MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



7 



Teachers are asked to keep in mind the invitation of the Curator, 

 and also to suggest any way in which the schools may be better 

 served. 



The figures for attendance by classes are as follows : — 



Total number of pupils, 1047. 



A loss from the attendance of last year is shown. 



Loan Collections. 



An extension of the work of the museum in making up and 

 distributing loan collections to the schools is greatly to be desired. 

 The results from the small beginnings of such effort show large 

 possibilities. There are many phases which this kind of service to 

 the children may assume. Special exhibits may be correlated with 

 some line of study, or with topics of popular discussion, such as 

 volcanic action, when Vesuvius or Aetna are in restless mood; Arctic 

 exploration, when an explorer returns or departs; new enterprises in 

 agriculture or engineering; and improvements in lawns and home 

 gardens. Intelligent loyalty to any cause among school children is 

 one of the best methods of securing progress, and museum exhibits 

 may be used to promote such devotion to civic betterment. 



Lectures. 



The personal influence exerted by the lecturer multiplies the 

 significance and value of specimens. Vague and desultory attention 

 on the part of the observer is transformed into ordered, persistent, 

 scientific study. Furthermore, the listener is encouraged and directed 

 in systematic application. Several lectures have been given with 

 gratifying results during the past year. The list is as follows: — 



March 19, 1910. Lewis B. Allyn, professor of chemistry in 

 Westfield State Normal School, on "Chemistry and Twentieth Century 

 Superstition." 



April 15, 1910. Talk on "Arrangement and Classification of Birds 

 in the Museum," by the Assistant Curator. 



April 30, 1910. Lecture on "Birds" by Ernest Harold Baynes, 

 for the Massachusetts Audubon Society. 



City schools 



Schools outside city 



44 

 18 



Total 



62 



