New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-02
MUSEUM AIDS SCHOOLS.
Providing Natural History Speci-
mems for Instruction of Children.

Nearly four hundred thousand children In the
public elementary schools Of the city will study
nature specimens this year through the courtesy Of
the American Museum Of Natural History All
last week men from the museum were delivering
specimen cases to about a hundred schools whoss
principals had applied for them. Many Of the
specimens are new this year. Two employees OF the
museum were at work all summer mounting SIX
hundred new bird skins for the schools.
The museum began this work among the school
children in a small way two years ago. At that
time the new couEse study had just been intro
duced into the schools and nature study was one
of the principal ones prescribed for the children
of the first four years.
The Board Of superintendent Of the Department.
Of Education in making UP the supply lists. de-
termined TO rely on the teachers and children 70
procure specimens for the nature study course
In this they reckoned without their host Inc
teachers began applying to the museum imrnedi-
ately for the very items that the supply lists OF
the Department Of Education provided TOT the
high schools. Director H. c. Bumpus declaeo 20
have a collection Of specimens compiled IN ac-
cordance with the requirements OF the course %
study in the public schools and TO place the cpec-
ton at the disposal Of the teachers He placed
the work In the hands Of 6. II. Sherwood, assistant
curator Of the Department OF Inyertebrate HOOosy'
The travelling collection Of specimens hrst con-
sisted of 10 sets of blueays and 10 OF owls It now
consists of 20 owl 20 robin SETS ID olue1ay sets
40 bluebird sets. 90 tanger sets % molusk sets p
crab SETS 20 sets of spongeS and corals' % insect
SETS 20 starfsh and worm SETS 20 sets OF minerals
and rocks. 20 sets Of native woods ana ~ sets OF
special insects.
While these sets are particularly adapted 10 the
nature study course in the first four years OF ths
elementary public schools, they are also useo IN
the upper grades in connection with other subjects
For Instance the nautilus would be studied in con-
nectIon with the reading lesson at which tne poem
of .aThe Chambered Nautilus is taken up
Last wear 185 regular schools used the travelling
sets and last summer 90 Of the 80 summer schools
used Them In the regular schools $4,000 children
benefited by Them and much greater number
will see and study them this winter. -, -.
Already more than one hundred cans ndHe cGIIle
in 10 Mr.. Sherwood. When sets OF the collecloI.s
are desired at any school, the principal Signs az
application card indicating which set ne wants IIS
and the order in which he wishes other SETS 70 Iot
low CJniy one set is delivered TO school al one
The sets are delivered by messenger Of the MI
COLLECTIONS NAV be retained for three weeks On
each case a card is attached. giving its number
and name. and, on the back me r Ssvs
has followed and the NUMBER OF CIlliuen VIZ "t
studied it and the principals who nave uSed y.
Some remarkable figures are SHOWN one oIus1a5
set has visited nine schools and has Oeen studied
Each case is also accompanied by a copy Of notes
of brief nature, giving tac{s on me SUI es
in the case. list Of reference books Is also ap-
pended. - ,z ,1,.o.t,,. -
every class OF birds, insects. bugs numerals etc;
mentioned under Nature Study IN the scnoOl
to them daily AS Mondays and TUESDAYS are pay
days the children must come In the company O.
parents or teachers in which case they are ad-
mitted without charge -. -. -, .,,.
tions which are gathered within fifty miles or New
York City. The birds in the coiectlon az tne M NJ
parks. Two hives OF bees. making money uhdeE q
glass, are always on exhibition for the children