GEOGRAPHICAL, ETC. OBSERVATIONS IN SOUTH GEORGIA. 



359 



to run the risk of an expedition the return from which was so uncertain, 

 and the sum of 50^. drawn by the Committee and held in readiness to add 

 to Mr. Bruce's funds in case he should be able to make satisfactory 

 arrangements will be repaid to the Treasurer. 



The Committee desire to impress upon the Association the desira- 

 bility of memorialising Government on the great scientific advances 

 which will certainly follow a well-equipped expedition to the Antarctic 

 regions. The success attending the recent voyages of Norwegian whal- 

 ing and sealing vessels in the discovery of new lands of great interest is 

 fresh evidence of the work which may be done in high southern latitudes 

 by protected steamers. 



The Teaching of Science in Elementary Schools. — Report of the 

 Committee, consisting of Dr. J. H. GtLadstone (Chairman), 

 Professor H. E. Armstrong {Secretary), Mr. .S. Bourne, Mr. Cf. 

 Gladstone, Mr. J. Heywood, Sir John Lubbock, Sir Philip 

 Magnus, Professor N. Story Maskelyne, Sir H. E. Eoscoe, Sir 

 K. Temple, and Professor S. P. Thompson. {Drawn up by L)r. 

 Gladstone.) 



Appendix. — Addition to Alternative Courses in Elemeyitary Science 



imrje 3C4 



Last year your Committee were able to report a rapid advance in the 

 adoption of elementary science as a class subject in the day schools, and 

 the great provision made for it in the New Code for evening continuation 

 schools. This year they have only to report progress in the same direction. 

 The number of departments of schools in which the following class 

 subjects were examined by Her Majesty's Inspector during the eight years 

 1882 to 1890, when English was obligatory, were as follows : — 



The numbers during the last three years, when managers and teachers 

 have had full liberty of choice, have been as follows : — 



It will be noticed that during the former period, while the study of 

 English Grammar increased with the natural increase of schools, the study 

 of scientiiic subjects positively decreased ; but since that time, while 

 Grammar has rapidly declined, Geography, and especially Elementary 

 Science, which was almost non-existent before, have rapidly increased. 



