262 Botany at Chicago University. 
well educated school boys and school girls. (Our honour schools 
have no counterpart, at Chicago, and are scarcely understood). 
Even the externals of graduation as understood in this country are 
denied, for no mere bachelor (nor master either) is graced with a 
hood; that dignity is bestowed only with the highest degree conferred 
by the University, the Ph.D. The doctorate of philosophy may be 
taken in any branch of study, from theology to domestic economy, 
and requires a minimum of three years’ study and the production of 
an original thesis. There is something about the higher degrees a 
little “through the looking glass” to English eyes, in the fact that 
names of candidates are published before the examination, and, with 
a remarkable sense of justice, the fee is only paid if the candidate 
is successful! The doctorate is granted in four grades, of which 
the highest, “ summa cum laude,” has never been given in the 
Botanical Department, but, so goes the legend, is being reserved for 
a second Darwin. 
Lectures (always exactly to time) are of a very synthetic and 
informative character, and the points on which stress is laid are 
curiously complementary to those emphasised in this country. 
Relatively little is said of anatomy, and fossils naturally receive very 
sketchy treatment, but the facts of morphology, embryology, and 
physiology are dealt with in great detail, some lecturers encouraging 
intelligent questions, which certainly tend to elucidate matters. 
Nomenclature and classification are treated as regrettable necessities. 
Recent work, especially any done in the Department, is always to 
the front, and the general atmosphere in which all work is done is 
permeated by the spirit of investigation. 
Nor can one praise too highly the treatment of research 
students. They are never hurried or interfered with, yet on the 
other hand are not neglected or left to feel that, graduation over, 
they can shift for themselves. The work in this direction is as 
carefully organized as in any other; some professors give a stated 
time in the week, when their research students can come and 
discuss the particular points reached, and receive encouragement 
and direction, while though originality is in every way given free 
play, a lecturer is always at hand to suggest a stain, discuss a 
theoretical point, or put in order a refractory microtome. 
An inestimable help to the advanced student is the magnificent 
biological library, which seems to contain every book and publication 
one needs, including works in at least five different languages, and is 
presided over by a charming lady librarian, who knows where every 
book is or ought to be, and takes a pride in finding exactly what 
one wants in the shortest possible time. 
Finally, one cannot close any account, however meagre, of this 
progressive and up-to-date corner of the botanical world “ beneath 
the hope-filled western skies” without a tribute to the high character, 
geniality, and capacity for organization of him who inspires the 
confidence and loyalty of every member of the Department—the 
Director, John Merle Coulter. 
T. L. P. 
R, Mauley, Printer, 151, Whitfield Street, London, VV, 
