436 PROCEEDINGS: BOSTON SOCIETY NATURAL HISTORY. 
In the early spring, much attention was given to the morphology 
of buds and bud'scales, to general habit, methods of branching,, etc. 
Much attention was given to the characteristics of the flora of 
different regions, from that of forests on high rocky ground, through 
hillsides and pastures, rich woods and meadows to the sea level and 
marshes. The autumn lessons introduced more attention to sys¬ 
tematic work, with certain trees as those of the oak family, with 
asters and goldenrods, and with the fleshy fungi. Stress was laid, 
however, as far as possible on questions of morphologj" and adapta- 
•tion. 
The lessons began again this spring on April 19, with an 
attendance of 85. These will follow much the same lines and will 
be reported upon the following year. 
The field course in zoology under the charge of Mr. Albert P. 
Morse, Curator of the zoological museum, Wellesley college, was 
organized in the autumn. The lessons began on September 14, and 
closed on November 16. The attendance for the ten lessons varied 
from 26, the largest, to 7, the smallest. The average attendance 
was 15.5. With two exceptions, Nahant and Fresh j^ond, Cam¬ 
bridge, the lessons were confined to the city limits, being given at 
the Stony Brook reservation, Neponset marshes, Franklin 23ark, 
Leverett park, Arnold Arboretum, West Roxbury bridlepath, and 
Castle island. The instruction given was of general and varied 
character, ranging from elementary principles to special applications 
according to individual needs and opportunity. Besides a considera¬ 
tion of the general features of the animal life of the localities visited, 
attention was directed to methods of observation, to the relation of 
the animal to its surroundings, to phases of life with reference to the 
time of year, and to certain groups that could best be studied at that 
season. Among such topics were the following: j^rotective color 
and form; respiration in aquatic animals; animal life in winter; 
and the stridulation of orthopterous insects. As an aid to the work 
and to stimulate and direct independent observations, brief outlines 
of the topics treated were prepared and furnished to the class at 
cost. Enthusiasm in the work was manifested throughout the 
course. The lessons began again this spring with an attendance 
of 52. 
(The single course immediately following is not a Lowell course 
but is supported through the generosity of a friend of the Society.) 
