1870.] The French Imperial School of Forestry. 63 



that he knows is, that, come when it may, it will be on one of the 

 subjects to which the lectures for the day are devoted. 



At the end of the lecture session, generally before Easter, there 

 are examinations on the whole of each course. These, as well as 

 those already spoken of, are viva voce, and in order to prevent par- 

 tiality the questions are chosen in the following manner : — A book 

 is published before the examinations commence, giving for each 

 subject thirty sets of four or five questions, numbered from one 

 upwards. 



The student on arriving draws one of thirty numbers placed in 

 a bag, and he is then examined on the set of questions indicated by 

 the number drawn. The professors, however, reserve the right to 

 ask a question not indicated in the set drawn. These examinations 

 last from half to three quarters of an hour. For each there are 

 three professors ; one acting as president and the others as assistants. 

 Each gives marks, and the average of the three estimates determines 

 the final mark for each examinee. Every student has three clear 

 days to prepare for each examination. 



Marks are given also for all the drawings executed during the 

 year. These, like those for the smaller examinations, count only 

 for a proportion of their value, and are added to those given for the 

 final examination in order to the determination of the class list. 



The studies after Easter form the most enjoyable portion of the 

 whole course. In the first year a month is spent at some place, 

 such, for instance, as Grerardmer in the Vosges, where there are 

 forests, portions of which are surveyed by the students, who are 

 divided into sections, as already intimated. Immediately on the 

 completion of the observation of angles and of the chaining, rough 

 plans are made in order to detect and correct any grave error 

 before leaving that part of the country, and more finished plans, 

 combining the results of all the sections, are executed on returning 

 to Nancy. 



In this district, too, a road is planned out, each section taking a 

 part of the work. 



These practical operations are of very great importance, as they 

 serve to elucidate what has been said in the lectures, and to impress 

 each point more firmly on the mind. 



After this comes the very best of the whole year, — the time 

 spent in making a tour to see some of the principal forests of 

 France. The parts visited are the Yosges and the Jura, and, of 

 course, in this manner the school passes through some of the finest 

 scenery of the country. 



The object is twofold : first, to see the forests themselves ; and 

 secondly, to study general natural history, and to make a collection 

 of plants for an herbarium. 



The Professors of Sylviculture, who accompany the school, 



