464 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE, ETC. 



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. 



7. Scheme of Biological Science in a Secondary School. 



By C. VON Wyss, F.L.S. (Lecturer in the London Day Training College, 

 University of London). 



The following scheme is planned for a four years' course in a secondary school. 

 Biology is intended to be the central science and should, therefore, occupy a minimum 

 of three hours a week. Thus, assuming that Hve hours are assigned to science, time 

 is allowed for contributory studies in physical science. The course is intended to 

 provide for the pupils' experience and discipline in elementary neural science 

 and to emphasise by means of such experience the main biological discoveries and 

 conceptions. 



The general method of procedure is intended to be as varied as possible, but whether 

 the lessons take the form of demonstration by the teacher, investigation and experiment 

 on the part of the pupils, or free discussion in class, the central element of all procedure 

 will be the pupils' practical experience. While it is definitely intended towards the 

 end of the course that the pupils should become acquainted with biological theory, 

 this should be richly illustrated by a body of concrete fact, into the possession of which 

 the pupils have come in the course of their own studies. The complete course will 

 explore the main region of biology, viz. : (i) the drama of life; (ii) the unity of life; 

 (iii) continuity of life; (iv) web of life. 



It is taken for granted that the formal work of the laboratory is supplemented by 

 field work and rambles, that gardening is brought into close correlation, wherever 

 opportunity presents itself, that holiday work is encouraged and organised and that 

 a natural history society promotes individual and original investigation. 



FiEST Yeae. 



The foundation of biological science is a disinterested love of nature. Children 

 are normally interested in their natural environment and in out-door pursuits and the 

 biology lessons are intended, primarily, to foster and educate this interest and 

 curiosity. Care must be taken to encourage the habit of first-hand observation and 

 independent thinking by providing experience which arrests attention and prompts 

 questions. While fully realising the importance of securing intellectual values, the 

 cultural aspect of the enjoyment of beautiful things and events is definitely recognised. 



It is entirely in accord with the conception of an approach to the study of living 

 things, that the work should be seasonal. The studies are thus made more real and 

 vivid, ensuring for the pupils the primary and fundamental nature impressions. 



Autumn Term. 



1. Study of a few typical flowers, e.g. Snapdragon, Nasturtium, Scarlet Runner, 

 Sunflower, with a view to discovering the general plan of a flower, the persistent parts 

 and the formation of fruit. 



2. Life-history and habits of such insects as wasps and humble-bees, which are 

 so numerous that they claim attention. The discussion of the ways of these insects 

 will probably lead to observations on ants and a study of their life-history. It is easy 

 at this time to obtain caterpillars of the Cabbage White butterfly, for which the pupils 

 could make simple breeding cases. Experiments could be made on colour adjustment 

 in larvae and pupae by keeping them in boxes lined with paper of different colours. 



3. Other suitable animal studies, providing opportunity for individual or group 

 work, can be carried out on earwigs, centipedes and millipedes, spiders. 



4. Examination of various kinds of bulbs and corms. Critical consideration of 

 various methods of planting bulbs for indoor culture. Planting bulbs for class-room 

 decoration and a possible flower show in spring. 



5. Leaf-fall. Making a collection of leaves of different trees, mounting and 



