THE DANGERS OF NATURE STUDY 35 



so-called nature-study exercises which consist of the ex- 

 hibition of a flower or even a bird and the quotation of 

 poetry about it. This may be a charming way of making 

 literature more realistic, but it does not hold relationship 

 with the nature study here in mind. We may find this 

 process called the correlation of nature study and literature. 

 But such devices repel rather than attract strong children, 

 just as does the foolish and forced sprightliness of manner 

 of many primary teachers. The truth itself, when dis- 

 cerned clearly, is always attractive, and we cannot afford 

 to play fast and loose with it. 



Just here we find large diversity of opinion, for this kind 

 of instruction has become so engrafted upon nature study 

 that to many it seems to be essential. Besides, the method 

 referred to obtains results that are really desirable, for it 

 interests and stimulates many and certainly feeds the im- 

 agination. The only criticism is that it is not nature study. 

 It is simply using the facts of nature as starting points for 

 flights of fancy. It shifts the interest from nature to a 

 figment of the imagination which does not and cannot exist 

 in nature. It introduces points of view that result in de- 

 ceptions and even hallucinations, and it is improperly 

 labeled nature study. Rather it is " nature fancy," and 

 perfectly unobjectionable when rightly named. 



The race of so-called "nature fakirs" thrives in this 

 atmosphere. They weave their nature fancies with great 

 skill, and their writings are very seductive. We acknowl- 

 edge and enjoy their charm, but when they pose as inter- 

 preters of nature they are to be denounced as frauds. Let 

 it be understood that all this criticism has to do only with a 

 proper label — a label that shall fairly represent the content. 



