PREFACE 



HOWEVER much we may theorize, and try to impress the 

 youth with the proper conception of man's place in nature, 

 the individual young person will continue to consider himself 

 as the center of the universe. Immediate needs and close 

 surroundings are what interest him. It is not until he has 

 learned about these, and has followed back to their sources 

 and causes some of the phenomena which have seemed simple 

 and matter of fact, that he begins to realize that the distant 

 forces have more effect upon his existence than the near-by, 

 everyday happenings. Perhaps it is well, then, at the begin- 

 ning of science study, to take his point of view, and lead him 

 to follow each apparently simple need or desire, and to arouse 

 in him the habit of seeking for a cause, and looking beyond 

 the present and immediate to the future and the ultimate. 

 It may be truly said that in a General Science course, " All 

 roads lead to Rome," for the course may be commenced any- 

 where, and it will lead to a study of all science. In fact, if 

 the pun may be forgiven, in a General Science course, " All 

 roads lead to roam," and the pupil, after he is started, needs 

 but to be guided. That is the purpose of this book. 



It is not easy to teach a course in general science success- 

 fully. There is always the temptation to specialize in some 

 particular part, usually the part which the teacher likes best, 

 and about which he knows most. If this temptation is not 

 resisted, the course ceases to be general. 



The value of a General Science course is twofold. Know- 

 ing a little about a great many sciences enables the pupil to 



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