viii MANUAIy OF NATURK STUDY. 
To carry intelligence into the vegetable kingdom, the 
full-grown, well-developed stalk of corn in full ear is the 
ideal in the life of this plant throughout all stages of its 
existence. In the realization of this ideal the vital force of 
this plant uses all its surroundings; soil and moisture be¬ 
neath, air and carbon dioxide above, and warmth and sun¬ 
light all around it. When these outer elements are brought 
into contact with the inner life of the plant, they are trans¬ 
formed into a thing of beauty and pushed outward as an 
embodiment and manifestation of the beautiful life within. 
Throughout the period of growth in the attainment of its 
ideal, the corn plant is harmonizing the surrounding ele¬ 
ments with its own beautiful life. 
Or, to carry intelligence into the animal kingdom, the 
ideal towards which the spirit strives is the full-grown, well- 
developed animal, and we have only to observe its growth 
and habits in life to know its place in nature. Here again 
the crude elements of the outer world are changed into a 
body of strength, activity and beauty appropriate to the 
character of the internal spirit. The earth itself acts in 
obedience to the same laws. It balances the other planets 
in space and assists in the equilibrium of the whole universe. 
It receives the elements from the sun and works them over 
into stormy seas and pacific lakes, rugged mountains and 
peaceful valleys, majestic forests and grassy prairies, all 
expressive of that inner life that enables it to fit into the 
environment—the universe. 
As with the examples just given, so with the child. He, 
too, reaches upward toward an ideal. He is in the world to 
learn his place in nature that he may adapt himself to his 
surroundings. He touches nature. He is nature himself 
and all his acts are nature. The first few years of his life 
