196 SOCIETY OF NATURALISTS. 



The Massachusetts State Boaid of Education strongl)- favor the 

 introduction of science into the lower grades of schools, and the 

 Normal Schools are preparing to furnish their students with 

 specific training for that work. Courses designed to fit the 

 teachers for elementary science work are in successful operation 

 in the Connecticut Normal Schools. 



While it would be too sanguine an expectation to look for 

 any speedy establishment of improved courses of study in the 

 majority of the schools, it is evident that the public mind is be- 

 coming awake to the importance of the subject, and progress is 

 being made in the right direction. 



There seem to be certain special difficulties attentling the ad- 

 dition of Natural Science to the preparatory course for College at 

 present. The growing tendenc}' of most of the Colleges to uni- 

 formity of requirements increases the resistance of simple inertia 

 to any change. The collective Colleges form a larger mass than 

 any indiviilual College. The agitation commenced some years 

 ago in favor of the addition of Modern Languages to the pre- 

 paratory course increases the difficulty of adding anything else at 

 present. There is also difterence of opinion among those who 

 favor the introduction of science into the preparatory course as 

 to what sciences should be chosen for this purpose. While the 

 majority of the Committee still believe in the eligibility for this 

 purpose of the three branches recommended in the former rej^ort 

 (Botany, Physical Geography, and Physiology), they believe 

 that the question of the introduction of some science is vastly 

 more important than the question what particular branches should 

 be selected. It might be well to lca\e the selection in some 

 degree optional. 



The Committee would express the hope that the discussion of 

 the subject at this meeting will result in sending to the Colleges, 

 in behalf of the Society, a renewed appeal for the requirement of 

 a certain amount of Natural Science for admission. And, in re- 

 gard to the work in the lower schools, the Committee would repeat 

 the urgent recommendation contained in their report of last year, 

 that each member in his own neighborhood use his influence with 

 teachers' institutes, boarils of education, school committees, and 

 trustees of particular institutions, to promote the refoiins advo- 

 cated by the Society. 



