ON THE TEACHING OF SCIENCE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. 693 
In regard to the scientific specific subjects, the following are the 
numbers of children individually examined, the figures for the year 
1882-3 being computed as before :— 
Specific Subjects | 1882-3 1883-4 
Algebra. 2S. Si. «Children Sw iwtistd|:Ctié BAT 24,787 | 
Euclid and Mensuration it : e =] 1,942 2,010 { 
Mechanics, A. ; ‘ % : 3 +5] 2,042 3,174 
P B. ” ‘ z : : : 206 
Animal Physiology , = : ‘ , 22,759 22,857 
Botany . ‘ : ‘ 5 4 3,280 2,604 
Principles of Agriculture - , f ? 1,357 1,859 
Chemistry . ; , x§ E p | 1,183 1,047 | 
Sound, Light, and Heat 5 : : | 630 1,253 
Magnetism and Electricity _,, 4 ¢ 3,643 3,244 
Domestic Economy , p : ‘ ; 19,582 21,458 
Extra (Physiography) . 7 ; i 4 —o 16 
82,965 84,515 
It will be seen that a slight increase has taken place in the aggregate 
number, but this is not at all in proportion to the increase in the number 
of children presented in Standards V., VI, and VII,—viz. 286,355 in 
1882-5, and 325,205 in 1883-4, Next year’s return will indicate more 
clearly what changes are taking place in the popularity of the different 
subjects ; but it would appear that botany is decreasing, while mechanics, 
sound, light, and heat, and the principles of agriculture are making a 
decided advance. 
This increase in the study of mechanics is no doubt partly due to the 
peripatetic method of teaching this subject which has proved so success- 
ful in Liverpool and Birmingham. It has just been commenced in one 
district in London. 
The Report of the Committee of Council on Education, which has 
just been issued, makes the following comments on the small extent to 
which science is taught in our elementary schools :— 
‘The wider range of class subjects allowed by the Code under the 
head of “‘ Elementary Science” does not appear to be taken advantage 
of to any great extent at present.’ 
‘As to specific subjects . . . only 20°49 percent. of the scholars 
eligible for examination in a specific subject have been so examined.’ 
It also draws attention to the proportionate amount of the Govern- 
ment grant paid for instruction in the various subjects in the boys’ and 
girls’ schools (excluding infants). It would appear that, out of a total of 
17s. 24d. per head, less than 13d. is for specific subjects, while 84d. is 
given for singing alone. 
It should, however, be mentioned that a few more children are study- 
ing some branch of science in classes under the Science and Art Depart.- 
ment in some of our best schools. 
In regard to technical education, it will be remembered that at the 
Southport meeting a recommendation was passed that this Committee 
‘be requested to consider the desirableness of making representations to 
the Lords of the Committee of Her Majesty’s Privy Council on Education 
in favour of aid being extended towards the fitting up of workshops 
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