Feb., 1894. NATURAL SCIENCE IN JAPAN. 99 



that this very necessary training has been already supplied. In other 

 respects each course is admirably broad, and affords a good grounding 

 for each subsequent specialisation required of those who pass to a 

 doctor's degree. This will be seen from the following sketch of the 

 work done by a student in Zoology. During his first year he attends 

 lectures on General Zoology, on Botany and on Geology, he does 

 practical work in the Zoological and Botanical Laboratories, studies 

 Physiological Chemistry with Laboratory work and learns how to 

 determine Rocks and Minerals. In his second year he attends 

 lectures on Botany, the Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrate animals. 

 Histology, Embryology, Physiology and Palaeontology. He does 

 practical work in Botany, Histology and Embryology, and spends a 

 few weeks at the Marine Laboratory. The third year is mainly 

 devoted to work in the Zoological Laboratory, with two after- 

 noons a week in the Bacteriological Laboratory during the third 

 term. The student may also study Palaeontology and certain special 

 subjects. The work for a Botanical student is the same during the 

 first two years ; but in the third year the Botanical Laboratory is 

 substituted for the Zoological, and a Botanical Colloquium takes the 

 place of the special subjects of the Zoologist. In the same way 

 the Geological student has lectures and practical work in Zoology 

 and Botany, besides those more directly connected with his special 

 subject. 



At the end of these courses an examination is held, the passing 

 of which makes the student a graduate of the University, but does 

 not of itself entitle him at any time to the higher degrees. A graduate 

 who desires to proceed to the degree of Doctor, which in the case of 

 Natural Science is called Rigaku-hakushi, must attach himself to what 

 is called the University Hall for a period of five years. During the 

 .two years immediately following his admission he must pursue a 

 post-graduate course, which consists for the most part of special work 

 either in the laboratory or the field. In the latter case his travelling 

 expenses are defrayed by the College according to a fixed rate. 

 After these two years he is free to devote himself to some special 

 subject and to prepare the thesis that he is bound to present on 

 applying for his doctorate. 



This system of specialised practical and field-work, both in close 

 connection with the University, is an admirable one. By its means, 

 in the first place, a set of men are forwarded to the Geological Survey 

 .and similar scientific posts already thoroughly trained for their work ; 

 secondly, the collections of the University are increased and what is 

 of more importance thoroughly worked out ; while, lastly, any papers 

 that may be pubHshed by these students pass directly under the eyes 

 ■of the professors, and therefore do not manifest that inexperience in 

 the art of description and exposition which too often mars the work 

 •of our own younger writers and which I have suffered from too 

 much myself not to sympathise with in others. 



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