and Laboratory Methods. 2277 



white layer on the surface of the leaf in which minute black bodies are situated. 

 It may be preserved in 70 per cent, alcohol or kept in a paper box. 



1. Moisten a leaf with water and scrape off some of the mycelium contain- 

 ing the black bodies (cleistothecia). Mount in water and examine under low 

 power. Under high power draw a cleistothecium with appendages. 



2. Draw a small piece of the mycelium showing the transverse walls in the 

 hyphae. 



3. Crush some of the cleistothecia under the cover-glass by pressing and 

 rubbing carefully over the surface with the handle of the needle. Draw an ascus 

 containing ascospores. How many asci in a cleistothecium ? How many spores 

 in an ascus ? 



XXXV. Ustilago inaydis (DC.) Tul. Corn Smut. 

 Class, Hemibasidii. Order, Ustilaginales. Family, Ustilaginaceae. 

 The corn smut may be collected in summer and autumn and kept in a dry 

 condition in paper boxes. 



1. Make a naked eye sketch of one of the large, black, smut nodules. On 

 what parts do the smut nodules develop.'' 



2. Mount some of the black powder and study under high power. Draw a 

 number of the small spores. These are usually known as chlamydospores or 

 teleutospores. Describe the color, surface and shape. 



3. Make a hanging-drop culture of the spores with dilute, boiled, stable- 

 manure water. Smut spores germinate quite readily, but it is best to let them 

 freeze before making the culture. Watch the germination from day to day and 

 note the formation of the small promycelium or basidium which develops a num- 

 ber of hyaline basidiospores. Note that the smut plant is a parasite while the 

 promycelium is a saprophyte. John H. Schaffner. 

 Ohio State University. 



Syllabus of Work in Biology for High Schools. 



The following is the syllabus in biology, including botany, zoology, and phys- 

 iology, for high schools, as adopted by the Board of Superintendents, Department 

 of Education, city of New York. We believe it will be found exceedingly valu- 

 able to science teachers as a suggestion in outlining their courses, and therefore 

 publish the syllabus in full : 



GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS. 



As a more comprehensive view of each of the subjects embraced under biology 

 (botany, zoology, and physiology) can be obtained by the consideration of a 

 large number of topics, it is suggested that many topics be studied somewhat 

 briefly, though it is important that a few typical specimens should be studied 

 intensively. The conditions for favorable study of some of the topics outlined 

 under botany and zoology vary among the different high schools of the city, and 

 vary for the same school at different seasons, and on this account considerable 

 latitude may be exercised in the choice of topics. The order of presentation of 

 the topics under each subject, and the order in which the three subjects should 

 be taught is of less importance than the presentation of them under the most 

 favorable conditions obtainable. 



