Se 
Xv1 INTRODUCTION. 
calls upon our specialists in Science to tell what they know in 
plain readable language, and expects them to illustrate their 
meaning in the best and most modern manner. The public 
calls for increased facilities for learning. Popular lectures, 
beautifully illustrated, have become the order of the day, and 
the labour of the brain may be had cheaper than the labour of 
the hands. Biology and Nature Study have taken their places 
in. the courses of instruction both in private and public schools 
and the teachers are struggling to fit themselves to meet the 
new requirements ; in fact, the supply does not equal the de- 
mand. Parents are seeking for companions for their children 
in their hours of recreation and vacation who can answer ques- 
tions on natural objects and phenomena; if they cannot find 
the right person, they want correct books and magazines. 
That the true love of Nature imposes certain moral responsi- 
bilities is also beginning to be recognised. First and foremost 
a respect and care for living things will do away with that 
spirit of wanton destruction which permits the killing of any : 
animal or the uprooting or trampling of a living plant, just for : 
the fun of it. It will also promote a spirit of unselfishness 
which can enjoy the beauties of Nature and leave them as we 
found them for some one else to enjoy after us. It also pro- 
motes an appreciation and love of truth which fosters exactness 
‘and precision. From a pedagogic standpoint nature studies 
are of the utmost importance, as they bring the mind to the 
consideration of the objective rather than the subjective meth- 
ods. That they call for greater individuality and latitude of 
presentation is one of the reasons why it has been difficult to 
secure the right methods. Our schools cannot be bound by 
hard and fast rules and requirements; the teacher must meet 
the needs and opportunities of the students and these are very : 
diverse in different schools and places. She must be ready to 
make use of any facilities and accomplishments that individual 
scholars may afford for the benefit of the others, and to bring 
drawing, photography and poetry, as well as prose, to her as- 


