Hyatt.] 332 [Oct. 20, 



affect the immediate prosperity and future usefulness of this de- 

 partment. 



These facts, however, do not by any means represent the whole 

 value of Miss Crocker's life to the Society, nor the loss it has suf- 

 fered in her death. She was also deeply interested in the progress of 

 the Museum and had fully entered into and sympathized with its 

 plan of work. Her power and influence were very large. She had 

 gained the confidence of many persons and was well known to the 

 public, and she had promised to place herself at the service of this 

 department whenever the proper time should arrive. 



I do not feel qualified to speak with regard to the work of Miss 

 Crocker in the public schools, but one thing has seemed very evi- 

 dent, even to me, that it was certainly largely, if not almost wholly, 

 due to her, that natural history has assumed so prominent a place 

 in the curriculum. 



With regard to another chapter of her work in the public schools, 

 Mrs. Richards has, at my request, written a short communication 

 which I will read as a fitting conclusion to these remarks. 



" Miss Crocker, while not a specialist, had the rare quality of 

 mind which permitted a wide acquaintance with various branches 

 of elementary science and a judicial balancing of the claims of each. 

 It was this faculty which made her so well qualified to suggest to 

 specialists appropriate ways of teaching science from the educa- 

 tional standpoint and not from the technical or professional one. 



"Her judgment as to the essential points in any science which 

 could be made of value to children and }^outh as a part of their 

 education, was almost unerring. Her influence in this direction 

 can never be fully known but we may select a few instances. She 

 was the first organizer, in 1872 or 1873, of the science depart- 

 ment of the Society to Encourage Studies at Home. She was a 

 member of the Woman's Educational Association, and, although 

 rarely present at their meetings, was really foremost in all move- 

 ments pertaining to scientific education for women. We never 

 did anything in opposition to Miss Crocker's judgment, and her 

 approval was sufficient to insure the success of whatever we un- 

 dertook. 



"Of her own especial work among the teachers and in the schools 

 one instance will suffice to show her scientific method. Miss 

 Crocker, in the year 1881-82, asked me to join with her in giving a 

 series of First Lessons on Minerals for the use of the public schools. 



