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iron to use as a small anvil (,a flat iron with sometimes the smooth side 

 up and sometimes with the pointed side up will serve well), a knife with 

 astrong blade, a large iron spoon, and a large alcohol lamp, or other 

 method of getting a strong heat. 



Begin the lessons with lead, copper, zinc andiron in the form of strips, 

 or of thick wire. These may be examined carefully in respect to the ap- 

 pearance of each, then each tested with the above instruments by the 

 pupils; their properties, the relative hardness, flexibility, action under 

 hammer, file and knife, and ease of melting. Very small wires of each 

 would allow the comparison of strength of each. If rods of equal sizes 

 are equally heated at one end the pupils may easily detect by holding 

 the other ends of the rods, the relative quickness with which they are 

 heated. Allow them to find also which tarnishes or rusts most readily. 

 When the properties of each are well seen, have the pupils seek in the 

 next few days' experience the places where these metals are used and 

 why they are so used in the positions in which they were found. 



Of course in some cases, properties which the pupil has not discov- 

 ered, such as its relation to electricity, or such considerations as econ- 

 omy, may have led to the use of the metal. 



After these lessons any metals of the list of available ones may be 

 taken up and examined in the same way, e. g. : Aluminum, nickel, plat- 

 inum, silver, gold. 



Some of the more rarely seen and interesting metals can easily be ob- 

 tained, such as antimony and bismuth, beautifully crystalizing, easily 

 melting; mercury, a liquid that is melted even at low temperatures; 

 sodium and potassium, which are lighter than water and burn when they 

 touch ice or water; magnesium, a thin strip of which will burn in air 

 with a most brilliant light when lighted with a match. 



Space will not allow the detailed directions fbr the numerous lessons 

 that may be made with all of these metals. A possession of the metals 

 (easily obtained) consultation of encyclopedias and works on chemistry 

 for further facts in regard to them and experimentation with them, and 

 some ingenuity on the part of the teacher will supply the details which 

 will make this series sufficient in amount and interest to extend with 

 the intervals of other subjects through some years. 



In this connection are to be examined some of the more common 

 alloys, such as brass, type tnetal, solder, gun 7netal, bell metal. 



The sources mentioned above will also give information in regard to 

 the composition and uses of these alloys. 



The Pendulum. 



The pendulum as our time marker and its importance in relation to 

 time-pieces is sufficient excuse for making some simple lessons with it 

 as the subject. 



Suspend a small weight from a convenient place by a strong thread, 



