March 2, 1900.] 



SCIENCE. 



339 



is understood that Comparative Psj'chology 

 and Nature Study will form a part of the 

 regular program hereafter. In these courses 

 there is an earnestness and enthusiasm on 

 the part of students and instructors which 

 is highly stimulating. This is due not only 

 to the exceptional character of the students 



ness of 'those having authority.' "When 

 it is remembered that the persons in at- 

 tendance at the laboratory are almost with- 

 out exception teachers, the tremendous in- 

 fluence of the Laboratory on the teaching 

 of Biology in the schools, colleges and uni- 

 versities of this country can be surmised. 



Fig. 4. A Collecting Trip ; Launoli and Sclioouer in the Background. 



and instructors, but also to the atmosphere 

 of investigation which prevades the place 

 and whicli is one of the most helpful fea- 

 tures to thebeginner, as well as to the ad- 

 vanced worker. Instruction includes not 

 only ordinary laboratory work in the sub- 

 ject named, but also a great deal of obser- 

 vation and collection of living organisms 

 in their natural haunts. Collecting trips 

 and excursions form a regular part of the 

 work, and a most important and enjoyable 

 part. Investigators and even visitors at 

 the Laboratory cheerfully contribute to the 

 work of instruction, and so it generally 

 happens that the lectures are given by men 

 who are specialists in the subjects under 

 consideration and who are able to teach 

 with the enthusiasm, accuracy and direct- 



In 1891 a Supply Department was opened 

 at the Laboratory for the purpose of fur- 

 nishing to schools and scientific institutions 

 various kinds of biological material to be 

 found in the vicinity of Woods Holl. The 

 collectors studied the best methods of pre- 

 serving material, the habitats and breed- 

 ing seasons of various animals, etc., with 

 the result that the Supply Department has 

 been not only a great financial assistance to 

 the Laboratory, but that it has still further 

 contributed to the scientific purposes for 

 which the Laboratory was established. At 

 present a skilled collector is employed the 

 year around and material is gathered, not 

 only from the vicinity of Woods Holl, but 

 from far distant points. 



But it is in the work of investigation 



