xliv PROCEEDINGS—PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. 
to take their classes to Museums for demonstrations in Science and 
Art teaching, and enacting that visits paid in this way shall count 
for School attendance. This is, so far as I am aware, the first direct 
recognition by our educational authorities of the assistance which 
Museums might yield for teaching purposes. I understand that the 
School Boards of Edinburgh and of Glasgow are agitating to have 
a similar clause introduced into the Scottish Code, and there is no 
doubt that sooner or later this will be accomplished, and then our 
own Museum will be made to fulfil its mission even more completely 
than at present. 
Although the educational value of Museums is only now receiv¬ 
ing tardy recognition in this country, the fact has long been recognised 
in other countries, particularly Germany* and the United States. 
In Germany a very extensive system of “ School Excursions ” pre¬ 
vails.! During the summer months teachers take the older classes 
out once or twice a week for afternoon rambles, either to the country 
in search of Natural History specimens, or to Museums, Art Galleries, 
and Zoological Gardens, where lectures and demonstrations are 
given on rhe objects exhibited. We may be quite certain that the 
knowledge thus imparted will sink much more deeply and per¬ 
manently into the young learners than mere book knowledge would, 
both because the objects spoken of are actually before the eye, and 
because the circumstances are congenial and unconstrained. 
In conclusion, I would refer in a word to the Syllabus of our 
Winter Session. I am very pleased to see on it the names of several 
members who have not previously read papers before our Society. 
This is a healthy sign, and I trust that there are many others who 
will follow their example. It is also pleasing to see the evidence of the 
good feeling existing between the Students’ Union and ourselves in 
promoting a mutual Lecture to the two Societies by Mr. Goodchild. 
This, too, is as it should be, and as I trust it ever will be in the 
relations between ourselves and all other agencies for promoting the 
intellectual welfare of the community in which we live. 
The following paper was read :— 
“The Marsh Tit in Scotland.” By J. A. Harvie-Brown, F.R.S.E., 
F.Z.S. (See Trans., Vol. II., p. 97.) 
13th December, 1894. 
Mr. Henry Coates, F.R.S.E., President, in the Chair. 
The following donations were intimated :— 
Museatn—Perthshire Collection .—Specimens of a New Perthshire 
Shell, Succmea elegans —from Mr. R. Kidston, F.R.S.E., Stirling. 
Entomological and Zoological Specimens—from Mr. T. M. M‘Gregor, 
* See A Study in Municipal Government , by James Pollard, C.A., p. 117. 
tSee The Century Magazine , Vol. xlviii., p. 643, Art. “School Excursions 
in Germany.” 
