preparatory department is a systematic study of flowering plants, while in the sophomore year attention is given to structural and physiological botany. The work in physiology is of a general character, attention being given first to gross dissection of lower animals, proceeding thence to the microscopic structure of the various tissues and organs. The work is made as practical as possible, and while there is no special laboratory the university possesses a stock of microscopes and physiological apparatus which are at present used in temporary quarters. Frequent excursions are made into the surrounding country for the purpose of studying the local flora and fauna.

OLIVET COLLEGE.

OLIVET, MICH.

In the three courses offered, viz, classical, literary, and scientific, biology is the first science studied, attention being given to phænogamic botany in the third term of the freshman year. No preliminary scientific training is necessary for admission to these courses, - although for entrance to the scientific department physiology and physics are required as taught in the preparatory department of the college. The botanical work consists mainly in the dissection and classification of common plants, with some work in vegetable physiology.

Zoology (elective) occupies two terms of the sophomore year in the scientific and literary courses. The first term is devoted to a general survey of the entire field with reference to numerous specimens. The second is a laboratory course designed especially for teachers and prospective medical students. In this course many typical forms are dissected, and the methods of histological technique are taught.

In the junior year of the classical and literary courses physiology and anatomy are elective in the winter term. These courses are arranged to meet the legal requirements made of teachers. They are to some extent practical, being illustrated by charts, models, dissections, etc.

As aids in the work of teaching the college possesses a laboratory with a sufficient equipment of microscopes and accessories; also a synoptic collection of plants and animals well arranged for use. Opportunities are given for advanced work to all students who are prepared for it, and the provisions for such work are ample.

The requirements in science for entrance to the scientific course are met in the preparatory department, as well as in most of the high schools of the State, many of which send students to be admitted without examination.

OTTERBEIN UNIVERSITY.

WESTERVILLE, OHIO.

Botany is taught during the freshman year, followed by zoology in the sophomore. The time is devoted mainly to lectures and recitations, with a small amount used for practical work. This latter is

elective, and not a prescribed part of the course. No laboratory is provided. For admission to the freshman class an elementary knowledge of physics or astronomy, with physical geography, is required.

PARSONS COLLEGE.

FAIRFIELD, IOWA.

All students applying for admission to the freshman class are expected to have an elementary knowledge of physiology. In addition to this, scientific students are examined in physics, zoölogy, and botany.

In both the classical and scientific courses the work done in biology is the same, although during part of the junior year certain studies are required in the scientific course but elective in the classical. During the last term of the freshman year and the first term of the sophomore, in both courses, botany is taken up, the time devoted to it being 3 or 4 hours weekly, the remainder of the sophomore year being devoted to chemistry. Biology is taken up during the first term of the junior year, there being four weekly exercises, while during the second and third terms a course in zoology is open to classical students, but required of those in the scientific department. In the first term of the senior year a course of four lectures weekly in physiology is required of all students, and during the entire year students of both courses may elect a course of laboratory work in any special line.

In all the natural history studies laboratory work enters prominently, the main object sought being accurate observation, systematic investigation, and practical knowledge. For conducting this work microscopes are supplied, and for illustrating the course of the senior class the college possesses numerous charts and a human skeleton.

PENNSYLVANIA STATE COLLEGE.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa.

This institution offers two general science courses and one general course in agriculture. Special courses are also given in natural history and advanced agriculture. The biological work of other courses is selected from the work prescribed for these.

An elementary knowledge of physics is required of applicants for admission to all of these courses except the general course in agriculture. In each of these courses the biological work consists of botany, zoology, and physiology in varying proportions, as shown below. The distinctive work of the special courses begins in the junior year.

The work in botany consists of text-book recitations and laboratory work. At first special attention is paid to structural and physiological botany, and many drawings are required. Constant practice is also given in the details of section cutting, mounting, etc. Systematic botany follows, and cryptogamic botany, with special reference to injurious

fungi, is then taken up. The course in zoology includes the actual microscopic study, and dissection of a series of types from the lowest animal forms to the vertebrates. Human physiology is studied by means of a text-book, but during a part of the course there is abundant laboratory work, special points, mainly anatomical, being made the subject of this study. A course of lectures on entomology is also given, in which the structure and systematic relations of insects are described, together with the economic considerations which arise from a study of the beneficial and injurious species. The collection and identification of insects is a part of this course.

The varying character of the biological work of the different courses may be seen from the following tabular view:

[The work of the freshman and sophomore years is the same as that in the general science course.]

The biological work of the advanced course in agriculture corresponds nearly with that of the course in natural history.

The botanical laboratory is especially well fitted for work, while the greenhouses furnish additional laboratory room for work in vegetable physiology. An outfit of microscopes and materials for the study of animals is also provided. The collections include a herbarium of more than 3,000 species, large collections of woods, numerous alcoholic specimens of animals, a collection of insects, a considerable number of skeletons, etc.

[The administration of the zoological department having recently changed hands, it is probable that the arrangement of courses in this department will be altered in September, 1891.]

RANDOLPH MACON COLLEGE.

ASHLAND, VA.

Biology is begun in the junior year, only those students being admitted to the course who have had some training in practical physics and chemistry. Physiology is first taken up, instruction being given by lectures with frequent demonstrations before the class. This course occupies 4 hours weekly during half the year, and is followed by a course in botany occupying the same amount of time. Lectures are delivered upon the general anatomy and physiology of plants, illustrated by numerous demonstrations, and there is also a laboratory course, which all students are required to follow. This includes the dissection, description, and classification of plants, together with some practice in the methods of vegetable physiology and histology. Each student is required to prepare a small herbarium.

Zoölogy is taken up in the senior year, 6 hours weekly being devoted to the subject. Up to nearly the close of the session this time is devoted principally to laboratory work, each student being required to make numerous dissections and microscopic preparations illustrating the anatomy of representatives of all the main groups of animals. Theoretical questions are considered toward the end of the course.

The laboratory is newly equipped and contains microscopes and the usual accessories and reagents in abundance to meet the demands made upon it. No special provisions have been made for original work, and as yet none has been done. One floor of the Science Hall, a building 54 by 64 feet, is devoted to the uses of the biological department. This contains the laboratory, museum, lecture rooms, etc. A museum, containing about 400 specimens, and a small herbarium aid the work of the class room and laboratory.

RUTGERS COLLEGE.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J.

For admission no requirements are made in science. Biology is taken up at the beginning of the freshman year, the course embracing the subject of human anatomy and physiology, followed by a general course

in comparative zoölogy. Two hours weekly are devoted to this work, with an additional hour devoted to demonstrations. In the third term of the freshman year botany is begun, students being required to make frequent dissections of plants and prepare a small herbarium. Some attention is also given in this course to cryptogamic botany, especially the injurious fungi.

A course in general biology is provided in the junior year, consisting of 5 hours laboratory work per week. This course is at present elective. A large number of types are practically studied with a view to giving the student an exact and comprehensive knowledge of the animal and vegetable kingdoms. Following this is a short course in vertebrate embryology. A course in advanced botany may also be elected in the senior year. This consists of practical work in the microscopic anatomy of plants, with special reference to those subjects having the closest relation to the growing of farm, orchard, and other crops. A course in systematic and economic entomology is also provided. This is especially for the benefit of students of agriculture, and aims at giving the student a general knowledge of insect anatomy and classification, with special reference to the relations of insects to the vegetable kingdom and the economic problems connected therewith.

At present only temporary quarters have been provided for laboratory purposes, and no provisions are made for original work. The early equipment of new quarters is contemplated.

ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE.

ANNAPOLIS, MD.

The work in biology is limited to the freshman class. During the first half-year zoology is taken up. In this course no text-book is used, and the work consists of the examination of animal forms, both vertebrate and invertebrate. The order in which these are taken up is regulated solely by convenience, each student being required to furnish his own specimens. These are studied not only as regards their external form, but also their internal structure. Five hours weekly are devoted to laboratory work, and there are occasional lectures in addition.

The second half-year is devoted to botany. In this, special attention is paid to the systematic relationships of plants, and with this in view each student is required to present a herbarium of 50 specimens with a written account of the same. Students are expected to become sufficiently familiar with the characters of twenty or more families to recognize at sight plants belonging to them.

In addition, the course includes elementary studies in structural and physiological botany, the instruction in these subjects being principally by lectures.

For admission an elementary knowledge of physics and physiology is required. The college courses are open to all, but are not required