122 



Lately Professor Coulter of Chicago has appeared as one of the 

 authors of a work aimed directly at the solution of the nature 

 study problem. 



The work is styled "practical" and the basis is agricultural. 

 The field is, therefore, that of the rural school, or at least of the 

 schools of communities in which agricultural interests predomi- 

 nate. How far the outlines for school-room use and the speci- 

 men studies will apply beyond the limits of this field, cannot be 

 foretold. But there is no doubt, whatever, that the principles 

 enunciated are valid for every variety of local condition. The 

 treatment is especially noteworthy and should have wide atten- 

 tion. The reviewer hopes that its influence may be extensive. 

 Could these pages be broadly disseminated among teachers, super- 

 visors, and superintendents the effect for good would be imme- 

 diate and distinct ; and the fog which so often envelops the subject 

 would begin to dispel. 



The book is in four parts : the first deals with the mission, the 

 dangers, and the principles of nature study ; the second con- 

 tains a topical outline in nature study and typical lesson plans ; 

 the third is devoted to rural school outlines and subject matter 

 for both biological and physical nature study ; and in part four 

 are found chapters on bird study, school gardens, general mis- 

 conceptions, and evolution. 



The second part represents the course as given in the Training 

 School of the Illinois State Normal University. Though definite 

 in character and designed to give specific aid to teachers who are 

 called upon to handle the subject with little previous training, 

 yet they are not indicative of any belief on the part of the au- 

 thors that all nature study material should be so prescribed as to 

 manner of treatment. 



The authors think that the time has come for extensive ex- 

 periment by trained teachers working in the light of certain 

 evident principles. They insist that the teacher has the right to 

 the last word. 



The utilitarian trend of present-day education is reflected in 

 the subjects of study from the first to the last grade — food, 

 clothing, shelter, domestic animals, the plants of garden and 



