PROF. THOMSON AND NATURESTUDY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1002, 17 December 1910, Page 3

PROF. THOMSON AND NATURESTUDY.

■ -...» ;; ; ' ' Prof. J.' Arthur Thomson, of Aberdeen, has a very interesting contribution on "Nature Study" in a■" pariieularlv readable'issue of the new monthlv, "The Child." . . "Where there's a will, there's a way, and there are many, devices, for . giving town children glimpses of Nature. The shop ' windows and markets are obvious and often very beautiful. In the . town of Perth I recently saw to my great delight an open hall in connection, with the museum,; in-which - were arranged named specimens of the common wild flowers. These were placed in water on. a big table, open to all comers. They were not allowed to become dowdy, and a new series was arranged foi; each week. " "But it is important .in education to avoid what is far-fetched, and we should realise . clearlythat 'Nature' .includes much more than wild plants and. animals in their normal environment: I have known of one teacher who made his pupils star-gazers, of' another who made quite a play of studying the pavingrstoncs. and building-stones all round about, and got an amassing lot .out .of it, and-of "another,.who. made a/nevcr-taber.'; forgotten series of studies of a'big building that was in course" of erection near the school. Thus, even when Nature is expelled from tho front door with a-fork, she may return."