ON THE TEACHING OF SCIENCE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. 309 
6. The expedition will be strengthened by the presence and experience 
of Captain Kitchener, R.E., formerly one of the officers of the survey of 
Western Palestine. Perhaps Lieut. Mantell, R.E., will also be able to 
join the party. During the geological operations, the engineers will be 
instructed to clear up certain points of interest which lie about that part 
of the country. Thus, they will examine the eastern end of the Tih Desert, 
and the passes leading up to the plateau, so as to determine the best 
route for a large body of people travelling northwards from Sinai: they 
will explore the topographical features of the Arabah east and west, 
and the southern edge of the Negeb so as to ascertain the passes from 
the Tih plateau to the first terrace: they will examine the sites of 
Hzion-geber, Elath, Kadesh, and the way of the spies; look for the road 
or roads by which communication was kept up between Jerusalem and 
Ezion-geber, the posts on the old Roman road ; and throw light, if possible, 
on the question whether the Israelites did not go over to Arabia Proper 
instead of remaining, as is generally supposed, in the Tih Desert. It is 
expected that the expedition will accomplish its objects in about four 
months. The cost of the whole, including publication of results, is 
estimated under 2,000/. 
Report of the Committee, consisting of Mr. JAMES Heywoop, Mr. 
WILLIAM SHAEN, Mr. STEPHEN Bourne, Mr. Ropert WILKINSON, 
the Rev. W. DELANY, Professor N. Story MAsKELYNE, Dr. SILVANUS 
P. THompson, Miss Lypia E. Becker, Sir Jonn Lussock, Pro- 
fessor A. W. WituiamMson, Mrs. AuGusta WeEssTeR, Dr. H. W. 
CROSSKEY, Professor RoscoE, Professor G. Carry Foster, and 
Dr. J. H. Guapstone (Secretary), appointed to watch and re- 
port on the workings of the proposed revised New Code, and of 
other legislation affecting the teaching of Science in Elementary 
Schools. 
Ar the close of their report last year, your Committee stated that, if 
reappointed, they proposed to obtain information upon certain points 
connected with the working of the New Code, and to draw the attention 
of the Council to any matter that may be necessary in connection with 
the working of the Code, or in respect of any future alterations. 
Nothing has occurred during the past twelyvemonth which seemed to 
require the action of the Council; and as the reports of Her Majesty’s 
Inspectors on the schools that have already been examined under the 
New Code are only beginning to be issued, it seems premature to come 
to any definite conclusion as to its working. 
Two official documents, however, appeared last summer bearing upon. 
the question of Science teaching in Elementary Schools :—‘ The New 
Regulations for Her Majesty’s Inspectors,’ dated August 9, and the 
Circular on ‘ Higher Board Schools in Wales,’ dated August 10, 1882. 
The first is a very important document, as it indicates the intentions 
of the Education Department in regard to carrying out the provisions of 
