MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, in Boston, was founded in 1861 and went into operation in 1864. Its endowment consists of one-third part of the income derived by the state from lands appropriated for such purposes by congress in the act of 1862. It provides a series of scientific and literary studies, so arranged as to offer a liberal and practical education in preparation for active pursuits, as well as a thorough training for most of the scientific professions. The courses of a distinctivelr professional character are: 1. Civil and topooTaphical engineering; 2. Mechanical engi neering; 3. Mining engineering, or geology rtild mining; 4 Building and architecture; 5. Chemistry. Five other courses have been established, as follows: 6. Metallurgy; 7. Natural history; 8. Physics; 9. Science and literature; 10. An elective course. Each of these courses ex-tends through four years, and for proficiency in any one of them the degree of bachelor of science is conferred. Special laboratories are provided for the instruction of women, the design being to afford them facilities for the study of chemical analysis, industnal chemistry, mineralogy, and biology. Instruction will be given to women on other subjects, also so far as suitable arrangements can be made for them. The particular course of study, which a candidate for the degree of doctor of science wishes to pursue, must be submitted to the faculty in writing, and must meet their approval. A knowledge of the Latin language is not required for admission, but strongly recommended for the better understanding of the terminology of the sciences. The school
of mechanic arts affords instruction in c.arpentry and joinery', wood.turnin„,m pattena naakmg, foundry work, iron.forging, vise-work, and machine tool work. Candidate,s for a dag,ree in physics take practical courses in microscopy, photography, lantern projec tions, and meteorology. The institute has 16 professors, 8 instructors, 8 a.ssistants, and 243 graduates President, Wm. B. Rogers, LL.D.
NAM DIICA'Lg, or DI CARRA'RA, so called to distinguish it from the many towno of the same name, is it, small city of northern Italy, 58 m. s.w. of Modena, and formerly capital of duchy of Massa-Carrara. Pop. 5,000. It is a bishop's see, has a public library a literary institute, a cathedral, and a ducal palace. Massa stands in a beautiful situation, sheltered by a background of mountains, and surrounded by a district productive in oranges, citrons, aud vast'olive-groves. In the middle ages the duchy of Massa was held by a succession of feudal lords, and passed to the house of Este, dukes of Modena, toward the close of the 18th century. Bonaparte invested his sister, the princess Eliza,with the principality of Massa and Carram; but in 1829 it was reunited to Modena, and in 1860 became a province of the kingdom of Italy. Pop. '71. 161,994.
lEASSAF'RA, a t. of the Italian province of Otranto, 11 m. n.w. of Taranto, situated in a plain in the midst of hills more productive than salubrious. Pop. 9,100. Its sit,e is partly that of the ancient .illessapia, from which the whole district takes its name.