50 Education through Nature 



In like measure, he can be made to feel that vigi- 

 lance and circumspection, unyielding adherence to 

 duty and to truth, are the foundation of his success, 

 the measure of the value of his work, and the criterion 

 by which he is personally estimated. 



When nature study is properly correlated with 

 other branches of the school there will be no lack of 

 opportunity to develop that quick-wittedness and 

 intellectual versatility which is so desirable in youth, 

 and which is doubtless a desirable phase of mental 

 evolution. 



VI. Knowledge and Character Building. 



Nature Study and Character Building. Besides 

 a sound judgment, the chief elements which combine 

 to form character are will power and self-reliance. 

 Without these an individual fails to execute what 

 his judgment and ethical sense dictate. A strong 

 character is one in whom these characteristics predom- 

 inate. 



Nature study is well suited to develop will power 

 and self-reliance. The pupil must accomplish his 

 task independently. He is not to rely on the judg- 

 ment of others, nor is he to get his incentives to effort 

 wholly through foreign aid. His work is, in fact, 

 original work, and should contribute towards making 

 him an original observer and an original thinker. He 

 must get as much of his information as possible at 

 first hand. Nature study should not be taught pri- 

 marily from books. 



This does not imply that books and secondary sources 

 of information should be excluded from his work. 

 He should be made familiar with library sources of 

 information; but they should be the last to be con- 

 sulted after he has exhausted his own resources. 



The pupil should not be trained to despise authority, 

 as there are many instances where good authorities 



