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Cincinnati Society of Natural History. 



up to our institution, and that I should give them conversational talks (we 

 scarcely call them lectures) upon the objects that we had on exhibition in 

 our halls. It proved to be an extremely stormy day in winter when the 

 first gathering took place, but all those invited were present, and we were 

 at once impressed with the magnitude and importance of the work thus 

 thrust upon us. The attendance of the teachers was so constant that the 

 six informal talks were extended to eighteen or twenty. The Board of 

 Education then addressed us a letter expressing their high estimation of 

 the work thus begun and asking that fifty teachers be allowed to be present 

 at the next course. At the conclusion of these lectures the Board wrote 

 us another letter stating that there were one hundred and four schools in 

 our city under their direction, and asking if accommodations could .be made 

 for at least one teacher from each of them, in order that there might be a 

 distinct, definite influence going out from our Museum every week to each 

 school, conveying important instruction and aiding the teachers to give the 

 most complete information to their pupils upon human and comparative 

 anatomy and zoology and other subjects upon which the board might re- 

 quire oral instruction to be given in the common schools. A course on 

 zoology is now in progress, and every Saturday our little hall is filled to 

 overflowing." 



Is there not in some such course as this ample scope for work for this 

 Society ? It is here thrown out as a hint, but I hope in a short time to 

 give a practical demonstration of Prof. Bickmore's plan, show how impor- 

 tant it is, and how helpful it is in teaching. Jos. F. James, 



April, 1884. Custodian C. S. JST. H. 



