82 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [FEBRUARY 
In the case of candidates for degrees, who are generally 
young men just beginning their botanical career, it has been the 
practice in the cryptogamic laboratories to set them to work on 
some histological or developmental subject rather than upon 
descriptive systematic work; it being the opinion that, while a 
beginner may be able to accomplish something valuable in the 
first-named field, purely systematic work worthy of publication 
cannot be expected except after a number of years have given 
a broad, practical knowledge and matured the judgment. In 
the case of candidates for a degree, students are allowed to 
select subjects in accordance with their individual tastes, pro- 
vided such subjects can be properly worked up in the two or three 
years of candidacy. 
Besides candidates for the doctor’s degree, the university 
offers the means for research to persons specially qualified who 
reside at the university, for the purpose of pursuing some 
special piece of work. These are in general visiting botanists 
and specialists who remain for periods varying from a few days 
to a few months, and they are often occupied with systematic 
work; to such persons the libraries are freely accessible, and 
they are allowed to consult the herbaria under the charge of 
the curators. 
.—The general library of the university contains 
Lea ais volumes and 450,000 pamphlets. Students have free 
access to the large special botanical libraries in Cambridge and 
Boston and the private libraries of the instructors. The former 
furnish valuable series of journals and proceedings and the lat- 
ter special papers and — The special library at the 
Gray Herbarium contains volumes and pamphlets. 
Greenhouses and pote greenhouses are Socata at the 
Botanic Garden, half a mile from the general laboratories. 
Special laboratories are available at the garden, when desired. 
_ The plant houses are aes es for various aan ac ate ? 
-_ conditions. ee 
The os embraces seven acres fully pe and contains : 
over 5 —— : : 
