The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-03-23

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y.
There scarcely exists better exer.
else for the youthful faculties thar
the observation of subjects Of the ami
NAL world. 1t possesses tie greates1
charm for youth aRS thus easily
accustoms our little ones to attach
for awhile their attention to certain
subSeet; it aeeasto1us the eye 70 OBJ.
serve things, not specifically but
scrupulousiy. An eye thus exercised
discovers q thousand little marks,
which forever remain concealed to
the neglected faculty. Perception is
gradually forced to give to the OBJ
server the right idea of the object
perceived. Memory is kept active by
the prehension of the various
names of the animals different parts.
Imagination is cultivated by sketch
ing the correct picture of the animal
observed. Indicative intellect is logi-
cally trained by the Judgment of the
animal and by the search for the
.aimiliarity and for the difference
existing between two different ami
mails.
" Yoar advice is theoretically
yight,n one may remark, but where
shall We obtain enough animals daily
to represent one of the objects of
Linne's system Z" This will surely
not be found wanting, if only your
good will prevails. Indeed l can not
suppose that every tutor will be pos
sessed of a collection of natural curl
osities. But the magnificent collec-
ton of natural products, nature itself,
is open for the tutor as we'll as for all
men. If he diligently searches for OBJ
jects, he will find many a thing, and
it he has among his friends some
hunters and farmers and asks them to
assist him in his purpose, to lend him
the animals caught, for representa-
tion to his boys, he will never be en-
,barrassed for subjects ia the lessons
OF natural history. La every institute,
even before collection of natural
products can be obtained, this lesson
must not be neglected, and you may
always introduce new subject. We
hear the scoffer say: Let US then
bring oxen, horses, sheep, into our
school-houses and represent them to |
the young ones in natural This OBJ /
lection deserves no answer, because
common sense will suggest that we
take the children to see those ami
mails which are unfit to enter our
threshold. They may observe the
animal in all its different parts and
return into their classroom in order
to discuss the subject observed,
NOW the question arises: Whence
shall we obtain foreign animals
from time to time foreign animals
are shown, which no sensible tutor
should fail to see with his bows.
These animals are few only nor does
lt matter whether the boys ever see
the greatest part of these foreigners.
The aim OF the child's lesson in
natural history is not to become
professor of natural sciences but the
exercise OF the child's faculties. for
which surrounding nature gives suffi-
cient material. And to be entirely
protected from o want of substance.
you must combine botany with
zoology, and treat the former particu-
larry In summer, the latter during
the winter session. Instruction in
botany does not essentially differ
from the lesson in zoology. The
chief aim ia the exercise of the bows.
The means are the representation of
D plant for their own observation. s
Now, if this lesson would be taught
TO pupils of whom we knew that t6ey
will never leave their native State or
Dur Western Continent, the English
names of the plants, as used in the
Inherent States, would suffice but
since We are persuaded to the con-
trary, that our children will not only &
come in contact with foreigners. but /
Will travel more and quicker than
heir fathers have travelled, it is more s
practical to introduce the plants by a
heir Latin names of the Linnean sys- {
'em, the one now known and accented t
y all civilized nations. We NAV f
liso mention the English name of the t
plant: You say, this is too difficult
or children. But facts are proving
HAT it is very easy for them. Euro.
bean children from six to eight wears.
slrIs as we'll as boys, who were taught \
botany six months, knew nearly all
he plants of their surrounding fora. >
They could name them according To :
Lime and were not little proud of :
he accomplishment. And I NAV =
in the name of American : :
'outh, that We can do the sane if we e :,
re systematically instructed and our E
choois cease to be provisions for .
'ublic charity. ?
fro BE Continued Il