own literature, and will form the staple of his reading and the occupation of his leisure in after-life, the importance of laying the foundation in College becomes clearly apparent. No study will more ennoble and refine his taste, imagination and heart. It is pursued with this end in view. A few of the more important classics of the language are critically studied in the class-room, and essays in literary criticism on assigned subjects for private reading are required through the Sophomore year. The history of the literature is studied in connection with the study of the literature itself and is made to grow out of it. The Manual is used as a work of reference.

8. MILITARY.

In October, 1888, Lieutenant Samuel E. Smiley, Eighth United States Infantry, reported for duty in this department, in compliance with orders from the Adjutant-General of the Army. The object of the instruction in this department is to give that elementary knowledge which every good citizen should possess, that he may the better aid his country in time of need, and doing this the College gives such military training and exercise as will add to the health and physique of each student, while contributing something to the general discipline of the College.

9. PHYSIOLOGY, ZOÖLOGY, BOTANY, GEOLOGY.

The course in this department begins with the Freshman year, in which Physiology, Zoology and Botany are taught. The several textbooks are, in all cases, supplemented by illustrated lectures, and in the study of Botany by frequent field excursions for practical work in the analyzing and classification of botanical specimens. In the Junior and Senior years these subjects are still further elaborated and studied in the sciences of Meteorology, Physical Geography and Geology. The course of instruction is planned so as to bring these objects of every-day observation to the continued attention of the student, to teach him the principles of classification and systematic study, and to show their important relations to the successful conduct of the practical affairs of life. The extensive collections of minerals, fossils, geological and botanical specimens, shells, birds, &c., are arranged for study in the Museum of Geological Hall.

The work in this department is now more systematic than ever before. It is best exhibited as in its beginning a course in

BIOLOGY.

Two courses in the Biological Sciences are offered, the first required of Freshmen, the second elective for members of advanced classes.

I. In the first course, Human Anatomy, Physiology and Hygiene are taught by recitations from text-book ("The Human Body," Martin, Briefer Course) during the fall and winter terms. Supplementary to this, lectures are given on Comparative Zoology, more especially Vertebrate Anatomy, so far as the facts help to a clearer understanding of the human body. The student is aided by demonstrations of the points considered, by means of charts, models, specimens and dissections. Classes meet two hours weekly, besides one afternoon each week for demonstration and consultation. References to accessory readings are given. In the spring term Descriptive Botany is taught. Classes meet two hours per week for recitations (Gray's "Lessons in Botany," new edition), and one afternoon each week for plant analysis. II. The second course is a Laboratory Course in General Biology of two terms, first and second. Five hours per week in lecture-room and laboratory are required. The subject of Fermentation is first considered, and then types of plants and animals are studied in order of increasing complexity, closing with a course in Vertebrate Embryology. The aim is to give a practical knowledge of the anatomy of plants and animals, both gross and minute, for the proper appreciation of the principles of Botany and Zoology as presented by lectures and readings, special courses of these being given from time to time.

10. THE MUSEUM.

The Museum of the College occupies the second and third stories of Geological Hall. There is one large room with gallery and storerooms, at the south end. The cases on the main floor are devoted to the exhibition of geological, mineralogical and metallurgical collections, with the exception of one case containing zoological specimens, and a case of Indian antiquities. The gallery is reserved for the collections of birds and the botanical and conchological specimens.

According to the present arrangement, the cases on the east side on the main floor are occupied by suites of minerals for use in the study of mineralogy, the general collection of minerals and ores and metallurgical products. The cases are constructed so as to exhibit the larger and better specimens on shelves above, and with drawers below in which to store duplicates. The collection of minerals is good, and adequate to the needs of ordinary collegiate instruction in this departThere are many fine specimens from the New Jersey zinc mines and other mineral localities.

ment.

The paleontological and geological collections are in the west-side cases. One case contains specimens which illustrate the formation and structure of rock masses. In the others the arrangement is according to age, beginning with the oldest and passing on through the successive geological ages to recent time.

The central part of the room is occupied by two cases containing

the Beck Cabinet of Minerals, two cases with typical specimens of the rocks and ores of New Jersey, and one case of beautiful quartz crystals from Ellenville, New York. The remains of a mastodon are placed in a case under the gallery at the north end of the room; at the opposite end are the large and well-preserved footprints in red sandstone, found at Montville, New Jersey.

The collection of native birds is in a case on the gallery. It comprises all the more common species of our State and this part of the Atlantic coast.

For the illustration of Botany, the Herbarium, lately presented to the College by Alfred Cuthbert, of Franklin, Essex county, New Jersey, meets the wants of the course in this branch of Natural History. It contains about twelve hundred species, including the greater number of those occurring in New Jersey, besides a large number of New Mexican plants. The collection of woods which grow in the State occupies a wall case on the gallery.

The conchological cabinet is large and well arranged. It is exhibited in flat table cases running around the gallery.

The Museum has a large amount of material stored and not on exhibition, nor easily accessible, on account of a lack of sufficient case room. The collection of rocks, minerals, ores, &c., which are at present practically useless for purposes of study on the part of the students, would add greatly to those already classified and exhibited in the main room of the Museum. In the Department of Natural History there is urgent need of more material to illustrate Zoology and Ornithology. The Herbarium should also be made fuller, to embrace all the species and varieties of plants and woods growing in our Middle States at least.

Notwithstanding these gaps, the Museum is used more and more each year by students and Professors, and the number of visitors also increases. It is open to visitors every week-day afternoon during term time, and at other times on application to the College janitor. Valuable donations of specimens are occasionally received from friends.

It is greatly to be desired that the many patrons and friends of the College who have given so generously to make the Museum both useful and attractive, will continue to favor it with their contributions, and that others will come forward and fill up the vacant spaces with collections which shall make the equipment of the College as good as any in the land, and equal to the demands of science upon it.

11. THESES.

The students of regular four-year courses are required to hand in, at the end of the third term of the Senior year, theses on subjects connected with their studies. These theses embody also the results of

independent work or investigation. Students in the special chemical course are required to hand in, at the end of each term, a thesis on some subject assigned to them for study. At the end of the summer they prepare a journal of travel or observation, which embodies the description of any interesting scientific objects met with during the

vacation.

Abstracts of certain of the theses read before the State Board of Visitors, by members of the last graduating class, are thought likely to be of interest, both on account of their subjeet-matter and as specimens of the work done by our students, and are appended to this report.

12. PHYSICAL TRAINING-GYMNASIUM.

The fine Gymnasium belonging to the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church; at New Brunswick, only three minutes' walk from the College campus, is, by the kindness of the Seminary authorities, open to the students of the College. Regular instruction in gymnastics by a thoroughly competent instructor is furnished, and students in the lower classes are required to take exercise in the Gymnasium three days in the week. The instruction here, under the direction of a thoroughly educated physician, is designed, not to train athletes for especial feats of skill and strength, but rather to prescribe and provide for each student such forms of regular systematic exercise as will keep his body in the best condition to be the useful servant of his mind.

The Athletic Association, composed of students of the College, have fine grounds for athletic sports.

13. THE LIBRARIES.

The Library of the College is open for consultation during each term, as follows: On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 8 to 8:40 A. M., and from 12 M. to 12:50 P. M., and from 2 P. M. to 4:30 P. M.; on Saturdays, from 9 A. M. to 12:50 P. M., and 2 to 4:30 P. M. Students are allowed free access to the books, and are encouraged to become familiar with the proper methods of using a library for literary work.

P. VANDERBILT SPADER, Esq., of New Brunswick, has presented to the College a collection of some 4,500 books, valued at $15,000; and the Library Fund given by the late Gen. ROBERT C. PRUYN, of Albany, N. Y., provides for large annual additions to the Library.

A "Subject-Catalogue" and an "Author-Catalogue” have been prepared.

By the gift of a permanent fund of $1,000 from JAMES SUYDAM,

Esq., supplemented by gifts from other sources, the Library is supplied with the leading learned periodical publications in the various departments.

By the courtesy of the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church, the SAGE LIBRARY of more than 40,000 volumes is opened to the students of Rutgers for consultation; and under certain limitations books are drawn from it as well. It is within three minutes' walk of the College campus.

AGRICUL

14. THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT AND THE STATE FUND.

The operations of the Agricultural Department during the past year are set forth in the accompanying report of the Professor in charge, and the lectures on Agriculture in several counties have been given as called for.

The amount of money received from the State Treasurer (as the income of the Trust Fund held by the State for the College, realized from the sale of the United States Land Grant of 1862 for State Colleges) for the fiscal year ending October 31st, 1888, is six thousand nine hundred and sixty dollars ($6,960), which has been expended, as the law requires, exclusively for the salaries of Professors in the Scientific School, but a small portion of which is covered by this limited amount.

In connection with the work of the College as the "New Jersey State College for the Benefit of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts,' a new and important department has this year been organized, viz.:

15. THE NEW JERSEY STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

EXPERIMENT STATION.

By the act of Congress of March 2d, 1887, a law was passed entitled "An act to establish Agricultural Experiment Stations in connection with the Colleges established in the several States under the provisions of an act approved July 2d, 1862, and of the acts supplementary thereto." This act is commonly known as the "Hatch Act," from the active interest taken in its passage by Hon. Wm. H. Hatch, M.C., of Missouri. It authorizes the appropriation of $15,000 annually for the support of Agricultural Experiment Stations in connection with the Colleges which were established in the several States "for the benefit of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts," by the Congressional act of July 2d, 1862.

The Legislature of New Jersey, by its acts of March 16th, 1887, and of March 5th, 1888, designated the Trustees of Rutgers College "as the parties to whom all moneys appropriated by Congress under said acts of Congress or supplements thereto shall be paid for the