526 



[Proc. B.N.F.C., 



short and inexpensive excursions to enable the members to 

 examine nature as it appears before them and to have interesting- 

 points explained to them by their leader. During the past few- 

 years schools have been paying considerable attention to nature 

 study, especially in England, where it has grown enormously 

 popular. In Belfast, I believe, it is making great strides, and will 

 soon become universal. Past methods of teaching having defects 

 which must be remedied, the chief object of my address is to 

 point out one very serious defect, and to make a plea for its 

 immediate discontinuance. In some parts of England nature 

 study has become an absolute curse, and it may come to pass, 

 unless care be taken, that Irish schools also will go the right way 

 to make their names an abomination to all true lovers of nature. 

 The defect referred to is the wanton destruction of various objects, 

 which through one cause or another have become or are be- 

 coming of rare occurrence. Specimens of these are carried home 

 in dozens by the scholars — mainly through ignorance — where a few 

 or even one would be sufficient, only to be allowed to wither and 

 die and be cast into the refuse heap on the following day. 

 Having instanced several cases where plants have been all but 

 exterminated by so-called "nature study parties" Mr. Stendall 

 referred to the danger of offering prizes for collections of specimens, 

 and pointed out that prizes should be awarded for observation of 

 and intelligent interest in plants and animals rather than for 

 specimens. The lecturer continued — Our Schools should take an 

 example from this Field Club. Mr. Robert Patterson, the 

 Chairman of the Junior Section, has signified his intention of 

 presenting two prizes this year to the members of the section. 

 One is for the " Best note-book recording information received at 

 the lectures during the Winter months," and the other for "The 

 best kept nature diary for the year 191 2." Could anything be 

 more harmless? I think not. Neither collecting nor rare 

 specimens are mentioned. The Junior Section of the Club is 

 only in its infancy, but as time goes on the Committee hope to 



