pkesident's address. 145 



In the first place, they were quite alive to the advantages 

 of xSatural History as a hobby. They said it provided healthy 

 and interesting occupation both for indoors and out-of-doors. 

 Thev said it developed our powers of observation. Some of 

 them said it taught reverence for the Creator. And then, 

 with one accord, or almost with one accord, they began to 

 make excuse. " You might catch a chill." " You might 

 become a vivisectionist." " You were sure to be laughed at," 

 «S:c. 13 ut the note which occurred more frequently was that it 

 w^as not sufficiently exciting. 



We all know the story of the little boy Avatching the files 

 on the window. *' Mother, did God make the files? "Yes, 

 dear." " Rather fiddling work making files." Well, Natural 

 History seemed to them rather fiddling work. One essayist spoke 

 of " the pottering and obscure life of the keen naturalist." 



But the more thoughtful ones tried to find reasons for the 

 contrast between their theories as to the advantages of Natiual 

 Science, and their practice with regard to it. The following 

 suggestions seem to me near the mark : — " Natural Science is 

 not brought to boys' notice early enough. Before they hear 

 of it they have provided themselves with other hobbies." And 

 again, " much practice and a good deal of guidance is needed 

 to make one love it." 



Of course, they are comparing Natural History in their 

 minds with sport and games, and the specially concentrated 

 excitement to be derived from them. With respect to these 

 tAvo great counter-attractions there are hopeful signs. With 

 respect to games there is a growing feeling among educa- 

 tionalists that they are far too seriously pursued. With 

 respect to sport, I quote from Lord Avebury : 



" The study of Natural History seems destined to replace 

 the loss of what is, not very happily, 1 think, termed "sport;" 

 engraven in us as it is by the operations of thousands of years, 

 during which men lived greatly on the produce of the chase. 

 Game is gradually becoming " small by degrees and beauti- 

 fully less." Our prehistoric ancestors hunted the mammoth, 

 the woolly-haired rhinoceros, and the Irish elk : the ancient 

 Britons had the wild ox, the deer and the Avolf. We have 

 still the hare, the partridge and the fox ; but even these are 

 becoming scarcer, and must be ])reserved first, in order that 

 they may be killed afterwards. Some of us even now, and 

 more, no doubt, will hereafter, satisfy instincts of the same 

 origin by the study of birds, or insects, or even infusoria, of 

 cieatures which more than make iq) by their variety wdiat 

 they want in size." 



