Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1878 [PAGE 154]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

154 dykes, etc.; methods of determining the chronological order of the strata. Also the historic development of the earth as revealed by Paleontology, or the entombed fossils of the previous inhabitants, through the silurian and devonian ages. The third term explains the carboniferous age with its coal, the reptilian and mammalian ages, with their wonderful inhabitants ; the glacial period with its continent of ice, and through to the present time. Here also are discussed the elements of time, the system of life, the origin of species, the climax of man. Physical Geography and Meteorology.—The principles of the phenomena manifest in the life of the earth bear the same relation to geology that physiology does to anatomy. This subject, a result of the facts of geology, with an application of the laws of physics, is taught by lectures and works of reference. It explains how the solid earth, influenced by winds and waters, driven by heat and electricity, aided by light, constitutes a fit abode for man, the last link of terrestrial being. Entomology..—The time given to this study is eleven weeks After three or four introductory lectures upon the most useful literature, and the methods of collecting and preserving specimens, about five weeks are devoted to the special anatomy of insects and the outlines of classification,—four lectures, and one review or two hours of practical work per week. During this time students make collections as fast as possible, reserving, however, the determination of species until the last half of the term. During this latter portion of the term three lectures per week are given upon injurious and beneficial insects, methods of exterminating, etc., and four hours per week are taken for laboratory work, naming species, noting habits observed, making detailed descriptions, etc. A careful and complete description of some one species, illustrated by drawings of important parts, is made by each student and deposited in the library of the school. The large collection of named species, the ample reference library, the drawings and other illustrations to which students have access, are invaluable aids in the study. The most important reference books are Westwood's "Introduction to the Modern Classification of Insects," Packard's "Guide to the Study of Insects," Harris' "Insects Injurious to Vegetation," and the publications of the Smithsonian Institute, entomological societies, and the reports of the state entomologist. Students are required to provide themselves with collecting nets and bottles, pins, and lined boxes, and books for notes. Microscopes and other required apparatus are furnished by the University. Microscopy and JF1'imgoloy.--E\eYen weeks. Students have in this study further practice in the use of the compound microscope, the management of light for particular purposes, the testing of lenses, measurement of magnifying powers and angles of aperture, drawing and photographing objects, preparation and mounting of material, etc. T h e application, as indicated above, is mainly, but not exclusively, devoted to minute fungi, including those of the different fermentations and putrefactions. Such fungi as are known or supposed to be injurious to plants or animals are studied as carefully and thoroughly as circumstances permit, cultures being made for the purpose, and specimens obtained from various sources.