The main building of the University of Cincinnati was damaged by fire in November last, and while the repairs were being made a number of improvements were introduced, the chemical and physical laboratories especially being enlarged. All the studies of the first 3 years are prescribed, and electives are allowed only in the senior class.

The University of Wooster has adopted a new curriculum, in which more importance is given to electives.

Miami University, Oxford, resumed its exercises this year after a lapse of 12 years. During 1885-'86 no instruction was given in the higher branches, but full courses are offered for next year, and the facilities of the institution will then be better than ever before.

The courses of Oberlin College have been extended, especially in the junior and senior years. The location of the museum and of the chemical laboratory has been changed and better accommodations afforded them. Improvements of importance have been made in the gymnasium and in the department of physics. A new building, to cost $70,000, is being erected, and new cottages for ladies' dormitories will soon be completed.

OREGON.

Oregon State University, Eugene City, reports the completion of a new two-story building, 69 feet, wide by 115 feet long. A chair of music was established by the trustees in Mah, 1886. The apparatus and equipment generally of the scientific departments are fairly complete.

A number of other institutions are reported in Table 39, to which reference may be had for all information not shown in our previous reports, since no innovations are reported during 1885-'86.

PENNSYLVANIA.

The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, continues to offer the same general courses as have been in use since 1883, and but little change is apparent in the studies to be pursued.

The buildings of Muhlenberg College, Allentown, have been repaired and beautified and its libraries enlarged.

For Geneva College, Beaver Falls, an additional endowment of $100,000 is being raised and $90,000 have already been subscribed.

Lebanon Valley College, Annville, has finished an additional building to be used by the library and music, art, and natural science departments.

The trustees of Lincoln University have established a new chair of instruction in the English version of the Bible.

Westminster College, New Wilmington, has effected a new arrangement of studies, and in the future each student will have 3 instead of 4 daily recitations.

The facilities of Dickinson College, Carlisle, have been increased during the year by the erection of a handsome new building for the scientific department, and the physical welfare of the students will be promoted by the equipment of the new gymnasium. A library building has also been begun. The endowment of perpetual scholarships at $1,000 each has been authorized by the trustees.

Astronomical observatories are being erected for Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, and Washington and Jefferson College, Washington.

At their last meeting the trustees of Allegheny College, Meadville, authorized the affiliation of that college with the Meadville College of Music and the Meadville Business School, and hereafter students of Allegheny College will be entitled to the privileges of the two last institutions.

RHODE ISLAND.

Brown University, Providence, continues to offer its three high-grade courses, in which no material change has been made during the year. Select courses are permitted to students not candidates for a degree, but the selection is made under the supervision of the faculty. The new library of poetical works has been properly arranged and catalogued. Among the various forms of aid offered to students there are a hundred scholarships.

SOUTH CAROLINA.

The University of South Carolina, Columbia, has just passed through one of the most successful years in its history, and the number instructed has been greater than for any year since 1849. About three-fifths of the time of instruction is devoted to scientific branches, and the proportion of students in the special courses is increasing. Two new professors have been appointed and will begin their work at the opening of the next fall term.

Claflin University, Orangeburgh, has a department for industrial training.
An elective course was introduced in Newberry College during the year.

TENNESSEE.

The University of Tennessee and State Agricultural and Mechanical College, Knoxville, still offers instruction in the same schools mentioned in our last report. A tuition fee is charged, but by an extensive system of State and county appointments instruction to students residing in the State is made practically free. Special facilities are allowed teachers desiring further preparation for their profession.

The name of the East Tennessee Wesleyan University, Athens, has been changed and it is now known as Grant Memorial University. Steps will soon be taken to organize an industrial department.

New buildings are being erected for Hiawassee College, Hiawassee; Christian Brothers' College, Memphis; and Greenville and Tusculum College, Tusculum.

TEXAS.

The University of Texas, Austin, has, during the year, fully established three regular degree courses in which the number of optionals increases as the student approaches graduation, instead of the loose elective system formerly in vogue. Arrangements were made at the beginning of the fall term to introduce the plan of students' boarding clubs, and after a year's trial these have proven very satisfactory, reducing the neces sary expenses to about $150 per annum. The whole of the lower floor of the main building has been turned over to the chemical department and refitted to supply its needs. A considerable sum has been spent in purchasing additional apparatus, and it is said that the chemical laboratories are among the best equipped in; the country. Provision has been made for post-graduate instruction, and advanced study is encouraged.

Several other colleges in the State are in a prosperous condition, though no notables changes have occurred within the year just passed. Their statistics may be found in our tables.

VERMONT.

No innovations of consequence are reported by the colleges of Vermont. The courses of instruction adopted by all of them were duly described in our report for 1884-'85, and later reports show no material change.

VIRGINIA.

The University of Virginia, the leading institution of learning in the South, continues to impart instruction of a high character in the same departments as for several years past. The Leander McCormick observatory is now open to the students and contains one of the finest telescopes in the country, with all the smaller instruments necessary to the work of the astronomer. An astronomical library has been started. Washington and Lee University, Lexington, allows students to pursue such studies as they may select, subject to the advice of the faculty. Accessions are reported to the library, museum, and art gallery.

The curriculum of Randolph Macon College, Ashland, shows two new courses, one of three years, leading to the degree bachelor of philosophy, and the other, a full fouryear course, leading to the A. B. degree.

Roanoke College, Salem, has purchased 5 acres of land to be used by the athletic associations. The library and museum have been largely increased.

WEST VIRGINIA.

West Virginia University, Morgantown, arranged its studies this year in nine distinct schools, from which each student was permitted to select those best suited to his individual wants. There are also a school of law and a preparatory school of medicine. Especial attention is paid to practical geology, and additional provision has recently been made for this study by means of annual excursions of the students through the State. A respectable beginning has been made towards a university library.

WISCONSIN.

The University of Wisconsin, Madison, two years sinco lost its principal building by fire, and with it a great part of its apparatus. During the session of 1885 the State Legislature appropriated a sufficient sum to make good the less for the erection of a new chemical laboratory, a machine shop, a boiler-house with its appurtenances, and a science hall. All these buildings have been completed within the year, excepting the last, which will be, when finished, one of the handsomest buildings of the kind in the West. With these new buildings the equipment of nearly all the departments will be nearly complete. The number of students in attendance this year has been larger than ever before. A short and practical course in agriculture has been arranged for those unable to take a full four-year course.

Lawrence University, Appleton, has adopted the elective system during the year and improved its commercial course by the introduction of actual business practice.

Racine College, Racine, and the Northwestern University, Watertown, both pay especial attention to physical exercise, and the latter has lately equipped a fine gymnasium.

WASHINGTON TERRITORY.

Whitman College, Walla Walla, has been fairly prosperous since the beginning of its college functions four years ago. Its debt was decreased from $3,000 to $5,000 during the year and its library increased to 2,000 bound volumes. The courses of instruction offered are similar to those of other new institutions.

GROWTH OF UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES.

The following is a statement of the aggregate number of universities and colleges, with instructors and students, as reported to this Bureau each year from 1876 to 1886, inclusive (1883 omitted):