MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY. 9 



some invertebrates ; and certain questions connected with the 

 determination of sex. 



The half course, Zoology 13, on comparative histology, with 

 special reference to the nervous tissues, was given for the first 

 time. The study of epithelium as a primitive tissue was followed 

 by that of the derived tissues, nerve and muscle. There were two 

 lectures a week, and the students each made and studied twenty 

 preparations involving the use of modern methods in muscle and 

 nerve histology. Professor Parker gave the course, without the 

 aid of an assistant. 



In Zoology 16, carried on as usual by Professor Parker, labora- 

 tory work, opportunity for which was extended to a few students 

 in the previous year, was made obligatory for all. It consisted in 

 the investigation of special topics, one assigned to each student. 

 Of the results from the eight topics assigned, three will probably 

 be offered for publication. The lectures were attended by three 

 graduate students not enrolled. 



There were ten students engaged in research (Zoology, 20 a) 

 under the supervision of the Director of the Laboratory. Three 

 of these completed their work and, as candidates for the Doctor's 

 degree, presented theses which were accepted. The theses of two 

 others were nearly completed, and will be presented for acceptance 

 early in the coming year. 



Mr. G. M. Allen began studies on the degenerate eyes of some 

 common mammals ; Mr. R. S. Breed continued with excellent 

 results his problem in insect metamorphosis ; Mr. H. Crawley 

 wrote a paper on the absorption of fat by a common newt, which 

 secured one of the Boylston Prizes offered by the Harvard Medi- 

 cal School, and continued his studies on gregarines ; Mr. C. A. 

 Crowell made interesting discoveries on the growth of the ovum 

 in reptiles ; Mr. H. S. Davis worked on spermatogenesis, and Mr. 

 J. M. Johnson on the nervous system of one of the Entomostraca ; 

 Mr. A. W. Peters, in connection with his studies on the metabo- 

 lism of Infusoria, devised some valuable apparatus and methods 

 for rearing and handling minute organisms, a description of which 

 has been published as No. 124 of the Contributions. The work of 

 Mr. P. E. Sargent on Reissner's Fibre has been continued, and a 

 second preliminary paper, No. 122 of the Contributions, published ; 

 that of Mr. W. A. Willard was nearly completed, and promises to 

 be a valuable contribution to the knowledge of cranial nerves. 



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