TO THE TEACHER 



This book is so arranged that it may be used exclusively for 

 recitations, but it is the sincere hope of the author that it may 

 not be so used. In no subject are formal recitations less 

 needed than in General Science. All the pupil needs is to be 

 helped over the few hard places which happen to prove too 

 difficult for his unaided efforts. In this way may be developed 

 the initiative, ingenuity, and originality which every pupil 

 possesses in greater or less degree. The experiments sug- 

 gested are such as may be performed with inexpensive appa- 

 ratus and materials and have been selected with a view of stim- 

 ulating, as far as may be, the student's interest in science. 

 Except in the very few instances in which the nature of the 

 work or the materials makes it expedient for the teacher to 

 perform the experiment, it will doubtless be found desirable to 

 require each student, or small group of students, to do the 

 work for themselves. In general, no amount of observing the 

 work of others can take the place of individual effort. 



The ideal way of handling the subject, and one whose worth 

 has been proved by several years of practice, is to use the text 

 as so much explanatory matter to be drawn upon in solving the 

 problems presented in the practical exercises. By allowing 

 each pupil to work for himself, the brighter students are not 

 held back by those who are slower, nor are the latter swept off 

 their feet in trying to keep up with the class. Pupils who 

 have been out of school through sickness or otherwise, find 

 upon returning to such a class that they are at no disadvantage 

 except that they are somewhat less advanced in the subject 

 and, if diligent, may soon overtake many of those who have 

 not been absent. Moreover, much of the work may be per- 

 formed at home if desired. If the extent of the course be 



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