38 PROMOTING "NATURE STUDY" IN SCHOOLS.
without a glass lid of any box being broken or an antenna of a single insect in
them being knocked off.
In the case of the Essex Field Club there appears to be the best opportunity
of developing a Nature-Study, as opposed to an ordinary natural history, museum
at the Epping Forest Museum in Queen Elizabeth's Lodge, Chingford, and I
sincerely hope that the scheme may be carried out. I might add that, however
informative the labels are in the ordinary local collections, they should follow the
lines laid down in connection with school exhibits and be written with the idea of
leading those who read them on to discover for themselves. Some few facts-
would have to be given, but these may be those which the specimens most
obviously illustrate.
In conclusion, and leaving the informal work on one side, I would point out
that Museum labels may do much to relieve the trouble (alluded to by Professor
Miers, F.R.S., at Dublin, in his Address to the Delegates of the Corresponding
Societies of the British Association)' which is caused by the over-technicality of
scientific language of the present day, whether it be in papers read or in books
which are published, which puts the amateur in the same position as he was fifty
or sixty years ago. In Natural History and Prehistoric Archaeology at least the
Museum and its labels may do much, as a visit to the Club's Museum at
Stratford will well show.
A long and interesting discussion took place, but owing to the very varied
aspects of the subject touched upon, space will not permit of more than a bare
summary of the remarks of the speakers.
Prof. Meldola, F.R.S., thanked -Mr. Webb for his suggestive and admirable
address, and said that this subject had always had the sympathy of the Club, as
was abundantly evidenced in the educational work in Essex which was largely
due to its initiative. The spirit of these early efforts was still manifested in much
of the excellent work which had been, and is still carried on by the Essex County
Council. The movement in favour of the adoption of Nature-Study as a useful and
inspiriting adjunct in a course of general education was spreading, and that was
undoubtedly a step in the right direction. But Prof. Meldola ended by sound-
ing a warning note with regard to the unrestricted collecting of plants and
insects, &c., by large companies of children and so-called Nature-students.
This practice might readily lead to the effacement of some of the most attractive
objects in the open country near our towns and large villages. Serious attention
should be paid by school managers to this matter, should Nature-Study become
a feature in the regular work of our large schools.
[The reader is directed to Prof. Meldola's further observations on Nature-
Study at the meeting on page 42 supra.]
Mr. J. H. Nicholas, M.A., gave a resume of the biological work carried on
by the Essex County Council in connection with the County Technical Labora-
tories, Chelmsford. Mr. Nicholas exhibited a set of the publications connected
with the scheme of instruction, consisting not only of the ordinary routine of the
laboratories, but also pamphlets descriptive of the school gardens, "Field
Studies in Natural History," "Practical Horticulture," etc , etc.
[Mr. Nicholas has kindly deposited an almost complete set of these publications
in our Library for reference.]
5 "The Educational Opportunities of Local Scientific Societies." Printed in extenso in.
the last volume of the Essex Naturalist (Vol. xv., pp. 169-177).—Ed.