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Tuatara in the Secondary School

Tuatara is a medium for presenting the methods and results of biological research in a form acceptable to students at secondary schools as well as at the university. It is a tangible link between the university and its future students. Over the past fourteen years leading scientists have cooperated by contributing articles on topics in which they have special knowledge, and many students, some of them now professional biologists in New Zealand and abroad, have seen their first work published in this journal. The editor will welcome guidance from teachers in secondary schools as to topics which they would like to see covered in future issues. For example, one secondary school in a country district has sought information on the general anatomy of the opossum, which is used there as a subject for dissection; an authority in this field is now preparing an article which we hope to publish shortly. Other contributions in forthcoming issues will include an illustrated key to all New Zealand butterflies, anatomical guides to the New Zealand lugworm Abarenicola and the freshwater mussel Hyridella, and Dr. C. A. Fleming is preparing an article on the origins of the fauna and flora of New Zealand. “How to Begin the Study of Starfishes’ is the title of another contribution which will be the first of a series on various groups of animals and plants. By virtue of their special experience, science teachers in secondary schools can help us to serve tomorrow's student as well as today's, and all suggestions will be given careful consideration.