Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1886 [PAGE 166]

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158 a strong feeling of interest in the subjects introduced into this curriculum by the founding of the new chair, as was evidenced by the applications for membership in the class in Mine Surveying in the Fall Term, when seven names were presented, only one of which was that of a regular student in the course. My special duties requiring only the one class in Mine Surveying in the fall term this year, the subject of Mineralogy was assigned to me. This department, having previously been under the able control of Dr. McMurtrie, it is quite unnecessary to say that I could do very little to improve its efficiency, without going beyond what the present appliances will permit. An excellent collection of working material provided by former appropriations, has enabled me to give the students a better drill in blow-pipe work than is afforded at many of our eastern colleges; and I do not think any present demand exists for extending this work in any undergraduate course of study. At the same time, it will be necessary to expend each year a small sum in the purchase of illustrative material, and I would recommend that the general collection be made somewhat more extended. We now have the nucleus of a very choice cabinet, but it is defective in some particulars. It seems to me desirable also that its display should be made more attractive and that a reasonable sum should be at the disposal of the department for enlarging the collection by exchanges. The cost of this enlargement will be almost exclusively made up of items of freight charges upon packages received, and if I am allowed to do this work, my experience in connection with private exchanges and the building up of special collections elsewhere, proves that a very trifling sum will accomplish very much. The cases in room 16, Chemical Building, are not large enough, and I do not see any way to add others conveniently. It is also a matter of much importance to have the collections near the lecture room. Unless, therefore, it be deemed practicable to provide more space, I would merely suggest now that a small sum be set aside for this department, to be used in refitting the present cases, adding shelves,, painting and providing better locks, and in paying freight charges upon specimens secured by exchange. In addition to this, if the sum of $50.00 could be appropriated for the purchase of a set of thin slices of rocks to illustrate microscopic structure and for certain inexpensive apparatus for polariscopic analysis, a beginning could be made in the direction of lithological work, which is lacking now, but which is very important to students in the courses in Natural History and in

MINING ENGINEERING.—In the subject af Mine Surveying and Eeconnoitering field work is very necessary. I have found the main building quite convenient for illustrating topics connected with the surveys of underground passages. The department has had no suitable instruments, however, for giving practical work in certain important lines. By the use of a transit sent from Colorado, which I was able to borrow for this purpose, I was enabled to get some creditable work from the class this year, but eventually there will be needed some similar apparatus, and more of it, belonging to the University. Whenever the Board of Trustees is prepared to consider the wants of this new school—when it shall have proven