SCIENCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS, 185 
Ventilation and the heating of buildings by hot-water pipes are studied in 
the light of this knowledge. Figs 
Conduction of heat is seen in metals, and the conductivity of copper and 
iron is compared. Wire gauze is seen to cool a flame below the ignition point 
of the gas. The historical application of this in the Davy lamp is explained. 
Air and water are found to be bad conductors. Radiation is discussed very 
briefly, together with the general heating of the school building by radiators 
and fires. 
The effect of cooling water is observed, and attention is directed to the 
importance of the anomalous behaviour. of water on freezing, Reference is 
made to the bursting of pipes in winter, weathering of rocks, movement of 
glaciers, &c. X 7: ; 
Yap water is now examined, its solid and gaseous impurities being separately 
obtained and investigated. Carbon dioxide is discovered in the atmosphere, 
and also in the gas given off when tap water is boiled. ; 
The percentage volume of air dissolved in the laboratory water is measured 
and its composition determined. Reference is made to animals and plants 
living in water. 
Chalk—over which the London water has certainly, passed—is examined ; 
also marble, and the ‘furring’ from a kettle. 
Carbon dioxide is prepared, and a connection is discovered between the 
presence of this gas dissolved in tap water and the presence of chalk in the 
water. 
Lime is obtained from chalk, and the chemical constitution of chalk 
established. : 
The action of air on lime is found; hence the hardening of mortar. 
The sources of carbon dioxide and the means of renewing it from the air 
are discussed, and again the weathering of rocks is explained. 
The hardness of tap water, boiled tap water, and rain water is compared, 
and methods of softening are suggested and tried; among others, the effect 
of Washing soda is ascertained. The cleansing properties of this and other 
alkalies is examined. 
Acids and Alkalies are found to neutralise one another; salts are formed. 
(Common salt and potassium nitrate are prepared, and others as time allows.) 
At the close of this course voluntary classes are held for girls wishing to 
continue the study of chemistry, and during the next year they become 
acquainted with the preparation and properties of the three chief mineral acids 
and of scme of the elements and compounds derived from them. They also 
make a series of simple quantitative experiments, which lead to an elementary 
introduction to the rudiments of chemical theory. 
B. Botany in the Middle School. One hour per week. 
1, Study of Plants in Lane in Botany Gardens.—The girls of the youngest 
class in this section are responsible for the care and development of the lane 
in the botany gardens, and the work in the laboratory for the year is in close 
connection with the out-of-door work. 
The plants are examined in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. As often 
as possible the whole plant is taken. Drawings of the plant are made by the 
girls, and detailed descriptions are given of various parts. In this way roots, 
underground stems, above-ground stems, foliage leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, 
and seedlings are studied in a simple way, and practice is obtained in making 
ae drawings. Records are kept of the plants in the lane in successive 
months. 
Study of Plants in Wood in Botany Gardens.—In some years the girls in a 
class, parallel to that in which the ‘girls are responsible for the lane, have 
charge of a small wood and study, woodland plants. In other years the girls 
of the class above this one may undertake the work. 
2. Study of Trees.—There has been planted in the gardens an example of 
every tree common in England; also in the oak wood recently made there are 
numbers of oak trees and ash trees. With the help of these and twigs giyen 
by various people the girls are able to study- trees. The following are some 
of the points taken : Branching (monopodial and sympodial) ; structure of buds; 
development of buds; structure of wood as seen with the naked eye ; sections 
