February, '11] BRUNER: TEACHING METHODS 77 



differently, as will be shown further on. In the laboratory work just 

 referred to only the coarse external structure is studied so as to obtain 

 sufficient knowledge of the anatomy of insects to aid in their classifica- 

 tion. In connection with the laboratory and lecture work some readings 

 are required, though not extensive, it being supposed that the lecture 

 notes, if taken down rather fully and studied later on will be of suffi- 

 cient guidance to the student to enable him to gain the information 

 which it is the instructor's desire to impart. No regular text-book is 

 used till the second semester when the student is advised to secure a 

 copy of either Comstock's Manual or Kellogg's American Insects. 

 The special student, however, is required to study all of the texts he 

 can find the time to examine. 



In the second semester of the year the laboratory work is greatly 

 liiodified. The student is now supposed to learn to discriminate between 

 orders, families, genera and species. In other words, the student is 

 taught to classify insects. He is also supposed to do some field work, 

 this field work to consist of collecting insects, noting something con- 

 cerning their food-habits, their methods of life, their distribution, and 

 in some instances even to observe life-histories by means of rearing and 

 taking notes on one or more common forms. In his food-habit investi- 

 gations he is directed to note the difference between carnivorous and 

 herbivorous; he is also led to see the difference between predaceous and 

 parasitic insects. In connection with the lectures for the semester such 

 subjects as "parasitism," insect dispersal or distribution, effects of 

 climate, insect diseases, reproduction, methods of insect control, arti- 

 ficial and natural, etc., are discussed. As my audience may imagine, 

 it is hoped in this manner to make the general entomology a basis 

 ■for the special work which is to follow later on in the student's college 

 career. 



While it would be possible for the entomology student to pursue his 

 morphological and embryological studies in the department of entomo- 

 logy, it has been our custom in Nebraska to have him do this in the 

 department of zoology which is better equipped for this class of work. 

 In like manner the department of horticulture is better equipped for 

 spraying demonstrations in connection with the handling of certain 

 fruit and shade tree pests. 



In speaking of methods pursued in teaching the special student, it 

 might be well to add that should the student decide before beginning 

 his work in the department of entomology and inform the instructor 

 that he intends to specialize, he would be given additional laboratory 

 work in connection with the study of the insect's body, some internal 

 anatomy in addition to the external Structure which is required of the 

 general student. He would also be directed to register in the depart- 



