162 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE.—1917. 
3. Some conspicuous stars and constellations. A circular chart to be drawn 
showing the Plough, Cassiopeia, Vega, and Capella, with the Pole Star 
occupying (nearly) the centre. This, pinned to rotate on a cardboard base, 
serves to record roughly the positions of the stars at different hours of the 
night and early morning. 
Discussion of the records indicates a uniform diurnal rotation of the starry 
sky about an axis drawn (nearly) to the Pole Star. Specially enterprising 
pupils determine the approximate inclination of the axis to the horizon. 
4. Does the sun appear to move around the same point in the sky as the 
stars? An affirmative answer obtained by observing the uniform rotation of 
the shadow of a thin rod, directed towards the alte pole, upon a cardboard 
disc fixed at right angles to its length. Use of this (or equivalent) apparatus 
as a sun-dial. 
At the earth’s poles the rod (or ‘style’ of the sun-dial) would be vertical ; 
on the equator it would be horizontal. Parallels of latitude are lines of 
identical inclination of the style. Elucidation by means of a globe. 
5. The following may be commenced in preparation for discussion in 
Second Year : 
(a) Record of the noonday (or ‘meridian’) altitude of the sun measured 
in degrees by a simple instrument ; 
(6) Record (by means of the rotating star-chart in § 3) of the position of the 
circumpolar stars at the same hour (e.g., 9 p.m.) on different dates. 
B. General Physics. 
Under this title are grouped simple exercises preparatory to the formal 
study of hydrostatics, mechanics, and the ‘ properties of matter.’ Much of the 
work should be taken in close association with the course in mathematics. 
1. Density and specific gravity. Determination of weights by the balance 
and of volume by calculation or displacement. 
2. The mechanism of the balance and the conditions for true weighing. 
The laws of the lever. The grocer’s scales. Weighing-machines. 
The pressure on the fulcrum of a loaded lever. The centre of gravity of 
a body as a fulcrum, and as the ‘centre’ of the weights of its parts. 
Experiments, toys, &c., illustrating stable and unstable equilibrium. 
Simple calculations and laboratory experiments on centre of gravity, &c. 
3. Time-measurement. (To be taken in connection with A. 4.) Essentials 
of the mechanism of a simple clock driven by a weight or a spring and 
controlled by a pendulum. (A single-handed clock, like that of Westminster 
Abbey, is most suitable.) 
Isochronism of the pendulum. Effects of loading or changing length 
of pendulum. The ‘simple’ pendulum; connection between swing-period and 
length. Experimental determination of simple pendulum equivalent to a 
given pendulum. The balance-wheel in watches and clocks. 
Ancient time-measures : the water-clock, the hourglass, &c. 
4. Examination of common pieces of mechanism, such as a door-lock, the 
‘three-speed’ gear of a bicycle. (There is scope here for individual work, 
involving written descriptions aided by diagrams, &c.) 
5. The mariner’s compass; simple investigation of properties of magnets 
to elucidate its use. Measurement of deviation of magnet from the south- 
north line established in A. 1. 
C. Heat. 
1. The varying warmth and coldness of weather as dependent on the 
season, direction of wind, &c. The thermometer: how it works; expansion 
of mercury. Necessity of a standard scale of graduation (compare weights and 
of graph-paper whose length is equal to the circumference of the circle, and a 
smooth curve is drawn through the recording points. A well-drawn specimen 
is pasted on a wooden or cardboard cylinder to be used in the discussion and 
to serve as a permanent record. The method of ‘cylindrical projection’ thus 
taught may usefully be applied in subsequent geography lessons. 
