484 EEPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE, ETC. 



v;ith varying loads and cut-offs ; (4) experiments with voltmeters and ammeters ; 

 (5) testing strength of material. Very young boys can with advantage be 

 brought to this kind of work, but the teacher must be content to sow in 

 faith. He must sow the seed and wait for the fruit. 



The calculations required in experiments of this kind will suggest their 

 extension into the mathematical class-room. The mathematical class-room may 

 be used as an office, for it ie a useful thing in all parts of the school, especially 

 the lower half, to give practice in working out a series of continuous calcula- 

 tions. Data may be given drawn from an engine test, from the working of a 

 crank shaft, from agricultural operations, trench fire, artillery maps, food 

 rations, measuring velocity of wind ; and the class may be eet to work out the 

 calculations required. It is useful for the master to talk round the problem 

 for a few minutes before starting work. If many calculations are required, 

 the work can be divided up amongst the boys. The results can be stated not 

 as an answer, but in the form of a written report. This form of teaching 

 considerably extends the range of mathematics which may be covered in the 

 early years, and boys of fourteen or fifteen may be introduced through it to the 

 study of the calculus and co-ordinate geometry. 



4. Biology. — The importance of biology in a scheme of general education 

 cannot be overstated. It is the science which very closely touches the life of 

 the nation, and its economic value is found in all directions. Every branch of 

 knowledge in the years to come will be influenced by the study of biology, and 

 the humane studies in history, economics, sociology will be re-written under 

 the same. 



Biology should be an integral part of school studies, and take its place by 

 the side of languages and mathematics. In the early years it should be taught 

 to all, and later to a group of specialists. 



The following brief notes on equipment may be useful : — 

 The neighbourhood can provide material for observation and etudy^, but in 

 addition to this there are needed for experiment and observation some or all of 

 the following : (n) Biological or botanical garden ; if possible, a small experi- 

 mental farm. The gardens may contain natural-order beds,- herbaceous border, 

 Alpine garden, pond, marsh, seashore, climbing plants, &c. [h] Experimental 

 plots, (c) Laboratory and museum; in these, aquaria, breeding cages for life- 

 history of insects, terraria, vivaria, insect incubators, &c. ; microscopes and 

 lenses, &c. 



5. Chemistry. — Here again the work should be almost entirely experimental, 

 enlarged by demonstration. Much help can be given by the boys who are 

 specialising in chemistry. Much of the work should be of a quantitative 

 character, and this aspect should develop side by side with the qualitative 

 nature of the same. Many points of contact with the order of Nature in 

 everyday life will occur, and the utmost should be made of these in correlation 

 with biology and physics. None but exact scientific types of apparatus should 

 be used where there exists no valid reason to the contrary. As an example, a 

 boy should, after his discover}' of the composition of the atmosphere, make an 

 exact determination of the properties of oxygen by Hempel's or some similar 

 apparatus. A muffle furnace should be in the laboratory for use in metallurgical 

 work. 



6. A-ppUed Science. — It is strongly recommended as an alternative course in 

 the later years of the general school teaching — i.e., from the ages of 15^ to 

 17 years — that the ordinary mechanics and physics should be replaced by a 

 careful experimental study of applied mechanics, heat, and electricity. In 

 the reorganisation of examinations it is to be hoped that an examination on 

 these subjects will be included in the leaving certificate, and wherever possible 

 a practical examination be held on the experiments which belong to a well- 

 equipped engineering laboratory. A syllabus based on these lines is now adopted 

 by the Admiralty for two of the papers of the Direct Entry examination. 



