187G.] 



SENATE— No. 10. 



29 



REPORT 0.\ THE INSTRUCTION IN GEOLOGY AND PALJIONTOLOGY. 



By Prof. N. S. Shaler, Assistant in Palaeontology. 



During the academic year 1874-5, two courses of instruc- 

 tion were given, — one in Geology, the other in Palteontol- 

 ogy. The first of these was attended by thirty students ; the 

 second by six students. The instruction in geology was 

 given by lectures based on Lyell's Principles of Geology, by 

 field work on the geology of the environs of Cambridge, 

 and by laboratory work. This latter included the drawing 

 of geological models and the study of the principles of deter- 

 mining organic remains as applied to characteristic fossils. 



The Palaeontology was taught by lectures and laboratory 

 work. In both these courses, at least nine hours a week of 

 attendance was required. 



In order to supplement this instruction, a summer school 

 of Geology and Palaeontology was organized in connection 

 with the Kentucky Geological Survey at Cumberland Gap, 

 Kentucky. This was attended by several students and by 

 about twenty-five teachers from various schools and colleges. 

 Ten teachers, including five assistants of the Kentucky sur- 

 vey, and the state geologists of Tennessee, North Carolina 

 and Kentucky, took part in the instruction in this summer 

 school. Large collections were made, a part of which will be 

 deposited in the students' collection of the Museum. Con- 

 siderable advance has been made in the preparation of the 

 collection designed for instruction of students. About two 

 hundred drawers of specimens for the illustration of the 

 teaching in Geology and Palaeontology have already been set 

 aside and in good part arranged. Before the year is out, this 

 collection will beojin to crowd the teachino:-rooms in a fearful 

 manner. 



A "question guide to the geology of the environs of 

 Boston" has been prepared, and Part L, concerning the 



