Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-05-21

FOR MODERN EDUCATION.
The proposed change from the study
OF the printed page to that Of the
obfects themselves and OF the laws
governing them. as ascertained by Of
rect observation and experiment win
these objects. IS part Of the larger
movement Of the modern rchool To-
wards more OF reality and less Of ne
tion in school studies; more or first
hand knowledge and less of memory
work: more that is practical, and less
that Il theoretical For when the stu
dent recites. writes. draws, makes or
IN any way works with what he him-
self has seen and known Of natural
reality. he is telling what he himself
knows. sees. and does. whereas, in
reciting from books he rs usually tell
ing what some one else has seen or
known or done. And In order 70 sub
stitute frst-hand observation and
direct perception for what is at best
only recital of the experience Of 9TH
ers. IL is necessary % have materials
at hand 50 classified and arranged as
TO facilitate the work Of studying dt-
rectly from natures great book.
Mr. M'DoNALD's GIFT
II Is. then. because OF what such gifts
may signify 10 tho cause Of education
IN the state. that / suppose many Of
your readers will be interested 20 know
that the magnificent case Of butter
flies exhibited az the state fair Is now
TO be used as an aid I'm illustrating 10
normal students al the University Of
Utah how to give lessons In the public
schools from this attractive field OF
natural history.
In this branch Of the study of nature.
we are certain that pupils who learn to
recite directly from viewing the IN
sect and from learning the life his
tory OF the butterfly will discover
many facts at nrst-hand. including
visible beaut in some Of its most at
tractive asnects They win also dis
cover resurrection miracle hourly
carried on IN the lives OF these humble
creatures that may even serve 10 IL
iustrate. by analorv, that the resurrec-
ton itself may not be out OF the course
OF nature but only a higher manifcs-
tation Of some underlying principle Of
eternal progress.
As to the snecimens mentioned, Mr..
j. G. Mcdonald. president Of the state
fair made the presentation. and the
large glass case filled with hundreds OF
valuable insect specimens OF the order
lepidOptera, as the moths and but
TEXTILES are termed In classification. is
now at the university
MIR. sPALDGNG's COLLECTION
The specimens presented arc in per-
feet condition. spretd and mounted
with great care This fine collection
was the work OF Mr.. Tom Spalding Of
Provo and these delicate insect beau
ties constitute a splendid testimonial
of his ability and genius as a collector
This case was the most attractive and
unique exhibit displayed at the last
state fair. and was so much admired by
the beholders, and especially by stu
dents in the nature work at the uni
versity that Mr. Mcdonald decided to
purchase the collection ana TO present
Il for their use.
TEACHING FROM BUTTERFLIES.
The utility Of such collections in
class work at Institutions Of learning
is so great as TO multiply many times
their public value. At present the nor
nal students who expect to be
graduated in June as teachers. are
considering just how lessons on insect
life can best be given in tho public
schools: and the moths and butterflies.
Il Is believed, AFFORD the most favorable
opportunity for presenting to the
youngest pupils much hrst-hand. per
ceptive knowledge OF the insect world,
here clothed In It's most attractive
forms and hues.
BY such methods IL should be pos
sible TO exhibit in It's most fascinat-
ing aspect, some Of the marvels.
miracles. and r0mances with which the
insect world aboupds and IS always
ready To reveal 10 those who will look
into II.
For no child can behold unmovcd the
various forms, the delicate or brilliant
colorings. the odd or striking patterns
the unique and fanciful outlines. or
the wavering graceful flight of these
airy and dainty creatures. or get even
a hint of their life history. without
becoming strongly interested In them
and learning more Of their ways.
THE INSECT BEAUTIFUL.
Because Of their beauty butterflies
have always held the foremost place
among insects Because OF their mar
vclous transformations, they show us
the mystery Of insect life In all It's
wonder Tiny eggs change into cater
pillars that are often of large size and
of formidable appearance though real
~ quite harmless; caterpillars trans
form into curious Case-enclosed Crea-
lures called chrysalids which hang for
"a week or two quite still, and finally
the Chrysalids develop into the glorious
and bright-Winged creatures that float
over the flowers and are the people s
especial favorites among an the chill
dren of the SUM- Easily collected they
may so be used In school work as 10
guide and crafty the collecting
mania" POSSESSED by nearly every nor
NAL child. with little skill or special
learning iu this branch Of nature, amy
teacher can have a collection Of forms
30 striking and of colors SO marvellous
In their brillilnCy and deNcacy that
the insect world win lose much Of its
horror 20 tine most tlmid aud abnor-
mallv sensitive who viii take the
trouble tu mlk such a ,H'',. t'nn We
are convinced that ii lh.#. Observations
and collections au. begun loo e.Hnu.
days. the boy 1r ErI $500 b. Hnuu.