VIU MANUAI, OF NATURE STUDY. 



To carry intelligence into the vegetable kingdom, the 

 full-grown, well-developed stalk of corn in full ear is the 

 ideal in the life of this plant throughout all stages of its 

 existence. In the realization of this ideal the vital force of 

 this plant uses all its surroundings; soil and moistiire be- 

 neath, air and carbon dioxide above, and warmth and sun- 

 light all around it. When these outer elements are brought 

 into contact with the inner life of the plant, they are trans- 

 formed into a thing of beauty and pushed outward as an 

 embodiment and manifestation of the beautiful life within. 

 Throughout the period of growth in the attainment of its 

 ideal, the corn plant is harmonizing the surrounding ele- 

 ments with its own beautiful life. 



Or, to carry intelligence into the animal kingdom, the 

 ideal towards which the spirit strives is the full-grown, well- 

 developed animal, and we have only to observe its growth 

 and habits in life to know its place in nature. Here again 

 the crude elements of the outer world are changed into a 

 body of strength, activity and beauty appropriate to the 

 character of the internal spirit. The earth itself acts in 

 obedience to the same laws. It balances the other planets 

 in space and assists in the equilibrium of the whole universe. 

 It receives the elements from the sun and works them over 

 into stormy seas and pacific lakes, rugged mountains and 

 peaceful valleys, majestic forests and grassy prairies, all 

 ' expressive of that inner life that enables it to fit into the 

 environment — the universe. 



As with the examples just given, so with the child. He, 

 too, reaches upward toward an ideal. He is in the world to 

 learn his place in nature that he may adapt himself to his 

 surroundings. He touches nature. He is nature himself 

 and all his acts are nature. The first few years of his life 



