40 HOW NATURE STUDY SHOULD BE TAUGHT 



Therein partly lies the explanation of the quiz- 

 zical, semi-amused sentiment so commonly felt 

 for the naturalist, by his ignorant aquaintances. 

 For the learned and loving naturalist to attempt 

 to win for nature the love of such unimpression- 

 able persons, is like an attempt to talk with the 

 inhabitants of another planet, or as some one has 

 humorously expressed the same principle, like a 

 young man trying to throw kisses at a pretty girl 

 across a dark room. 



It is as paradoxical with us as it was with Pat, 

 if we try to win a love for the study of nature 

 where it does not originally exist. The result of 

 that will always be failure, and a waste of nerve 

 force. The adage, " You can never make a silk 

 purse out of a sow's ear," is ugly. Yet, it is 

 beautiful because it is true. Watch an enthu- 

 siastic herpetologist, entomologist, or botanist, at 

 his studies, and hear him tell of their delights, 

 and observe how much love for his pursuits he 

 will arouse where there is no dormant love to be 

 excited. " Poor man, you may be all right in 

 the main, but there is a ' brick ' loose somewhere." 

 Is not that the poorly concealed opinion ? Such 

 futile efforts are made in many a school-room, 

 partly from a lack of true understanding of the 



