288 Geology in the High School. — Alderson. 
nate state of affairs, perhaps, but due to the fact that Ave have 
very little material from the Mesozoic. When the Hudson 
River group is reached there is material in abundance — a bush- 
el or so of fossils and hand specimens from Richmond, Indi- 
ana. Each pupil then begins the systematic study of palason- 
tology with a large box filled with a variety of fossils repre- 
senting the commoner species. In filling these boxes care is 
taken that each pupil shall receive not merely an assortment 
of species but a dozen or fifteen specimens of each kind. 
These they first arrange in their own way by making piles of 
those that seem to them alike — a method for beginning that 
never fails to arouse their enthusiasm and cultivate their 
power of observation. At first their power to see differences 
and likenesses is very slight. They distinguish between 
Streptelasma corniculum and Strophomena alternata but 
not between S. alternata and any species of Streptorhynchus. 
Orthis liforata and Rhynchonella copax they separate, but 
Orthis occidentalism Orthis sinuata and Orthis subquadrata 
lie side by side in the same pile ; the corals are to them abso- 
lutely one species. When they have done all they are able to 
do in this way they are taught to separate the corals from all 
the rest; then the trilobites, and generally have nothing left 
but molluscs. These they again separate till they get to the 
genus, species and variety. When at last they get to Stro2)h- 
omena alternata var. fracta, they know every distinguishing 
feature about it, and the reason for every term that can be 
applied to it correctly. After the work of classification is fin- 
ished they go still farther with a few e. g. Streptelasma. 
corniculum^ Strophomena alternata and Orthis hiforata, 
studying in detail their internal as well as external character- 
istics. Similar work is done with Coal Measure fossils from 
La Salle, Illinois, and Avould be done with the Niagara fossils 
were it not for the impetuosity of youth, for in their rambles 
they find many Niagara fossils and their zeal is quite hot 
enough for identification at once. Consequently th'e remains 
in the Niagara are studied at almost all times in the year, 
though in the proper place the study is reviewed. The three 
groups mentioned are studied more carefully than the rest, 
merely because we happen to possess an abundance of material. 
Other groups would do as well. It must not be supposed that 
each point touched upon in this outline is treated exhaustively 
