wright] NATURE-STUDY FOR THE CITY CHILD 97 



Come into the room especially arranged for the natural-history 

 study. Here the things around them are made parts of the lives 

 of the children. It is preeminently "their" room. It is a big 

 room with large, low windows. Along one side is a bay with light 

 from above and close-set windows — a small conservatory. Here 

 are many potted plants and vines, hardy vines like smilax at one 

 end, plant boxes to raise seedlings for the garden or lettuce in 

 winter. In one tray are carnation cuttings made by the children 

 or primulas they have repotted. 



In the center of the bay stands the "terra-aquarium." This is a 

 large aquarium with low sides, divided into land and water por- 

 tions. In the water is a little rock landing on which is a turtle, 

 and in the water are several fish. On the land side are some wild 

 ferns, a few wintergreen plants with their bright berries, and "one 

 berries" too. In one corner is a hepatica plant with its dark red 

 leaves and woolly buds ready to open in the early spring. Here 

 are butterfly crysalids, little red salamanders hiding under the moss 

 and perhaps a large spotted one. Here are some small toads and 

 frogs. We have a covering of screening to put over this when need 

 rises. In the spring time we have a jar of frogs' eggs. 



In front of the windows on the other side of the room is a 

 window seat, and hanging there is a hanging basket or a bird cage. 

 In one corner is a case of models of various fruits and real ones 

 whenever possible, not merely edible ones like peanuts, nuts, 

 apples, pears, and berries, but those of various trees and smaller 

 plants as well; maple, elm, horse chestnut, poplar, or even the 

 "cheeses" of the mallow. On the charts at one side are pictures 

 of many common vegetables showing how r they grow — cabbages, 

 potatoes, onions, carrots; charts of trees showing their shape, 

 leaves, flowers and fruit; or charts of the humble as well as the 

 more pretentious plants, the dandelion and tansy. On the wall are 

 many pictures of animals. On the small blackboard there is drawn 

 a frieze of tulips, or pine needles, a panel of autumn leaves or snow- 

 flakes, according to the season. Here we have collections, to 

 the joy of every boy, of stones, flowers or insects. On the shelves 

 of the low bookcases, are nature books and science books to furnish 

 answers to the many questions. Then, too, we have a lantern. 



What an Eden this is, you exclaim ! What an inspiration to all 

 who enter! But it is all worth w T hile ! This room acts also as the 



