were perforce attracted by the plant and insect life of the brook, and the one delving into the mystery of breathing oxygen without lungs developed a new interest in the physics of fluids, while those who located the tree frog enlarged their sphere by the knowledge that their pet rejected some of the 'bugs' offered it. "The leader, commencing thus with the limited or special interest of each group, may evolve in his own mind the plan which most naturally will lead the boys not only into a wider field of concrete facts, but also into the habit of seeing relationships, of drawing conclusions and of raising questions for further investigation. "A group of boys interested in a study of fish may well be organized for an all-day trip to the foot of the rapids or the bay of springs; others with geological preferences may spend a night on the top of the distant hill which offers outcroppings of interest; the embryo botanists cannot do better than to take a bog trot for the rare orchid, anomalous pitcher plant, or glistening sun dew; lovers of the deep shade may paddle to the inlet of the creek and there enjoy a side trip on the fragrant carpet of hemlock and pine needles; thus it will be found that by anticipating the probable findings in which the particular group is interested the leader gives a point and purpose, adding not only to the enjoyment of the outing, but imparting, in addition, some satisfactory knowledge of the vicinity." Longfellow said that a "strong evidence of goodly character was the thoughtfulness one dis played in caring for a tree." One of the best things at Camp Becket was a series of out-door talks on nature given by Silas H. Berry. Seated on a huge rock, he told the boys about the shaping and clothing of the earth, foundation stones, mountains and hills, lakes, ponds, and rivers, the beginning of vegetable life, the variation and place of the freak, the forest and its place in the world's progress, the alternation of the forest crop, man and his neighbors. Another afternoon the boys went into the woods and while they squatted on Nature's mattress of fragrant pine needles (see illustration, page 230), he told about leaves and their work, cells and their place, roots and their arrangement, tendrils and their mechanism, flowers and their devices, seeds and their travels. The third talk was upon the evolution of plant life, law and logic of creation, perpetuation of life in the lower forms, edible and poisonous mushrooms, and the perpetuation of life in the higher forms. boys had a different conception of life thereafter and they possessed that nature-love which always tends toward naturalness and simplicity of living. They could sing with feeling. I love thy rocks and rills, Thy woods and templed hills. BIBLIOGRAPHY The How Nature Study Should be Taught-Edward F. Bigelow, Ph.D. Hinds, Noble and Eldridge, $1.00. A book of inspiration. Many practical suggestions are given for arousing interest among boys in Nature Study. The Nature Study Idea-Liberty H. Bailey. Macmillan Co., $1.25 net. interpretation of the new movement to put the boy in sympathy with Nature. An Field and Forest Handy Book-Dan Beard. Charles Scribner's Sons, $2.00. Nothing better published for the benefit of those having permanent camps. It should be placed in the hands of every boy. Outdoors, Indoors, and Up the Chimney-Charles McIlvaine. Sunday School Times Co., 75 cents net. A series of interesting stories about commonplace things. Just the kind of information to give a boy on rainy days. Dan Beard's Animal Book. Moffat, Yard & Company, $1.75 net. Filled with the kind of incidents about animals that boys delight to hear, including the famous bear stories. Also tells about the Camp-fire Club of Animals. How to Study Birds-Herbert K. Job. Outing Publishing Co., $1.50 net. Takes up the practical side of bird study. Describes the outfit necessary for studying the birds in the open. A valuable book. Manual of Common American Insects-William Beautenmuller. 25 cents. Manual of Common Butterflies and Moths-William Beautenmuller. Funk & Wagnalls Co., 25 cents. Two pocket manuals in which the insects, butterflies and moths are reproduced in natural colors with their common and scientific names. Wilderness Pets at Camp Buckshaw-Edward Breck. Houghton, Mifflin Company, $1.50 net. True tales of wilderness pets written by an experienced woodsman. Intensely interesting. Young Folks' Nature Field Book-J. Alden Loring. Dana, Estes & Co., $1.00. Contains a seasonable hint for every day in the year. The alternate pages are left blank for notes or record of things seen. "How to Know the Wild Flowers"-F. T. Parsons. Charles Scribner's Sons, $2.00 net. "How to Know the Ferns"-F. T. Parsons. Charles Scribner's Sons, $1.50 net. "Familiar Trees and Their Leaves"-F. D. Matthews. Appleton and Company, $1.75 net. Three reliable handbooks written in popular style. An Out-of-Door Diary-Marion Miller. Sturgis and Walton Co., $1.25 net. Suitable for very young boys. CHAPTER XIX FORECASTING THE WEATHER WEATHER TABLE-CLOUDS-RAIN-CLEAR WEATHER WINDS-HOW TO TELL DIRECTION OF WINDSIGNALS LOST ON A CLOUDY DAY-POINTS OF COMPASS - HOME-MADE WEATHER PROPHET PLANT BAROMETER-BIBLIOGRAPHY Sunshine is delicious. Rain is refreshing. Snow is exhilarating. There is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.-Ruskin It is said that this weather table by Buzzacott is so near the truth as seldom or never to be found to fail. Every cloud is a weather sign. Low clouds swiftly moving indicate coolness and rain. Soft clouds, moderate winds, fine weather. Clouds Hard-edged clouds, wind. Rolled or ragged clouds, strong wind. "Mackerel" sky, twelve hours dry. Look out for rain when The tree frog cries. Fish swim near the surface. Rain Walls are unusually damp. Flies are troublesome and sting sharply. Smoke beats downward. Sun is red in the morning. There is a pale yellow sunset. Rain with East wind is lengthy. Rain before seven, clear before eleven. "When the grass is dry at night When the grass is dry at morning light "When the dew is on the grass Rain will never come to pass. "" Fog in the morning, bright sunny day. If the sun goes down cloudy Friday, sure of a clear Sunday. |