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REPORT ON THE INSTRUCTION IN BIOLOGY. 
By Proressors W. G. Farrow, Warrer Faxon, anp FE. L. Mark. 
THE course in the elements of Biology (N. H. 5), given by 
Professors Farlow and Faxon, was attended by thirty-two stu- 
dents, — ten members of the Senior College Class, fifteen Ju- 
niors, one Sophomore, four students of the Lawrence Scientific 
School, and two special students. The instruction was given by 
lectures and laboratory work, six hours a week being devoted 
by each student to the laboratory. For the first half-year, the 
botanical part of the course was given by Professor Farlow. 
During the second half-year, the principles of zodlogy were 
taught by means of dissection of forms of animals typical of the 
chief groups, and by lectures on their anatomy and development. 
Mr. G. W. Perkins assisted in the direction of the laboratory 
work of this course. The larger space and increased facilities 
for work afforded by the new laboratory relieved the instructors 
from the necessity of dividing the class into sections for work- 
ing at different hours, as was necessary in the old laboratory. 
The ample provision for heating the laboratory made it possible 
to continue the microscopical work through the whole winter 
without interruption. This has not been the case in previous 
years, when, during severe weather, it was necessary to abandon 
work with the microscope, and dissections, and to substitute 
lectures in their place. The certainty that the laboratory will 
hereafter always be comfortably warmed will enable the in- 
structors to arrange their lectures and corresponding laboratory 
work more methodically than heretofore. 
The course in Advanced Zodlogy was pursued by fifteen 
students, —ten Seniors, four Juniors, and one member of the 
Scientific School. The early part of the year was spent on the 
Mollusca; but the greater part of the time was devoted to 
the comparative anatomy of the Vertebrata. 
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