26 PROCEEDINGS : BOSTON SOCIETY NATURAL HISTORY. 
The course in botany in charge of Mr. Hollis Webster, began on 
April 19, 1902, with an attendance of about 85 persons. The 
attendance varied during the spring to as low as 20, but with an 
average of 43.5, while during the autumn it varied from 43 to 13, 
with an average of 26.3. 
In general the studies made were morphological and structural 
rather than systematic. The Arnold arboretum was visited several 
times where certain groups of shrubs and trees were studied with 
reference to distinction of species, but especially as illustrative of 
points in superficial structure and in development. 
Comparative studies of the roots and stems of annuals, biennials, 
and perennials were made with common plants and many common 
weeds; methods of spreading by underground stems; different 
types of branching and of inflorescence,—in general, any and all of 
the topics for which a teacher must find illustration in class work. 
For this purpose the commonest plants, many of which are often 
overlooked, were purposely selected. The lessons during the spring 
were nearly all given in the immediate neighborhood of Boston, as 
at Waverly, Arlington, Purgatory swamp, Middlesex Fells, and the 
Neponset marshes. One longer trip was made to the Shawshine 
river where the class saw a great variety of meadow and water 
plants. 
In the autumn more attention was given to the higher fungi. A 
visit was made to the Agassiz Museum, Cambridge, for a view of 
the synoptic exhibit of fungi, and thence to the Botanic Garden. 
Other places visited were Purgatory swamp, Blue Hills, Wareham, 
Riverside, Magnolia, Hazelwood, West Quincy, and Ipswich. At 
Wareham and Ipswich, all day trips, special features of the flora are 
very instructive. 
The lessons for the present spring began on April 18, having an 
average attendance of about 30 for the three lessons already given. 
These will follow in general the same lines and will be reported 
upon the following year. 
The field course in zoology in charge of Mr. Albert P. Morse, Cura¬ 
tor of the zoological museum, Wellesley college, began on April 19, 
1902, with a trip to Nahant at which 52 persons were present. The 
attendance during the spring varied from 52 to 16, with an average 
of 28.5, while during the autumn it ranged from 31 to 11, with an 
average of 19. 
