366 
institutions to which the sets of questions 
were sent, this possibly represents a fairly 
high proportion of institutions in which in- 
struction in this subject is given. While I 
am certain that well-defined bacteriological 
courses are presented in several institutions 
from which no replies have been received, a 
survey of the institutions with which I am 
familiar would lead me to believe that the re- 
plies had come probably from a majority of 
the schools giving bacteriological instruction. 
From the standpoint of geographical distribu- 
tion, it seems to be evident that the middle 
west has done more in the promotion of micro- 
biological education by the installation of 
courses than has the east or the south. Prac- 
tically all the central and western state uni- 
versities and agricultural colleges seem to 
have well-defined courses, and since these 
schools occupy very prominent positions in the 
field of education in the west, it appears to be 
evident that the student of the central and 
western part of the country has a greater op- 
portunity to take work in this subject than has 
the eastern student, who is more likely to at- 
tend the privately endowed institutions. New 
England, with approximately thirty-five col- 
leges and technical schools has, outside of the 
purely agricultural colleges, but five insti- 
tutions in which comprehensive bacteriolog- 
ical instruction is given to the candidates for 
the Bachelor’s degree in arts or science. No 
definite courses are offered in the collegiate 
department at UHarvard, Yale, Dartmouth, 
Williams, Amherst, Bowdoin, Columbia, 
Princeton, Pennsylvania or Colgate, and this 
list could, with a little consideration, be very 
greatly extended. 
It does not seem to the writer that this is 
the time to suggest methods of instruction, or 
the exact ground which should be covered in 
microbiological subjects. It is, however, worth 
emphasizing that the proper interpretation of 
bacteriological problems can not be had until 
the instruction in bacteriology is placed upon 
a very broad biological and physiological basis, 
and until there are correlated with such 
courses training in physics, chemistry and 
mathematics. These correlated subjects 
SCIENCE 
[N.S. Vou. XXXV. No. 897 
should be of sufficiently advanced character 
that the student may consider the organisms 
in their physical, chemical and biometric rela- 
tions, for it must be admitted that modern 
bacteriology includes far more than the micro- 
scopical examination and cultivation of a few 
pathogenic types. 
SaMuEL C. Prescott 
A BOTANICAL-ZOOLOGICAL LABORATORY 
IN PORTO RICO 
Tue University of Porto Rico announces 
that it plans to offer to students facilities for 
research in botany and zoology in the Amer- 
ican tropics. 
Special space will be set aside in the agri- 
cultural building now in process of erection 
and the well-equipped physical, chemical, bo- 
tanical, zoological, bacteriological and plant 
pathology laboratories may be drawn upon for 
supplies and apparatus. The research labora- 
tories will be equipped only with the usual 
essentials, but endeavor will be made to meet 
special needs, in the way of equipment, which 
the problems of each student demand. 
It is probable that a seaside laboratory, 
within a few yards of the ocean, will also be 
provided with needed equipment, including a 
motor launch for marine collecting, and that 
a third laboratory will be located on some 
suitable elevated region. These facilities will 
be extended to all who are competent to use 
them and are properly accredited by reputable 
institutions. 
Free tables will be provided for a limited 
number of advanced students under condi- 
tions which will be explained upon communi- 
cation with the director. 
Students who desire to use the laboratories 
are requested to communicate, as early as pos- 
sible, to the director, their needs and dates at 
which accommodation is desired, since there 
is often delay in procuring supplies. 
For the information of prospective stu- 
dents, the following data are given: 
Porto Rico lies between 17° 54’ and 18° 30’ 
north latitude. Geologically it is of much in- 
terest, though but little studied as yet. It is 
extremely rugged and picturesque with its 
