REVIEWS AND EXCHANGES 
35 
is made clear that the student should examine the types and structures for him- 
self, and if he merely uses the volume as a “ cram book ’’ it will be his own 
fault and not that of the author. 
.4 year’s IVork u<ith Mother Nature. (Pitman’s Object Lesson Series.) By 
Alyce L. Sandford. 6J inches x 8.^ inches. 203 pages, illustrated. Sir 
Isaac Pitman and Sons. Price 3s. 6d. 
To this book, which is written by the Headmistress of the Christ Church 
•School, Southwark (well known for its Nature work) the President of the 
Selborne Society, Lord Avebury, has written a foreword. Me says that the 
examples seem to be wisely chosen, accurately described, and well calculated to 
arouse an interest in Nature. As illustrating the need for attention sometimes to 
be drawn to things. Lord Avebury recalls the occasion when he was in the Chair 
at the Linnean Society, and Darwin read his classical paper on the Primrose. 
■Afterwards, Sir Joseph Hooker, who had spent his life in studying plants, said 
that up to that time he had never realised the great interest of that beautiful 
dower. 
No one, whether occupied in the teaching of Nature Study or not, could fail 
to enjoy running through this book. The titles of the lessons are pleasing, “ The 
(iuest of Summer” is, of course, the swallow, “ h'air Maids of h'ebruary ” are 
snowdrops, “ Bird Cradles” need no explanation, and in the guise of “ London 
Visitor” we find the sea-gull. As the book is intended for teachers it contains 
much information and many facts, but we notice such exhortations as this : 
“ Children to supply information by examination of specimens,” and “ interest- 
ing particulars to be taught at the discretion of the teacher.” 
We hope that the discretion of the Nature Study teacher will lead to the 
imparting of as little information as po.ssible, for the whole point of Nature Study 
is that children should learn to acquire knowledge through their own efforts. 
We notice in the preface that Mrs. Sandford twice calls Nature Study a subject, 
but in the second case she adds the words “if it can so be regarded,” from 
which we may gather that she looks upon it as do other exponents of Nature 
Study, as being a method of teaching. In connection with each lesson, a number 
of suggestions are made for correlating the work with singing and games, with 
modelling, drawing, and so forth. The illustrations are by Miss Coombe Hatch, 
who, like Mrs. Sandford, is a member of the Selborne Society, and these should 
prove most attractive to the children. 
Blaekie's Nature Knowledge Diary. Complied with Notes on Nature Study, by 
W. Percival Westell. 5J inches x loj inches. Blackie and Sons. Price 
6d. net. 
Mr. Westell gives some very interesting notes as an introduction to this diary, 
and he invites suggestions for improving future editions. At present, the book 
consists first of all of monthly weather charts, on which, presumably, the varia- 
tions of the barometer are to be indicated by a curve. Some further notes as to 
the use of the chart might possibly prove useful to those who have not done such 
work before. The next part of the book consists of columns, in which other 
details in regard to weather are to be inserted, with records as to the occurrence of 
birds, insects, and wild flowers. Among the columns are some devoted to “ locality, 
soil, &c.,” “trees and hedges,” “farm yard,” and “garden,” and here, again, 
some idea of what is intended to be recorded might with advantage be indicated. 
There is also a column which will be found very useful for general notes and 
observations. Blank pages for sketches, and what is most important, an index to 
the various columns is added. Messrs. Blackie offer not less that six prizes in the 
year for the best kept of these “ Nature Knowledge Diaries ” that reach them by 
June 30. Altogether, Mr. Westell’s “Nature Knowledge Diary” should prove 
exceedingly valuable. In the title, the words Nature Knowledge are used, and this 
might be taken to include the making of observations with the use of purchased 
instruments, but we do not think that when such apparatus is used, the work 
should be considered Nature Study, for this should be more informal, and 
should not trespass on the domain of elementary science in which knowledge is 
systematised. 
