ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 55 



Mr. Dearness deserves much credit for his efforts towards the introduction of nature- 

 study in his own County of Middlesex, and, in a general way, throughout the Province of 

 Ontario. It is to be hoped that a little leaven will leaven the whole lump, and that every 

 County Inspector will endeavor to the utmost to further this most desirable object. The 

 compulsory study of Botany in the lower forms of our High Schools has already paved 

 the way to a partial recognition of nature study as one worthy a place in our school 

 curricula. 



As a teacher of science for several years in some of oar largest Collegiate Institutes, 

 I may be permitted to use whatever influence I possess in urging on this good work, and 

 towards this object this paper has been prepared. 



This paper will consider the subject under the headings Why ?, How ?, and When ?, 

 i.e., why should teachers introduce the study of insect life into their schools ? Supposing 

 its introduction is a wise procedure, how should it be taken up ? and when should it be 

 taken up 1 



Why? 



1. Because the study of insect life trains the eye to see, and the mind to draw 

 proper conclusions from certain observed facts. The child learns clearly the relationship 

 between causes and effects. It is remarkable the number of people who jump at conclu- 

 sions without taking the time to relate cause and effect. Traditions and superstitions 

 are still rampant, and many erroneous ideas of our forefathers are still too often accepted 

 as truth in spite of the great advances that science has made during the last fifty years. 



Pupils properly guided in their observations of nature will soon correct for them- 

 selves many of the errors that imperfect observers have made, and which have been 

 handed down as truths. When the pupils have grown older, and have become engaged 

 in the various pursuits of life, where alertness of mind, close observation, and accurate 

 deductions count for much in the struggle for wealth, those who have been most carefully 

 trained while young will, other things being equal, be most likely to succeed. It is a 

 case of survival of the fittest in a struggle for existence. Comparisons, relations and 

 judgment which are cultivated by a proper study of insect life are indispensable to 

 the successful farmer, merchant and statesman. " If the farmer's boy learns how to 

 accurately observe the process of nature with which farm produce deals, and the foes with 

 which agriculture has to contend, are not the chances vastly increased that he will be 

 successful in managing nature so as to get the greatest favors from this coy mistress of 

 his life and fortune 1 " 



2. Apart from the direct bearing on a successful life from a commercial standpoint, 

 the study of nature reveals beauties and wonders all about us. Our eyes are opened to 

 the wondrous transformation of insects, to the inter- relationships which exist between 

 plants and insects, and among insects themselves. These are subjects of perennial interest, 

 and the persons who have observed nature carefully will find in her not only " a resource 

 and recreation, but an ever-faithful friend holding out comforting arms to those who are 

 weary in soul and body." I think no one can be unhappy who has a true friend in 

 nature, and can establish a living sympathy with everything about him, for Coleridge says : 



" He prayeth best who loveth best 

 All things, both great and small ; 

 For the dear God who loveth us, 

 He made and loveth all." 



A writer with wide experience says : " The element of education which is at present 

 most lacking in our common schools is the training of the powers of observation. The 

 children need above all things else to be taught to observe carefully and correctly and te- 

 state their observations in clear and terse language. The ordinary child, whether on the 

 farm or in the town, actually sees comparatively little in the world about him. The 

 wonders of the trees and plants in park or meadow, of birds and insects flying about the 

 house, float like shadowy visions before his eyes. " Seeing, he sees not." He needs a 



