ANIMAL STUDY 75 



out good reason skip about from head to feet and back to 

 head. Not all the parts will require notice, only such as are 

 characteristic of the animal. Bring out well the protective 

 character of the covering, as to color, texture, warmth, etc., 

 and the fitness of the different organs for their uses. This 

 may be done when the habitat and the mode of life are con- 

 sidered. 



As for internal structure, we need very little of that in 

 nature-study. It is necessary to refer to the gills of fish, to 

 the complex stomach of ruminants, to the air tubes in insects, 

 and a few other facts of internal anatomy. But generally 

 stick to externals. 



Under habits and mode of life consider where the creature 

 lives, under what conditions, and note how it is adapted in 

 structure. Note the food and the feeding habits, and the rela- 

 tion between food and mouth structure and organs of loco- 

 motion. If the creature is alive observe as many of the life 

 habits as possible, movements, feeding, sleeping, treatment 

 of young, etc. 



Animal stories and anecdotes and experiences of the chil- 

 dren should be related in this connection. 



The economic aspect of the subject should be studied. Is 

 the animal of any use to man ? Is it harmful to man or other 

 creatures? How? What remedy have we against it, if 

 harmful? What useful products do we derive from it, if 

 any ? A brief study might be made of the modes of capture 

 of the animal, or of the preparation of the useful products de- 

 rived. 



Animal study ought to be comparative, partly for the sake 

 of association, and for classification where that is desired. 

 This classification should be untechnical and based upon a 



