SUMMER SCHOOL. 



In the winter of 1900 the idea was conceived of a department 

 for regular and systematic out-door work by more members than 

 would perhaps otherwise take it up. This plan was put into 

 practical shape and a department added to the Institute, which 

 was called, for want of a more appropriate name, a summer 

 school. Most of its work, however, was done in the spring. 

 The plan and scope of its work cannot be given better than in 

 the words of the prospectus, issued before the beginning of the 

 class work : 



" A recent writer has well said that to know the lower forms 

 of animal life is to have a better knowledge of ourselves. The 

 thought is almost equall}^ applicable to plant life ; . for the laws 

 of development are essentially the same in all things that live 

 and grow. Indeed, the thought ma}^ be farther extended ; since 

 it is probable that if we understood the laws by which the mole- 

 cules of a mineral are selected, combined, and acted upon, we 

 should hold the key to many of the mysteries of our own organ- 

 isms. 



"It is obviously desirable, therefore, that knowledge of na- 

 ture and her laws should be universal. Unfortunatelj-, profound 

 research is practicable onl}- for a limited number — those having 

 wealth and leisure, as well as ability and taste. For advanced 

 workers there must be large libraries, extensive museums, tech- 

 nical training, and costlj^ apparatus. But while these toil in 

 study and laboratory, the great book of nature lies open to all ; 

 and here, about Manchester, we are singularly fortunate. Na- 

 ture has spread out two volumes for us ; the 'Canadian and AUe- 

 ghanian provinces meet at our very door. The trees and flow- 

 ers, the birds and insects of two continental divisions mingle 

 here. 



" While interest in nature study is rapidl}^ increasing, even 

 the summer school, as commonl)^ conducted, is inaccessible to 

 many, partly by reason of the expense, and partly by reason" of 

 the demand upon time which cannot be spared. To meet, as 

 far as practicable, a need that is keenlj^ felt, a summer school 

 has been organized under the auspices of the Manchester Insti- 



