The result of the gymnastic and athletic work done at Vassar College for the past fifteen years shows a very great improvement in the physical development, the lung capacity, and the general health of the students. The average lung capacity for women is given as one hundred and fifty cubic inches; at Vassar the average lung capacity is one hundred and sixty-five cubic inches. =The Vassar College Gymnasium.=—As Vassar College has a model gymnasium, an unusually fine corps of instructors, and gives the greatest attention to all the details of the physical training of its students, it may very properly serve as a model for schools and women’s clubs throughout the country. The instructors all received their training at the Sargent Normal School, Cambridge, under the direction of Dr. Dudley A. Sargent. Hence, it is naturally run along the same lines. Gymnasium work is carried on from the middle of November until the end of March. The gymnasium is furnished with the usual apparatus for light and heavy work. The entire student body is divided into four classes; each class meets three times a week, and the period of work in the gymnasium lasts forty-five minutes. This is followed by the shower and needle baths. The wands and dumb-bells used are wooden ones, and vary in weight from three-fourths of a pound to two and a half pounds. Other apparatus that might be used in the home gymnasium are the chest-weights and the rowing machine with a movable seat. Instruction in classic dancing is part of the regular gymnastic work. The Vassar gymnasium is also furnished with a fine swimming pool. The temperature of the water is kept at from 75° to 80° F. For beginners it is necessary to have a much higher temperature than for expert swimmers. Women will be greatly encouraged to learn to swim from the fact of the incredibly short time in which the art is taught here. Students learn to swim well in ten lessons of fifteen minutes each, and the great popularity of these lessons renders it necessary to limit the instruction to ten lessons. Later in the season, if there is space in the pool, the lessons may be resumed. Before entering the gymnasium the girl is first of all carefully examined by the resident physician and gymnasium director, and the results of these examinations recorded. A detailed series of measurements and strength tests is made and recorded on the gymnasium register. On completing the tests, the following card is filled out and given to each girl. It has been found that these cards, kept by the girls, increase the interest of each in her development, and stimulate her to further exertion to improve her physique. [Illustration: PLATE VIII Vassar College gymnasium.] VASSAR COLLEGE GYMNASIUM.—RECORD OF PHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS Miss. .. .. .. .