176 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE.—1917. 
total liberate and use that energy in various ways. An outline of the 
chemistry of foods and the principles upon which animals are fed is dealt with 
(the boy’s own body being the specimen usually under immediate consideration). 
The reproductive process is traced through plants, and the principles of 
breeding can thus be dealt with in systematic order, while many valuable 
lessons can be impressed without difficulty. 
The laboratory work takes on a character more closely resembling research 
work, and sometimes deals with problems connected with soils, plants, feeding 
materials, manures, milk and milk-products, &c., requiring the application of 
knowledge and methods previously studied in some other connection. The lines 
along which such studies are to be conducted are usually suggested by the 
master, but may be modified by the pupil at his discretion. 
In the physical laboratory the exercises are connected with the branch of 
science under study, and the compound microscope is now used in the study 
of botany. 
Meteorological instruments, soil temperatures, &c., are read and recorded 
daily, with occasional discussion of the meaning and explanation of the records. 
The schoo] has a Natural History Club. Excursions are frequent. Regular 
meetings are held at which boys read papers which usually embody their own 
observations and are illustrated in their own ways. ‘These meetings and 
excursions take place out of school hours. 
