CHAPTER XXXVII 



THE USES OF MUSEUM COLLECTIONS IN NATURE-STUDY 



WHILE it is quite obvious that the essence of nature-study is the 

 consideration of living things and the actual work of Nature that is 

 going on around them, yet there are cases in which preserved speci- 

 mens have very important uses and in which they may supplement 

 other material. 



Collections, as they concern us, may first of all be looked upon as 

 records and reminders of observations that have been made. In 

 some respects actual objects may be of more value than drawings, 

 though the effort of making the latter produces a greater impression 

 upon the memory than even the most careful mounting of the things 

 themselves. It is possible, however, by means of collections, to 

 compare together, stages in the life history of plants and animals 

 which are not met with at the same seasons of the year. To take a 

 case. When the stages of the tadpole have been followed, and small 

 frogs have appeared, it will be very advisable to review the whole 

 story ; and a series of well-preserved specimens, with their proper 

 dates, will enable this to be done exceedingly well. 



From collections some ideas may with advantage be obtained as 

 to creatures which may be studied ; and, below, we give an outline of 

 the two sides of a school nature-study museum, and our suggestions 

 as to exhibits illustrating our book are arranged in two columns 

 according as they refer to lessons or out-door work. 



In some cases where the specimens are always on view, it may be 

 advisable to choose some other animal or plant than the one used in 



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