396 NATURE STUDY. 



Our best literature abounds in tributes to autumn. 

 Autumn tints and autumn fruits have ever appealed to 

 artist and poet, and the child and the poet are near akin in 

 their love of beauty and nearness to nature. 



No more beautiful study can be desired than autumn 

 leaves, beauty of color, beauty of use. 



Their summer work is done. The tree no longer needs 

 them to breathe, and throw out water, and make food. How 

 beautiful is their leave-taking ! They clothe their old 

 mother with all the hues of sunset. Then quietly, con- 

 tentedly, they slip away. Good Mother Nature knows 

 what a burden to the tree they would be, how they would 

 catch the winter wind, and hold the snow. They have 

 other work to do. They drop down to die ? Oh, no ! 

 To cover seeds and plants from the winter's cold. To 

 nestle quietly through the months until in the spring and 

 summer, water and air, the two great workers of the world, 

 with their humble helpers, the worms, turn them into food, 

 from which other plants make new leaves and flowers. 

 Busy, busy leaves! Resting, yet always working, always 

 helping. 



Centre the study of the leaves about the maple tree, 

 studied in early fall. Take the children out to visit this 

 and other maples. 



Let them revel among the leaves. Get them to collect 

 and press the most beautiful, and decorate their rooms. 

 Dwell on their beauty of color, and form, and use. 



It matters little whether the children can draw and 

 describe them exactly. It matters much whether they 

 love them, and appreciate the beauty with which God has 

 surrounded them, understand better the significance of this 

 season of death? No, of transition, preparation for rest 

 and for other work. 



This will give the point of view the vantage-ground from 



