New-York tribune., 1876-08-19
A SEQUEL TO PENIKESE.
THE SUMNER SCHOOL OF BIOLOGY AT THE PEABODY
ACADEMY OF sClESCE-A SUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT
AT TEACHING FROM NATURE.

THE SUMNER SCHOOL or BIOLOGY AT THE PEABODY
ACADEMY OF sCIENCE-A SUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT
Al TEACHING FROM NATURE.
SALEM, Mass, Aug 1G.-lhat the summer
school at Penikr@c should have been given up was re-
rrettcd by many. That seemed TO give overWorhed
teachers not only opportunity for change and rest
blt also for receiving instruction from the best science
teachers in the country But the closing OF the school at
pcuikese resulted finally in the establishment OF other
similar schools none Of which, perhaps, fully take the
place that Penkese but which nevertheless ahofd
nne opportunities instruction and laboratory work
Last winter q modest announcement appeared in The
American Naturalist that School OF Biology would DE
opened at the Peabody Academy OF Science during the
summer months for the teachers OF Essex County and
such others as could be accommodated. DR.. A. :.
Packard IT, was mentioned director. The school
opened on the 9TH OF July with the full number OF
students who from various States one coming from
as far West MS Michigan Instruction has Deen gwen
chiefly by means OF lectures. The list of instructors
includes the names Of Of the first specialists III the
country Dr. Packard Of course, lectured upon the
insects Prof T. :. Morse who has done so much toward
the popuar1ng Of science addition 10 original work,
smoke upon the Mollusca Mr. J. g Kingsley gave few
fine lectures upon the Crustacea Dr. A. H. Johnson pre-
sented an elaborate series Mans Nervous system
An extended In practical Microscopy was gwen
by Dr. T. c. BowIes, who IL well known as one OF tho
first mcroscops,s in the country. The course in struc
All these lectures were fully illustrated by specimens
from the museum Of the Academy, aud Oy living specl
men. from the harbor Botanical specimens were sup
pied from the greenhouse Of NJ Robinson,
A days programme may prove TO bc OF interest. a
lecture is usually given AT Q q m IN the Lecture IRE o,
thc Academy Immediately after the lecture al proceed
to the laboratory building which mas bccn crccteu Ior
the purpusc the grounds Of the Academy TINS Dd-
inc ha. been conveniently lifted up with "a les TANKS
onuorla aud other essentials Here the student usscctS
,yho,ryrr may have been provided for the day, ana
mrkrs care mi drawings under the direct supervision OF
r Packard Prof. Morse and Mr. Kingsley lie rs taught
10 verify every fact for himself, ana 10 pcpt" hpc
for original research The botanical work has been dohe
in her room under the direction OF MI Robinson
This programme has frequently been varied Dy thc
students going out In n cOmmOdiOus sabOat on drcdS-
ing and collecting trips to numerous places IN the
Vicinity In this way much valuable material has bern
obtained in the laboratory, and many students
hayr been enabled Ia form valuable private cOIcc-
tiuns such is brief outline of tGe plan pur-
sued The instructors have aimed to give the
rht method of study rather than to present an acc
mnlation of facts fhe teachers here assembled will
surely return to their schools with greatly enlarged
views aud will carry with them methods which cannot
fail 10 service to them III their own teachlne Oc
watching their earnest work In the laboratory must d.
Impressed with the advantages offered by such scnuo
p.cunr advantages presented by tc location or the
school AT Salem. Good collecting grounds are III tio
vicinity and the student has access 10 tho extensive COZ
lections in the museum OF the Academy Ol science
This wear the school was opened a. an experiment s
success has been ond all anticipation. Consequently
II will placed upon permanent foundation, ana VIII
rropcn next with greatly increased facitcs Tor IN
srcti0n one feature ought to he mcntohcd mere uc
professors receive fees for instruction lhrr eh"rts
10 provide advanced course OF instruction io science
teachers viii be appreciated and the results VIII DC elt
throughout the country