INTRODUCTION 7 



favor of a Nature Course in the loAver schools. Heaven 

 and earth supply the material independent of School 

 Board appropriations. Those who assert that such a 

 course is possible only with a large laboratory and gen- 

 erous appropriations, speak either with prejudice or with- 

 out thought. 



Excursions : 



Last year I made not less than eighty short excursions, 

 each time with classes of about thirty-five. They were 

 children of from seven to fourteen years of age. With- 

 out their hats, taking with them note-books, pencils, and 

 knives, they passed with me to the street. The passers-by 

 stopped to gaze at us, some with expressions of amuse- 

 ment, others of astonishment ; approval sometimes, quite 

 frequently the reverse. But I never once saw on the 

 part of the children a consciousness of the mild sen- 

 sation that they were creating. They went for a definite 

 purpose, which was alwaj's accomplished. 



There was but one exception to this satisfactory ex- 

 perience, and on that occasion a circus parade exercised 

 rival charms, and I withdrew in its favor. 



At least one longer excursion into the real country 

 and in the springtime should be taken. For this tliree 

 things are necessary for the teacher : 



First : Accurate knowledge of every inch of the ground 

 over which the children are to be taken, and what it will 

 yield to them of interest and information. 



Second : Good temper. 



Third: A shrill whistle to call the children together 

 when they are scattered over the ground. 



For the children : 



A covered tin-pail in which to carry their treasures. 



