University of Virginia Library

CORCORAN SCHOOL OF NATURAL HISTORY AND
GEOLOGY.

Prof. Fontaine.

In this School are three classes: Geology, Mineralogy, and Botany.

I. Geology.—This subject will be taught during the entire session,
and three lectures a week will be devoted to it, until the examination in
Mineralogy, which takes place usually in the latter part of February;
thereafter five lectures a week are given to Geology, until the final examination,
which takes place late in April. The aim of the course of instruction
is to give as thorough an exposition of the fundamental principles
of the science as possible, and to teach the student how to use
them in practical work in the field.

Text-books:—Le Conte's Elements of Geology. For reference—Dana's Manual,
and Lyell's Elements and Principles of Geology.

II. Mineralogy.—This subject will be studied until the intermediate
examination in February. Two lectures a week will be devoted to it.
Special attention will be paid to crystallography, as well as to the chemical
and physical properties of minerals. In Descriptive Mineralogy, the
mode of occurrence, the geological importance and relations of the
species will be made prominent.

Text-books:—Dana's Manual of Mineralogy and Lithology. For reference: Dana's
Text-book of Mineralogy.

III. Botany.—For the present this subject is transferred to the School
of Agriculture, Zoology and Botany. (See page 54.)

The large and carefully selected collections of geological, mineralogical,
and botanical objects found in the Lewis Brooks Museum of Natural
History (see page 62), afford unsurpassed facilities for the full illustration
of the principles taught. As free access to these collections is allowed
the student, he can find in their study an opportunity, rarely obtained, for
gaining a practical acquaintance with natural objects acquired from
various parts of the world, and chosen for their typical character. These
collections are especially useful to students pursuing special courses of
study in Geology, Mineralogy, and Botany.

The subjects Geology and Mineralogy are taught mainly by lectures.
These are supplemented by portions of the text-books.

In order to give the members of the classes in Geology and Mineralogy
an opportunity to study the method of field work, the Professor, when a

sufficient number desire it, organizes a field party. The University has
hitherto borne a portion of the expense of the party. The field work is
done in the month of July, and is entirely optional with the students.

Persons engaged in the study of Geology and Mineralogy may, although
not members of the University class, with the consent of the
Professor, and on paying $25 to the Proctor, join the exploring party.