EEPOKTS OF DEPAilTMEXTS. 57 



of tlio second term. Davics' New Surveying was used as a text book, but being 

 so poorly adapted to the wants of our course, most of the instruction Avas given 

 by lectures. The course embraces theory, adjustment and use of instruments, 

 rectangular surveying, as practiced in government surveys, areas of land, divid- 

 hig land, finding section corners, retracing old lines, topographical surveying, 

 r.'iilroad surveying, section and cross-section leveling, computation of earth-work, 

 and setting slope stakes. 



Particular stress Avas laid on tlic field Avork, no student being considered 

 through the study Avho had not assisted in at least four compass surA'eys (in one 

 of which he should run the compass) and run at least two lines of levels. I* 

 spent a portion of two Saturdays Avitli the class, running a preliminary line of 

 railroad between the College and Okemos village. 



Each student Avas required to furnish himself Avith a fcAV first-class draAving 

 instraments, and to make two plates of actual surveys, Avith ornamented titles, 

 the plates as large as a AVhatman sheet of royal size Avould permit. In accord- 

 ance with my suggestion, CAcry three or four students united and purchased a 

 KeuiHe and Esser's book of specimen letters. The Avork of the class in surA'eying 

 this year Ava-?, considering the limited amount of time at command, highly com- 

 plimentary to the class. The whole class Avorked Avith so much enthusiasm and 

 energy that I believe each and CAcry one receiA'cd sufficient instruction as to be 

 capable of doing all ordinary sur\'eying. 



GENERAL OK ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CONIC SECTIONS. 



The principles of Analytical Geometiy and its application to straight lines, and 

 the Conic Sections, Avere taught the Sophomore Class for a period of six weeks, 

 to fill the time that usually has been dcA'oted to Practical Agriculture. Instruc- 

 tion Avas given entirely by lectures. From the amount of benefit to be derived 

 from this study, and from the fact that no great proficiency can be acquired in 

 mechanics, astronomy or civil engineering without a thorough knoAvledge of 

 analytic geometry, it is to l)e lioped tliat this study Anil take a permanent place 

 in our course. 



TRIGONOMETRY. 



Trigonometry Avas taught to the Sophomore Class six weeks, using as a text 

 Tbook Eobinson's Trigonometry. This year's Avork was unusually good, the class 

 passing thoroughly over plane and spherical trigonometry. 



GEOMETRY. 



Geometry \\as taught eighteen Aveeks, — six Aveeks to the Sophomore Class and 

 tweh'e weeks to the Freshman Class. The entire course in geometry is com- 

 pleted in twenty-four Aveeks, twelve of Avhich are usually given in the I'resliman 

 year and tAvelve in the Sophomore year : but the present Sophomore Class had 

 taken previous to this year eighteen Aveeks in geometry, so that there remained 

 but six weeks for its completion. 



The Sophomores commenced at Book VII. of Eobinson's Geometry, and fin- 

 ished in the allotted time both plane and spherical geometry. 



The Freshman Class used as a text book Olney's Geometry, and passed thor- 

 oughly over and Avere examined on the first 120 pages. On account of the large 

 size oi' this class it Avas necessary to separate it into tAvo sections. Each section, 

 howcA-er, passed over the same space. 

 8 



