The Junior Exhibition was held on August 28th, when seventeen orations, each of six minutes length, were presented before a large and apparently interested audience.

The Sophomore Class, in Rhetoricals, has showed great interest, and made praiseworthy efforts in this direction. In English Literature, the ground gone over has been much the same as usual, but the study has been more systematic and thorough. While Chambers' Cyclopedia was used constantly for reference and for critical reading, the instruction was embodied in a course of more than fifty lectures, the object of which was to give a connected view of the growth of the language, of the characteristics of definitely defined periods, with supposed influences at work in each to produce the next, and especially to select such authors and works for study as should give a clear view of the breadth of each period. The Class, numbering thirty-six, showed abundant interest, and made commendable progress.

The Class in Elementary Chemistry, including Sophomores and Specials, numbered forty-two. Eighty-three lectures and reviews were given, with ample illustration and experimental demonstration. In addition to the usual Class Exercises, one evening a week was spent in familiar conversation on chemical subjects, the students being encouraged to ask questions and bring forward any matters upon which they wish information. This same Class received instruction in Chemical Analysis; seventy-one lessons of three hours each, and fifteen of two hours each, including fifteen lectures on Blow-pipe Analysis. Each member of the Class analyzed one hundred substances,-some of them more,—and in addition, they made blow-pipe analyses of twenty-five substances. They also received instruction in Volumetric Analysis, making an accurate determination of the quantity of free alkali or free acid in thirty-five different substances or combinations. In Botany the Class spent twenty-four weeks during the year. For the first four or six weeks no lessons

were assigned in books. Students were taught in the classroom to make critical examinations of specimens, and then tell what they had discovered. It was a matter of surprise and delight to the Professor in charge that so few things were overlooked. The rule has been to see the thing and want a name for it before learning the name. In this way the habit of observation has been cultivated, and the students have learned much without consulting their books or being told. Lectures were given upon Chemical Botany, and some other subjects in which the text-books were deficient. Each member of the Class was shown at least one hundred preparations of plants through the microscope. Much attention was given to Vegetable Physiology, and the natural orders of special economic value to the florist, gardener, and farmer.

The Sophomores received an eight weeks' course of instruction in Horticulture, using as text-books, Thomas' Fruit Culturist, Purdy's Small Fruit Instructor, and Henderson's Gardening for Profit. Practical illustrations were given in the orchards and gardens as far as possible.

The Freshman Class received a thorough course of instruction in Botany, the second term, studying the plants first and afterwards the text-book, after the same manner as the Sophomores. In Practical Agriculture the Class received instruction in the laying out of farms; arrangement and planning of farm buildings; farm implements; general principles of tillage; principles of drainage; laying out and construction of drains; methods of seeding; harvesting of crops; principles of stock-breeding; breeds of domestic animals,—their characteristics and adaptation to particular purposes.

This Class had a longer course than usual in Day's Praxis, going thoroughly over the chapters on description,-simple and abstract; analysis, division, and partition; exemplification, comparison, and contrast. They had frequent exercises in writing essays, and a course of familiar lectures on the elements of logic. In Mathematics the Class has pursued

Algebra and Geometry. Algebra was studied somewhat more than one term; good progress was made, and the most important portions of Robinson's University Algebra thoroughly understood.

On finishing the Algebra, Geometry was taken up and pursued for the remainder of the term. Two books were completed, and the balance of the book is to be studied during the Sophomore year.

The class studied Book-keeping six weeks, using Mayhew's text-book, and going thoroughly through with single entry, They were practiced in all the different forms of accounts. both from the book and extemporized in the class-room.

Following this, came Physical Geography, which was pursued during the remainder of the term. The text-book was completed, and they received in addition a series of lectures on the same subject.

It is a matter of gratification to the Faculty of the College that the standard of scholarship has been very materially advanced the past few years.

The institution, by its organic law, is required to admit graduates of the common schools, and it is to be hoped that they may continue to improve more rapidly, if possible, in the future than in the past. The foundation of the educational interests of the State is the common schools. On their advancement depends the advancement of the higher institutions, and more rapid advancement must be made by all, if Michigan maintains her high standing in this respect among her sister States.

In addition to the instruction given to the regular classes much labor has been performed in all the departments. In the chemical department meteorological observations have, been taken three times a day, with wet and dry bulb thermometers, barometer, wind-vane, and rain-gauge. These observations are taken under the direction of the Smithsonian Institute, and are furnished monthly to that Institute. These

monthly reports are compiled at the end of the year, and will appear as an appendix to this volume. These observations have been kept up and published in this way continu

ously for ten years.

Observations have been made on the ozone contained in the atmosphere, to assist in determining the influence of atmospheric conditions and fluctuations on health and disease. Also, observations on the ammonia contained in rain-water of each storm. These observations on ozone and ammonia have been made for nearly two years.

Analysis has been made of potatoes, to the vines of which, during the period of growth, Paris green had been applied, to destroy the Colorado potato-bug. This analysis was made to determine the fitness or unfitness of such potatoes as articles of food. The results have been already published in the newspapers, and show that the Paris green seems to exercise no deleterious influence whatever. Analyses have been made of human stomach in several cases of suspected poisoning. Analyses of water from Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and Blissfield, to determine its value for domestic or medicinal purposes. Analysis of thirteen specimens of soil from Province of Ontario, to determine its agricultural value. Analyses of specimens of soil for Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad. Numerous analyses of well water, suspected of sewage contamination.

It will not be out of place to say a word in regard to the new laboratory. After more than a year's use, the Professor in charge reports that for convenience of teachers and students alike, it fully meets every reasonable expectation. The abundant light and ventilation are above praise. Their influence is seen in the improved health and cheerfulness of the students who spend so large a part of their time in the laboratory. The self-ventilating hood, as planned for the great laboratory at Bonn, but here first tried in this country, proves so valuable an addition to the means of ventilation, and of removing offensive and deleterious vapors of every kind, that

no laboratory will be considered complete in all its appointments which does not contain the self-ventilating hood. Their construction is so cheap, and their working so completely within control, that they will be considered a prime necessity in every chemical work-room.

The museum has received valuable additions, both by purchase, donation, and exchange. Fine specimens of mammals and birds, some of them very rare and valuable, a collection of Chicago relics, large numbers of geological specimens and fossils. Entomological specimens in great variety. Specimens of insects, beneficial or injurious, have been put under glass in a large case, and so labeled that the common and scientific name, and also how they are injurious or beneficial, can be seen at a glance. This is found to be quite an interesting feature. New cases have been put in, and many specimens re-arranged.

In the gardens and greenhouse much has been done, and many improvements made. The number of plants in the greenhouse has been more than doubled. Eighty plats of native and foreign grasses, each one yard by three, were planted in the spring. They have been of much service to students and farmers, and have attracted much attention from all visitors. Many of our most valuable grasses are similar in appearance, and need to be examined together to distinguish their differences. These plats afforded just such opportunity.

The crops in the garden have been good. Little more has been raised than was used by the boarding hall. Early in the spring the grounds were laid out by a competent landscape gardener. Locations were established for drives, walks, groups of trees, and several additional buildings. About thirty square rods of drives have been thoroughly repaired during the year, and quite an amount of tile laid in portions of the grounds needing it. A good many trees and groups of trees have been planted.

In the orchard experiments were tried in destroying the lar