72 NATURE STUDY. 



limbs. Number of toes and flexibility. Comparison of 

 fore paws with child's hand. 



Adaptation or "why" Use of limbs. Hind legs 

 mainly for jumping or hopping, the rabbit's way of 

 moving about. Fore legs mainly for grasping things, 

 and sometimes for defence. Compare with uses of 

 child's legs and arms. The former require strength, 

 the latter freedom and range of motion. Legs adapted 

 for jumping by their strength and character of joints 

 and direction of bending. The lengthened foot gives 

 a firmer support, and probably greater strength and 

 quickness. The flexibility of the foot and toes,aiid 

 cushion on the toes, lessen the jar and noise when alight- 

 ing. The spreading of the toes and the hairy brush 

 aid in making the step so noiseless, and assist in walk- 

 ing on the snow. In similar way study adaptation of 

 fore leg. 



Do not let this degenerate into a mere "guessing 

 match." Base all study of adaptation on definite, care- 

 ful observation of habits, structure, and use ; otherwise 

 it is useless, or worse than useless. 



In this study of adaptation, teacher and children are 

 "thinking God's thoughts after Him" in a way which 

 appeals very strongly to children, if it is properly done, 

 based on what has come to them through their senses, 

 not merely "preached" to them. 



STEP 4. Skeleton. 



Have children discover, by feeling their own bodies, 

 that each has a backbone, ribs, and a bony framework 

 or skeleton, in arms and hands and legs and feet. Lead 



