"Nature Study and Life." By Clifton F. Hodge, Assistant Professor of Physiology and Neurology in Clark University, Worcester, Mass. With an Introduction by G. Stanley Hall. 12mo, cloth, xvi + 514 pages. Illustrated. List price, $1.50; mailing price, $1.65. New York: Ginn & Co., 70 Fifth Avenue. As interesting as any novel, and every page an inspiration to new and better doing, this book will be loved by teachers; human nature has a large part in it; it is a superb work. In the Journal of Pedagogy, June, 1902, J. R. Street, of Syracuse University, says: "It is refreshing to turn away from the stultifying, formal, technical classification of the ordinary texts on nature study . . . to a book whose every page throbs with pulsating life. . . . It is not too strong praise to say that this is an epoch-making book which should find its way into every home as well as school." "Kutner's Commercial German." By Arnold Kutner, High School of Commerce, New York City. Cloth, 12mo, 404 pages. Price, $1.00. American Book Co., New York, Cincinnati and Chicago. A very clever book, being an exposition of the adaptation of German to commercial circumstances and occurrences and vice-versa. The pupil usually learns too late the value of German as taught in the schools; this book shows it, coincidentally. "Essentials of American History." By Thomas Bonaventure Lawler, A.M. Cloth, pp. 420. Mailing price, $1.10. Ginn & Co., 70 Fifth Avenue, New York. A view of American history from the Catholic standpoint. Mr. Lawler tells the story entertainingly, and adds a very signal item to the latter-day sentiments of breadth that can tolerate truth for historical completeness. A new edition, from new electrotype plates, handsomely bound in cloth, with many new illustrations and colored frontispiece. The Nature Readers teach the child to read while teaching him something else of value. They develop thought, enlarge vocabulary, awaken fresh and healthy interests, direct the mind into new paths of study and gratify that curiosity about his surroundings in nature which every child, by scores of questions, evinces. Hill's Beginnings of Rhetoric and Composition." By Adams Sherman Hill, Boylston Professor of Rhetoric and Oratory, Harvard University. Cloth, 12mo, 522 pages. Price, $1.25. American Book Co., New York, Cincinnati and Chicago. In this book the author teaches young writers to express themselves correctly, not by dry mechanical devices, but by stimulating them to put their natural selves into their compositions. He aims to remove the obstacles, small or great, that lie between what they think and what they write. The young writer is shown how to present his thoughts in the best English within his reach and in the form adapted to his purpose. Stress is laid upon correct, rather than incorrect, forms, and on better, rather than on poorer, modes of expression. Numerous exercises are given on every important point, sufficiently varied for the most painstaking teacher; it is a worthy addition to Professor Hill's widely used series of text-books on the English language. Animals: A Text-book of Zoology." By David S. Jordan, Ph.D., President of Leland Stanford, Jr., University, and Vernon L. Kellogg, M.S., and Harold Heath, Ph.D., pp. 326; and “Animal Forms," a second book of Zoology, by Dr. Jordan and Dr. Heath, pp. 250; both in one volume. New York, D. Appleton & Co. Animal life and animal forms; function and structure, instinct and reason; homes and habits; classification; all treated in a manner that compels attention, with new illustrations, many of them from photographs, combine to make this volume one of the most interesting we have read. "A First Book in Geology": Designed for the use of beginners. By N. S. Shaler, S.D., Professor of Palæontology, Harvard University. New York and Boston: D. C. Heath & Co., pp. 250. Price, 45 cents. "The effort of the writer has been to select from that ample store such topics as will give the student an idea of the world as a great workshop, where the geological forces are constantly working toward definite ends." A good, readable and helpful book for all vho have to teach any phase of Geology. 66 Foundations of Botany (Including Key The spirit and sound pedagogy of this text-book of botany are manifest in the author's purpose "to teach what touches the pupil's daily life at the most points," and to this basal idea he has closely adhered throughout the book. In disregarding wherever possible unnecessary technical terminology and scientific detail, and in introducing an abundance of practical laboratory exercises, he has gone far toward lessening the class of "book botanists" and in awakening in pupils a live interest in the subject. The book is admirably balanced, combining as it does a standard text, a practical laboratory course and a complete key and flora for systematic work. It affords the teacher a thoroughly sensible treatise of the many phases of modern botany teaching. It shows on every page just what it is, an outgrowth of long, practical classroom experience. "Elementary Physical Geography." By William M. Davis, Professor of Geology. in Harvard University. 12mo, cloth, viii+ 401 pages + 6 color charts + 16 pages of maps. Illustrated. Ginn & Co., 70 Fifth Avenue. Too often pupils are deprived of authoritative texts in their early studies through the inability of the scientist to conform his thoughts to the limited vocabulary and comprehension of the youthful mind. Professor Davis' recent book is a most notable exception. By universal consent the highest authority on physiography in America, he has succeeded in presenting a scientific and scholarly text in a simple phraseology and style calculated to stimulate the pupil's interest. The book is not a fragmentary collection of physiographic facts. Throughout, the effect of man's physical environment upon his ways of living is emphasized so that the pupil is led to appreciate the unity of the subject. The book is easily usable in classes which have studied none of the natural or mathematical sciences. EXTRACT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE NEW YORK BOARD OF EDUCATION The subjoined matter is published because of its special pertinence to teachers of science. It is a report of action taken at the meeting of the New York Board of Education, on February 2, 1903. Mr. Greene presented the following: To the Board of Education: The Committee on Studies and Text-Books respectfully reports that it has received a communication from the Board of Superintendents recommending that the offer of the Trustees of the New York Zoological Society, in charge of the Aquarium, in the matter of the supply of biological material to the high schools of the City and the supply of salt water and material for aquaria in the elementary schools, be at once accepted. The following facts are submitted for the consideration of the Board of Education: The New York Aquarium has been transferred to the care and direction of the New York Zoological Society. It is the purpose of the Director of this Sociey to make a marine biological laboratory of the Aquarium, as well as a storehouse or museum of marine life. Their purpose is to make it actively educational. They have at their disposal several thousand dollars which will enable them to collect and furnish to the public schools of this City zoological material-fishes, marine vertebrata and forms of animal and vegetable life. The Director asks, first, that the Department of Education send him a list of the material which may be needed from time to time for instruction in biology in the high schools of the City of New York. He proposes then to make an endeavor to furnish this material free of cost to the schools, with the exception of the expenses that may be necessary for carriage. If the Board of Education will send for the material, it will be furnished regularly in sufficient quantities to any high school in the City. For the elementary schools, he states that they have on hand a large number of balanced aquaria. If the Department of Education will furnish the jars in the school, the Aquarium will furnish the salt water and the material for a salt water jar and for a fresh water jar. The Aquarium will also furnish the services of an expert to set up aquaria and to advise as to their care and their use. The Director advises the use of jars of the capacity of from one to three gallons. He also states that the Aquarium will be open on Monday and Thursday mornings of each week, from nine to one, only for the use of the public schools. It is his desire that teachers, accompanied by their pupils, shall visit the Aquarium on these days, when attendants will be at hand. to explain the collections and give any information which may be desired. On these days the general public will be excluded. The Committee has given careful consideration to this matter, and con curs in the recommendation of the Board of Superintendents. The following resolutions are therefore submitted for adoption: Resolved, That the offer of the Trustees of the New York Zoological Society, in charge of the Aquarium, in the matter of the supply of biological material to the high schools of the City and the supply of salt water and material for aquaria in the elementary schools, be, and it is hereby, accepted. Resolved, That the thanks of this Board be tendered to the Trustees of the New York Zoological Society for their offer. JOHN GREENE, Chairman, Committee on Studies and Text-Books. of illustration are carefully selected, and the slides are prepared with great skill, and are superior in quality to those prepared by the Smithsonian. Institution or anywhere else in the United States. Additional sets of slides are furnished to purchasers at cost. In order that the use of this material may be extended to each school in the City it is desirable that these slides and materials for illustration be furnished in the several districts for the use of the schools therein. The following resolution is therefore submitted for adoption: Resolved, That the Board of Aldermen be, and it is hereby, respectfully requested to authorize the Board of Education, in accordance with the Adopted January 26, 1903, a majority provisions of Section 419 of the being present. The PRESIDENT put the question whether the Board would adopt the resolution attached to the report of the Committee on Studies and TextBooks, and it was decided in the affirmative by a unanimous vote. Mr. GREENE presented the following: To the Board of Education: The Committee on Studies and Text-Books respectfully reports that under the provisions of Chapter 489 of the Laws of 1899 the State Department of Public Instruction furnishes, through the American Museum of Natural History, located in New York City, to every city in the State, projection apparatus and slides for visual instruction in natural history, geography and history. The slides prepared at the American Museum of Natural History are furnished to the City of New York to the number of ten sets of each series prepared yearly. The subjects Greater New York Charter, to expend in the year 1903, without public letting, a sum not to exceed $10,000 for the purchase of lantern slides and similar materials prepared at the American Museum of Natural History, the same being chargeable to the Supply Fund applicable to the several Boroughs of the City of New York for the year 1903; said expenditures to be made in extension of the facilities provided free for visual instruction in the public schools by the State of New York under the provision of Chapter 489 of the Laws of 1899. JOHN GREENE, Chairman, Committee of Studies and Text-Books. Adopted January 26, 1903, a majority being present. The PRESIDENT put the question whether the Board would adopt the resolution attached to the report of the Committee on Studies and TextBooks, and it was decided in the affirmative by a unanimous vote. |