Annual MeHint;.| 288 [May 2, 
explaining tlicir meaning-, bnl later in tlie course tlie class was 
requir(Hl to make their own observations, under direction of the 
instnictoi-, and to be ready to give explanations of their observa- 
tions. The class are requested to take notes in the field, and on 
the succeeding week to hand in a detailed account of the work 
done and j)henomena seen, with as full explanation as i)ossible. 
Although this system involves a large amount ^>f work for the 
instructor, it lias been found to produce good results. As far as 
possible the work of the class is confined to the neighl>orhood of 
Boston, but to cover the ground satisfactorily several distant 
places have been visited. The large attendance at these lessons, 
while showing the growth of the demand for such instruction, acts 
disadvantageously to a certain extent, since it is not possible for 
an instructor to handle so large a nund)er so well as a smaller 
class. 
The winter's lessons in mineralogy, also given by Mr. Barton, 
were the last series in a four years' course. Tickets were issued 
only to those who had been members of the class during previous 
years, these alone being fitted to continue in this course. The 
total number of tickets given out was forty-eight. During the 
course, sickness became prevalent, and several were obliged to 
leave the class, and a few new members were allowed to join in 
their places, but tickets were not issued to them. Owing to the 
large number in the class, subdivision became necessary, and two 
sections were formed of twenty-four members each. The first 
section began on November 2^, 1893, and continued to February 
24, 1894, receiving fifteen lessons. By unanimous vote of this 
section a sixteenth lesson was requested and given. The average 
attendance was 19. 5G. The second section began on Januaiy 13, 
1894, and continued to April 21, 1894. This section also peti- 
tioned for an extra lesson, but owing to the immeiliate beginning 
of the field lessons, this could not be granted. The average 
attendance was 20.73. 
The method of instruction has been nearly the same as that of 
preceding years. Each exercise has been two hours in length, so 
divided as to give one hour to work with the specimens under 
direct guidance of the in'structoi", one half hour to a general 
review by lecture, and one half hour to an examination covering 
all the ground from the beginning of the course to the time of 
giving the examination. With the first section twelve of these 
