264 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Jan. 



with mathematics and modern languages in affecting promotions, 

 and in winning honours and prizes. 



4. That some knowledge in arithmetic should be required for 

 admission into all public schools. 



5. That the universities and colleges be invited to assist in the 

 introduction of scientific education, by making natural science a 

 subject of examination, either at matriculation, or at an early 

 period of a university career. 



6. That the importance of appointing lecturers in science, 

 and offering entrance scholarships, exhibitions, and fellowships, 

 for the encouragement of scientific attainments, be represented to 

 the authorities of the colleges. 



With reference to the last two recommendations, we would observe 

 that without the co-operation of the universities, science can 

 never be effectively introduced into school education. Although 

 not more than 35 per cent., even of the boys at our great public 

 schools, proceed to the university, and at the majority of schools 

 a still smaller proportion, yet the curriculum of a public school 

 course is almost exclusively prepared with reference to the 

 requirements of the universities and the rewards for proficiency 

 that they offer. No more decisive proof could be furnished of 

 the fact that the universities and colleges have it in their power 

 to alter and improve the whole higher education of England. 



APPENDIX A. 

 1. Oxford. 



The Natural Science School at Oxford was established in the 

 year 1853. By recent changes, the university allows those who 

 have gained a first, second, or third class in this school to graduate 

 without passing the classical school, provided they have obtained 

 honours, or have passed in three books at least at the second 

 classical examination — viz., moderations (which is usually passed 

 in the second year of residence) ; honours in this school are thus 

 placed on an equality with classical honours. The first classical 

 examination, " responsions," is generally passed in the first term 

 of residence. Arithmetic and two books of Euclid, or algebra up 

 to simple equations, are a necessary part of this examination. 



The university offers ample opportunities for the study of 

 physics, chemistry, physiology, and other branches of natural 



