This afternoon at 4.30 the annual class races will be rowed on the Charles River over the usual course, the finish of which is at the Union Boat Club. An unusually close contest is looked for as the crews are more evenly matched than last year. The freshmen and sophomores have done the most work,- the freshmen having commenced training in October and the sophomores in December. The seniors and juniors both began regular training in January. The favorite crew for first place a month ago was '93, but since the return of Fitzhugh to the senior crew and Watriss and Jones to the '92 eight, the chances of '93 for first place are not so good. The average weights of the several crews are as follows: Seniors, 163 3-8 pounds; juniors, 166 3-4; sophomores, 158 7-8; freshmen, 163 1-4. It will thus be seen that the junior crew is the heaviest and the sophomore the lightest. What the sophomores lack in weight they make up in form. The '94 crew shows more or less raggedness in their rowing, but on the whole is up to the average freshman crew.

The positions of the crews are the same as published in the CRIMSON several mornings ago: '92 next to the wall, then '94, '93, and '91 on the outside. The men who will row this afternoon are as follows:

SENIORS.

Pounds.

Bow, H. Tallant, Roxbury, 164

2 Q, A. Shaw, Boston, 155

3 S. D. Parker, Boston, 148

4 N. Longworth, Cincinnati, 167

5 J. A. Blanchard, Boston, 172

6 E. F. Fitzhugh, Mt. Morris, N. Y. 180

7 W. M. Randol, San Francisco Cal. 161

Stroke, H. R. Bishop, New York, 160

Coxswain, W. J. Farquhar, Newton. 115

Colors, Green and white.

JUNIORS.

Pounds.

Bow, W. M. Weed, Savannah, 165

2 J. C. Hubbard, Boston, 161

3 J. T. Heard, Boston, 175

4 J. O. Porter, Boston, 167

5 W. B. Stearns, Cambridge, 172

6 G. F. Steedman, St Louis, 168

7 D. F. Jones, Minneapolis, 160

Stroke, F. N. Watriss, Chicago, 165

Coxswain, I. Amory, Boston, 125

Colors, blue and white.

SOPHOMORES.

Pounds.

Bow, C. Brewer, Orange, N. J. 155

2 C. W. Keyes, Boston, 155

3 S. W. Ellsworth, Braintree, 160

4 C. H. Slade, Chestnut Hill, 165

5 D. O. Earle, Worcester, 166

6 R. G. Miller, New York, 154

7 S. C. Davis, St. Louis, 165

Stroke, G. E. Burgess, Dedham, 151

Coxswain, H. M. Battelle, Boston, 95

Colors, yellow and black.

FRESHMEN.

Pounds.

Bow, L. Loring, Brookline, 150

2 J. M. Thompson, Springfield, 154

3 W. S. Johnson, Minneapolis, Minn., 160

4 J. S. Fay. Boston, 172

5 B. J. Waters, Boston, 170

6 D. W. Shea, Boston, 173

7 C. T. Bond, Ba timore, 167

Stroke, J. W. Glidden, Newcastle, Me., 160

Coxswain, W. E. Cobb, Barnstable, 112

Colors, crimson and white.

Referee, Francis Peabody, Jr., of Boston. Judges-for '91, C. L. Crehore '90; for '92, Gardiner Perry, L. S.; for '93, C. A. Hight, L. S.; for '94, G. A. Carpenter, L. S.

RULES.

The rules which will govern the races are the same as those of the three past years.

The crews will be ready at the Brookline Bridge promptly at the appointed hour, 4.30 p. m. The stern of each shell will be held from a boat attached to a rope stretched across the river. As soon as the shells are in position one long whistle will be blown as a preparatory signal. Twenty seconds after this signal, three short, sharp whistles will signify, "Are you ready?"

The first starting signal (a gun shot) will be gives at any moment after the three whistles.

To recall the shells, if necessary, the referee's tug will stop and the second barrel of the gun will be fired, but there can be no signal after ten strokes have been rowed.

The finish line is the imaginary prolongation of the face of the brick wall on the west side of Otter Street, Boston.

Shells will cross this line between Beacon Street and the judges' boat, which will bear a flag.

Except as above, the race will be governed throughout by the Laws of Boat Racing as adopted by the National Association of Amateur Oarsmen. Should the weather necessitate postponement, notice will be sent to the college boat house as early as possible.