1888 .] 
7 
[Annual Meeting. 
The objects of the course were as follows : to illustrate the value 
of systematic classification in the study of physical geography in 
order that forms of similar origin might be grouped together ; to 
advocate the importance of studying the evolution of geographic 
forms in time, so that forms similar in origin but dissimilar in age, 
and consequently in degree of development, might be regarded in 
their natural relations ; to apply these principles to the physical 
geography of our own land ; and, finally, to promote the use of mod- 
els in geographic teaching. 
The different parts of the country were considered, not in order 
of location, but in their natural order: (1) the mountains as con- 
stituting the framework of the continent; (2) the plains and plat- 
eaux flanking the mountains ; (3) the rivers carrying the waste of 
the land into the ocean ; (4) the lakes, temporarily interrupting 
the transportation of waste to the ocean and retarding the action of 
the rivers ; (5) the shore line where the land dips under the sea. 
The lessons were given as usual in Huntington Hall, at the Mas- 
sachusetts Institute of Technology, beginning Jan. 7 and ending 
March 10. The average attendance was two hundred persons. 
One of the results of this course will, it is hoped, prove important 
to the future progress of geographical teaching in this country. 
Professor Davis prepared with the assistance of Mr. James H. Em- 
erton a series of models of large size which illustrate his views, 
and can be used by teachers in the instruction of classes. These 
will probably be manufactured and sold at reasonable prices by 
some publisher, and if adopted by teachers will be great improve- 
ments upon the current methods of teaching this subject. 
Mr. B. H. Van Vleck was also engaged to give a special course 
of fifteen lessons on zoology and spent a considerable proportion of 
his time during the summer in preparing specimens for this work. 
Such advantages for the stud}^ of the general morphology of ani- 
mals, were never 'before offered in this school. A large number of 
the preparations were made with great care, and enabled the teach- 
ers to see and study structures not usually within their reach, es- 
pecially in cases where the aid of the microscope was essential. 
The work was mainly directed to the practical observation and 
study of the structure of a limited number of types, but general 
points in physiology and anatomy were also taken up in a com- 
parative way, for the purpose of giving a better understanding of 
the animals which are commonly used in teaching. Attention was 
