Meaning of the Movement 45 



greater because the objects are so very common 

 and familiar. 



To my mind, one of the best of all subjects 

 for nature-study is a brook. It affords studies 

 of many kinds. It is near and dear to every 

 child. It is an epitome of the nature in which 

 we live. In miniature, it illustrates the forces 

 that have shaped much of the earth's surface. 

 It reflects the sky. It is kissed by the sun. It 

 is rippled by the wind. The minnows play in 

 the pools. The soft weeds grow in the shal- 

 lows. The grass and the dandelions lie on its 

 banks. The moss and the fern are sheltered in 

 the nooks. It comes one knows not whence; it 

 flows one knows not whither. It awakens the 

 desire to explore. It is fraught with mysteries. 

 It typifies the flood of life. It "goes on for- 

 ever." 



In other words, the reason why the brook is 

 such a perfect nature-study subject is the fact 

 that it is the central theme in a scene of life. 

 Living things appeal to children. To relate 

 the nature-study work to living animals and 

 plants should constitute the burden of the effort. 



