TEACHERS' SCHOOL OF SCIENCE. 643 



The greatest deviation from a simple flower and a complexity of 

 structure were here presented. Through the co-operation of parts 

 these flowers were of high physiological efficiency. 



Throughout the course, families of medicinal or other economic 

 value, or such as presented evidences of adaptation for cross-fertili- 

 zation, dissemination of seed, life in desert regions, or contained 

 examples of parasiticism or many poisonous genera, were inciden- 

 tally considered. 



Carefully made illustrated notebooks, collections of dried speci- 

 mens, and other evidences of interest in the course were shown by 

 the teachers, who gained great facility in placing an unknown flower 

 in its proper family without the use of a key or botany. 



The next set of lessons in the botanical series consisted of the 

 usual number (fifteen) on cryptogamic botany. This was perhaps 

 the course which was the most difficult of presentation; but, not- 

 withstanding, much dried and fresh material, representing chiefly 

 the higher cryptogams, was distributed among the pupils and ex- 

 amined by them. 



The fourth and last year of the series was spent on paleobotany. 

 This was a somewhat novel and valuable course, which was par- 

 ticularly appreciated by those who had studied geology and paleon- 

 tology in other classes of the school. A large amount of labora- 

 tory material was provided from the museum. The duplicate fos- 

 sil specimens of the society were used by the class, and ninety de- 

 termined species were figured by many members. Since the close 

 of these lessons persons who have shown throughout the four years 

 a satisfactory knowledge of botany and have passed the examina- 

 tions, in the most exhaustive course ever given in the subject for 

 teachers, have received certificates stating their qualifications. 



In the spring of 1887, owing to a suggestion made by Professor 

 W. O. Crosby and to assistance furnished by him, a private course 

 of instruction was arranged by Prof. G. H. Barton, of the Insti- 

 tute of Technology, for a series of lessons in field geology. Twenty- 

 one persons, nearly all of whom had attended Professor Crosby's 

 course in The Teachers' School of Science, took these lessons with 

 great enthusiasm. The series of lessons was continued in the au- 

 tumn, with the addition of twelve new members to the class. From , 

 this beginning has grown the systematic course of field instruction 

 in geology now carried on as one of the regular courses. As at 

 present conducted, it consists of a series of lessons in the autumn 

 and spring of each year, so arranged as to give detailed instruction 

 in methods of observation covering a range through all portions of 

 the subject, embracing mineralogy, lithology, structural geology, 

 historical geology, and physiography. 



