HOW TO USE THIS BOOK 



Design of This Book. These lessons are designed to fur- 

 nish a year's work in nature study for pupils from eight to 

 eleven years of age. They are upon subjects that are con- 

 nected with everyday life, and the material for their study 

 can easily be secured even in the larger cities. The subjects 

 are arranged in the order of the seasons, beginning with early 

 fall; but suggestions are given for continuing the study of 

 many of the specimens throughout the whole period of their 

 life histories* The lessons throw light on unfamiliar sides of 

 familiar things, and afford a basis for future scientific studies, 

 especially along biological lines. They are correlated with 

 drawing and language in such a way that sketching and com- 

 position writing may lead to closer observation of the speci- 

 mens, and that nature study may afford interesting and 

 inspiring subjects for expression with pencil and pen. Most 

 of the cuts are reproductions of photographs by the author. 



Method of Use. - Throughout this book laboratory methods 

 are outlined. Each lesson is divided into two parts, first, ob- 

 serving, sketching, and describing a specimen that is examined 

 in the schoolroom ; and, second, supplementary work which is 

 intended to explain the meaning of what is observed, and to 

 continue the observations by making use of additional speci- 

 mens which the pupils find at home, or on walks and pleasure 

 trips. 



The first part of each lesson is printed in large type, and is 

 designed to be given during a single period; but if time is 

 limited, the drawing and composition work may be given in 

 the succeeding lesson. A pupil first examines a specimen, 



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