the relative desirability of muscle in bulk and of all-round development. Lead the class to see that over-development often means straining the heart and lungs to keep up (athletes often develop weak hearts); and, also, by requiring extra blood lowers the amount necessary for intensive brain work. College athletes find the brain less active during the strenuous exercise of the sporting season. Note that the stone mason, policeman, and others whose business requires strength, have all-round muscular development.

Next, the elasticity of muscle may be illustrated by the story of the contortionist or acrobat. To what element of muscle is this power due and what has given him the skill? The tight-rope walker and aerialist illustrate harmonious action, co-ordination of muscle and muscular sense, or feeling. Recall the marvelous way in which the body was balanced. What powers of the muscle enabled them to do this? What did the aerialist require in addition to the perfectly harmonious muscular action? Lead the class to see that he must have a quick eye, perfect nervous control of muscles, and nerve, or courage. What would probably be the effect of drinking or smoking?

Note that men who construct bridges and other high buildings need much the same equipment.

The juggler illustrates the fine develop ment of which muscles are capable, just such manipulative skill as is needed by the watchmaker, engraver, maker of architecural drawings, etc.

NOTE.-The teacher may casually mention what is said to be a fact, that it is practically impossible for anyone to get a chance to become a circus performer, nearly all "artists" belonging to about twenty families, some being of the fifth generation, and, further, circuses do not want outside people, particularly boys, and purposely treat them so severely they are glad to get away soon.

Pass rapidly over the foregoing, pointing out that these are the ways in which muscles serve in the extraordinary walks of life, for in all the world there are only a few score of circus people. What do they gain? Draw from the class and write upon the board:

Strength and flexibility of muscle. Almost perfect control of body (co-ordination.)

Grace of movement (which means ease of action.)

Great beauty and symmetry of form (balanced development).

Total results.

Superb health; ease in doing hard work; and a good livelihood.

HYGIENE OF MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENT What does this mean to us?

A brief glance at the list will show clearly that these things which the few have gained are exceedingly desirable for every boy and girl, man or woman, who wishes to succeed in any line of work the world offers. One is surprised to see how many callings require similar equipment.

Evidently these people having such beautiful and efficient bodies did not simply fall heir to them or secure them by chance. How do they live and how can we live so as to be similarly blessed?

We learn first of all that nearly every one of them began as a child to build his body aright. Take, for instance, the story of Ernest Clark, one of the famous Clark brothers, aerialists, the only man in the world who can turn a double somersault and twister in the air.

His training began when he was only seven years old. He must always keep his body in good position-no hunched shouiders, cramped lungs, or standing on one foot for him.

He had plenty of healthful exercise for he practiced from five to seven hours a day, beginning with simple tricks and gradually doing more difficult ones. You may be glad your exercise is so much pleasanter. You are playing all sorts of games which is just as good, even better, for you, provided you are careful to keep in good position. How the muscles in arms, legs, and back harden and the chest broadens !

He had plenty of sleep though the car in which he slept was often rolling from town to town. You rest better quietly at home.

Plenty of fresh air he had, too, for he lived much of the time in a tent.

He had plenty of food, nourishing and abundant, but always very simple.

And, finally, he was taught what the circus people all know well, that he must not spoil the good results of the rest by using alcoholic drinks or tobacco, and so he and his brother have never used either.

Thus careful attention to correct position, exercise, fresh air, plain nourishing food, and abstinence from narcotics, all attended to when his body was growing, has made him a self-controlled, physically perfect young man. the best in his business in the world. the other hand, had he neglected these things in his youth, it would have been impossible. The proper care of his muscles has also given him splendid lungs, heart, and digestion,

On

acute senses, and nerves like steel; in a word, superb vitality which makes happiness and without which very few can succeed anywhere.

Emphasize [with boys] the fact that total abstinence means gaining rather than refraining, gaining in health, endurance, strength, skill, efficiency, helpfulness, and freedom of will and action, and the power to give service to God and to men. These boys of yours understand that the best records in markmanship, rowing, swimming, jumping, and racing have been made by total abstainers. sociate your total abstinence teaching always with the ideas of surpassing excellence of body, mind, and character. To invest total abstinence with this meaning is to present total abstinence in its positive aspect.-Zillah Foster Stevens in Sunday School Times.

As

THE VIENNESE champion swimmer, OttoScheff, said in an article in a sporting paper, Saint George, concerning his training, for a contest; "I believe that the training of every sportsman, particularly that of a swimmer, is based mainly upon healthful living. A swimmer must neither smoke nor drink; for even small amounts of alcohol are highly injurious to the body. (Die Enthaltsamkeit, May, 1909.)

IT is now generally acknowledged that total abstinence is an essential to marksmanship with the rifle, and Private Edward McCue, the winner of the bronze medal in the King's prize competition at Bisley, has again demonstrated this truth-Last week he won the handsome rifle presented for the best shot at the Lord Roberts' Miniature Rifle Range.Eng. Alliance News, July 29, 1909.

M

OST progressive teachers keep and use newspaper and magazine clippings which will serve to increase interest in presenting geography or history, but not all realize the value of similar material relating to hygiene and temperance. It is very easy to collect, for in addition to clippings from periodicals, pamphlets, government reports and even the advertising pages furnish valuable helps and the children will be delighted to assist. It is very desirable that the children should help, for it is training them to connect what they read with what they study, to use judgment in selection of what is relevant to the subject, and, since it requires self activity in several ways, it increases the permanence of impression.

The clippings may be used in class, pupils giving the substance of those which can enliven with supplementary ideas or spice, or they may furnish an interesting point of contact in beginning the lesson; those which are suitable, such as poems, etc., may be mounted on manilla paper or pasteboard and used for supplementary reading or may be given out for seat work to be read, or copied neatly. Pictures mounted are especially useful for use in primary grades. For instance the picture of "Bathing the Doll" may serve as the basis of a lesson on the skin and cleanliness, and at the same time as a language lesson.

Clip, also, motion songs, interesting incidents, good short, pointed stories with at health moral (avoid namby-pamby stuff) accounts of athletic feats, especially if performers are abstainers from alcohol and tobacco; athletic games and hygienic rules governing the same, government reports and other material on foods, gymnastic exercises and games.

A clever Boston teacher keeps cuts of athletes and other particularly interesting clippings on her display space and changes them when they have served their purpose. It was noted that during recess periods a number of the pupils were examining them.

Copies of striking tables, such as Prof. Seaver's investigations on the comparative growth and capacity of smokers and nonsmokers (School Physiology Journal, April, 1909, p. 117), brief insurance statistics showing greater rate of sickness and mortality among moderate drinkers, posters such as those shown on p. 39, 153, School Physiology Journal, 1908-9, posted on bulletin boards, or copied on the blackboard, will drive home many a lesson which would not otherwise make so deep an impression. The more striking they can be made, without sacrificing accuracy and good taste, the better.

For directions for making a simple but practical clipping file, see JOURNAL, p. 14.

Growth and Development

Primary Lesson continued from Sept. Journal. Need of fresh air. Show bottles containing beans (7 and 8) and have children compare the growth of those in the bottle open to the air with those in the corked bottle. What did those in the corked bottle lack which the others had? Suppose Cyril were to shut tight the door and the windows of his bedroom when he went to bed. In what way would that be like the beans in the bottle? Point out that like the room, the corked bottle had air in it at first but as no fresh air could get in, the beans could not grow. Plants have a way of breathing through their leaves and even a growing plant could not live long in an air-tight box. If a person were to be shut up in an air-tight room he would soon lose his life. Children who live in some places where they can not get enough good, fresh air, do not grow as well as other children. Those who are out of doors most are apt to grow best, other things being equal. What, then, is another thing which plants, animals, and children. must have for growth? What are some good ways to get plenty of fresh air? Discuss briefly the way in which bed and other rooms can be ventilated and impress the children with the value of outdoor air. Even sick people like consumptives often get well without any medicine if they can stay out night and day. Emphasize the need of nose breathing.

Need of correct position. Show the sections of tree-limbs and let the children examine them noting the symmetry of the straight piece, the difficulty or impossibility of bending the crooked piece straight, and the pulpy softness of the twig. Speak of the beauty of straight trees which are really very large plants, and the impossibility of straightening them if they grow up crooked. When did the crooks come in this branch and in the ugly tree? The soft twig will suggest the answer. In what ways are the bodies of children like this soft twig? Who can see the lesson of the ugly tree? What is the meaning of the old proverb, "As the twig is inclined, the tree is bent"? Would it be true if we changed it a bit to "As the child's body is inclined, the man's body is bent"? What are some of the ways in which the child's body may be inclined, or bent, so that when the bones and muscles harden in place the body will not be straight and symmetrical? Discuss standing on one foot, stooping over desks, twisting the limbs, etc., explaining simply how the harm comes.

MAKING RIGHT CHOICES

Would the food which the plant had do for Cyril? Why not? What food do the dog and cat eat? the cow and sheep? Could either the plants, the dog or the cow exchange food with one of the others and live and grow well? How would it work to starve the cow for a day or two and then give her all the grass and meal she would eat the next? To do that way with a boy?

Lead the class to see that each kind of creature must have the right kind and proper amount of food. Since Cyril wanted so much to grow into a fine, strong man, what would be the best foods for him? Discuss

this question with the class, drawing from them and writing on the blackboard a list of simple, nourishing foods and proper drinks which Cyril ought to have, making the reasons plain why these and not rich foods are best. Touch also upon the need of properly chewing the food, the care of the teeth, and the evil results of eating between meals. (The children will enjoy planning for this mythical boy, "Cyril", and by employing this device the teacher can hit hard if need be, any personal bad habits of eating which may prevail among the pupils, and especially the use of beer or cider and cigarets, without seeming personal.)

(Concluded in NOVEMBER JOURNAL.)