OF DENISON UNIVERSITY 9 



the Sophomore year, and Zoology in the Junior. Vegetable Physiology 

 and Zoology are the only additions which immediately appeared in the 

 Scientific course, though the results accomplished in the branches be- 

 fore taught were doubtless more satisfactory now that these branches 

 were in the hands of one who could give his time almost entirely to 

 scientific work. We say almost, since Professor Hicks was compelled 

 by the exigencies of the situation to do some work in unrelated lines 

 of study, just as others had been compelled, previous to his appoint- 

 ment, to do scientific work. German and French were first added to 

 the Scientific Course during this year. It was not until 1881, however, 

 that the course was lengthened from the three year limit and made 

 equal to the Classical Course in the number of years of collegiate study' 

 required. This equality of time, however, was more apparent than 

 real until 1886, since the requirements for entrance to the Freshman 

 class were less exacting by one year's work than for Classical students 

 until that date. This shortness of the Scientific Course did an injury 

 to the development of scientific work at Denison even greater than the 

 deficiency of time, in that it furnished a refuge for students who fell 

 behind in their Classical work. As long as this condition continued 

 the presence of a small element of such men in the Scientific Depart- 

 ment undoubtedly tended to deter bright students from becoming can- 

 didates for the Bachelor of Science degree. Of course there were 

 those whose preference for Scientific work was sufficently strong to 

 cause them to disregard this feeling, but the experience of the last ten 

 years has shovv^n beyond a doubt that the course has become much 

 more popular by being made longer and harder. It is a significant fact 

 that the phrase '^ gone Scientific,''' is no longer understood in student 

 parlance as an equivalent for " failed in Greek and Latin." 



It is due to Professor Hicks, of course, to say that this condition 

 of affairs was decidedly contrary to his own desires in the matter. He 

 would gladly have lengthened and strenthened the work in Science if 

 the income of the University had been sufiicient to provide the neces- 

 sary additional teaching force and equipment. A great deal of illus- 

 trative material was accumulated by his personal efforts, and by others 

 under his direction, which could not be used to advantage during his 

 term of service because of the narrow quarters in which the work of 

 the department had to be carried on. Under present conditions this 

 material is now largely available for the practical purposes of instruc- 

 tion, and thus an important portion of his labor for the University is 

 now bearing its first fruits. 



