400 



REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE, ETC. 



be made on the human subject direct, for example, counting the pulse and heart- 

 beat, testing the action of saliva on starch, demonstrating the evolution of carbon 

 dioxide in respiration, the excretory function of the skin,, and a variety of observations 

 on the senses. 



Consideration should be given throughout to the relation of the organism as a 

 whole to its natural environment and to the interrelations between all the living 

 creatures which make up a biological community. Reference should be made, 

 wherever possible, to local industries in their relation to the biology of human com- 

 munities. Biographical notes on a few pioneers such as Darwin and Pasteur may 

 be introduced in illustration of the relation of Biology to human affairs in general. 



Practical work should include observations on living organisms in their natural 

 surroundings, experiments on their physiology, and the keeping of aquaria, terraria, 

 and a school garden. The use of the microscope'' should be encouraged, but no great 

 stress laid on the elucidation of minute structure. There should be some dissection 

 of animal specimens sufficient to display the broader anatomical features ; whether 

 the dissection should be performed by the pupils themselves or by the teacher in 

 their presence must be largely determined by the time and facilities available. 



Instruction in the physiology of reproduction and sex should be given, but if the 

 syllabus be well planned such instruction will occur naturally in the course of the 

 general work, and not as a matter for special and separate consideration. Teachers 

 are therefore relieved of the invidious task of giving the child sex instruction based 

 upon human physiology, the essential facts being learned in ordinary school work. 



ALLOTMENT OF TIME. 



The following suggestions are for a four-year scheme of biological study leading to 

 School Certificate standard, and the time allotted is considered in relation to work 

 in Physics and Chemistry. 



The ordinary number of work periods in the British School is thirty-five per week, 

 and inquiry shows that, although there is some variation in the number of periods 

 per week which is allotted to natural science subjects, a very u«ual arrangement for 

 the four years from 12 to 16, leading to the School Certificate examinations, is four 

 periods for the first year, six for the second, six for the third, and eight for the fourth. 

 The following distribution of such an allotment of time between Biology, Chemistry 

 and Physics is suggested for consideration : — 



In the third and fourth years one of the three subjects might be discontinued, 

 allowing each of the others to be pursued for three periods in the third year and four 

 periods in the fourth year. 



The biological work should naturally be co-ordinated with that in the other science 

 subjects. In the earlier years the association with Physics in the more important, 

 in the later the association with Chemistry. 



The above time-table is put forward as workable in many schools under existing 

 conditions. It is felt, however, that an arrangement which would permit all three 

 subjects to be carried to the fourth year woald be educationally desirable. The 

 Committee invites the consideration of headmasters and headmistresses to the 

 foUowiag scheme : — 



^ For work up to School Certificate standard a single microscope at a cost of £3 

 will go a long way. Such an instrument is supplied by C. Baker, 244 High Holbom, 

 London, W.C. 1. It has a range of magnification of X 20 to X 220, covering ordinary 

 ' low power ' work. 





