range of data than would otherwise be possible. If, for example, in addition to the morphological facts, he is given some general hints and illustrations of the physical and physiological facts involved, he is ultimately prepared to appreciate far more keenly the value of histological work and its transcendent importance in relation to physiology at large.

'EMBRYOLOGY.-PROF, JOHN RYDER.

The embryological work is confined to the second term and is made comparative only so far as is consistent with the limited time at the disposal of the student. While it would be desirable to render the course essentially comparative, experience has shown that it is better tc confine the undergraduate student in his work mainly to a single type, in order that the training so gained may serve as a guide to work of a more general character.

The development of the chick has been followed hitherto as offering the best and most accessible form for a study of the early history of the vertebrate body. This is done for the reason that the development of the vertebrate is of the most direct and important interest to our students, many of whom afterwards enter upon the study of medical science.

While much the same plan is followed as in the preceding histological course, the method involves the use of sections, surface views of whole embryos, etc., to illustrate the details. Practical laboratory work extends over six hours each week, with lectures illustrating each phase of the subject in hand by diagrams, blackboard drawings, preparations, etc. Special stress is laid upon the sequence and signifi cance of the steps of development, so that the student is here again, as in the histological course, brought into a practical relation with the facts and their bearings in a general theory of development.

CHEMISTRY.-PROF. EDGAR F. SMITH.

The chemical instruction given to the biological student during the first year of his course consists in the execution of a rather long series of experiments upon the nonmetals and the metals, with frequent conversational lectures and "quizzes." Much time is devoted to the equation writing of problems, based upon the more important experiments and the principles involved in them.

In the second year qualitative analysis is pursued. The reactions of bases and acids are carefully studied, after which "unknown solutions and solids" are worked upon until the student has acquired such proficiency that he can carry on quantitative work with satisfaction to his instructor and with profit to himself. Recitations are regularly held on the work of the year.

The course of lectures on organic chemistry is also open to the secondyear biological student, while practical study in this branch is afforded to all who are sufficiently advanced to profit thereby,

GENERAL BIOLOGY.-PROF. JOHN M. MACFARLANE.

In this class the attention of the student is first directed to the construction and use of the microscope. Thereafter the action and value of staining agents and of reagents is practically studied, and methods of examination and permanent preservation of objects are engaged in. By lectures and practical laboratory work a knowledge is gained of the comparative structure and functions of vegetable and mineral cells.

The student is then in a position to trace the life cycle of selected vegetable and animal types that can be utilized later in illustrating the fundamental features of the organic world. In the lecture room and the laboratory each type is exhaustively treated, and careful drawings are made by members of the class of the organs and tissues of each. While this work is in progress students engage individually in preparing and embedding objects in frozen gum, in celloidin, and in paraffin, for future sectioning and examination.

The concluding lectures of the course deal with organic evolution, as illustrated in the types studied, as well as related forms; the significance and effect of symbrosis, saprophytism, parasitism, and general environmental action alike in the vegetable and animal kingdoms.

Frequent tutorial revisals are given, and sectional meetings are held for such special work as the measuring of microscopic objects, the photographing of these for accurate illustration purposes, etc.

The Laboratory of Marine Biology at Sea Isle City, N. J., was founded in 1891. It gives opportunity for the study of living forms, and is open during the summer months. Its work is directed by the faculty of the Biological School. The laboratory is an application and illustration of Franklin's ideas of "observation and reasoning in natural history," referred to in his Proposals for the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania. The school is under the general direction of Milton J. Greenman, M. D. The establishment of the Laboratory of Marine Biology upon the New Jersey coast is the outcome of a careful consideration of the methods by which the University of Pennsylvania could best meet its own needs and the requirements of students of biology at large.

Since the introduction of the study of Natural History into the public and private schools and colleges, it is more necessary than ever before that ample opportunities for the study of living things shall be offered to teachers at a time when they are not engaged in their professional duties.

It has been recognized that to the winter work in the city laboratory there should be added courses of instruction given during the summer, at a time when living forms are at their best, when not only their structure may be studied but also their modes of life and development may be followed from day to day. To meet these requirements the Laboratory of Marine Biology has been established.

The selection of a suitable place for this work was made by the late Prof. Joseph Leidy. Sea Isle City, N. J., was selected on account of

the richness of the surrounding fauna and flora, and the accessibility. of the place to several important cities. The laboratory is thus placed within easy reach of a large number of students of Natural History, and affords investigators who desire to study the more southern types of life, a desirable place to carry on their research work.

The laboratory grounds comprising five acres and the laboratory building situated at Sea Isle City, N. J., on Ludlam Bay, were given to the university by Mr. Charles K. Landis, of Vineland, N. J., and the equipments were secured by generous subscriptions from him and other friends of education.

The laboratory building is a large two-story structure, supplied with twenty-five aquaria and running sea water; with tables and other laboratory furniture.

The laboratory accommodates sixteen investigators and twenty students. Besides the laboratory building the station is furnished with suitable engines for pumping purposes; storage tanks for fresh and salt water; collecting apparatus, such as seines, weirs, dredges, and trawls. Three sail-boats, one large barge, and six row-boats are owned by the laboratory and used for collecting in the bays and thoroughfares. A private dock has been built for the use of laboratory boats.

The laboratory building was erected in May, 1891, and the entire summer season was spent in getting apparatus into place and perfecting the various appointments of the station. The scientific work was therefore necessarily limited. That which was done consisted of some experiments in practical oyster culture conducted by Prof. John A. Ryder, of the University of Pennsylvania; a collection of the fishes of the locality was made by Prof. E. D. Cope, of the University of Pennsylvania, and a large collection of invertebrates was made by Prof. Hall, of Haverford College.

In July, 1892, the second season in the existence of the Marine Labotory, the summer school was opened with an attendance of fifteen students. Five investigators were also at work at the laboratory in August, 1892.

The Laboratory of Marine Biology is a part of the School of Biology of the University of Pennsylvania, and the teaching at the summer school is done by the faculty of biology of the University, aided by such persons as this faculty may select.

The laboratory and aquarium are under the management of one of the members of the faculty who is chosen to take charge of the business of the summer school and the general management of the station. The present teaching corps consists of the following persons: Horace Jayne, M. D., Professor of Vertebrate Morphology, Dean of the Faculty; John A. Ryder, PH. D., Professor of Comparative Embryology; John M. Macfarlane, SC. D., F. R. S. E., lately Professor of Botany in the Royal Veterinary College of Edinburgh, Scotland; J. Percy Moore, Frank H. Moore, Philip Calvert, assistants in Zoology; Jesse M. Greenman,