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1887] Biological Instruction in Universities. -o Eoy 
The list I have submitted contains e/even species, as named. 
The species of moth which is most frequently trapped on this 
side of the continent, I have been told, is Plusia precationis. It 
will be noticed that two species of this genus are included in my 
California list. 
As to the simple, ingenious, and effective mechanism exhib- 
ited in the structure of the flowers of Araujia, whether the same 
is a device of nature to insure fertilization, through the agency 
or assistance of the insects it catches, and consequent perpetua- 
tion of this plant species, is a question I am unable to answer. 
Upon the theory of utility, we can hardly conceive of its being 
without a purpose, or that the peculiar phenomena of plant and 
insect association in the instance before us are without function, 
aim, or result, other than the trapping of the insects before men- 
tioned. 
‘BIOLOGICAL INSTRUCTION IN UNIVERSITIES.: 
BY C. O. WHITMAN.” 
‘HE discussion of biological instruction in relation to univer- 
sities would seem properly to fall to those whose professional 
standing and experience lend weight to their words; but there 
are some aspects of the question which lie open to all whose con- 
nections with university life have been such as to afford more or 
less varied opportunities for observation and reflection. 
At our last annual meeting Prof. Farlow discussed the ques- 
tion in relation to elementary instruction in colleges and schools. 
It was made very clear that “ the college instructor must still regard 
the student who studies under him as a school-boy whose capacity 
for observing and investigating natural objects has been blunted by 
a one-sided course of instruction at school.’ The charge is a most 
grave and startling one; but I think no one would venture to 
question its entire justice. 
We know exactly where the evil lies, but I think the remedy is 
too generally sought in the wrong direction. It is, in my opin- 
ion, a great mistake to suppose that it lies within the power of 
? Read before the American Society of Naturalists, December 29, 1886. : 
2 Director of the Lake Laboratory, Milwaukee. 
