466 



NATURE STUDY. 



ate." When the children have the idea clearly, and have 

 talked about " water going away/ 7 or " going into the air," 

 " going so we cannot see it," or " changing into vapor," they 

 will be glad to get, and will properly use, the word " e-vapor- 

 ate." Begin with boiling and rapid evaporation in the 

 schoolroom, because this is most easily seen. Follow this 

 by a study of slow evaporation, first in the schoolroom, and 

 later at home or out-doors. Last apply to explain every-day 

 phenomena. 



Apparatus. The form of alcohol stove shown in Fig. 56 

 has proven most convenient for this work and for later 



study of air and heat. 

 It can be obtained from, 

 or ordered through, any 

 hardware dealer for 

 about twenty-five cents. 

 Six or eight ounces of 

 strong alcohol will be 

 needed. If diluted with 

 water, it will not burn 

 well. Be careful not to 

 have alcohol bottle near 

 a flame, and not to pour 

 alcohol on the hot alco- 

 hol stove. The other 

 apparatus can be ob- 

 tained anywhere. 

 Important points. Merely performing experiments be- 

 fore children does not necessarily lead them to observe 

 important points ; they are apt to be most attracted by the 

 apparatus and the flame. An experiment is, or should be, 

 " a question asked of nature ;" and we must be certain that 

 the children understand what the question is. They must 

 not be told the answer, what they should discover for them- 



Fig. 56. Alcohol Lamp. 



