INTBODUGTOBY. tU 



" Let knowledge grow from more to more, 

 But more of reverence in us dwell ; 

 That mind and soul, according well 

 May make one music as before. " 



How THIS Text-Book is to be Used. — The lessons in this 

 book are not exhaustive either of the subjects, suitable for investi- 

 gation, or of the treatment of those taken up. The order of the 

 lessons as well as the order of the parts of each one may be varied 

 to suit circumstances. The class may begin at any lesson in the 

 book or even at the middle of a lesson. The important feature of 

 expression is left almost wholly to the discretion of the teacher. 

 The same subject may be investigated by all the classes from the 

 primary to the highest, but the expression of observations and 

 judgments must vary with the age, attainments and circumstances 

 of the pupils. The youngest tot in the kindergarten may learn 

 something by observation of the insect or the star, for example, but 

 the wisest people in the world have not yet learned all about them. 



" Flower in the crannied wall, 

 I pluck you out of the crannies ; 

 I hold you here, root and all, in my hand, 

 Little flower — but ifX could understand 

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

 I should know what God and man is." 



Nature-Study Books.— It is strongly recommended that pupils, 

 able to write and draw, should make neat, and, if possible, artis- 

 tic records of their studies, in books kept for the purpose. In 

 addition to the records of investigations and illustrative objects 

 that may be conveniently attached to the pages, each subject may 

 conclude with a composition or essay setting forth in a connected 

 manner the history and results of the investigation. Language 

 training may be made a valuable incident of the nature-study lesson. 

 For English composition and drawing lessons many of the nature- 

 studies offer incomparable subjects. 



Apparatus. — Sharp eyes and willing hands are the most neces- 

 sary instruments in the nature-study lessons. A great many things 

 might be named in making up a complete outfit for a school, but 

 the more important of these would be one or more good magnifying 



