4 F.msf''MAH'*GbtJRSE IN. GENERAL SCIENCE 



the composition of matter and the behavior of the different 

 kinds, alone and in combination. 



The agencies which have given the earth its beauty, its 

 wonders, and its fitness for the development of life are con- 

 sidered in chapters on physiography. 



The living part of the earth and its relation to other forms 

 of matter are emphasized in the later chapters. 



It would not be right to call these chapters astronomy, 

 physics, chemistry, etc., because no complete treatment of 

 these subjects is attempted. The author believes it wise, 

 however, to use the necessary scientific terms in describing 

 phenomena, properties, and the like, instead of using circum- 

 locution in order to keep within the every-day vocabulary 

 of a young pupil. 



It has seemed important to provide a simple laboratory 

 course which is connected closely with the text, but which 

 may be omitted without any break in continuity of subject. 

 For many years the slogan has been " Study the thing itself, 

 not study about it." Efforts to follow this rule have led, in 

 many cases, to a disconnected array of facts learned from 

 observation of unrelated subjects. Such a course has no 

 connecting links. The laboratory work and the textbook 

 should be closely related in order that the pupil may get 

 the full value of the science course. 



The Laboratory Exercises which accompany this book are 

 designed : 



First: to fix in the mind of the pupil important prin- 

 ciples and facts which may have been known for hundreds 

 of years, rather than to have them re-discovered by the 

 pupil. 



Second: to teach by experiment one or more applications 

 of a principle and leave the pupil to make other applications 

 whenever the principle again comes to his attention. 



Third: to accustom the pupil to follow directions, and 

 to make and record accurately observations of phenomena. 



