FOREWORD. 



In placing this contribution before the Society, it is deemed neces- 

 sary to offer a word of explanation as to form and content. Nature- 

 study is not a matter that can be argued into the schools, nor can it 

 be established by tumbling down upon them a great load of miscel- 

 laneous facts. Neither can it ever play any important part in educa- 

 tion while it is treated as a thing in itself. This monograph has been 

 prepared, therefore, with three points in mind : ( i ) that nature- 

 study must be presented in accordance with the general principles of 

 psychology which apply to all other subjects ; (2) by a few illustra- 

 tions, to show how it is necessary to start with great general views or 

 pictures of nature and to proceed gradually to the details, thus 

 enabling the mind as it grows, to organize the facts, the lesser under 

 the greater, at every step ; (3) that nature-study forms but a part of 

 the educational work ; its relationships reach into all other sub- 

 jects which go to make up the whole. The aim has been to emphasize 

 these points by stating reasons, without entering upon exhaustive 

 arguments ; by suggesting salient centers of subject-matter, without 

 becoming submerged in minute details ; by dealing with the prin- 

 ciples of method, without prolonging a discussion of devices ; and, 

 finally, by carrying through the whole a due regard for the needs of 

 the young and growing mind, and a proper consideration for its 

 methods and modes of development. 



The paper embodies the best results of the author's experience of 

 several years of teaching the subject, and he will be only too happy 

 if it calls forth from his colleagues and many friends a discussion 

 that will point the way to better things. 



