AIMS OP THE PKESENT WOEK. 305 



which make up the higher parts of the science, before first 

 mastering Descriptive Botany, is like attacking the higher 

 problems of arithmetic before learning its simple rules. 



Nor is the case much helped by that casual inspection of 

 specimens in which students sometimes indulge. To pick a 

 flower to pieces now and then, or to identify a few plants 

 by the aid of glossaries and analytical tables, and to press 

 and label them, are, no doubt, useful operations, but they are 

 far from answering the educational purposes here contem- 

 plated. 



IX. AIMS OF THE PEESENT METHOD. 



In the preparation of the present method, the end kept 

 strictly in view has been to make it conform to the laws of 

 mental growth. Although it attempts to make a beginning 

 only, yet it claims to begin right to teach Botany as it should 

 be taught, and, in so doing, to cultivate systematically those 

 parts of the mind which general education most neglects. It 

 is adapted to these purposes in the following respects : 



In the first place it conforms to the method of Nature by 

 making actual phenomena the objects of thought. It con- 

 tinues the direct intercourse of the mind with things, by 

 selecting that portion of the natural world which seems best 

 adapted for the purpose, and providing for its direct and 

 regular study. It is a merit of the plan that it permits no 

 evasion of this purpose, but compels attention to the objects 

 selected. There are no lessons to " commit and recite ; " the 

 pupils proper work being to observe, distinguish, compare, 

 and describe ; and thus, from the outset, he is exercising his 

 own faculties in the organization of real knowledge. 



In the second place, the present plan implies that habits 

 of regular observation shall be commenced early. This is on 

 various accounts a most important feature. The child should 

 begin to be taught how to notice, and wTiat to look for, be- 

 cause it is already spontaneously engaged in the work, and 

 needs guidance. While its mental life is (so to speak) external, 

 and it hungers for changing impressions and new sensations, 

 is certainly the time to foster and direct this activity. It ia 



