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all grades, both beginners and specialists, are admitted. The Massachusetts laboratories at Salem, Cottle Cit^, and ADnisqnnm, are ex- amplea of this clans ; and these differ among themselves. Those at Salem and Cottage Citj- have been conducted on the plan of giving lec- tures, and supplementing them with laboratory work. They have had little success; and, in fact, that at Salem has been closed for two years, because of small attendance, and lack of fiinds, for it can readily be seen that the lec- ture aystem is an expensive one. The labora- tory at Anniaqnam has a distinct policy, due to Professor Hyatt's and Mr, Van Vleck'a experi- ence, mucli simpler and less expensive. No lectures are given, and no classes formed. The fimdamental consideration in each case is the individual wants of the pupil. The student is set at work upon some special animal or in some line which he wishes to follow, and made to study and see for himaclf. frequently with- out the aid of text-books, which are seldom used except as means of confirming what has already been seen without their aid. Students not infrequenll3' come from schools and colleges where the old metliod of teaching from books is still iu vogue ; and though imbued with the idea that this is the proper way of teaching, and at first opjKJsed to the new method, they event- ually go away with their notions concerning teaching always much modified, and sometimes completely revolutionized. That this is the proper method of teaching biology, there can be no doubt; and the amount of knowledge possessed by the students at the end of the sea- son's work is remarkable indeed. Advanced students are allowed to clioose their specialty, and study what they please ; though ihey, too, are advised to study after this melliorl.
The Annisquam school is the outgrowth of a small private laboratory which Profeeaoi' Hyatt had in his own house at Anniaqnam. The number of applicants increased to such an extent, that the limited accommodations at Professor Hyatt's disjjosal would by no means satisfy the demands. Some of the members of the Woman's educational association of Bos- ton who were interested in this branch of edu- cation, and knew these facts, took the matter in hand, and, though uninfluenced by any di- rect solicitation from Professor Hyatt or others, offered to found a laboratory for the use of both sexes, proi-ided its departments of instruction could be cariied on by the oBlcers of the Bos- ton society of natural liistory, of which Pro- fessor Hyatt is curator.
Anniaquam, the place cboseu, is an ex- tremely pretty and quiet village on the north
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side of Cape Ann, a few miles from Gloucester, and two hours' ride ftom Boston bj' stage aud rail. The granite, surf-beaten shores and the bowlder-covered granite hilltops are found all sides. AH conditions necessary to the ex- istence of a variety of maiine forms are pi ent on these shores. There are tide-po rocks, mud, sand, oel-grass, and marshes, J' alternately covered with water, and exposed to the collector, by the strong tides which rise anif fall from nine to eleven feet twice each day All kinds of shore and surface forms are founil in an abundance equalled by no place south of Eastport. Embryos and adults of eomnioii and curious forms are constantly met with, thus furnishing material both for general wurli and original investigation. For eoUectiug- pur- poses, the laljoratory owns two row-boats, in which the students can visit any of the collect- ing-grounds in the vicinity. It has also been the privilege of the students, for the past four years, to make occasional drcdgiQg-tri|» in Professor Hyatt's schooner-yacht, though this does not belong to the laboratory. These excursions are not promised as an induocment to draw students ; but it has been Professor Hyatt's custom to take the students out as fre- quently as thej' desire to go. and give them opportunities for dredging in proportion to their interest in this kind of work, whenever the Arethusa is at Annisquam. Dredgiugs arc then made iu from fifteen to GUy fathoms, and many interesting animals are added to the students' collections, besides the new fonns which are thus furnished them for study.
Like most laboratories, this one is far IVom prepossessing, either fVom an external or inter- nal point of view. The foundations are of solid granite. Most of the tables are fastened di- rectly to the wall to allow microscopic work to proceed with little jaiTing. Each table is furnished with a small glass aquarium fed with salt water flowing from a tank which is filled by a windmill. The pipes (Vom this aie all wooden, so that there is no trouble with iron- rust. In the centre of the room are larger aquaria. There is also a photographic room, an attic, and a basement for storage. There is a good collection of chemicals, even those for fine microscopic work beiug well represented.
The school is open to all who intend to make useof the knowledge they obtain in teach- ing or in origiual investigation. The charges being merely nominal, those of limited means are not excluded by exorbitant fees ; and the only obstacle of a pecuniary nature is the necessarily high board at seashore places. A few investigators have already made use of the
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