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THE FOURTEEN WEEKS' COURSES

IN

NATURAL SCIENCE,

BY

J. DORMAN STEELE, A.M., PH.D.

Fourteen Weeks in Natural Philosophy, . $1.50

Fourteen Weeks in Chemistry,

Fourteen Weeks in Descriptive Astronomy,

Fourteen Weeks in Popular Geology,

Fourteen Weeks in Human Physiology, .

1.50

1.50

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A Key, containing Answers to the Questions

and Problems in Steele's 14 Weeks' Courses, 1.50

A HISTORICAL SERIES,

on the plan of Steele's 14 Weeks in the Sciences,

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The publishers of this volume will send either of the above by mail, post-paid, on receipt of the price.

The same publishers also offer the following standard scientific works, being more extended or difficult treatises than those of Prof. Steele, though still of Academic grade.

Peck's Ganot's Natural Philosophy,

Porter's Principles of Chemistry,.
Jarvis' Physiology and Laws of Health,
Wood's Botanist and Florist, .

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1.75 2.00

1.65

2.50

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Address A. S. BARNES & CO.,

Educational Publishers,

NEW YORK OR CHICAGO.

ENTERED according to Act of Congress in the year 1869, by

A. S. BAR

LINIVERSITY.

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York.

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PREFACE.

DURING the past few years great advances have been made in astronomical science. A new horizontal parallax of the sun has been established. This has materially altered the estimated distances, etc., of the planets. The sun is much nearer us than we supposed, and light has lost a little of its wonderful velocity. Much additional information has been obtained concerning Meteors and Shooting Stars. The investigations connected with Spectrum Analysis have been especially suggestive. Thus on every hand the facts of Astronomy have been accumulating. As yet, however, they are scattered through many expensive foreign works, and are consequently beyond the reach of most of our schools. It has been the aim of the author to collect in this little volume the most interesting features of these larger works. Believing that Natural Science is full of fascination, he has sought to weave the story of those far-distant worlds into a form that may attract the attention and kindle the enthusiasm of the pupil. The work is not written for the information of scientific men, but for the inspiration of youth. The pages therefore are not burdened with a multitude

of figures which no memory could possibly retain. Mathematical tables and data, Questions for Review, and also a Guide to the Constellations, are given in the Appendix, where they may be useful for constant reference.

The author would call particular attention to the method of classifying the measurements of Space, and the practical treatment of the subjects of Parallax, Harvest Moon, Eclipses, the Seasons, Phases of the Moon, Time, Nebular Hypothesis, &c.

To teachers heretofore compelled to use a cumbersome set of charts, it is hoped that the star maps here offered will present a welcome substitute. The geometrical figures showing the actual appearance of the constellations, will relieve the mind confused with the idea of numberless rivers, serpents, and classical heroes. The brightest stars only are given, since in practice it is found that pupils remember the general outlines alone.

Finally, the author commits this little work to the hands of the young, to whose instruction he has consecrated the energies of his life, in the earnest hope that, loving Nature in all her varied phases, they may come to understand somewhat of the wisdom, power, beneficence, and grandeur displayed in the Divine harmony of the Universe.

"One God, one law, one element,

And one far-off Divine event

To which the whole creation moves."

The following works, among others, have been freely consulted in preparing this volume:

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PUBLISHERS' NOTICE.-Teachers will find in each edition of this Series certain changes; not such, however, as to cause any inconvenience in the use of all the editions in the same class. These are to be considered, not as corrections of errors, but as improvements suggested by the constant advance made in science, and by practical work in the school-room. The publishers are determined to spare no expense in making this Series increasingly worthy of the unprecedented success it has attained.

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