PREFACE 



The history of the many attempts to fit the different 

 special sciences into the first year of the high school is 

 too well known to require comment. As a result of these 

 experiences, the conviction is becoming general that no 

 one science is adequate for an introductory course. In 

 the last few years the effort to present to the pupil subject 

 matter of interest to him, adapted to his stage of mental 

 development, and at the same time of educative value, has 

 resulted in the development of many courses in general 

 science. These courses vary somewhat in the organiza- 

 tion of subject matter and in the method of presentation, 

 but all of them are based upon the conviction that the 

 first year of science should be fundamental to all the 

 sciences. 



In presenting this course we feel that it meets these 

 fundamental requirements, first, in providing, a ground 

 work in physics, chemistry, botany, zoology, physiology, 

 and physical geography; and second, that it has stood 

 the test of time. It has been carried through about fif- 

 teen years of experimentation in which frequent changes 

 in material as well as eliminations and additions have 

 been made, until it has now become fairly well 

 established. 



The course has for its purpose not so much the devel- 

 opment of the subject alone as the consideration of that 

 most important factor in teaching, namely, the develop- 



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