240 MY LIFE AS A NATURALIST 



VI. To interest others in studying wild animals and plants, and to en- 

 deavour to learn of their uses and value. 

 VII. To treat pets kept in captivity humanely, and to look after their 



comfort in every way. 



VIII. To endeavour to obtain new members of the league. 

 IX. To read wholesome books, and send in any interesting notes, or queries, 



that come under notice. 



X. To help make the league known, and to faithfully carry out the 

 rules above set out. 



Many branches of the league have been formed as far apart 

 as Accra (Gold Coast) and Aberdare ; Nottingham and Ceylon ; 

 West Ham and Malta ; Derby and Egypt ; Crewe and Toronto ; 

 and in this way members are brought into personal touch with 

 one another, so that their varied studies have a collective interest. 

 Thus, with my own Nature classes, this large family of league 

 members, and some thousands of readers of my popular books 

 in school and at home, I experience a real joy in having had the 

 opportunity afforded of encouraging, and assisting, the rising 

 generation to take an intelligent interest in the things around 

 them. Moreover, in view of the information I have here im- 

 parted, of which the reader may not have been cognisant, I feel 

 amply justified in my choice of title of this, the nineteenth, 

 chapter of my " Life." 



