  We present first results of a comprehensive survey of deep long-slit spectra
along the minor axis of bulges of edge-on spiral galaxies. Our results indicate
that stellar populations in bulges are fairly old and encompass a range of
metallicities. The luminosity-weighted ages of bulges range from those found
for cluster ellipticals to slightly ``younger'' (by up to only a few Gyr,
however). Their $\alpha$/Fe element ratio is typically supersolar, consistent
with those found in giant ellipticals. The radial line-strength gradients in
bulges correlate with bulge luminosity. Generally, these findings are more
compatible with predictions of the ``dissipative collapse'' model than with
those of the ``secular evolution'' model.
