their arrangement, noted all its aspects, 

 measured the height of its arch, and its angles with 

 the sun, we may then discourse upon it, and study 

 the philosophy of its formation at pleasure. 



We have classes from seven to twelve years of age 

 in botany, mineralogy, chemistry and most other 

 sciences, and their interest and progress equal that 

 of the older classes who use books. In botany the 

 scholar learns the number, form, size and color of 

 petals, stamens, leaves and all other parts by personal 

 observation. He is told only such things as he can- 

 not discover, such as names of parts and properties, 

 and some of the uses of the plant. In entomology he 

 inspects the insect ; in mineralogy the specimen of 

 ore, metal or other mineral is present ; in chemistry 

 he sees the invisible element separated from its com- 

 pound, and with taper in hand he has gained a new 

 sense. 



Oral expression immediately follows observation : 



