15 



to follow the medical profession, in after years. Although ele- 

 mentary, the course is eminently practical, involving a large amount 

 of laboratory work, use of the microscope, and mechanical prepa- 

 ration of specimens. The work done in the laboratory may be said 

 to be the basis of the course, the lectures supplementary, and, as 

 far as practicable, in direct connection with it. 



For this course twelve new microscopes, of Zeiss' and Yerick's 

 make, were furnished through the liberality of Mr. Agassiz, making 

 together with those already in the laboratory about two dozen avail- 

 able instruments. A good outfit of re-agents, etc., was also pro- 

 vided by the College. 



In this course the outlines of both Botany and Zoology are 

 taught by means of the study of a comparatively few forms of 

 plants and animals selected with a view to illustrate the more im- 

 portant modifications of plant and animal structure. 



The first academic term is devoted to the study of plants. 



The instruction was given by Professor Farlow, who reports 

 as follows : — 



" The course in Biology, Natural History 5, of the undergraduate elect- 

 ive studies, was divided into two portions, of which the botanical portion, 

 under my charge, was held in the Museum laboratory, beginning at the 

 opening of the term and extending to the mid-year examinations. The 

 number of students who pursued the course to the close of the work with 

 me was 35. They were distributed among the several classes as follows : 

 Seniors 8; Juniors 16; Sophomores 4; Freshman 1 ; Graduate 1 ; Sci- 

 entific 1 ; Unmatriculated 4. Besides this number were three or four from 

 the professional schools who attended only a portion of the course. Some 

 delay was experienced in beginning the laboratory work in consequence of 

 the late arrival of the microscopes from Europe ; but, in the absence of mi- 

 croscopes, extra lectures were given so that the time of the students was 

 fully occupied. Later in the season only one lecture a week was gene- 

 rally given, as it was found that the students required most of the time to 

 enable them to perform their laboratory work thoroughly. The course be- 

 gan with a study of the structure of the typical vegetable cell and its prin 

 cipal modifications, and afterwards an attempt was made to give the stu 

 dents a general view of the vegetable kingdom by examining a single type 

 of the different subdivisions, beginning with the lower forms, as yeast and 

 the nostocs. For the study of the lower orders, living and alcoholic ma- 

 terial w^as provided by the instructor, and ferns and flowering plants were 

 furnished by the director of the Botanic Garden. 



" The course for the present year was tentative, and whether a successful 

 result was reached or not cannot be known until it shall have been seen 



