DECEMBER 17, 1897. ] 
Children are spontaneously interested in 
natural objects. Like the terror of dogs, 
the squeamishness that would induce reluc- 
tance to handle a ‘specimen’ is commonly 
an artificial condition induced by 
the ignorant or thoughtless inter- 
ference of parents or teachers. Left 
to itself the healthy child sucks in 
knowledge through its finger-tips. 
Paradoxical as it may at first ap- 
pear, notwithstanding the extreme 
complexity of its ultimate struc- 
ture, as a gross object the brain is 
the easiest of all the viscera for the 
beginner. Itissymmetric, and the 
main divisions are clearly outlined; 
moreover its colors are attractive, it retains 
little blood, the natural odor is not offen- 
sive, and it has no unpleasant associations. 
If it be legitimate to slaughter animals 
for food, it is even more so to kill them 
humanely (as with chloroform) in order to 
gain information. This is particularly true 
of the superfluous cats and dogs that lead 
miserable lives in most cities. Children 
Should be taught that the greatest kindness 
toward such isa speedy and painless death. 
The two following sentences, from an 
artist and a philosopher, respectively, em- 
body profound truths as to physical and 
metaphysical methods in any branch of 
study. According to Philip Gilbert Hamer- 
ton, ‘‘ Personal familiarity alone makes 
knowledge alive.” Joseph Henry declares 
that ‘‘ In the order of nature, doing comes 
before thinking, art before science.” 
Huxley and Wm. North Rice have em- 
phatically condemned the maxim, “ A little 
knowledge is a dangerous thing.” Igno- 
rance alone is perilous, and in proportion 
to its density. 
The practical study of the brain in edu- 
cational institutions below the college may 
conveniently form three stages, correspond- 
ing with the primary school, the grammar 
SCIENCE. 
905 
and intermediate schools and the high 
school. At all three stages actual speci- 
mens are to be used and drawings are to 
be made. 
Fic. 2. Head of sheep skinned. Along the line 
A-B the butcher may cut so as to remove. most of the 
face ; the line A—C indicates the plane of section with 
a saw for removing the cranium. 
In the primary stage there is to be mainly 
observation with the unaided eye, and sim- 
ple manipulation. A sheep’s brain*is to be 
examined by each pupil; but there should 
be shown also preparations exhibiting the 
location of the brain in the head, its con- 
tinuity with the myel (spinal cord), and its 
connection with the eyes and larger cranial 
nerves ; also preparations, models or charts 
of corresponding aspects of the human brain. 
Few terms need be employed, but the parts 
should become familiar as the features of 
the face. For further details see the de- 
scription of an application of the plan in 
the latter part of this article. 
* In most localities where neurology is likely to be 
considered the heads of sheep may be had in abun- 
dance, at a trifling cost, and without involving the 
killing of the animals for the purpose. In vary- 
ing degrees the same may be said of calves, pigs and 
oxen. Sometimes the butchers can be employed to 
extract the brain after a rough fashion as if for food ; 
but it is removed most safely and easily according to 
the method devised by P. A. Fish, described by me 
before the American Society of Naturalists, in 1890, 
and indicated upon Figures 2 and 3. 
