CURRENT LITERATURE. 
BOOK REVIEWS. 
The teaching of biology. 
THE SIxTH volume of the American Teachers’ Series is devoted to a discussion 
of the teaching of biology, by F. E. Ltoyp and M. A. BrcEtow of the Teachers 
College, Columbia University.° The book is in reality two books in one cover, 
‘the first by Professor Lioyp, devoted to the teaching of botany, and the second, 
by Professor BicELow, to the teaching of zodlogy. With the latter we are not here 
concerned. 
Dr. Luovp considers two general topics which lie somewhat outside of his 
title, namely, the value of science (particularly of biology) in education, and nature 
study. The remaining chapters treat of the value of botany, the principles 
which should determine the content of the botanical course, the various types of 
botanical courses that have been proposed, and the botanical principles to be 
emphasized. These topics are followed by detailed discussion of a course in 
botany for high schools, and of the equipment and materials for the laboratory. 
The final chapter consists of a list of books most useful for teachers. 
It is hardly necessary to say that such a book as this, from the hand of a suc- 
cessful teacher and a skilled botanist like Dr. Lioyp, will be of great service to 
teachers, especially to those whose training is somewhat inadequate and who 
therefore are familiar neither with the literature of the subject nor with those 
general principles and outlines which ought to be presented in secondary schools. 
The number of such teachers is still unfortunately large. Nor is it to be doubted 
that even the more experienced teachers and those better trained will profit by 
many of the suggestions and discussions, for Dr. Lioyp has clear, definite con- 
ceptions, and a pedagogical rather than an academic point of view. His chapter 
on nature study is commended to the serious attention of those who are advocates 
of this sort of work in the primary schools. The chapter on the ‘“‘method of 
thought” in teaching as against the “‘method of discovery” is admirable in many 
iculars; but it must not be forgotten that even this method depends on the 
skilful teacher, and such an one may even “introduce a system of lenses between 
the eye and the object” without confusing his pupils. 
___ The part of the book for which the author naturally expects the most criticism 
is that which discusses the types of botanical courses and marks out one which 
appeals most strongly to himself. ‘There is no gainsaying the value of this course, 
and no one more strenuously than the author would insist that there are other 
eas 
*Lioyp, F. E., and BicEtow, M. A., The teaching of biology in the secondary 
School. T2mo, pp. viiit+491. New York: Longmans, Green & Co. 1904. 
1905] 153 
