the existing needs and to house the new laboratories required in such a department, be acquired. Yet the desirability of eventually undertaking a school of dentistry is strong, the dental students of the State being now forced, for proper instruction, to go a long distance, usually far to the north.

Anatomy. Professor Keiller states that, owing to a grievous deficiency of dissecting material, the work of Anatomy in the third and fourth years has been seriously crippled. The work of the first two years, however, he says was very good. He is very much interested in increasing the museum facilities, and in enlarging the selection of specimens.

Chemistry. Professor Morris says there were 97 students in Freshman Chemistry, and 64 in the Sophomore class. In speaking of the inadequacy of his School's preparation for teaching Medical Physics, he says: "It would be well if we could give more attention to this important subject until such time as an adequate knowledge of Physics can be made a requirement for matriculation."

Materia Medica and Therapeutics. Dr. Randall, in two pages, gives an account of the work in his School. "The instruction consists of work with the first-year Medical students and members of the first-year Pharmacy class in the study of crude drugs, their botanical division, their Chemical relations to each other, their doses, their poisonous symptoms, and their antidotes. The work with second-year students consists of the study of the physiological action of drugs upon man as well as upon the lower animals; while third-year men are taught the application of drugs to diseased conditions. The progress of the work has been satisfactory."

Medicine. Dr. McLaughlin states that very good results have been obtained from the Clinical Medicine laboratory established by the Regents last year. The method of instruction followed in the School of Medicine is a combination of text-book, bed-side and laboratory clinical instruction. He concludes with the remark that the work in his School has been characterized by thorough effort and industry on the part of his students.

Obstetrics and Gynecology. Only members of the Junior and Senior classes are given instruction in these branches. Carefully prepared lectures have been delivered. Dr. Paine's account of the work is extensive and technical.

Pathology. Dr. Smith, the head of this School, has, with his assistants, conducted thirteen courses in Pathology. In addition to this work, a large amount of special microscopic work in routine has been done in the study of autopsy and surgical operative specimens from the hospital and else where, and a number of specimens of gross pathological interest have been prepared and placed in the museum. During the term, there were pub lished from this department a class-book of laboratory exercises and bac teriology, several chapter in the American Text-book of Legal Medicine and Toxicology, and a half-dozen journal articles on matters of scientific interest. Most of this work, however, has not been the result of actual research, according to Dr. Smith, and he also holds that the instruction force should be enlarged, so that more time for real scientific composition would be available.

Pharmacy. The course in prescription reading, writing and compounding, and that in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals for the medical students, were continued up to about the middle of March. Professor Cline thinks that the almost criminal adulteration of drugs, being practiced, can, to a large extent, be stopped by putting more stress on work of this branch. The Senior class numbers 23. He also states that there are more applications made for pharmacists than can be satisfied.

Physiology. "The practical teaching in this school," says Dr. Carter, "has been more satisfactory this session to both students and teacher, than ever before. The general plan of instruction has not been altered, and the course given in the first year practically remains unchanged. In the course in the second year, the didactic part has not been altered, but the laboratory work is more complete in every way. Experiments on the heart and circulation, which were formerly regarded as too difficult by students, are now carried out with entire success."

Surgery. The head of this School, Dr. James E. Thompson, says as follows: "The didactic portion of the course has been carried out as in the previous session. On the whole, the course has been more expeditiously and satisfactorily managed, because, as years pass, the Junior and Senior men are prepared to absorb the full value of the course. This particularly holds, in the Senior year, in the Operative Surgery course. The course in Surgical Anatomy, held by the professor, has had a very beneficial effect. The men are much better able to grasp the subject. I regret that the continuance of this anatomical course along the lines planned will have to be abandoned, owing to the failure of the anatomical bill to pass the Legislature. I cannot express too strongly my regret that this bill failed to pass. It has prevented all progress for two full years."

*

H. P. S.

THE CATALOGUE FOR 1902-1903.

A comparison of successive catalogues is one means of tracing the history of university administration and progress. In order to set forth some of the details of the last stage of this history, it is purposed here to compare the catalogue of 1902-1903 with its predecessor. Following the model furnished by last year's RECORD reviewer important changes discovered will be noticed seriatim under the various headings of the Catalogue. First, however, a word or two on the publication as a whole. In general appearance it is much the same as its predecessor. It is considerably larger, though, containing 364 pages, as against 342 in the former one. In matters of proof reading, printing, and paper, it merits all the praise bestowed upon last year's annual. The type display is much better than in the old catalogue, and there are numerous improvements in the grouping and sub-division of subject matter. In the latter particular, however, one error is noted. The paragraph on page 22, relating to "Sessions and Terms," is made to apply to all departments of The University, when it is obviously meant to apply only to the department of Literature, Sci

ence, and Arts. One or two other changes in arrangement seem to be of questionable propriety. For example, the paragraph on page 43 of the old catalogue regarding high school scholarships is, in keeping with the logical classification characterizing the new publication, transferred to page 132, under the head of "Academic Honors." As the significant point in this paragraph has to do with admission fees, it is a question whether the change has not sacrificed practical convenience to logic. The omission of a dash causes confusion on page 13. The Library Staff is there grouped with the Medical Faculty.

THE CALENDAR.

The University Calendar is lengthened by the insertion of dates for the Prize Contest in Declamation, the Dubois Prize Contest in Oratory, and Commencement Sunday. These days deserve recognition as fixed University events.

THE BOARD OF REGENTS.

From the list of Regents we miss the names of F. M. Spencer, R. E. Cowart, H. M. Garwood, and Henry B. Marsh, and note the substitution of those of J. N. Browning, Ben C. Cain, H. M. Chapman, and R. Waverly Smith.

THE FACULTY.

Several changes are found in the Faculty roll. The list of teachers and officers now includes a total of 116 names (91 at Austin and 25 at Galveston), as against 107 last year (83 at Austin and 24 at Galveston). Three additions have been made to the list of standing committees of the Faculty. They are on Faculty Regulations, Sick Students, and Students' Associations. The appointment of the last two committees reflects a highly creditable tendency in the relations of our Faculty to the student body.

CONDITIONS OF ADMISSION.

Minor alterations appear in the announcements concerning conditions of admission, and, though there is no single radical change in the requirements, the general tendency is toward greater rigidity. The very spirit of this tendency is illustrated in the use of italics to emphasize requirements in some places, where formerly they were used to call attention to concessions to candidates for admission. Formerly applicants might, at the discretion of the examiner, be allowed a condition in one prescribed entrance subject. This concession is no longer announced. Graduates of affiliated schools are now required to present, on official blanks, statements, from superintendents or principals, of the high school work done. Special students are informed that they must furnish evidence of seriousness of purpose and ability to profit by university work. A student coming from another college must now present a certificate of honorable dismissal, and "All credits given students from other colleges are provisional. If their work here is of a low grade, the amount of their credits will be reduced."

On the other hand, the requirement that candidates trying the entrance examination "must secure at least four and one-half credits in order to receive any credit at all" has been dropped. The rules refusing admission to certain classes of students after October 15th, and requiring such as do enter after that date to pay an additional fee of $3.00, have also been withdrawn, and in their place is supplied a warning that "at any date later than September 15th it will be difficult for students to find classes they are prepared to enter."

ENTRANCE SUBJECTS.

A praiseworthy departure from former custom is the placing in the Appendix details concerning the nature and scope of entrance subjects hitherto inserted in the body of the catalogue. Matter under this head occupies several pages more than last year, an increase in length due mainly to a more explicit statement of requirements.

These, in English, history, mathematics, Spanish, German, chemistry, physics, physiography and physiology, are practically unchanged.

Greek requirements are not essentially altered, but the statement of them is accompanied by suggestions on preparation. "An accurate and ready knowledge of the common forms and constructions is of the highest importance. In translation, the candidate should always use simple, idiomatic English. In preparation for the examination the pupil should be given constant training in the way to approach the meaning of the Greek. Thorough understanding of a passage should be insisted on before translation is attempted. Practice in reading aloud is of great value, the Greek being pronounced carefully, according to the accents, with effort after expression."

The list of required Latin authors does not include Nepos and Ovid as before. The total prose reading required in this subject is reduced from 130 to 120 pages. Greater emphasis is placed upon prose composition. "Our Freshmen are particularly deficient in composition," says Professor Fay.

More than a page of interesting suggestions is added to last year's statement of requirements in botany. They are as follows:

"1. One-third of the year's work might profitably be spent in the study of elementary morphology, physiology and ecology in a scheme that would begin with the seed and follow the development to maturity. This would involve a study of seeds, their morphology, food storage, germination, means of distribution and special adaptations; the study of the structure and function of roots and root hairs; the various forms and adaptations of roots; absorption of water and mineral nutrients from the soil. Similarly, the study of the structure and functions of the stem and of the leaves; morphology of stems and leaves; the relation of leaves to sunlight; carbon assimilation; respiration and transpiration; special adaptation of leaves, etc.

"2. The middle third of the year's work might be given to the study of types of plants illustrating the plant kingdom, beginning with the alga

and embracing a few of the most common forms, e. g., Spirogyra or "pond scum," Hydrodictyon or "water net," and Vaucheria or "water felt." Of the fungi, black mould, wheat rust, a mushroom, and a lichen. In bryophytes, work out the structure and life history of the moss plant, and study in less detail a liverwort like Marchantia. In pteridophytes, work out in detail the life history of a common fern like the "maiden hair," or the "eagle" fern. In addition, study equisetum, the common "horse-tail," and one of the little club mosses- either the resurrection plant, which can be gotten in abundance from Trans-Pecos Texas, or selaginella rupestris, which is abundant on the granite and gravel soils in Central Texas. Of the pine family, study the longleaf pine and the common juniper or red or mountain cedar.

"3. The last third of the year should then be given to a study of several of the more prominent families of flowering plants. In this part of the course, naturally the structure and ecology of the flower will be made prominent. Above all, the influence of insect life in determining matters of form, color, fragrance, habits of flowering, etc., will be emphasized."

SELECTION OF COURSES.

One new

Much stress is wisely placed upon care in selection of courses. rule appears, to wit: "No addition to the courses selected, or substitution for any of them, can be made later than the second week of any term." Some new paragraphs appear on the time of selection of courses. They are intended to relieve the pressure of committee work at the opening of the session.

"Courses may be selected for the ensuing year, during the week before Commencement, in June, or during the four opening days of the session, in September. During these periods professors will be in their offices, and the Advisory Committee in the Regents' room, ready to consult with students.

"Students who expect to return to the University are advised to select their courses for the ensuing year in June. At that time there will be less of a rush and their work will be fresher in their minds; changes can be made in the Fall for good reasons.

"Students entering the University for the first time may also register by mail, stating their selections of courses on cards that the Registrar willi furnish on request. Graduates of affiliated schools who expect to enter the University, are advised to select their courses at the time of their graduation, in conference with their parents and teachers, and to mail the cards. at once. In cases where the Advisory Committee consider changes in the selections made desirable or necessary, students will be notified."

CLASSIFICATION OF STUDENTS.

A slight change is made in the classification of students. A regular or an irregular student now becomes a Sophomore on the completion of five courses, whereas before one was ranked as Freshman until he completed four and one-half courses.