Latin Works Research Articles

Correction: On Some Aspects of Preparatory Work in Latin

Previous articleNext article FreeCorrection: On Some Aspects of Preparatory Work in LatinPDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by Volume 1, Number 8Oct., 1893 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/433332 Views: 38 Journal History This article was published in The School Review (1893-1979), which is continued by the American Journal of Education (1979-present). PDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

On Some Aspects of Preparatory Work in Latin

On Some Aspects of Preparatory Work in Latin

William Gilbert of Colchester, Physician of London, on the Loadstone and Magnetic Bodies, and on the Great Magnet the Earth A New Physiology, Demonstrated with Many Arguments and Experiments

AMONG men of science there is no difference of opinion as to the value of the original Latin work, “De Magnete,” of which this is a translation. Some time ago (NATURE, vol. xlii. p. 279) we gave an account of a meeting held at Colchester by members of the Essex Field Club and the Gilbert Club, for the purpose of doing honour to the memory of Gilbert, who was born there in 1540. In a speech delivered at this festival Lord Rayleigh not only spoke highly of Gilbert's work, but went on to say that although we owe to an investigator who lived so long ago the theory that the earth is a great magnet, we are not much in advance of that position at the present time, as nobody has yet explained the origin of terrestrial magnetism. It was most desirable that a work which may be said to have marked a definite stage in the evolution of physical science should be presented in an English form, and this has now been done by an American scholar, who, as he himself explains, has “translated with latitude, keeping in view the author's sense more particularly than his words, and amplifying without altering the former.” Mr. Mottelay has also brought together in a short biographical memoir the leading facts relating to Gilbert's career. The volume is well printed on good paper, and will be very welcome to students of the history of scientific ideas.

Biology in Schools

MANY eminent biologists seem to think that there are insuperable difficulties in the way of sound biological instruction in public schools. Possibly my experience in this connection may be of interest. I began to teach biology some ten years ago. Two years' experience satisfied me “that the power of repeating a classification of animals with all the appropriate definitions has any thing to do with genuine knowledge is one of the commonest and most mischievous delusions of both students and their examiners.” For the third year I prepared a series of laboratory notes sufficient for the dissection of a few plants and animals. Since the publication of Huxley and Martin's admirable text-book of biology we have used that as a laboratory guide. Through the liberality of the School Board we are provided with eight of Beck's students' microscopes. We begin with the study of the torula; we then take in succession the following organisms:—Protococcus, amœba, bacteria, mould, stone-wort, ferns, flowering plants, infusorian fresh-water polyp, clam lobster, and frog. We devote to laboratory work one hour daily for seven months. At the end of the course come morphological and physiological generalisations. Our classes number about eighty, and are divided into working sections of sixteen each. The average age of the students is sixteen years, rather more than half of them being girls. I have found the students eager and enthusiastic, and a large majority of them regret the untimely end of their study of biology. To enter college a lad needs between four and five years' work in Latin, and, if a scientific student, about five weeks in botany. Most of our high schools accept this estimate of the value of a scientific training, and only do the little that is necessary for the pass examination.

Black-letter (Latin) works of fifteenth century

Black-letter (Latin) works of fifteenth century