232 PROCEEDINGS : BOSTON SOCIETY NATURAL HISTORY. 
begun with, the autumn series of lessons, and was introduced as a 
voluntary arrangement for all those who wished to get the greatest 
profit from the work. These examinations were taken each week 
by twenty-four, who were thus obliged to be in regular attendance, 
and at the close of the season a final examination of three hours’ 
length was given on the Saturdav following the last lesson. 
The spring course for 1900 has oeen begun with an attendance of 
45, and will be reported upon next year. The ordinary field lessons 
occupy only a half day on Saturdays, a few take all day like those 
to Marblehead, Fitchburg, and Clinton, while those to Hoosac 
Tunnel take two or three days each. 
Lowell Feee Coukses. 
/ 
The four years’ course begun by Professor Barton last winter has 
been continued by a series of sixteen lessons of two hours each, or 
thirty-two hours of instruction, on lithology and dynamical geology, 
exclusive of the final examination which occupied three hours more. 
They began, Dec. 9, 1899, and ended April 14, 1900. The class 
numbered 118, and the average attendance was remarkably large, 
being 99.3. This course was as usual a combination of lectures 
with laboratory work. Trays of specimens were provided, and the 
teachers were required to identify the different rocks used and to be 
able to recognize these at sight and also to describe their texture 
and composition. The mineral trays contained 20 specimens each, 
and about 2,000 specimens were used, representing 40 varieties of 
the common rock-forming minerals. The rock trays contained 12 
specimens each, and 14 sets were used, representing 168 varieties. 
The entire number of specimens used was 8,400, making together 
with the minerals a total of 10,400 specimens provided for class use. 
These specimens are now stored in our basement, in cases provided 
for their reception. Examinations were carried on throughout the 
term as heretofore, and a final examination was also held, and care¬ 
ful records are kept by Professor Barton of the attendance and 
standing of every pupil. Professor Barton expresses himself as 
highly pleased with the progress of the class and with the attend¬ 
ance ; but he adds that, so far as he has been able to. judge, there is 
not a trace of any sympathy with their work shown by the author¬ 
ities at the head of our public schools. Fifty-nine members of this 
class were from Boston, and the balance represented thirty-four 
neighboring towns. 
Dr. R. W. Greenleaf, who had given the lessons on botanv for 
