THE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 



15 



done by Miss Dorothea Clark who conceived the idea of such a course, 

 and the group of 60 to 100 Hsteners who were on hand for the story 

 every Saturday morning testified to the success of her efforts. 



Classes from the Schools. 



By definite program arrangement with the nature study supervisor, 

 work with classes year by year assumes a more definite character. 



During the fall and winter some animal (preferably living) is studied 

 in the grades. It may be bird, cat, dog, mouse, rabbit or, if in a rural 

 section, the farm animals. Classes are later brought to the museum to 

 study the many relatives of such animals, and by means of habitat 

 groups, knowledge of their home life is gained. 



In February this work brought 1,300 children in classes with teachers 

 for such exercises of observation, question and answer; these to be fol- 

 lowed by written work in school. The total general attendance for that 

 month was 5,420. The total attendance for the year was 36,296. 



Work with the Girls' Continuation School is now in progress. Mem- 

 bers of these classes include clerks who sell textiles, millinery, glass 

 wares, buttons, jewelry, candy, groceries, etc. 



A sample of one class exercise about textiles may best indicate the 

 work with these girls. Silk was first displayed. Live silk worms indicated 

 the source of pure silk, and the life history of these creatures was illus- 

 trated by specimens. Near-by silk making factories were named, and 

 history of silk culture was told. In comparison, the much used fiber 

 silk was shown in sweater, hosiery or scarf and the process of production 

 from cellulose explained. Materials used for adulterating silk were 

 referred to. Consideration of the worm or the woody fiber as the sources 

 of garments worn or sold by members of the class proved impressive. 



The story of linen from the dainty flax plant to the handkerchief or 

 damask; cotton from the seed pod to Wesson oil or to our garments 

 was enlightening, and colonial day methods of procuring and preparing 

 the wedding chest of linen and woolens made a strong contrast to present 

 day manufacture. 



The sources of buttons were shown from the mussel shells to finished 

 pearl buttons; from the palm tree fruit, vegetable ivory, to another kind 

 of button manufactured in this city; and with these there were buttons 

 of metal, bone, and wood. Jewelry day was unique. Beads of imitation 

 amethyst, aquamarine, topaz, emerald, coral, ivory, cameo, bone and 

 amber were shown with the mineral, animal or plant source that supply 

 the genuine substances. Merchants are gladly lending material for these 

 lessons that make for them more intelligent salesgirls, and both girls 

 and merchants have asked that the work be continued and extended. 



Sessions with the Boys' Continuation School consisted of exercises 

 for non-English speaking members. 



Clubs. 



Clubs continue their activities in lectures and field excursions. Work- 

 ing with the Museum proves advantageous to both organizations. The 



