THE SPIRIT OF NATURE STUDY 73 



deeper look to be obtained through reading, although this 

 is a part of the process. The wise thing is to select some 

 special subject for individual study, which will include 

 much observation and some reading. The development 

 of a special region of the great field is a very common 

 characteristic of the most successful teachers. Books 

 and addresses on nature study show the same tendency, 

 and those who really represent an experience and a 

 knowledge that is helpful to teachers stand for some re- 

 stricted field for work. One stands for plants in general, 

 another for trees, another for birds, another for insects, 

 another for amphibians, and so on to the end of the list. 

 Upon listening to the instruction of these various represen- 

 tatives of nature study, it would seem as if each one was 

 working with the only material worth while. But no 

 such conclusion is warranted, for this variety of material 

 presented only means that these individuals have become 

 representatives of nature study by selecting some special 

 material for special study. They are very familiar with it, 

 and so can present it effectively. These special fields are 

 used simply to illustrate the principles of the general field, 

 principles that may apply to any material. There has 

 been a very successful summer school of nature study in 

 which only trees and birds were studied; another in which 

 insects were the objects of chief attention. In any of these 

 cases it was never intended that the materials used by 

 these teachers with their classes should be so restricted, 

 and it certainly should not be. But a teacher who has 

 learned how to use trees and birds ought to be in a position 

 to include other plants and other animals in the work in 

 similar manner. The material used in the summer-school 



