NATURE-STUDY NEWS 



The University of Illinois announces four lectures by 

 Prof. Jacob, Reighard, Professor of Zoology in the University 



of Michigan, on The Origin of Certain Structures and In- 

 stincts in Fishes. The topics of the lectures are: The Evo- 

 lution of the Nest Building Instinct in Fishes; The Evolution 



of the Parental Instinct in Fishes; Warning Color and Mimicry, 

 a Criticism of Current Theories based upon Studies of the Coral 

 Reef Fishes; and The Role of Internal Factors in the Evolu- 

 tion of Certain Fish Structures. These lectures are given 

 April ii to 13, and summarize the results of Prof. Reighard's 

 studies. He has succeeded in observing individual fish through 

 long periods of time and in photographing them in character- 

 istic places and occupations. 



The Conference on The Teaching of Agricultural Na- 

 ture-Study in The Rural Elementary Schools of Illinois, 

 which met at the University of Illinois March 24, 25, and .26, 

 was the first gathering of its kind ever held in this country. 

 About fifty of the leading workers of the state gathered to 

 discuss present day problems in this subject which is now at- 

 tracting so much attention generally. A few were present from 

 other states. It was arranged that a second meeting of the 

 conference should be held next February, in connection with 

 the agricultural short course. Definite plans were laid for the 

 promotion of agricultural nature-study in Illinois. The pro- 

 gram and a full account of the meeting will appear in the May 

 number of the Review. 



BOOK NOTES 



Gardens in Institutions is the title of a well illustrated article in 

 The Survey for March 19. "Adam's trade, the job that needs no em- 

 ployer" — meaning farming — has come to be recognized as a most de- 

 sirable form of occupation for asylums, convalescent homes, poor 

 houses, reformatories, penitentiaries, etc. 



The Illinois Arbor and Bird Day Bulletin for 1910 was recently 

 issued by State Supt. Blair. Like the two preceding volumes, it is 

 an attractive booklet, well illustrated, and of permanent value on the 

 shelves of any elementary school library. 



