232 THE YICTORIAX NATURALIST. [Vol. XXIII. 



And what has this Nature-study camp done for the 

 teachers who attended it? It has done much — how 

 much it would be impossible to say. The quiet, sus- 

 tained enthusiasm shown throughout was proof of the 

 •deep interest awakened. It aroused in them the spirit of 

 inquiry, and gave them an insight into scientific methods 

 of investigation. Each will find in his or her district an 

 ample field for the exercise of this new-bom power. It 

 is not at the seaside alone that Nature allures with her 

 wonders and mystery. She does so everywhere, but in 

 no two districts precisely alike. Yet, notwithstanding 

 this difference, all that is essential everywhere in respect 

 of the main facts of Nature, and indeed of human life, 

 is repeated in miniature in every spot. Each district is 

 a microcosm ; and, if the chief manifestations of Nature 

 vn it be understood, her main operations everywhere will 

 l)ecome intelligible. 



The stock of concrete local facts and imagery gained in 

 childhood are, perhaps, the most abiding impressions of 

 life. Everv healthy boy and girl roaming over their dis- 

 trict, gathering wild flowers, bird-nesting, climbing hills, 

 -and peering into everything that stirs their inquisitiveness, 

 are contriving to acquire a mass of these. 



Such experience is one of the most potent influences in 

 their education. In the past it has been almost wholly 

 neglected, and we are only now beginning to recognise 

 that it must have a place in any effective scheme of edu- 

 cation. It is the special province of Nature-study to 

 •systematize the workings of this native impulse of youth. 

 The immediate result of this camp will be to transfer the 

 teaching of this subject from the schoolroom to the open 

 air. The few minutes devoted each day to conversations 

 upon natural facts observed and the set lessons will still 

 iDe needed to teach pupils what to look for, and how to 

 collate the facts noted, but the real work must be done 

 in the field. 



Therefore, it cannot be doubted that this camp will 

 'exercise a markedly beneficial influence upon the teaching 

 of Nature-study. I should like to think that teachers 

 who took part in it will organize Nature-study outings in 

 their respective districts, and will thus communicate to 

 their fellow teachers something of the enthusiasm with 

 -which they themselves were infected. 



Thev and the Education Department owe much to the 

 Pield Naturalists' Club in connexion with this camp. It 



