ON SCIENCE IN SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS. 495 



E. Chemistry. 



1. Revision and extension of Second Year work. 



(a) The aim of chemistry to regard all substances as elements or compounds 

 of elements. Quantitative definiteness the mark of chemical union. Distinction 

 between compounds, mixtures, and solutions. 



Alloys and glass as ' solid solutions ' : conversion of iron into steel ; 

 manganese steel ; manufacture of glass. Amalgams of mercury ; the extraction 

 of gold. 



(6) Law of multiple proportions, based on analysis of sodium bicarbonate, 

 lead peroxide, &c. Provisional use of the terms ' molecule ' and ' atom ' to 

 describe results. Molecular composition of water. The basicity of acids. Use of 

 chemical formulae and equations. Valency of the common metals. 



(c) Combustion. Nature of flames. The incandescent gas-mantle. Use of 

 high-temperature flames in welding, cutting steel, &c. Flameless combustion. 



(d) Sulphides, sulphuretted hydrogen : their analogy with oxides and water. 

 Action when sulphides are roasted ; applications in metallurgy. 



(e) Acidic and basic oxides, peroxides. Action of sulphuric acid on 

 peroxides ; hydrogen peroxide. Dry hydrochloric a<;id passed over a heated 

 peroxide {e.g. red lead) yields chlorine. Its properties. Molecular constitution 

 of hydrochloric acid. Bromine and iodine. Oxidation and reduction as general 

 chemical processes. 



(/) Ammonia : its composition. Ammonium salts. 



2. The law of chemical equivalence. Determination of weights of metals 

 that (i) displace equal volumes of hydrogen, (ii) unite with equal weights of 

 oxygen, (iii) replace one another in salts. Confirmation of results by deter- 

 mining the volume of hydrogen and the weight of oxygen involved in the 

 decomposition of steam by hot iron. Equivalent weights. Smallest combining 

 (or ' atomic ') weights, that of hydrogen being taken as unity. 



3. Revision and further applications of previous work in simple explanation 

 of some important chemical industries and processes, (a) The winning of the 

 more important metals. (6) Coal-distillation ; the main products and their 

 uses, (c) Soda; bleaching powder. Bleaching, (d) Tanning, (e) Dyeing. 

 (/) Phosphorus : matches. (7) Photography, (h) Glass and pottery. 



Fourth Year. 



[In schools where the arrangement is possible the subjects marked with an 

 asterisk should be reserved for a course of lectures and discussions to be given 

 (to non-specialists in science together with specialists) in the fifth year. This 

 course should include some treatment of the philosophy of science illustrated 

 from the history of scientific discovery. Classical works in biology or physical 

 science may be recommended for private reading and discussion.] 



I. Biological Section. 



1. Civilisation based on the domestication of plants and animals. The 

 history of food-plants, &c. Modern methods of improving breeds of plants 

 and animals. Vegetable and animal products in industries and manufactures : 

 cotton, timber, paper manufacture, wool, silk, &c. Importance of forestry. 



• 2. The theory of organic evolution. The evidences and main phases of 

 the evolutionary process : the beginnings of life ; divergence of animals and 

 plants from one another ; main morphological developments along each line ; 

 origin of sex ; general character of progress — ' progressive differentiation and 

 integration ' ; adaptation to environment, degeneration. 



Problems of heredity and variation : Darwin, Mendel, de Vries. Selection. 

 Function and environment. 



II. Physical Section. 



A. Geology. 



Lessons should be given (in, or in close connection with, the geography 

 course) on (i) the forms of life characteristic of the chief geological horizons, 



