THE STUDY OF INDIVIDUALS VERSUS THAT OF TYPES 45 



little stronger. The general effect of this plan reminds one of the 

 grotesqueness of the hand-organ monkey that is dressed up in a 

 red coat and a cocked hat. His ill-fitting garments certainly add 

 nothing to his character as a monkey, and they fail to give him 

 anything of the bearing and dignity of a man. 



An attempt has been made in the foregoing pages to show how 

 the pupil may become properly conscious of the sweep and move- 

 ment of nature. The events of the year keeping step with the 

 seasons, if properly presented, form the natural setting and back- 

 ground for all the minor details. The latter must be studied as 

 to the part they play in the well-ordered whole. This leads to 

 a study of personal traits and characteristics that are peculiar to 

 each individual ; and the study becomes a thousandfold more inter- 

 esting than it is when everything is reduced to the common 

 denominator — man. In the past too much emphasis has been 

 placed upon classification. There has been too little attention given 

 to individuals and too much stress laid upon types. The type is a 

 figment of the imagination. The typical animal or plant cannot 

 do anything, because it does not exist. Such study, therefore, is 

 uninteresting and profitless. 



The most interesting thing about an animal or plant is its own 

 peculiar methods of solving the personal problems that come up 

 in its life. It is able to make its way in the world not more by 

 reason of its likeness to other individuals than by its unlikeness to 

 them. The most fortunate thing in life is to be born different 

 from everything else ; with just enough difference to have a unique 

 point of view ; to have novel ways of reaching results ; to be able 

 to see the opposite sides of questions presented ; to be able to 

 utilize what others waste ; to have the ability to save when others 

 lavish — these are the personal traits which contribute to the 

 strength and virility of the individual, and it is through such that 

 the race survives. Everything born into the world becomes the 

 immediate possible progenitor of a line of individuals not more 

 remarkable for their likenesses than for their power to vary from 

 each other. It is by means of these fortunate unlikenesses that 

 living forms have been enabled to take possession of every nook 

 and corner of the whole earth. 



While it is barbaric and unnatural therefore, to clothe every- 

 thing in the garb of a man in order to study it, it is most desirable 



