74 



NATURE-STUDY 



and the animal itself. But for a general descriptive lesson 

 the following are points to consider. 



Primary pupils should pay more attention to the habits and 

 doings of the animals than to their structure, though this 

 should not be entirely neglected. Older children should go 

 more into details of structure, should reason out the adap- 

 tations, and attempt more comparison and classification. 

 Primary pupils can see many adaptations to function and 



mode of life, and 

 they can also make 

 simple grouping or 

 classification. 



In the lower 

 grades it is a good 

 plan to take up 

 first the habits of 

 an animal, then its 

 structure. This is 

 more interesting; but occasionally the structure should first 

 be studied, particularly when an animal is studied as a type 

 of its class. 



In the higher grades it is better to begin more frequently 

 with the structure, and from this infer points in habit or mode 

 of life, even as to habitat and food. At any rate the habits 

 will be better understood if the structure has been first studied. 

 Note only such details of structure as are necessary for identi- 

 fying the animal, or for its classification, if that is desired. 

 This then amounts simply to a study of the gross anatomy. 

 Study the general appearance as a whole, including covering 

 and coloration. Follow some orderly method of studying 

 the chief parts of the body and its appendages. Do not with- 



FIG. 8. Bat with Membrane Wings. 



