INTRODUCTION 13 



in scientific study should always try to follow these steps exactly. 

 First comes actually making the experiment. This includes col- 

 lecting and putting together such materials as we may need, a 

 statement of the work we perform, and most important of all, a 

 definite statement of the problem that we are attempting to 

 solve. The second step is to make observations on the experiment 

 which we have set up. These observations may extend over a 

 period of several days or even weeks. They must be noted in 

 such form that we can use them in the third step of the experiment. 

 This step, the hardest of all, consists in drawing conclusions from 

 the observations we have previously made. Every experiment 

 should be illustrated with drawings to show all the apparatus 

 used at each stage of the process. 



Use of Notebook. — Scientific work should be carefully and accurately- 

 performed, and the results should be recorded in some permanent form. 

 For this purpose a notebook is used, in which the student makes a complete 

 record, not only of experiments but also of all other work performed in the 

 schoolroom, outdoors or at home. The notebook best adapted to this 

 purpose is one in which the leaves may be added from time to time. For 

 work done outdoors, field trips and the like, it is better to have a separate 

 notebook. This may be used as a working book, in which observations are 

 jotted down in a brief form and later copied in ink in the laboratory note- 

 book. It is of advantage to have all your notes under one cover. 



Drawing. — Drawing constitutes a very important part of your labora- 

 tory work. In scientific drawing, every line made should mean something; 

 the lines should be firm and bold; sketchy work should noi be allowed. A 

 hard (HHHHH) pencil should be used. If you are expert with the draw- 

 ing pen, then make your drawings in ink. Do not attempt to shade your 

 drawing. Every part of the drawing to which you wish to call attention 

 must be carefully labeled. Place a neat index of the parts so labeled 

 directly underneath the drawing, near the bottom of the page. Only one 

 side of the paper should be used in any scientific work, whether written 



work or drawings. 



The Laboratory. — For convenience, science work is usually performed 

 in a room called a laboratory. This room may be fitted up with certain 

 appliances to make the work easier. But in biology the great out of doors 

 makes a much more useful laboratory than any schoolroom. However, 

 observations made at home or out of doors should, when possible, be veri- 

 fied in the laboratory under the supervision of a teacher. 



Frequently the laboratory differs little if at all from an ordinary school- 

 room. It should always be well lighted and, if possible, should have north 



