SCIENCE IN ADULT EDUCATION 323 



advantage in relation to some classes, where Saturday excursions are a 

 popular feature. The use of photographs or of lantern illustrations is very 

 desirable. 



The arrangements of a syllabus, and particularly the starting-point, must 

 depend mainly on the district in which the class is held. Where there are 

 geological features for study in the district, these usually form the best 

 introduction. Classes held in large towns may find their first interest in 

 building materials, classes in mining areas in the products of the mines. 

 In all cases the use of local examples (or of examples from local holiday 

 resorts) to illustrate phenomena described is very helpful. In some areas 

 the wider or more philosophical aspects of geology, such as problems of 

 earth history and structure or of evolution, may prove the most attractive. 

 For either a three year or a one year course similar topics would be suitable, 

 but the matter would be treated in greater detail and with a tendency 

 towards a more formal basis in a three year course. 



Bearing in mind the points above noted, the sequence of topics may be 

 arranged to suit the particular class. In some cases, a scheme based 

 primarily on the Geology or Scenery of the area would be appropriate. 

 The following topics, however, cover a more general introduction to Geology, 

 such as could be covered in a one year course. 



One Year Course of General Geology. 



1. The Constitution of the earth, its crust and interior. 



2. Drifting Continents : land bridges and the distribution of animals. 



3. Rocks and minerals. 



4. The occurrence of rocks. 



5. Rocks and Soils. The work of the weather. 



6. Rivers and valleys ; waterfalls and flood plains. 



7. Springs and underground water. Caves and limestone scenery. 



8. Glaciers. The Ice Age in England. 



9. Coast scenery. 



10. Changes of sea level. 



11. Sedimentary and Igneous rocks. 



12. Volcanoes : the extinct volcanoes of Britain. 



13. Earthquakes and the information they give us. 



14. Mountain Building. 



15. Extinct Animals : the evolution of Vertebrates. 



16. Geological History of Man. 



17. A geological Time Scale : the Age of the Earth. 



18. The geological history of Britain : an outline of the main episodes. 



19. The Scenery of Britain in relation to its structure and history. 



20. Geology and Human Life : Coal, its origin and mining. Petroleum, 

 Ores, Building materials. Water supply. 



In most areas a suitable syllabus for a three year course would include a 

 similar range of subjects, but the topics receiving most emphasis in later 

 years would depend on the locality or on the interests of the class. The 

 following arrangement would probably be suitable in many places. 



First Year. 



1. General Introduction to minerals and rocks. 



2. Physical Geology : weathering, rivers, ice, seas. 



3 . The development of land forms and the history of scenery. 



4. Structural geology : the arrangement of the rocks. 



5. Earth-movements: igneous activity ; volcanoes. 



