20 NATURE-STUDY 



the sacred pools, and then go home carrying with them the 

 germs of disease to many regions. A scourge of cholera is the 

 result. And what is the cause of all this ? Pure ignorance. 

 Such ignorance in an enlightened country is not only wrong, 

 but immoral. Statutes even make it criminal to violate the 

 rules of the boards of health. All this goes to show that there 

 is a great social interest in nature-study that will teach people 

 how to live a self-supporting, safe, and healthy life. For 

 people who cannot do this become public charges or menace 

 the public welfare. 



The study of the wonderful things of the world, their 

 beautiful fitness for their existence and functions, the re- 

 markable progressive tendency of all organic hfe, and the 

 unity that prevails in it create admiration in the beholder and 

 tend to his spiritual uplifting. He feels a greater reverence 

 for the wonderful universe and its mysterious forces. He is 

 compelled to think of the Why and the Wherefore of it all, 

 and he must think of the Great First Cause. 



The contemplation of nature, the works of God, naturally 

 tends to make one believe in an all-planning and all-guiding 

 Influence. 



The all-pervading and controlling Force in nature is seen 

 in the star, in the work of the elements, in the pearly nautilus, 

 in the flower. If we knew the ultimate meaning of all or 

 each we might have the key to existence. That is "what 

 Tennyson meant when he wrote 



Flower in the crannied wall, 

 I pluck you out of the crannies; — 

 Hold you here, root and all, in my hand, 

 Little flower; but if I could understand 

 What you are, root and all, and all in all, 

 I should know what God and man is. 



