1. FAIRPLAY.-The expression 'breathing out oxygen' is lamentably inaccurate. Green parts of plants have a two-fold action in regard to the air. (1) They breathe. (2) They feed.

(1) Respiration. In this process plants, as animals, take in oxygen that serves later on for that combustion of their tissues that always accompanies work. In this process also carbon dioxide is given out as the result of the combustion of the tissues.

(2) Feeding. In this process plants take in carbon dioxide as food, keep its carbon, and give out its oxygen. But this is not a respiratory giving out of oxygen. We might as accurately say that when a man drinks champagne he 'breathes in' carbon dioxide. The error as to the breathing out oxygen" by plants has arisen from the fact that the feeding process in plants is far in excess of the breathing, so that the total effect, but never the respiratory effect of vegetables on the air, is the giving out of oxygen.

The stomata, despite the phrase of our friend Prof. Tanner, are regulators of transpiration rather than breathing apparatus. The whole general surface of the plant that is in contact with the air breathes. On page 84 of 'Vine's Translation of Prantl's Botany' it is written :

'The stomata affect the transpiration of the plant inasmuch as they are the external openings of the intercellular spaces into which transpiration takes place from the neighbouring cells, and from which the watery vapour escapes into the external air,'

12. NOTTS.-No special Latin subject is selected for Scholarship Examination. Send for Syllabus of Matriculation Exami nation for French subject for June, 1883.

13. LILY.-Curtis's 'History,' 5s. 6d. (Simpkin & Co.), and Taylor's 'Notes of Lessons,' is. (Hughes).

14. EDITH. Apply to Secretary, Civil Service Commissioners, Cannon Row, S.W.

15. J. B. MCLACHLAN.-I. The rule you give, though correct in most instances, does not hold good in all: ovis, nubes, dens, etc., though making the ablative singular in e, end in ium in the genitive plural. 2. The long e in Greek is pronounced as ee in English.

16. QUERIST.-Roscoe's 'Primer,' Is. (Macmillan).

17. Q.-Apply to the Registrar of the University.

18. J. O'ROURKE.-I. and 2. Mansford's Mental Arith metic, Is. 6d. (Hughes). 3. How to Compose,' Is. (Hughes). 4. Savile's Guide to the Civil Service,' 3s. 6d. (Lockwood & Co.).

Mensuration.

I. PENTAGON.-Find the edge and longest diameter of a cubical tank which contains 134,217,728 cubic inches. (Sk larship, 1880.)

If a

=

Length of edge of tank 134,217,728 cub. in 134,217,728(512

125

.. Length of edge of tank

length of edge of tank, Diameter of base

Longest diameter

=

=

=

=

=

=

√2a2 √za- + a2

3a2 √3×5122

512 in. Ans.

3 x 262144 786432 78'64'32(886.8

64 168 1404

1344 1766| 12032

10596

17728 143000

141824 1776

Longest diameter=886.8...in. Ans.

2

... EF=10.

+GH × AL)+(GH+BC × LM)

AD+BC

× AM

Let AB, CD, EF be the three given straight lines.
Produce DC, FE, and let them meet in G.

Bisect the angle DGF by the straight line GH (I. 9), meeting AB in H.

Then H is the required point in AB.

From H draw HK, HL perpendicular to CD, EF, respectively. (I. 12.)

Proof. In the

triangles KGH, LGH,

4 KGH = 4 LGH, (Con.) < HKG=HLG, (Ax. 11.)

and side GH is common to the two triangles, .. side HK-side HL. (I. 26.) Q.E.F.

Note.-If the two given lines are parallel, bisect the distance between them.

3. INCOGNITO.-Construct a parallelogram equal to a pentagon, or any polygon.

Construction.-Divide the rectilineal figure into three, four, etc., triangles, as the case may be, and then the third, fourth, etc., triangles may be applied in the same way as the second (I. 45), until the required parallelogram is obtained.

Note.-Rectilineal figures are those contained by straight lines. It does not mean four straight lines, but any number. Those contained by four straight lines are termed quadrilaterals.

Your simpler method of proving No. 3 Geometrical Query in our last issue is entirely wrong.

You say, 4 BDF = 2 ADE,

Add to each AED,

..s AED, ADE= 4S ADE, BDF;

instead of 4s AED, BDF.

The Church Schoolmasters' and Schoolmistresses' Benevolent Institution.

MR. MUNDELLA ON THRIFT.

THE twenty-thanne Church Schoolmasters' and SchoolHE twenty-fifth annual general meeting of the subscribers

mistresses' Benevolent Institution was held (after a special service at St. Margaret's Church, Westminster) at the National Society's rooms, Broad Sanctuary, on the 20th of May. There was a crowded attendance, which was presided over by the Right Hon. A. J. Mundella, M.P. (Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education). Mr. Mundella, in moving a resolution expressing approval of the society's work, said that while he had only recently become aware of the existence of the society, he found that it was doing such a good work that he should be glad to give it substantial aid by becoming a subscriber. There were few present, however familiar they might be with the

misfortunes which occasionally befell teachers-loss of life, loss of eyesight, their being stricken down sometimes suddenly by death, with orphans left behind-who could know more of the misfortunes than he had learned during his short experience at the Privy Council. His official position gave him an admirable insight into the position of teachers all over the kingdom. He had had to go through 500 or 600 applications for pensions and gratuities, so that he knew pretty well the claims teachers had upon the laity generally. It was very satisfactory that the friends of the society did so much for themselves. That was a point on which he wished more stress was laid. In the past they had had to do with many teachers in the National schools, because those schools had borne the burden and heat of the day. In the past the teachers of the National schools, especially in the rural

The average earnings of schoolmasters in 1870 were £95 125. 9d.; to-day they were 114 8s. 1od.; and schoolmistresses in 1870 earned an average of £57 16s. 5d.; and to-day £66 19s. 5d. No doubt even now there was room for considerable improvement in many cases. As to teachers as a body, he felt that they were a class which was doing more than any other to influence the next generation of English men and English women. They were the makers of the future England, and much depended upon them as to how it should be made. In common with other Englishmen, he was afraid they were deficient in one important characteristic, which he found so generally possessed by the profession in Scotlandviz., thrift. From the highest to the lowest he was afraid the English were an unthrifty people. There was no greater virtue

districts, had to do a great amount of work for a very small remuneration. Upon investigating the cases of a number of old teachers, many of whom had served even fifty years as teachers, and were past three score and ten years, he was surprised to find that some were receiving a remuneration scarcely sufficient for bare subsistence. That was compensated for to some extent by their social status and by their knowledge that they were doing a good work; but certainly their remuneration was below that received by many an artisan. He was glad to know that education was not only more appreciated, but that the teachers' services were now better paid. He found that during the past ten years the teachers, both male and female, of the National Society, for instance, had benefited to an extent of nearly twenty per cent. increase upon the average earnings. There were to-day 18,130 certificated teachers employed by the National Society.

they could cultivate than thrift; and in order that it might be properly cultivated they should set an example; and as they obtained an improved position he hoped that some portion of the increased remuneration would be set aside for the rainy day whenever it came. In going through the list of the many claimants upon the small fund at the disposal of the Education Department for pensions and gratuities, he had been struck with some strange things. First came the number of teachers among the applicants who had no means whatever to provide for the evil day. Then some of those who had the least to fall back upon were those who had lived in towns and had the highest salaries. The English teachers who had been the most thrifty were the teachers of the rural districts who had the smallest salaries. But there was one class of teachers who always had something to fall back upon, and those were the

Scotch teachers. What the Scotch teachers could do the English teachers could do. What he wished was that when teachers arrived at three score years, and could no longer discharge their duties satisfactorily to the children, the managers, and themselves, they should have a fair income to fall back upon. They ought to have it, and he trusted that they would. In the meantime he expressed his satisfaction that there was that Benevolent Institution in existence, which did a great and good work, and very often at the time of great affliction and necessity, when the teacher was broken down and exhausted, he was so aided that he was enabled to tide over his difficulties for a few months until he recovered his health and position. Mr. Mundella then quoted some statistics to show the progress of the institution from its commencement twenty-five years ago, and said that although the funds had greatly increased they were utterly inadequate to meet the many claims made upon the committee. The number of teachers increased in a greater ratio. than the subscriptions. He should be glad if he could announce that some organized effort was made not Government help, for they should help themselves-but he would like to see some organized system by an actuarial payment, so that all teachers might secure a certain sum in case of sickness, and when they reached the age when they ought to retire from the profession. He was not quite prepared to state how that could be done, but if any one had a definite idea on the subject he hoped they would communicate with others in the profession, and formulate some scheme which could be adopted for their benefit.

Gossip.

A FEW evenings ago we assisted' at a rather novel exhibition, held in the schoolroom adjoining the church, Upper Norwood, of which the Rev. S. A. Tipple is the pastor. It appears that last autumn an effort was made by Mr. J. Elliot Viney to induce the young people attending the church to turn to good account the long evenings of the coming winter. Practical help was promised to any boy or girl who chose to seek it. For this purpose one night a week was set apart, and little fingers that had essayed for the first time modelling in plaster, carving, carpentering, drawing, mapping, crocheting, etc., etc., were taught how to do their work skilfully. The exhibition, which was a pronounced success, was as varied as it was interesting, and it is a pleasure to add that every article was sold. The numerous pretty bouquets of wild-flowers, which adorned the tables, were sent on the following day to gladden the hearts of the inmates of a children's hospital. We congratulate Mr. Elliot Viney on his success, and trust his example will stimulate others to 'go and do likewise.'

Mr. J. R. Lowell, the celebrated poet, and American Minister in London, wrote the lines which are inscribed underneath :

"The New World's sons, from England's breast we drew
Such milk as bids remember whence we came ;
Proud of her past, wherefrom our present grew,

This window we inscribe with Raleigh's name.' The window was unveiled at morning service on the 14th May.

Mr. Robert Browning attained his seventieth birthday on the 7th ult., and was presented by the seven Browning Societies of London, Oxford, Cambridge, Cornell, Bradford, Cheltenham, and Philadelphia, with a set of his own works, bound in olive morocco by Proudfoot, and enclosed in a handsome oak case carved with Browning emblems. The works were accompanied by a message that, as the works of a great modern poet could never be found in his own house (Mr. Browning always gives away all his own copies to friends), the societies begged his acceptance of a set of these works, and assured him that they would be found worthy his serious attention. The poet has since replied that he was never so honoured, so gratified, by any action of a similar nature that ever happened to him in the course of his life.'

The Practical Teacher.

A MONTHLY EDUCATIONAL JOURNAL.

To Subscribers.-The Practical Teacher is published on the 25th of every month. Price 6d. ; post free, 7d.; sent post free, three months for Is. IId.; six months, 3s. 9d.; a year, 7s. 6d.

P. O. Orders should be made payable at Chief Office. Subscribers not receiving their copies regularly are respectfully requested to write to the Publisher.

It would save time and expense if subscribers when remitting would state exactly what numbers they wish to be sent.

To Correspondents. All literary communications should be addressed, THE EDITOR OF THE PRACTICAL TEACHER, Pilgrim Street, Ludgate Hill, London, E.C.

Accepted contributions are paid for within twentyone days of publication.

The Editor cannot return rejected MSS.; authors should therefore retain copies.

Educational Publishers and the London

School Board.

BY THE EDITOR.

WE doff our cap, make our best bow, and tender our sincerest thanks to Mrs. Westlake for the speech she made at a meeting of the London School Board on the 18th inst., anent the Requisition List. Understand us, please; we thank Mrs. Westlake, not for the insult she offered the publishers, nor for the aspersions which, in Miss Taylor's judgment, she cast on the great body of Metropolitan Board Teachers; neither do we feel particularly grateful to her (indeed, we rather pity her) for the ignorance she displayed; but we do thank her for the debate which her ill-starred speech provoked. In another part of our issue we give a full report of the proceedings of the last meeting of the Board, and we ask our readers to peruse that report most carefully.

In it allusion is constantly made by Mrs. Westlake, Mr. Morse, Dr. Gladstone, and Mr. Mark Wilks (we mention them in the order in which they spoke) to the interview which the sub-committee had with a deputation from the publishers. That deputation-appointed by the Board-consisted of representatives of the firms of Messrs. Longmans, Green, and Co., Messrs. Nelson and Sons, Messrs. Cassell, Petter, Galpin, and Co., and the writer of these lines. As no members of the Board, other than those on the sub-committee, seemed to be aware of the true nature of that interview, perhaps it will be advisable at the outset to give the publishers'

version of it. To us who sat out the debate on Thursday last, it was painful to listen to the one-sided representations of it.

The Rev. T. Morse said- ·

'I attended a meeting of the sub-committee, at which the representatives of the publishers were present, and I believe that we convinced them that the course adopted by the Board was the right one.'

A statement more at variance with fact than this was never made, unless it be that Mr. Morse interprets our concurrence with the Board in strongly denouncing the abuses of which they complained certain publishers had been guilty, as having convinced 'us. The greatest, and indeed the only point scored by the committee, was when Mrs. Fenwick-Miller, in a happily-worded speech, conceived in a spirit entirely different from the Wilkian-Westlake oratory, modestly urged that she thought her special love for and study of physiology rendered her a better judge of the books written on that subject than Board

teachers.

Equally erroneous is Mrs. Westlake's statement that 'the deputation that came up before us had nothing to say.'

The fact is, we answered all their objections, so far as Mr. Mark Wilks would allow us. This gentleman, fortunately or unfortunately, is blessed with strong individuality, and has a knack, when any one differs from him, of, to use the language of the Rev. J. Coxhead in a dis cussion which preceded the one with which we are concerned, appealing to his own authority. This means much; practically, that you are

denied fair debate.