54 



Fauna of Mammoth Cave, Kentucky. By E. E. Cali,. 

 Published in the American Naturalist, May 1,1897. 



Notes on Indiana Caves and Their Fauna. By W. S. Blatchley. 

 Published in the State Geological Report for 1896. 



A Possible Relation of the Academy of Science to the Teachers op 

 Biology in Our Secondary Schools. By L. J. Rettger. 



[Abstract.] 



The purpose of the Academy of Science, as I understand it, is in the main 

 two-fold. It aims to encourage original research work among its members, and 

 so enhances the amount of scientific knowledge by valuable contributions. It 

 also encourages younger observers to attempt more critical work and so prepare 

 to continue the regular research work. By its organization and its meetings it is 

 able to accomplish this to a very satisfactory degree. 



The second purpose is probably the dissemination of scientific knowledge 

 among the people. It is this second purpose that makes the first one peculiarly 

 valuable to the State, and in the fullest way repays the favors which the State 

 officially grants the Academy. But the dissemination need not be limited to the 

 actual research work of the Academy. It may legitimately include that basal 

 scientific information which any advanced work presupposes. 



It will in this way create a more general and a more intelligent appreciation 

 of true scientific work and may result in bringing out scientific talent that would 

 otherwise have been missed. 



The avenue along which the Academy may most efficiently exert its influence 

 in this way is in the secondary schools of the State. By persistent eflbrts biologi- 

 cal studies in some form or other are included in almost every high school curric- 

 ulum and so the way is open as far as the subject matter is concerned. In many 

 instances, too, there are teachers who have had a high grade laboratory training 

 and who teach the subject in the high school in a most commendable way. But 

 the fact remains that possibly in the majority of instances biological work in our 

 high schools is still deeply mired in text book work. The utter worthlessness of 

 biological work which does not bring the student into a direct contact with at least a 

 reasonable number of actual things need not be restated. It is a maxim that such 

 work is laboratory work or it is nothing. 



