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COLLEGE SPECULUM. -

You. IT,—No, 3.

ee

Wuorte No. 10,

LANSING, MICH., OCT. 1, 1888,

Co-elucation at Lansing.

CONGR DRL,
At WolfCrook Debating Selool, Jan, 1, 18387.

BY JAMES ¥. CLARK, ECLECTIC SOCIETY,

The suns of four summers have witnessed the growth of the
young and ie ole,

Who attended the Debating School meeting, when the Baphic.
move teacher made boll,

To argue for Co-cducation, but by verdict, was left in the cold.

And again the old school house is lighted by the brig..t arcu-
mentative lamp,

And the eloquent, keen culting speeches induce the lowd cheer
and the stamp,

As before, the crude tillers are toasting on the seats by the loud
roaring fra,

While the rough room is rendered resplendant by the “Pride of
the deestrict’s " attire.

A jury of six grave old farmera ia seated along the front row,

While the judge is a stately old patron, whose halr is os white as
the snow,

The question ja one of importance, beenuse it affscia their
finance,

| For who are more willing, than farmers, to hear the cons chink
in their pomta?

Th is, “Is it advisable to build a epacious hall

At MM. A.C. that girls, like boys, may there be taught and room
be found for all."

The “yeas” head labored hoard indeed, im fact coukl almost
prove,

That money, g:ven for euch «cause, would send them straight
abore,

But then, alas for human hopes, drew darkness haunts the
brighest morn,

And thoae who gra-p the glittering pearls, the soonest of their

! fems are shorn;

And though at last the speaker took hia seat with muchapplarse,

And When the Asses or rose to speak, ‘twas mostly hems and
haws,

He showed by his wrinkled, grinning face, be thought to win
his cause,

Full aa.n his rustic modesty with speaking was worn out,

He, like an engine sturting up, began to poff and shout.

His voles was of conviction, hia figure of despair,

His arms were like a wind-mill's, hich swinging in the air.

“ Religine! Religine! " the Assessor wildly shrieked, “come thou
and rescue wretched coven, ¥

Come thou, and give thy son relief, remove him from dread
woman's ban,

Come thou, stern Fate, an’ teach ter her thet her place haint ter
ro ter school,

Thet larnin ’n a woman's pate wud make ‘er but a cussed fool,

Except enough ter make good pics, an’ bake up brown an’
han'sumn bread ; - ve

Our only safety ia ‘er work, fur noble mankind must be fed.

And with this introduction brief, he took a lower, calmer tone,

And, ini his opponents’ points, prepared to hack them to the

one;

And when at last the hero sat, the school-room shook with
cheering,

And those who toak the negative, with confidence were leering,

For not in all his life before had the Assessor shown such
knowlodga,

His eloquence, unheard of yore, was proof azainat the College.

And when the Chair stood up, and enlled the affirmative to chose,

The Assessor's logic stood the test, for not a diatrict father rose,

The negative had clearly shown that crops were light and texes
hoavy;

And that to tax for such a thing was more than they, by right,
could levy;

That ‘twas against all reasoning to let their
acho),

daughters go to

And in these grand, enlichtened times, the man must surely be

a fool,
Who'd Inc himself with taxes down, to bulld his girls fine
alls,
Where they may go and waste ther time In fancy dress and
halla.

Oh no! Far better keep the money in your purse,

And save it for the evil day, when bad shall change to worse.

But when at last a manly volee disturbed the stillness of the
room,

All eyea were a'ralned to see the form that loomed majeatie in
the gloom; ;

And a flicker of the lamp light displayed the bearded, care-worn
face

Of him, who four short years ago, the master’s chale in front did
rrace, _ eee

But now h's shoulders broad and strong, his: fair brow stored
with wseful lore, ; ~

Hia honest hands grown rough and brown, declared his college
days were o'er, Ma Ag :

“ Dear Friends," says he, “it seems to me you're quite be hind
the times,

Why does our College merit thia; has it committed crimes?

Has Hades’ horrid host come down to make you stint your hard
wo cash, or

And in the treatment of your girls, to make you're judgment
harsh and rash?

Forbid! But friends, excuse me, but perhaps you did not know

The hall you're thinking not to build was built two yeara ago,

Of course you could'nt expect to be conversant with the happy
fact, .

For men who take a paper here are thought to be half ‘ cracked.’

Aud so, to take the paper's placa, I'll tell you how the hall
Appears,

And also that its coat is pald, to qulet your financial feara,

I saw it, when the dew dropa shone, as the sun began to rise,

Like jewels on the slated roof, like miniature fire-flies, ;

And as the light became more bright, a scene, surprising, met
my eyes,

All wis * cay and beautiful, it seemed a very paradise,

The new brick walls, streaked through with grav, above me rose
four stories high,

While o'er the rvvf and sun-lit dome, there waved the Flag of
Liberty.

In fact, a fitting temple here, with graceful curves defined,

Ta built te fit our women to rule, with glace, mank'nd.

The boys no more are rough and rude, their actions have a
manler tone,

Than when, as in the days of yore, we fellows ‘ruled the rooat’
alona.

And now kind friends, advice to you, I'm sure you'll take quite
kindly,

Look at this matter, fair and square, not as before, eo blindly.

Do you not see, your daughters can, with only balf the meagre
chance

You give your lazy, worthless sons, the broad domain of Truth
adl va! 5 a

And so, to give the State's fair school the honor that is due,

You'd better aend your sons out there, and send your daughters
too,"" . . .

The teacher bowed, and with a smile reaymed his humble seat,

While painful silence filled the room, unbroken save by sounds
of feet. ee :

At laat the jury foreman spake, “ Mr. Cheerman, I hey riz,

Bpoain thet ye cowkulate fur me to report fiz: . Bye

Wal naow, [low I need'nt tell, ua tellers aint termengog smart,

An’ got the pints commuddled up, like shoe strings, mer the
very atart, :

An' when the 'Sesser's whack come on, lt war no use nor tryin’,

For his lig words an’ high flown ways wus ruther wues nor
dyin’;

So we jest let the matter slip till the Master riz to speak,

An’ his’n war the on.y speech, wharin the jury missed a leak,

An' we hev jest concluded up, thet us Ewoodsmen, up in
‘ere, : '
2

THE COLLEGE SFECULUM.,

Ts jost ex for back'anl the times, ex eder is nor lager beer;

An’ ke to men with colors true, thet knows their wrongs, an’ 20,

We own we did an evil thing, nigh on ter four long years ago,

When the big school, out ter Lansing, wanted larnin’ long with
a Co.”

Fur not ec one among us here, but what then voted No.

An’ so we've got the verdict up, ‘come clouds, ‘er sunshine, weal,
er Wirt,

The sturdy mon of old Wolf Crick ‘ull see our blessed College
through."”

At this the lyceum broke up, atul the fathers, in a bond,

Crowded round the favorite teacher, and in silence, wrung his
hand;

And ashe clasped each horny palm, through his mind would
come and go,

Happy thoughts, for he had won the fight begun four years ago.

Not a girl, in vl the d'strict, but was happler in his joy,

And his bright example heizktened the ambition of cach boy,

Upward, onward, now, forever, is the pass-word of the race,

And the sluggards im its progress in the end must join tts
pace. ;

And the action of the fathers, at Wolf Creek Debating School,

Was wise Nature's laws’ onforcement, that the fit at Jast shall
rule;

And we now behold, enthroned! the True Queen of Mankind,

In her rowal robes of purple, gentle, loving, cha-te, reflmed,

All the Universe here worships, Womans Holluess enshrined,

a

The Habit of Observation.

BY E. T., GARDNER, PHI DELTA THETA,

“Habits make the man.” Yes man is a structure
in which his habits are as blocks of stone, some
granite and some limestone, some large and some
small, yet each has its place, each forms a part of the
whole, Butthe polished granite is of more value
than the soft limestone, both for endurance and for
beauty. In the structure, man, the stone that ia of
grentest value for endurance and for beanty, and one
that micht well have a place in both foundation and
superstructure is the halit of close observation.

This habit has a money value. All over the world
are trained observers who are paid for using their
powers of observation in certain directions. Some
observe the phenomena attending the variations of
temperature and the storms of electricity, rain, hail,
and snow.
the land, Others observe the growth and habits of
Plants and amimals. Gonld and Vanderbilt have
succeeded in their speculations because they have
observed closely the changes in the money market
anil the effeets that certain changes are likely to pro-
duce. They have succeeded better than many others be-
cause they have observed more accurately, The in-
ventive genius perceives that it would be pleasant and
profitable for men to have better machinery for doing
their work, and he begins experimenting and observ-
ing the results of his experiments until he has per-
fected machinery that lessens the labor and increases
the comfort of man. Then he or some one else
reaps & financial reward. In proof of this witness
the patentees and manufacturers of thousands of con-
venient articles, both great and small, from a steam
engine to a fastener for shoe buttons. The success-
ful men of every time and every business have been
those who have kept their senses wide awake and
working in unison with their minis,

Perception is an essential part of the intelleet,
hence anything that gives increased power to the

reeptive faculties must strengthen the intellect.

e who is in the habit of observing closely hears the
birds sing and knows what ones sing the sweetest
songs. Fle sees the flowers by the wayside and the
trees that stand before him and recognizes them as
pleasant companions. Every day he hears more and

Some study the geolovical formation of |

|

eweeter songs than he heard the day before. He sees
more beauty and more of interest in the things
around him. Undersuch conditions the intellect will
surely gain strength and culture. Those who have
not formed the habit of observation do not fare so
well. It is possible and even probable that many
might hear a bird sing and half an hour afterwards
could not say positively whether they had heard one or
not. Itis possible that some may go to church and
hear a sermon, without going to sleep, and afterwards
not be able to state concisely a single thought that
had been presented. It is probable that many of the
students at this College, even those of the higher
classes, cannot tell how many kinds of trees they pass
in going from the chemical laboratory to Williams
Hall, It is even possible that some of the graduates
go nway from here unable to tell black ash from
white ash, or hard maple from soft maple.

The above facts show a lack of observation that is
deplorable and yet prevalent here and everywhere;
but, perlia ps, is less prevalent here than in most other
places. Why! Because the sciences must, from their
very nature, do much more than the classies can to
induce closer and more thorough observation. Be-
cause the branches taught here are mostly scientitie,
and as taught tend at once to sharpen our perceptive
powers and make us more observant of the common
but interesting things about us. We study drainage
and laugh, but afterwards always take more notice of
the lay of the land wherever we may happen to be,
We study stock and stock breeding and take more
pleasure than ever before in looking at stock and
judging it according to real merits. We never regret
that botany teaches us to see beauty im every plant
from the weed by the roadside to the grand old oak:
and itis not stange that some are led to wonder at
the infinite power that makes all things upon the
same plan and yet so different. The student in
analytical chemestry knows than when he wishes to
be sure of results he must fix hfs attention on what
he is doing and observe carefully every reaction.
After studying physiology, entomology, and zodlogy
we take a deeper interest in all animal life, even the
“ugly worms.” Some profess to dislike some of these
studies, but each study increases the power of obser-
vation in one or more directions, and this increase of
power we cannot avoid if we would. But we can, if
we will, strengthen the perceptive faculties much more
than this, and to do s0 is a duty we owe to ourselves
and to our friends. It will help fill our pockets with
money, Our minds with wisdom, and our hearts with
food will,

No one questions the value of the habit of elose
observation; then why not cultivate it more thor-
oughly than we do? It will not take any extra time.
lt takes no longer to see a tree than it does to walk
ly without seeing it. It takes no longer to fix the
attention upon what a lecturer is saying than it does
to listen without hearing. Nor do we need to wait
for opportunities, Every day we allow to go by un-
unproved, scores of opportunities for sharpening our
powers of observation.

If we would improve one half the opportunities we
have for observing nature in all her phases, we would
surely become wiser, happier, and better.

=

Ata meeting of the Natural History society held August 9,
the follwing officers were elected for the ensuing year: Presi-
dent, O. P. Gillett; Vice President, B. GC. Porter; Secretary,
Kk. W, Hemphill; ‘Treasurer, L. G. Carpenter; Curator of Muse-
um and Librarian, W. M. Badeoek; birectors, Prof, Beal, Prof.
Cook, Jus. Troop, C. Baker, and H. 'T. Freneb.

The eighth ediion of The Bee Keepers’ Guide, consisting of
1,00 copies, wae all sold in just fuur months,

THE COLLEGE SPECULUM. 3

Oratory. 7

BY EDWARD A. BARTMESS, DELTA TAU DELTA SOCIETY,

Oratory is the art of speaking, and may be divided

into three classes: (1) writing the speech, then learn- |

ing and reciting it, (2) reading from manuscript, (5)
studying well the subject, then elothing it in language
suitable to the oecasion. We think that oratory in its
highest and truest sense is found only in the last
éliss. It was the custom among the ancient orators
to learn their speech, then recite it. Demosthenes,
who as one author says “shook the arsenal that
fulmined over Greece,” committed and recited his
gpeeches. But itis said that on rare occasions, when
he trusted to the inspiration of the hour, his thoughts
soared higher and lis eloquence burned deeper.

Oratory in its hichest sense is found only when the
orator, with lis mind wholly absorbed in his subject,
with face full of expression, and eye flashing, speaks
his thoughts with boldness.

Oratory is found only in the thoughts of to-day, and
not in the thoughts embodied in some old musty
manuseript of last week or last year. Off hand
speaking calls forth the living thoughts of the present,
while speaking from manuscript is only the echo of
dead thoughts of the past. Without pausing to
enumerate other cases similar to that of the great
Grecian orator, we think we can safely conclude that
oratory in its highest form is found only in off hand
speaking. Now let us consider some of the prerequi-
sites to oratory.

‘In looking over the field of eminent speakers, we
see at once that this profession requires education,
extensive reading, courage, firmness, and a certain
degree of natural talent. Education and extensive
reading are necessary to the orator, from the very
nature of the profession. To affect an imtelligent
audience would be utterly impossible unless the
orator have that with which he may accomplish this
end. The fastidious listener is ever ready to condemn
a speaker if hia grammar or rhetoric be at fault, if his
knowledge of history and literature appears scanty.
Hence education is mdispensable. .

Again the orator must have courage and firmness,
for these gualities are just as necessary in the
oratorical contest as on the battle field of war.
Although a speaker’s education and reading be not
wanting, he can not hope to rise as an orator, unless
he first have the courage to face his audience, and
then the firmness to advance his arguments, regard-
less of popular sentiment. Any person possessing
these first three qualities, may with the fourth, nat-
ural ability, become great in field of oratory. We
think this fourth requisite is very important. Though
aman have education, courage, and firmness, it wall
be impossible for him to become a famous speaker,
unless he possess some naturaltalent. While some
men never can become orators, others are born
orators, aud even natural talent does not alwaya, be-
come apparent in the first attempt at public speaking.
Daniel Webster’s failures in school declamations
prove this. When Henry Clay appeared in public the
first time he was so embarrassed that he forgot where
he was, and addressed the chairman as, ‘‘ Gentlemen
of the jury.” But into what did these men afterwards
develop? The greatest oratorical giants of America.
Their powers were dormant at first, but cultivation
brouglit them into activity. What then do we con-
clude from this? ‘hat we may have natural alnlity
which only lacks cultivation to develop it. Lf we fail
in our first efforts we have only to copy the school

boy’s motto, “try again,” and remember that that the
greatest of America’s orators failed in their first
efforts.

Now, what effect has oratory on the people of a
country? When we consider that all questions which
cluster about nation’s existence are decided by the
orator, we must see that the effect of oratory is great,
Not only is the orator’s voice heard in the senate, but
throughout the whole land. One day in each week
is set apart for the orator and his oratory to rule
supreme. ‘The busy hum of the great cities is hushed,
and people gather together by millions to hear the
words that fall from the orator’s lips. Then the
press catches up the voice and echoes it throughout
the land, and the words spoken do not die with the
day, but live to influence the world long after the
author has passed away.

The influence of oratory, either for good or evil, can
not be easily over-estimated. How forcibly Shake-
ppeare, in his play of Julius Cesar, expresses the power
of the orator, Antony, in addressing the citizens
who are gathered about the body of the slain Cesar,
says, referring to ‘the orator Brutus: ‘ But were [
Brutus, and Bratus Antony, there were an Antony
would ruffle up your spirits, and put a tongue in
every wound of Casar that would move the stones of
Rome to rise and mutiny.” The citizens, frenzied |
against Brutus, answer: “We'll mutiny. We'll
burn the house of Brutus; away, come, seek the con-
spirators.” How aptly the power of oratory is here
described. By the speaker's voice the flames of
rebellion are kindled, or by his words those flames are
quenched, ; ;

Now, as the growth of a nation depends upon its
political and religious element, and as eminent speak-
ers largely govern these two leading principles, we are
forced to conclude that our existence to-day, as a
great republic, is maintained principally by the orator
and his oratory.

ain.
i

Preparation and Achievement.

BY J. D. HILL, UNION LITERARY SOCIETY.

When Moses was leading the Israelites through
the wilderness they left the service of the true God and
set up a golden calf to worship. We of to-day may
think that the days of idolatry and superstition have
passed, and we have reached ‘a higher gerade
of morality. This may be all true, but when we
get beneath the surface of human nature, we find
mankind just as prone to worship the golden image
to-day though it may be in the form of the “almighty
dollar, as were the followers of Moses thirty-three
hundred years ago.

It has been charged against the American people
that we spend too much of our time in the accum-
ulation of wealth and too little in the cultivation of
the intellect; that we care more to have our children
pushed into a suecessful business life than to see
them occupy an important position among the teach-
ers of the land. From the time children leave the
cradle they learn to look upon the position of the
wealthy with envy and long to attain the same place.
They see with admiration the man whose Midas-like
touch has turned all things to gold, and strive to
emulate bis example. And too often they would
rather be dishonest and rich than be honest and
poor, forgetting that “an honest man is the
noblest work of God,”

How often in our teaching do we find some bright
boy and in pleading with his parents to give him
4

THE COLLEGE

BPECULU M.

a chance to aequire a higher education are met with
the reply, “ We would like to, but cannot afford it,
Besides he has enough edueation for a farmer.”

To argue with a man who values edueation in
dollars and cents, who weighs so much edueation
against so many pieces of money, is almost useless,
It is only by showing what the eash value of his
education will be in after years that you ean logsen
the strings of his purse. People would rather see
their sons successful followers of our Vanderbilts,
Goulds, and Astors, than of our Websters, Lincolns,
or Gartields. They forget that the costly coat may
eover a heart full of misery, blasted hopes, and
unsatisied ambitions, There is more to allure them
in the rich livery, the costly comforts, the life of
ease, than in the enreer of that humble Augustian
frair who secluded himself in his stone cell that he
might study the Christain teachings, then boldly
attacked the evils of the Popish chureh, standin
firm with but few friends, his life in danger, anil
remaining calm while the blood eapped waves of
Romanish persecution surged around him. Martin
Luther did more good for mankind than all the
millionares the world ever produced. He has built
for himself a monument that shall endure as long as
the human race exists. His name will be found
deep in the heart of every true lover of religious
liberty. But where are the names of the world’s
wealthy? They are forgotten. They have done few
good or noble deeds to merit remembrance, and yet
the world falls down before them as did the Jews of
old before their golden calf.

In consequence of such ideas too many of our best
youths are early taken from school and placed where
they ean best obtain the wealth desired. Thus their
intellectual development is stunted. They may
make thorough business men but at anything else
they are of little use. Their knowledge of other
branches than their own is scanty and superticial ;
they have not that broad foundation to build upon that
they would have possessed had they devoted more time

in developing their intellectual powers. When aman |

starts to build a house he tirst of all attends to the | spots, sA spot is generally irregular in outline, and

If this be not seeured his structure |

foundation,

will erack, crumble, and fall to the earth, leaving a |

wreck as amonument to his folly. Yet many men have
commenced to build lives on an insecure foundation,
hoping that they will stand the strain that is to be
put upon them, How often are they disapointed
and the stately edifice they had hoped to build has
proved but a mean structure after all, because of the
want of a good foundation. He who would become a
truly suecessful man must build on a broader and
firmer foundation than that of an education merely

see young men starting in life, hoping that they will
find some day, time sufficient to supply that lack in
their mental training which they so sorely need, But
as life is prolonged its duties become more manifold,
its cares more perplexing; so that very few ever sue-
ceed in fultilling their intentions.

The experience of nations shows us that when a
country’s wealth has increased to a certain extent

During the maximum years they
| humerous but larger, and often of

the people become enervated and soon suceumb to the |

pressure from the nations around them. Greece was
mightiest when her wealth was her tloeks and fields,
and her powers rested on the steadfast and patriotic
hearts of her citizens. When Rome had reached the
zenith of her wealth she no longer possessed the
energy that had earried her leeions vietorious over
her enemies, but fell an easy prey to rouch and ruge-
ged barbarians. And so man when not furnished
with the inducement to labor will allow himself to be

led along paths of ease in preference to the rough

and stormy road of knowledge,

Let us then strive rather toattain ereat intellectual
powers than great wealth. A life spent in mere acen-
mulation of wealth is a life wasted, one that will
never be remembered with respeet and honor, — [ft
beliooves us all to remember that ‘ How long we live,
not vears but actions tell,”

SCIENTIFIC,
sunspots and the Weather.

RY LL.

ET — a
- — sree —

G. CARPENTER.

At first sight it scarcely seems probable that such
far-off events as are happening in the sun can have any
effect on us or our meteorology. But as we consider
that the sun is the preponderant power in terrestria]
meteorology,—that his heat changes the eold of win-
ter to the heat of summer; the cool of evening to the
warmth of day; that his rays evaporate the water
and set in motion the winds which transport the
vapor, that in falling as rain causes all nature ta
rejoice, —when we think of these most obvious of his
powerful influences, we are in a condition to think it
possilie, if not probable, that any cause which affects
the sun, or lus radiation of light and heat, will in
BOG Inanner affect us,

The sun, it may be well to state, there is good
reason to suppose, is entirely gaseous. At the sur-
ince the gas, cooled ly radiation, condenses in the
form of clouds, and these form the surface as we see
it. These condensed particles rapidly cool off by
radiation and deseend, giving place to other hotter
and lighter particles. So that there are constantly
ascending and descending currents of heated and
cooled matter, and these currents, the cooled down-
ward being the darker, probably give rise to the
mottled appearance which the sun presents in the tel-
escope. If, from any cause, these downward currents
should become of great magnitude, we see them as

consists of a dark center, with a less dark fringe sur-
rounding it, and furnishes evidence of disturbance
in its neighborhood in the sun, hey may form and
change or entirely disappear very suddenly. More
than once the writer has seen them change under his
eyes. And when we consider that it takes the most
powerful instruments to show an object on the sun as
small as one thousand miles in length, we may get
some idea of the magnitude and velocity of these dis-
turbanees which involve thousands of miles,—and

which not infrequently may cause a spot fifty thou-

sufficient for business, Yet around us on every side we | sand miles across to entirely break up and

(lisappear
in # single day,

It is well-known that the number of spots is not
the same at all times, but that it seems to inerease
for a few years, then decrease, and again increase,
going through the same eycle in about eleven years.
are not only more
| enormous magni-
tude. During the past two years several spots have
heen large enough to be seen with the naked eve,

| Une was over 80,000 miles across and its area twenty-

live times that of the whole earth,

Since the discovery of spots on the sun, and eape-
cially since Scliwabe’s discovery of their periodicity,
there have been many attempts to find some terres-
trial phenomena which should vary as the sun spots
do, which should increase as they inerease and de-
crease as they decrease, ov which should belave in

| exaetly the opposite manner.
THE COLLEGE SPECULUM.

—=— _ ~ _

5

It looks as though it would be easy to settle the

sunspot influence in any special case: the rainfall for |

ae

| should be found to be in any way due to sunspot, it

mstance, hy comparing the number of suns yots for a

number of years with the rainfall. If there be no eon-
nection, we should expect by the laws of probability,
taking «a large number of years into consideration,
that the rainfall in maximum years should be the
sme as in minimum years. If, however, we should
discover that more rain fell in maximum years of sun
spots than in minimum years, we should legiti-
muttely infer that there was seme connection between
the two. The probability of the connection would
hecome more certain as the number of series beeomes
preater,

In point of fret the investigntion is one of extreme
difficulty, even when records extend over many years,
from the complexity of the phenomena involved. So
many influences may modify, neutralize, or even
reverse the effects of sunspot influence, that only by
the tedious comparison of many years’ observation,
and in such a manner as to elimmate other irregu-
larities, may the one effect be separated from the
others.

The effects of the sunspots on the weather which
have been to some extent investigated, may be consid-
ered as, Ist, on earth, mognetism; 2d, tempera-
ture; 3d, wind disturbances; 4th, rainfall.

Sunspots undoubtedly affeet terrestrial magnetism,
anid influence electrical activity. The reader, per-
haps, recolleets the brilliant auroras of last Novem-
ber and the magnetic storm which greatly affected
telegraph lines. This magnetic storm, as well as
the one of April, 1882, was accompanied by great
solar activity. Also, the diurnal range of the mag-
netic needle varies with the number of sunspota.

The temperature, according to Prof. Langley, so far
as the effect of the sunspots alone is eonsidered would
be not less than one-half nor more than one degree
less In maximum years than in minimum years, |

Cyclones in India and hurricanes in the West Indies
seem to vary with the number of sunspots. Records
of tornadoes in the United States are not complete
enough to give any evidenee one way or the other.
The past two years, however, seem to have had a
respectable number.

Barometer seems to vary to some extent with the
sunspot eyele though differently at different places.

The Amberst college observations show that the |

annual range varies inversely as the number of spots.
tainfall is especially subject to local conditions.
Nevertheless a great share of the stations on the globe
show that more rain falls in the maximum than the
minimum years. ‘he relation is especially evident in
India, where rainfall varies greatly. United States
stations do not give a very decided assent. Brock-
lesby states (73) that on the whole the records seem
to show an increase of rainfall in maximum years.
The last decade, according to the records of the
sienal service, gives just an opposite result, Tak-
ing all the stations, 27, whieh had observations from
1870, [ find that the rainfall during the minimum
years of 1877-8 averages 5.6 inches more than the
maximum years of 1871-2.

‘These investigations all need to be earried further
to be conclusive. They show now a degree of proba-
bility which can become a certainty only as the time
over which records extend increases,

If there is such a connection between the sunspots
and the terrestrial phenomena it is evidently of vast
practical importance, that first, the fact and extent,
and second, the law, of relation be discovered. It
would place a very efficient instrument in the hands
of meteorologists. If such seasons as the present

——

=a

—

would be of great importance to every one if such a
senson could be predicted, if only with a fair degree
of probability. ;

As matters of curiosity 1f may he stated that vari-
ous persons have at different times been led to the
conclusion that there is some connection between the
sunspots and the level of our great lakes; the height
of rivers in Europe; famines in India caused by
droughts in minimum years; plagues and epidemics ;
price of wheat; financial panics; numbers of certain
rare buttertlies, ete.

But many conelusions need to be taken with caution
a8 they are built on a meagre basis of facts, with fre-
quently flimsy logic.

These connections can be made out satisfactorily
only with the lengthened reeords we shall have with
the lapse of time. Investigations at present only give
a fair degree of probability,

One Phase of Heterweism.

It is not my purpose in this article to present any
subject especially new to science, but rather to
discuss in a popular way one of the most interesting
theories, perhaps I should say facts, which has grown
out.of recent research in the broad field of the life
history of plants.

When one examines the common barberry plant in
late June or early July, if is easy to detect a greater
or less number of small, bright, scarlet spots scat-
tered here and there on some of the leaves. I do not
know that these spots are to be found on every plant
that might be examined, but I have never known an
instance of their entire absence, not even on the pur-
ple leaved form now so commonly cultivated as an
omamental shrub. What are these spots? The
color is certainly attractive, but when we consider
that they are cansed by parasites living upon the
barberry as their hosto, we can not regard them-as
adding to the beauty of the hosto plant. The micro-
scope reveals the structure of the parasite—a cluster
of small globular, or sometimes cylindrical eups, with
pretty scalloped rims, filled when first mature, with
minute brown golden spores. How long the barberry
has been affected with this disease no one can say, but

it has doubtless existed from the earliest times, and

]

received years ago the name of barberry rust.
When scientists began to give their attention to the
nature of the rust, it was supposed the spores were
the reproductive organs, and that these sown upon
the barberry plant would produce in proper time and
sengon, & new crop of rust, as surely 18 peas sown in
the garden would in due time produce a new crop of

| pens.

i
i
1
if
I
f
]
'
E
|
|

Going now into a wheat field in the latter part of
July, it will probably be easy to find some of the
leaves and stems with a greater or less number of
delicate reddish lines upon the surface. Under the
microscope these lines are found to be formed by
great numbers of reddish spores of an oval shape,
each on a little stem of its own, which protrude
through a longitudinal fissure in the epidermis. I[
have before me some wheat leaves, gathered on the
0th of July, more than three-fourths of the surface
of which are oceupied by these groups of spores.
They of course constitute what is everywhere known
as a disease of the wheat plant under the name of
red rust. This, like the barberry rust, is a parasite,
and the spore, as in that case, has been regarded as
simply the reproductive organ.
( THE COLLEGE SPECULUM,

For I know not how many years practical farmers,

especially of the old world, have said that the bar-
berry should not be permitted to grow near a field of
wheat, on the ground that the disease of the latter
plant was caused by the former, or im other words,
that the barberry rust in some way caused the red
rust of wheat. Seience, however, came in and most
decidedly pronouneed this notion to be a super-
~ sition founded on sheer ignorance, for, 18 was said,
nothing could be more unlike than the two parasitic
plants constituting the two rusts, so unlike indeed as
toform two well marked genera. Even as recently as
1865, Mr. M. C, Cooke, who must be regarded as the
highest authority, at least among English speaking
people, says in his admirable work on Microscopic
‘ung, in alluding to the two rusts, that no two fungi
can be much more distinet.
_ Let us now on this 20th day of September, go out
into a field of wheat stubble, or perhaps better into
the barn where the harvested wheat is still in bundles,
and examine the stems and leaves where the red rust
existed earlier in the season. In some places at
least, we find blackish lines and dots, in form like the
reddish ones; and the microscope reveals the fact
that they are caused by clusters of dark brown spores
the much longer than broad,and with a partition across
center, as unlike the red spores as can well be, They
characterize a disease of the wheat plant, well known
In the old world as the mildew, but in this, perhaps
best known as the black rust. In this case as in the
last, science has claimed that these two parasites of
the wheat plant are totally unlike, being as distinet
from each other as are oats from corn.

In studying the life history of any plant one of the
essential things to do is to trace its development from
the organ of reproduction, through all its varying
stages of germination and growth. In applying this
principle to the study of certain low forms of fungi,
the learned Danish naturalists, ({rsted, now more
than a quarter of a century ago, found it impossible,
in some cases, to produce a given form of fungus
directly from its own spores. Pushing his researches
farther he finally reached the astonishing fact that in
some Instances the spores of one fungus would pro-
duce a form quite diferent from that from which
they came, while in turn the second form would pro-
duce the first.

_A little later than this the German naturalist,
De Barry, following a similar line of research, took
up the study of the barberry rust, but found it impos-
sible to produce the rust from the spores. Carryin
his researches forward he at length proved, beyond
much doubt, that the barberry rust produced the red
rust of wheat, that this in tarn produced the black
rust or mildew, while this in turn, and finally pro-
duced the barberry rust again. To this fact of sue-
cessive forms following successive generations, De
Barry applied the name of heteravism. Illustrating
these most remarkable facts from familiar examples,
it is as though being ignorant of the life history of
our common plants, we should after due research
discover that peas on germinating produced oats,
that these in turn produced corn, while this as the
last of the series would produce the peas. In using
this illustration we must of course keep in mind the
fact that the real change which the discovery of
hetere@cism has shown in this, that eertain formes
which for along time were considered to be entirely
distinet are now shown to be different forms of one
and the same species.

Recurring now to the views of praetical farmers, so
thoroughly maintained, of the relationship between
the barberry and the wheat rusts, we come upon the

striking fact that the supposed supersition of one gen-
eration becomes a truth of seience in the next.

[have stated that the fact of heterceciam in the black
roildew of wheat had been fairly demonstrated, and is
now almost universally accepted by scientists, Nev-
ertheless, some problems present themselves which
are difficult of solution. For instance, throughout
the whole of this region the wheat, during the present
season’ lias been severely affeeted with red rust,
although only a single barberry plant is known in a
wild state within many miles of the University, and
only afew are in cultivation, This being the ease,
where do the barberry rust spores come from to con-
taminate the wheat of a whole region? It is true
thatthe red rust once started on the wheat may prop-
agate itself with great rapidity; but this fact only
explains a part of the problem,

But other and broader problems present themselves,
On the theory of acquired habits by natural selection,
how is it, we may ask, that the black mildew came to
change its form in euch a remarkable manner, or to
choose the different hosto plants for its successive
generations? (Or, these strange habits once acquired,
of what possible advantage can they be to the species
which has acquired them? Even the Grant Allen
school of philosophy, I apprehend, would stumble a
little at problems such as these, But it must be eon-
feased that it is far easier to present problems than
it is to solve them, A. N, Prentiss,

Curnell Vnivecsty, Bept, 20,

wonomic Entomology.

There is probably no department of natural science
in which the general public are making more rapid
progress than in respect to entomology. Especially is
this true of the farming class. There are two reasons
for this: First, the importance of the subject calls
out information which otherwise would remain locked
up with the investigator; and, secondly, this same
practicality secures for any information of this kind
a ready ear,

Since Illinois so wisely appointed the lamented
Walsh as State Entomologist years ago, she has kept
the chair filled. New York has adopted a similar
course, which shows that she appreciated the exeel-
lent work of the late Dr. Fiteh, The able reports of
Dr. Riley have made that able and distinguished
entomologist eclebrated the world over. ;

The reason for all this is not that entomology is fas-
einating beyond any other science, although there is
much in the study of insect life to arouse even the
dullard to enthusiasm, but rather that it equals, if it
does not surpass, all others in direct practicality.
The farmer, the gardener, the manufacturer, and the
housewife, all have pressing need to be wise in the
very direction of this seience. ;

It is very easy to give proof that such knowledge is
a pressing necessity, Experience alone is not enough.
New Insects are ever and anon springing up and old
ones are taking on new habits.

The present season in many parts of Michigan, a
strawberry pest, new to our State, Anthonomus mus-
culus, Say, has done immense damage, utterly ruining
the crop of this delicious fruit. ‘The enemy was a
new one, a minute beetle of the weevil family. Its
presence would hardly be known by the unscientilic ;
its habits would be still more a puzzle,

The tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolnris, Beauv.,
has been common for years in the Northern States,
doing no small damage to the fruit trees, cabbage
plants, and strawberry vines, by sucking the sap
from them. ‘The present season it adopted a new
THE COLLEGE SPECULUM. T

role in Southern Ilinois and attacked the green
strawberries, thus destroying thousands of dollars
worth of this incomparable fruit,
_ Ayear ago one of the finest homes in Detroit was
invaded by an immense host of lilliputian foes. A
little beetle, a mere speck, erowded into the house in
such swarms that even the pantry and the very vie-
tuals were swarming with this unwelcomed life.
was summoned to the reseve, Tat once recognized
the nuisance as a grain beetle; asked to be shown to
the barn, which was built eontizuous to the house.
Here we found the beetles by the billions, and soon
traced their way through the crevice of a closed win-
dow to the apartments of the house. Knowledce of
the insects and their habits, soon banished the intrud-
ers, to the great joy of the houseliold,

Within a year past several millers in the State
have appealed for help against these same and related
beetles, which had invaded their mills, and which
responded to their inquiries with a proposal to hold
the fort.

These are only a very few examples which might be
iven to show that entomological information is in
emand, and serve to explain the readiness with which

people grasp after such knowledge, and the rapid
v tress Which is being made in the direction of sueh
STUY.

—— a

Samia Coluwmbia.—Smith,

This beautiful moth, the larva of which feeds. usu-
ally upon the European larch, is quite abundant in
parts of Michigan where this tree is planted out along
the railroads.

Last year I received £00 cocoons of this insect,
gathered from these larches. One of the cocoons was
larger and looser than is common and without the
distinetive steel like lustre which characterized the
others. Indeed, it was about intermediate in size,
texture, and color, between the typical Columbia and
Ceeropin. ‘To my surprise, when the moth came forth
it resembled the Cecropia more than the Columbia.
In size and color it was nearer the Cecropia, although
tending towards the darker hue and smaller sixe of
the Columbia.

Does not this suggest that Columbia is but a varie-
tal formof Cecropia? Lifferent food or other cireum-
stance has produced a modification, and in the case
mentioned atuvism was the cause of the peculiarity
noticed. Were it not that the eocoon and imago were
both different from the typical Ceeropia, we might
conclude that the caterpillar of a Ceeropia had left
its apple tree or other foliage and sought the larch to
pupate. But being found in company with other typ
ical Columbia cocoons, and being intermediate, this
does not seem probable.

But we have other testimony. The present year
a female Ceeropia eame from the cocoon in one
of our student’s rooms. In the afternoon, scores of
males of Columbia came to the same room attracted by
this female. Does not this argue that the two species
are specifically identical? Mlse why were not other silk
moths attracted? A day or two afterward a female
Promethea came out, and the males of that species
fairly swarmed about the place.

Structurally the larva of Columbia is like that of
Cecropia. ‘he color varies less than in many
unquestioned species. The body is deeper green, and
the red tubercles are more deeply colored. That the
blue of the lateral tubercles should be replaced by
white, is not a startling modification. We all know
how marked the variation of Ceeropin is in size and

color. It seems more than probable that Columbia
isa well marked variety of Cecropia, and not a distinet
species.

+ i a

Peculiar Organs in Male Insects.

a!

Mr, C. M. Weed has noticed some peculiar organs,
appearing not unlike antennw when extended, ex-
tending from the extremity of the males (sides of
penultimate se¢ment of abdomen) of two of our most
common moths: Lenuearetia acrwa, Pack, and Pyrrh-
arctia isabella, Pack. The larve of these moths are
the common yellow and black caterpillars so com-
monly observed in autumn. ‘They are often termed
great bear caterpillars. These organs are simply
hairy tubes, hight yellow in eolor and two c, m. long,
which usually are drawn inside the abdomen, as the
finger of a glove might be turned in. At the will of the
insect, they may be pushed ont, and when thus
extended are slim, hairy organs, not unlike, as before
suggested, the feelers in appearance. These are
pushed ont by a gas, possibly air, and may be easily
extended after the moth is dead, by pressing the
abdomen.

In Canadian Ktomologist, Vol. 11, page 48, C. G,
Siewers describes and illustrates these appendages,
which he found in L. acrea. He suggests that they
are useful to steady the insect in thelbt, and thus
serve as do the taila on the posterior wings of Luna
and Papilios.

In Psyche, October, 1874, H. BR. Morrison speaks of
these organs in L. acrea, and also in Danais erippus,
Agrotis plecta, and Euplexia lucipara. Mr. Morrison
siys that in every case they were peculiar to the
male insect, and though he gives no absolute opinion
as to their function, he suggests that they are in
some way connected with copulation.

In Papileo, February, 1883, R. H. Stretch again
figures and describes these organs, as observed in the
male L. acrea.

In speaking of these moths to Prof. Fernald a year
ago, at Montreal, that able entomologist suggested to
the writer'that these might be scent ortans, and for
protection. The absence of odor, and imperforate
condition of the tubes would seem to argue other-
wise.

io far as we are able to find, Mr. Weed is the
lirst to notice these organs in Pyrrharctia isabella.
It is to be hoped that all of our moths will be closely
examined to soe if others are similarly characterized.

_—
i

THe workine biologist of to-day realizes how diffi-
cult it is to mark out a clear line of division between
animals and plants. Some zodlogists, notably
Heckel, founds an intermediate kingdom. —the Pro-
tista—where he places certain of these doubtful forms
among the lowest plants and animals.

It is now well known that certain animals seerete
ehlorophyl and cellulose, which were once supposed
to owe their existence solely to plants.

M. Gruldensteeden-Egeling, a German chemist, has
recently found hydroeyanie acid seereted by a myria-
pod, Fontaria gracilis. This ammal is a serious pest
in green-houses. The oder of prussic acid about the
myriapod is very marked. eretofore cyanie acid
has been supposed to be exclusively vegetable in its
origin.

Apropos to the above, we would refer to the arti-
ele on Chlorophyl, in Sercctum Vol. 1, page 34. This
strange partnership of plants and animals is ealled
fa THE

COLLEGE SPECULUM,

* Symbiosis,” and is thought to account for the yellow
¢ells in Radiolarian and Celenterates. The yellow
cells are algoid messmates of the animals,

Prof. Lankester, however, refuses to accept sym-
biosis to account for Chlorophyl in the spongilla—
fresh water sponge—and hydra. As he is the best
authority living on this subject, and was the first to
discover chlorophyl in these animals, it seems prob-
able that the green matter is real echlorophyl and a
very part of the animal.

+e ©

The American Associstion for the Advancement
of Science,

During the middle of August this Society held its
Sist annual meeting in Minneapolis, Minn, The
objects of the meeting are two-fold, viz., for the pre-
sentation of papers containing original discoveries
and for mutual acquaintance. Our College was repre-
by Dr. Beal and Mr. Louis G, Carpenter.

The local committee of arrangements, consisting of
citizens, raised $5,000 to defray the expenses
of daily lunches, exeursions, and other privileges.
The Society holds a short general session each day,
after which it adjourns to meet in sections, of which
there are nine, The president and vice-presidents, or
chairmen, of the sections deliver addresses. Besides
the formation of sections it has been eustomary for
specialists to meet by themselves for informal diseus-
sions. Notably among these the entomologists have
usually turned ont in goodly numbers, and have been
envied by others less fortunate for their good social
gatherings. At this meeting the botanists turned out
as never before, There were present about thirty.
They organized the American Botanical Club (A. B.
C,), electing Dr. W. J. Beal president, and Prof.
John M. Coulter, editor of the Botanical Gazette, sec-
retary. A committee was appointed to make efforts
to get the postage reduced on herbarium specimens,
Another committee was appointed to make plans for
excursions at the next meeting to be held in Phil-
adelphia.

During the session of the club there were several
informal leetures, including one by Dr. Farlow, of
Harvard, on teaching how to beem work with fungi.
Some of the elub made an exeursion, during which it
was interesting to notice how fashion changes as well
in botany as in dress. Formerly botanists have tried
only to collect the higher plants, for the purpose of
naming and preserving them; now they forage
around among the decaying leaves for fungi, Most
of the botanical papers presented at the association
—and there were a large number—were about fungi,
vegetable physiology, or plant monstrosities. There
seems to be a growing tendency to present papers
which have a practical bearing on some of the affairs
of everyday life. The sections in geology, biology,
and anthropology were best attended, while mechan-
ical science and microscopy were not fully organized
and presented no papers,

In the city, the lateh-string was every where out
for members to view the art gallery, city hall, saw-
mills, paper mills, flowring mills. Minneapolis claims
the largest saw-mill in the world, also the largest
flouring mill. We visited the Washburn mill, which
is capable of grinding by the new roller process, 5,000
barrels in 24 hours. Within 40 feet are two other
mills owned by the same man. These are capable of
making 3,000 barrels in 24 hours. ,

Since some terrible explosions of mills, inventions
have been made for taking the dust from the rooms,

At present a person dressed in black may pags all

—=

over the mill for half an hour, while it is running, and
come out without the marks of flour on his clothes,

At the meeting of the A. A. A. 5. there are now and
then some bores and eranks who torture or amuse
others with long speeches, or who offer papers on
some ‘great discovery” or pet theory. Here also
may be seen some of the college presidents apparently
quietly watching the proceedings, perhaps with a view
of marking some fellow for the faculty of his college.
The officers of the Government and State surveys are
usually out in goodly numbers and often work to-

ether.

° The falls of St. Anthony on the Mississippi were
quite rapidly wearing away and likely to extend up
stream above the city, At great expense they have
placed stones and timbers below the falls on which
are sloping planks down which the surplus water
quietly flows. While making his welcoming address
President Folwell spoke of having harnessed the falls.
It oceurred to us that this prop to the rocks must be
the hold back or the breechmg to the harness.

One of the most striking of the addresses given b
the vice-presidents was that of Prof. H. A. Rowland,
of Johns Hopkins University. It was “A Plea for
Pure Science.” ‘He is to be honored who cultivates
improvements in telegraphs and electric lights, so
also, the cook who invents a new and palatable dish
for the table, benefits the world toa certain degree.
We are tired of seeing our artists reduced to hirelings,
and imploring Congress to protect them against for- .
eign competition, We are tired of seeing our pro-
fessors degrading their chairs by the pursuit of
applied science instead of pure science.” He was
especially severe on the small colleges and univer-
sities. “ The curse of mediocrity must be upon them
to swarm in such numbers, They must be a cloud of
mosquitoes instead of eagles, as they profess. I note
one so-called university which has two professors and
18 students! There are only six universities with
over 500 hundred students, and only eight with a

roductive income of over $1,000,000, I do not object
o education, but I do object to lowering the ideals of
the youth of the country. Let them know they are
attending a school, and not a university. We are
tired of seeing our professors degrading their chairs
by the pursmit of applied science instead of pure
science.” This is vulgar and beneath the notice of a
professor in college. ;

Somewhat in contrast with Professor Rowland’s
address was that of Dr. Beal, who spoke of «The
Needs and Opportunities of Agriculture.” Both
addresses can be seen in recent numbers of ScrENce.

H. ©. Hovey presented a paper on Oyster Farming,
showing great progress within a few years. It has

lately been ascertained that even in quite deep water

on sand bottom good oysters can be grown, if small
branching trees and oyster shells are just liberally
spread over the ground. Four years ago the area of |
oyster grounds in Connecticut was less than 7,000
acres; now itis 100,000, and there are $25,000 capa-
ble of producing fine oysters in abundance. The
waters are staked out and owned by men who attend
tothe business in a systematic way. Large farms
are economically dredged by steamboats. |

Abont 300 members attended the association. The
city was full of people, saying nothing about the
members of the association, ‘so the hotels were much
crowded, .

In general session Prof, E. D. Cope, of Philadel-
phia, gave an address on “The Evidence for Evolu:
tion in the History of the Extinct Mammalia,” and
Dr. T. Sterry Hunt gave a short paper on “A Classtii-
eation of Natural Science.” Major Powell, director of
THE

mo.

COLLEGE SPECULUM. 9

the United States Geological Survey, also read a
paper on “A Classification of Natural Science,”

‘rofessor Cope gave an evening lecture in one of
the churches, and Professor F. W. Putnam, the per-
manent secretary, gave an illustrated lecture on
Indian Mounds of Ohio. The next meeting will oeeur
in Philadelphia.

th i

The Society for the Promotion of Agricultural
Science.

This young National Soeiety licld its fourth annual
meeting in Minneapolis on the 18th and Mth of
August. Three persons were invited to become mem-
bers. Ten members ont of 42 were present, but this
is seareely to be wondered at when we consider that
the members are widely scattered from Maine to Cal-
ifornia. In the absence of the president and seere-
tary Dr. Beal was chosen president pro tem. and Prof,
F. A. Gulley secretary,

Dr, i, L. Sturtevant by mvitation gave an interest-
ing account of the New York Expermental Station, of
which he is director, The station receives $20,000 a
year for current expenses. ‘The doctor presented
several papers pertaiming to plant growth and nomen-
elature of vegetables and fruits. De. C. i. Bessey,
of lowa, discussed the ‘* Germination of Kust Spores
upon the Problem of Wheat-Growing in the North-
west.” Dr. W. G. Farlow, of Harvard University,
presented a very complete paper on the Peronospore
of the United States. These fungi are often very
injurious to vegetation.

Prof. I. M. Shelton read a paper on ‘The Intiuence
of Temperature on the Pattening Process.” The re-
sults of extended experiments were given, leading to
the conclusion that farmers who fail to furnish their
swine with suflicient artificial protection against cold
weather must furnish protection of another kind in
the shape of fuel for the “ internal fires” of the animal,

Prof. GC. V. Riley spoke of improvements in the use
of insecticides.

Dr, W. J, Beal presented some notes on the grasses,
showing how the leaves grow, turn over, roll up, and
protect themselves from dry weather ; how they often
form tufts when grown isolated, and low this ean be
prevented by seeding thickly. _

Prof. W. A. Henry sent a paper giving the results
of experiments showing how similar animals varied in
weight when fed alike.

Prof. W. H. Brewer, of Yale College, was re-elected

president, and Prof. F. A, Gulley, of Mississippi, was,

elected secretary. Dr. W. J. Beal was elected to
act with the president and secretary, thus forming an
executive committee. General satisfaction and great
interest were sliown in the work of the Soerety.

The next meeting will oceur in Philadelplin.

-_

Tur AMEnIcAN PomoLoGicaL SocreTy.— This Society
has just held its nineteenth biennial session im Phila-
delphia, Pa. Some three hundred or more were i
attendance. ‘he society prints a large report con-
taining papers by the best men who can be found to
write on topics of especial benefit to fruit-growers.
It also contains a catalogue of fruits such as are rec
ommended for the different parts of America, This
meeting affords a chanee for men to advertise any
new fruit, and for states or territories to advertise
their land by exhibiting the fruits thereof. The
president, Hon. Marshall P. Wilder of Boston, Mass.,
is eighty-five years old. He was not able to be pres-
ent, but presented an address whieh would do honor

toany man. Dr. Beal reluctantly consented to serve
another term as seeretary. One thing which led to
his acceptance was the fact that the next meeting
will be held in Michigan. Our State stands high in
the society, whether we consider the excellent fruit,
she exhibits, the excellent report made by our State
secretary, or the enterprise and thrift of her people.
There was a strong feeling in favor of coming to
Michigan for the next meeting in 1885, It will doubt-
leas be held in Detroit or Grand Rapids. Hon. T. T.
Lyon, Hon, C. W. Gartield, and W. J. Beal were dele-
outes from this State.

_—

Nonta American Gee-Keerers’ Association.—This
association held its annual meeting this year for
the first time in Canada. It oceurred in Toronto,
Sept. 18-20, There was a very large attendance;
though the meetings were held in the ecommodious
auditorium of the City Hall, with its ample gallery,
many were obliged to stand during most of the ses-
sions. Delegates were present from Colorado, Texas,
Florida, Maine, and most of the intervening states,
while Canada was represented from all its provinces,
even as far as Manitoba. Ontario sent a very large
delewation,

The papers and discussions were very able and
interesting, The attendance of the Rev. L. L, Lang-
stroth,—who may well be called the father of improved
apiculture,—gave peculiar interest to the occasion.

The officers elected for 1884 were Rev, L. L. Lang-
stroth, Oxford, Ohio, President; Dr. C. C. Miller,
Marengo, Ilinois, Seeretary, and C. F. Muth, Cin-
cinnati, Treasurer.

The next meeting will be held at Rochester, New York,

= ile

COMMENCEMENT.—The threa'ening appearance of the skies
at the begloning of the week caused aume tu predict a wet
mid disagreeable time durng commencement, but with the
exception of a elight ran Buntlay, ihe weather was as pleas-
ant as @0nld have been desired. Notwithstanding reports to
the contrary, the Baocealaureate sermon was delivered as is
usual by President Abbot. Musle was furnished by a chole
from Lansing, and @ good congregation graced the chapel.
AL two o'clock Monday afterncon the fountain upon which the
graduating class had spent 40 much time and money was for-
mally presented to the College by their president in a short and
excellant speech, which was responded to by Dr. Kedzie in
behalf of the College. “The clase day cxercles in the even-
ing puseed Of very pleasantly, music being furnished by the
Eight O'clock Club of Lansing. The poem was especially
remarked as being a very floe one, well delivered. At an
early hour on Tuesday morning the chapell began to fill and
at ten olock was full to overflowing, The gpradoating class
numbered twenty-nine members, one of which was alady., The
chapel was appropriately cecorated with evergreens, and over,
the center of the stage hung the much landed motto of the class,
*Teeds not Words,” the lettera of which were made of the
white tuberosa, the class flower, The first oration of the day
was del.vered by H. W. Baird, entitled ‘* Living, the Test of
Learning,” the other orators folowing in alphabet:cal order.
The orwions being on the following subjects: L. A. Buell,
“Higher Education forthe Farmer;" W. F. Hoyt, “ The Chivalry
of ‘lo-day;" A. F. Kinnan, “ Youthful Tlosions not all Lllusions;"
J.T. Mathews, “The Call for Practical Men;" F. F. Rogers,
“Unprofitable Things on the Farm ‘That Pay;" and last came
C. M. Weed who discoursed on ‘The Motives of Sclentists."
‘Then followed the conferring of degrees, and the claga of ‘so
were Gust out into the weld to commence their life of use-
fulness and toil, to make aequalntance with the rough road of
experience; Lo be east about and buifet with the conflicting
tides of circumstances, and ab-ve all to prove that their
instruction has not been in vain. Tuesday afternoon at five
eelock Hon. Edward Willits delivered an adudress before the
literary societies on ‘The Future of Agriculture.

The address was enjoyed by all and it is to be hoped that
encth succeeding year will withees the delivering of a com.
mencement aililress. President Abbot's reception followed in
ihe evening, and Wednesday morning witnessed the returning
of the groiduates ta their homes or places of business, per-
haps never to all meet tagether again,

10

THE COLLEGE SPECULUM.

THE COLLEGE SPECULUM.

=

Published Quarterly, on the Ist of August, October, April, and Jume,
BY THE STUDENTS

_—_OoOF =

THE MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

15 CENTS.

— ==

Tens, 50 Cents A YEAR; SINGLE WNouMBERS,
ADVERTISING RATES MADE KXOWN OF AIPLICATION,

(2 All subserlptions will be regarded as continued unless
we are notified to the contrary.

—

=
—

BoAaAnrnD oF HDITSr..
Jd, ROSH, In, Editer-lu-Chief,.......Literary Articles and Reviews,

Prov, A, J. COOK ye pennen vans snnsennn oossnoeeececs ona

a. B. GILLETT, .....------- ------2..0------- 2 eeen rer eee Cellege News,

J.B. ABRUT.... 000: .--- vee eee e cece cenene esse eee PORSONATS,

GB. 0. PORTER, Secretary. “Gorrespaniience, Exchanges, and Colleges,
—_——

C.G. LDDLUR, 02. eee eee ee ee ee eee eee ee ines MT.

Pmor, 5. DOIN S008 _ oe cece eee eee eee ee pees eee wees LE CILSUL TER,

LANSING, MICH., OCTOBER 1, 1883.

a
———

We wise to beg the pardon of our subseribers for
the scarcity of editorials in the present number. Mr.
EF. R. Osborn, ex-editor in chief, sent in his resigna-
tion because of leaving college at the beginning of the
present term, but this resignation was not acted upon
by the students’ organization until September 28th,
when it was accepted, and the present meumbent
elected, thus giving but a very limited time for
the work assigned him.

Tur PRESENT issue of the Srecutum will be the last
until April 1, ‘84. In the meantime we shall have
our long winter vacation. Subseribers and exchanges
please note this fact, and not think because they do
not receive a copy during the winter that we are
deceased. Far from it; on the contrary we were
never, at any time during our existence, in a more
prosperous and flourishing condition than at present.
This paper has proved a grand success, far surpass-
ing the expectation of the most sanguine, It is true
we have had considerable opposition and discourage-
ment, but we now have the satisfaction of seeing
our efforts crowned with certain success.

CLEANLINESS is a virtue that should be, yet is not,
practiced by all. Whatever one does to induce others
to become more cleanly m personal habits merits
public appreciation. We would therefore call the
attention of the proper authorities to the fact that
there are no bath or wash rooms here for students’
use. On each of two floors of Williams Hall is a
room used only for storing rubbish, known as the
“dark” rooms, These rooms are centrally situated
at an angle in the hall-way, and would be very con-
yenient for use as common wash rooms, If they
were fitted up with durable marble basins, they

could easily be supplied with water and drainage. A
large arched: doorway would afford ample light.

A room can be found on every floor of each hall
that would be of much more practical value as 2 wash
room than a student's dwelling. The irrepressible
slop-pail that is now so prominent a feature of every
occupied room, both to the eye and nose, would be-
come a thing of the past. It is quite needless to say
that our sanitary condition would thus be very mueh
improved, especially if the reader has ever visited the
room of one Of our lazy students.

“Pum uxusvat.y small freshman class, which has just
entered, has been the subject of many remarks and
comments from all quarters. The question naturally
arising to all is, why is this so? Surely it is not be-
cause of a deheient faeulty, or inferior officers, for we
have the best. Nor is it beeanse of the obseurity or
unpopularity of our College, but it may be from lack
of an external element to advertise and familiarize
the people with the practical benefits derived from a
course of study here secured,

This may appropriately be called a college “ of the
people, by the people, and for the people,” and by
the people it should be more liberally patronised,
Instead of 40 there should be at least 100 students to
enter at the beginning of the college year. Possibly
the present unproductive and unfavorable year may
have a depressing effeet upon the farmers, to such an
extent that many of them feel unable at present to
send their sons to college.

Again, it may be that the well known “melon
serape ” may have combined with the “ Okemos road
trouble” and other causes to produce a prejudice in
the minds of some against this institution. These
were in themselves but trivial matters, but were mag-
nilied from microscopic to gigantic proportions by the
press and enemies of the College.

In other ecollezes these oceurrences would have
passed by unnoticed, but owing to the general good
conduet of our students, when anything uncommon
oceurs much 1s made of it,

Let us all cooperate and see what can be done to
mitigate this apparent negleet—neglect it may not
be—but surely some remedy is 8 required, and if we
enn find it, let us do go.

Tur reece origin of college hazing, lke that
of many other fendal customs and barbarous
practices, is somewhat obsenre. Probably, how-
ever, it was brought tothe New World along with the
first colleges. The distinctions between freshmen and
upper elassmen were, a century or 80 ago, much more
rvil and absolute than now; in fact, at the latter.
part of the last century, and the beginning of this there
were almost perpetual hostilities existing between
them. At both Yale and Harvard some such rules
as these were made by the upper classmen,—“A
freshman shall not play with any member of an
upper class without being asked.” ‘The freshmen
are forbidden to wear their hats in the college yard
until May vaeation; and whenever a freshman
THE COLLEGE SPECULUM.

» ll

either speaks to or is spoken to by a superior he
shall keep his hat off until he is hidden to put it
on.” “Freshmen are to consider all other classmen
their superiors.” “No freshman shall speak to a
senior with his hat on, or linve it on in a senior’s
chamber, or in his own aif a senior be there.”
“When any person knocks at a freshman’s door,
except during studying time, he shallinstantly open

the door without enquiring who is there.” These,

and many other rigorous and barbarous laws were |

inflicted upon the freshmen at the principal colleges
afew years ago. Dut these social distinctions of
the colleges aré rapidly being broken down and lev-
eled away.

However, the old principle of “ making it gener-
ally interesting” for the freshmen has been perpet-
uated by the many tricks and annoyances which
have ever since been imposed upon them. Instead

of the senior’s lecture to the freshmen, as formerly |

practiced at Yale, came the sophomores “ smoking-
out;” instead of the running of errands came the
obligation, now in force at many collezes, of enter-
taining the upper classmen with a supper.
thus the old laws became obsolete, and new prac-
tices—none the less severe—were luaucurated,

The methods of hazing as at present practiced are
numerous aml diverse. ‘The freshman-is taken
from his bed at midnieht, bathed by sophomorie
hands at the nozzle of the collere pump, and blind-
folded, when he is made to run three or four miles to
and fro on the campus. If lis roomis furnished with
eare he endures the risk of finding, as he returns from
an evening walk or call, lis furniture piled up in
the center of the floor, his pictures smashed and
his room in general resembling the track of a
Minnesota eyclone. He is liable fo be called upon
any evening by a dozen sophomores who fill his room
full of tobacco smoke, demand a speech and song,
and test his agility by compelling him to play
“leap frog” with his comrade de chambre, and alter
putting him to bed, and bidding him an affection-
ate good-night, promise to eall again at their earliest
opportunity. By these and oceasionally more severe
applications does he pry the penalty of being a
fresliman.

These operations are submitted to with various
degrees of fortitude and complacency by different
victims, ‘To some it seems an essential element of
eollege life, and the failure to receive a respectable
hazing would be a sad disappointment. Others sub-
mit to it as a necessary evil, while some vigorously
*‘ kiek” and offer stern resistance. This latter class,
however, is generally favored with a double (lose.

The extent to which hazing prevails Is very gen-
eral; as is also the degree of prevalence and sever-
ity in different colleges, As a rule it has not been
carried as far in the western as in the eastern eol-
leges. And it is a commendable fact tliat it is every
year growing less popular in our principal colleges.
Hazing is primarily a matter of custom. lLvery

Anu |

freshman who is hazed, ean only (so he thinks)
heal his injured honor by hazing when he becomes
a sophomore, and thus custom perpetuates itself
from year to year, Probably hazing is also caused
to a certain extent by that principle of human
nature which tempts one to impose upon immatur-
ity, inexperience, and “creenness.”

To abolish hazing, it is first necessary to create
a college sentiment against it. This might possibly
be done by the exertion of stronger moral and re-
ligious influences, or perhaps a more intimate
relationship between professors and students, or a
stricter demand for high seholarship. Possibly a
more rigil execution of college laws might modify
this pernicious practice, generally expulsion or sus-
pension are the penalties affixed, but these are so
often uninforeed or ignored that they lose their
effect as laws.

A very simple process effectually ended hading at
Cambridge. The faculty prepared at the beginning of
the college year, about ten years ago, an agreement for
the freshmen and sophomore classes that they should
abstain from this old time and abominable practice.
This was signed by all the members of both classes,
and thus perfect harmony was secured. At Yale
there is a college law, that any student found guilty
of hazing shall enter the next class below. Needless
to say this has the effect of almost entirely check-
ing the practice. Itis true that this practice is not
earried to such an extent at our college as it is at
many others, but let us combine together to put
down this evil as it does exist, and by united and
untiring efforts entirely wipe out the annually
recurring shame. os

‘GOLLEGE NEWS.

met a tag a ac Ti Ra ag ea

ae ee a ey

The freshmen class numbers 40,

The lawns have suffered much from need of rain,

The open ditch in No, 14 ts being lald with elght inch tile.

The work on the chemical laboratory is nearing completion.

The oll College safe was recently sold to the Capitol Grange,
conslileration Both,

Work has commenced on the new boller house.
ably be enclosed this fall. .

It is rumored that there will be a street car line from Lansing
to the College before long.

The water works are nearly completed.
operation next spring term.

Dr. Kedzle will deliver an address at the Midland county falr,
Oetober 4. Subject, ‘* Farmers’ Rights.”

Prof, Cook was in attendance at tha North American Bea
Keepers’ Association lately held in Torontea.

The creen-houee lias received a coat of paint outside and inside
and all broken lights have been replaced by whole ones.

A new section has been added to the Natural History aoctety,
called the Astronomical Section, with L. G. Carpenter as ehalr-
THM.

Jack Frost failed to bite at the bidding of the signal service on
the nighia of Sept. 2l and 22. We have experienced few warmer
nights this fall.

The College brick yard has turned out 400,000 excellent bricks
this fall valued ot 89 per thousand. The actual expense has
been ahowt $6.50 per thousand,

The beea in the College apiary have averaged about 100
pounds of honey to a eolony this summer, and a considerable
proportion of it was eosub honey.

Tt will prob-

They will be in full —
12

THE COLLEGE SPECULUM.

The severe early frosts have done much damage about the
grounds, but fortunately no harm was done at the green house
46 the plants had been carded under sheiter,

A great many trees are dving this fall in Hillsdale, Inarcts
are supposed to be the cause, and Prof. Cook bas boon called by
the clty authorities to investigate iho matter.

A fresh water sponge is now growing In the frog pond in the
College wild garden, The sponge was transferred from nu colony
on island number 3, at Grand Ledge, by Dr. Beal.

The experiments in cross fertilization of clovers and vines
have been very unsatisfactory at the College this season, on
account of the unfavorable condition of the weather.

Dr. Beal has been appointed by the governor as one of a com-
mittee to attend the Louisville exposition in charge of Michigan
fruits; but owing to college duties the offer is declined.

Eighteen head of the College herd were exhiblted at the Ftate
fair, and five premiums taken, two first, two second, and one
third. It was conaidered the best exhibit of stock the College
has ever made,

The officers of the Student. organization for the ensuing yoar
are o6 follows: Preedent, D. J, Stryker; View President, Ty. A.
Those; Secretary, C. F. Lawson; Legal Board, ©. C. Lillie, ¢. FP.
Gilets, Lb. B., Waldo, H. E. Thomas, BE, F. MeClear, and W, T.

élch,

Prof. Satterlee and Mr. Troop have completed some chess
and wheat experiments, Under thelr treatment the wheat had
& hard stent ta mature, but the few splres that lived were true
to the unvarying laws of nature and brought forth of their own
kind. ‘The chess thrived better and brought forth of ite kind.

Corn on the College farm this fall would have been a good
crop had it not been forthe severe early frosts, The corn will prob-
ably be cutand fed without being hueked. Oats averaged 60
bushels to the acre. Wheat averaged 20 bushels. The Egyptian
red did the best, averaging 25 bushele, The Clawson aver-
aged 20 bushels.

The wild garden waa considerably injured this summer by
heavy continuous rains, and the succeeding drough. Many high
land plants were killed while others were very moch damaged.
The College has received two bunches of seeds and bulba for the
wid garden from L, H. Bailey, of Harvard University, and has

. the promise of more.

A serles of experiments have been carried out at the collewe
this summer to test the vital ty of the garden and flower aceds
sold at the groceries in Lansing, The exact figures are not yet
ready, but itis safe to say that the vitality of the seeds this
yoor has been greater than that of former years, and yet is far
below what it should be.

The SPECULUM |e being read and quoted far and near, Two
letters have just been received from men in Celifornia making
inquiries concerning the paper, and one incloses a year's aub-
ecription. The Srecuivm has come to be, not only an interest-
ing sheet to alumni and studentaof the College, but each number
contains instructive ond valuable information, that no intelligent
reader would think of valuing at the cust of the paper,

The class of "84" held their junior class day exercises in the
parlors of the Michigan Exchange at Detroit, on Thureday even-
ing, Beptember 20. Several inembers of the clase took the
steamer North West to Cleveland Thureday night, and spent
Priday taking la the sights of the ‘ Garden City,” vialting the

famous Euclid avenue, the great petroleum and irom manugfae- |
The |

tories, the tomb of Garfield, and other places of interest.
others found enough to occupy their whole time in Detroit,
where they visited the State Falr, the Art Loan, the Zoflogioal
gardens, d&e., de. All returned on Saturday feeling that ciass
day had been a success and that they were mo.e than paid for
the outlay of Ume and money.

The comet of 1812 discovered about a month since will probably

be an interesting object the coming winter as it will be vielble | she lal prepared for that purpose,

to the naked eye about Christmas, and remalo wntil it passes
beyond our southern horizon in Mareh. It is now (Oct. 6} 180, -
000,000, miles from us, and is approaching the earth ata rate of
over 12 miles per second. InJanuary It will be about 60,000,004
miles distant which wiil be ite nearest approach tous. <A week
or two later it will be at its nearest polnt to the sun, 70,000,000
Miles, and will then begin its departure Into space which will
continue until 1920, when lt will begin to return and visit us
again in 1965, This comet and the one of 1846 are in the same
orbit as are the comets of 1843, 1880 and 1582 in one orbt. The
orbit of the present comet extends 500,000,003 of miles beyond
Neptune,

The faculty and State load no longer hesitate to recognize
the elub boarding system as a permanent affair, The club

rooms have been palnted and caleimined and in every Way pos= |

aible made pleasant and convenient for boarding purposes. The
cost of board last term ranged from $2.44 to ¢2.57 per week,

and pot a word of comp alot wae heard as to its price or quality,
What a change from the condithen of offaire at the thie when
the SPERCTLOIM was started, and which lasted until the present
bouid ng system was in operation; then the students complained
so severely OF the price and quality of board, that they feit they
must have oa medium through which te express their feelings,
and this need was presented ps the principal anrument in favor
of starting a Colleze paper, which resulted in etarting the Sree.
ULUM.

An inglorfous defeat: The invincibtes (7) were co:nplotely
routed Frilay night, September 21, by the freshmen. ‘The
latter, while returning quictly from a class meeting, received g
volev of tomatoes, pumpkins, apples, and the like from the
hands of the sophs, wha were conuveaied among the bushes and
trees in the vicinity. The freshmen, instead of breaking for
thelr rooms, turned to face the music and find out, if posalble,
whom the molesting party might be. The sophs immediately
broke ranks and, panie etricken, fed im every direction, sk ulkingr
and climbing trees, and some, it la affirmed, did not step until
they had reached the weet ga'e. The whole matter resulted in
a big scare anl| the ducking of two sophs, one in the ditch In the
wild garden and one in the fountain basin, We aro gind to eee
the freshmen standing up for th.ir rights. May success attend
ther like efforts in the future,

=_

Natural History Society.

At the moeting held August 9, 1883, Dr. Kedz'e gave a short.
but interesting addresa on the Telation of Magnetism to Sleep,
in which he clearly showed the absurdity of the belief which
some hold concerning the relations of magnetism to health, A
German, Baron Reichenbach, a'termany years of study claims
to have found that the the most healthy position for the body to
take doring sleep is “true asa needle to the pole.” The most
unhealthy position is due east and west, and ‘to sleep in auch
a position is tantamount to commiltt'ng eu'cide.” In the first.
places, Tyridall has proved that the body is a dlamagnetic and
woud naturally place itself at right-anzies to the poles, which
fact alone entirely overturns the absurd theory. But allowing
that the body is a magnet, and that its taking the position of the
magnetic needle is favorable to health and the theory is ag
erroneous as ever. In this latitude the needle does not tend to
point due north and south in «a horizontal plane, but the north
end of the needle tends to dip, making an angle of 73° with the
horizontal, heanee, with the head to the north pole, the feet must
be suspended in ar 17° from the perpendicular, .Chonsa ye
Whether you will couform to such sanitary regulations and live,
or whether you will continue to commit euicide by sleeping in
the usual way. j

Mrs. Merrell calied the attention of the socl-ly to some
resemblances of the menobranchus to the fish and to the tailless
amphiblans. The menobranchus has lungs, per-lstent external
Bills, four feet, and a tail, characters which distinguish, in part,
the fish, and more fully the frog in its transformations. The
vile and shape of the body resemble somewhat the fish: the
feet, with unwebbed toes and fingers, bring if again nearer to
the frog, as does also the possession of wel. developed Junga,
The transformations of the menobranchus are not well under-
stood, Cope says it ia the larves of a salamandroid; Marsh and
Peters say the batrachoseps and Siredon, the axolotl of Mexico
are the tadpole of a higher form. It is suspected that these are
“arrested larve: which have become sexually mature, a condl-
tion which has been notierd, though rarely, in other undoubted
tadpoles.” The slight differences observable in the number of
fingers and toes of the menobranchusa at different stages could,
no doubt be explained by rearieg some of the young and observ-
ing their transformations. A family of menobranchi ve ino
pucl within a mile of the College grounds,

Mrs. Merrell lilustrated her talk with numerous drawings which

Mr. Jas, Troop read a paper on the Boston Natural Hiatory
Society, from which we learn that the organ'zation which led to
th: formation of the present society, was atarted in 1814, known
as the ‘New England Soelety for the Promotion of Natural
History.” Soon after the name of the soclety was changed to
“The Linnean Society of New England." Much interest was
thanifested at first in the society, but Inated only a short time.
The meetings were held very irregularly, and in 1822 the society
was disbanded and ita collection became badly seattered, In
the year 1850 a few of the old members formed a new aseocia-
tion, and from this time dates the history of the present  Bos-
ton Society of Natural History.” The success of this society
was assured from the flrat as many of the most wealthy and
aclentific men of Boston and vicinity gave large sume of money
and donations to the library and museum, In 1804 the bullding
now occupied by the soclety was publicly dedicated, It con-
tains the brary, museum, and lectu:e-ro m, Meetings are held
THE COLLEGE SPECULUM.

18

twice a month, at which subjects relating to the natural sciences
are freely and fully dilacussed,

At the meeting held Supt. 14, Prof. Satterloe read a brief his.
lory of the Michizan State Horticultural Society. He said the
Bocheby Wits organised in LSTi), at Grand Tiapicda, under the name
of the Michigan State Pomolowzieal Society, Ite oficera were
H. G. Saunders, president; 8. L. Fuller, treasurer, and A, T.
Linderman, secretary. The succending presidents in order are
J.P. Thompaon, A, 8. Dyekman, Geo, Parmales, and T. T.
Lyon. Al first the meetings were held monthly, now four or
five times o your in os many different places in the State. ‘The
times for meeting are in December, Fobruary, June, September,
and sometines iin August.
Rapids with the Kent County Agricultural Soclety, the second
with the Western Michigan Ageeultural and Mechanical Socie.
ty at the aame place, and since then with the State Agricult-
ural Soclety. In 1880 its name was changed to the Michigan
State Horticultural Society, In ita exhibits with the Stute
Agricultural Society only fruits and flowers are shown. The
premium ste are arranged with special reference to the teach-
ing of valuable facta to those wishing to study horticulture,
The series of Reports, from ‘Tl to ‘$0, Prof, Satterlee considers
the most valuable work on prictleal horticulture of which he has
any knowledge, The organization of branch societies ia also a
prominent feature of the acclety. Much of the present pros
perity and efliciency of the Society ia due to the energy and
ability of the present Becrotary, Hon. C. W. Ganrii ld, clase of "7,

Mr. C.F. Schneider gave the society the results of hls obser-
vations and eludy of aground mola, He spoke of the damage
done by these animals in diafguring our lawns and throwing up
mounds of earth to dull the mowing machines. “They are found
in mary every State enat of the Miselssippl river. ‘They are
nearly cylmdrical in form and four or tive inches ln length, and
appear to have hitthe or no neck. Their legs, eepectal y the front
ones, ire short, bool, and very powerful, and the toes furnished
with strong sharp claws. Tho mole has no yes that are of use
now, but probably did have onee, as well developed bony sock -
eta are present in the skull. The external cars are also want-
ing, ancl the nose is developed into along, bony proejectlon well
adapted ta thelr hablt of digging, Their senses of sinecll and
hearing are very acute, They feed upon insects in the auil, and
are greabaater-. If deprived of fu for afew hours they starve
Lo death.

Mr. ‘Troop read a paper entitled ‘The Other Side of the Indi-
an Question.’ From this paper we learned many new and
interesting facts relating to the social and political position of
the women of some of the earller Tucan tribes, especially those
among the great Iroquois nation. In this day and age people
have very erroneous ideas concerning the position which the
women held in the great Indian tribes of o hundred years ago,
Her position is often looked upon os being no better than that
of a slave, occupying a position even below the brute. Not only
are these ideas incorrect, but it is shown by good authority that
her position in the tribe was equal in importance ts that of the
man, Her rights and withes were acknowledged and respected
always. In fact, the relns of government were actually held
and controlle | by the women,

Dr, Grange gave a very interesting and instructive talk on
Imaginary Diseases of Domestic Auimals. <A very common
example mentioned is that of hollow-horn in cattle, As the horn
af every healthy creature la hollow, such a d.aease would be
impogeible, Dr, Grange exhibited a horn whkch he had tuken
from a creature in health, and sawed it longitudinally in two
parts, The specimen showed that with the exception of two or
three septa running across the cavity, the horn was hollow.

Mouth Murrain was spoken of as a name often applied to some
slight ailment of cate, In this supposed disease of the mouth
the papillm of the cheeks are often dissected off because they are
supposed to cause the disease, and thus the animal is deprived of
organs provided by nature to aid in mastication while no relief
from disease has been rendered. ;

Another of these diseases is Hooks in horses. When a horse ls
thought to be in danger of this discase the barbarous operation
of dissecting the membrana nictitans from the eye ia oflen per-
formed. The object Is to prevent this membrane from growing
over the eye and producing blindness, a thing of which there is
nodanger, ‘The function of this membrane is to wipe foreign
substances from the eye.

Wolf Teeth are niso thought by some to produce blindness In
horses. These tecth are supplementary molars and deciduous,
and often appear in the mouth of the horse. The only harm
done by them is when they grow so long as to strike the oppo-
site jaw. - as that

Perhaps the strangest of all the diseases mentioned was tha
of Wolf in the Tail. ‘he seat of this disease 1s supposed to be
in the tip of the tail and the inaurinery Walf, whieh is nothing
but the last jont of the eaudal vertebrae, is often Wiaseetod out,
aiid the creature expected to get well,

The first fair was held in Grand |

PERSONALS.

4
THE Editor of this Department dosires the carnest co-operation of
the alumniin aiding him to fll these columns with interesting items,
Give oon pMition since graduation, what offices held, whether married
orook, é@te, Let ihis rocelre prompt attention from every alumone

™

i i a ag a ge a a a a nn lg

©. C. Howe is at home on the farm.

Bt. Jolin is farming at Gates, New York.

Harry Nixon is teaching at Appleton, Minn.

Jeddie Simi h is teaching in New Buffalo, MI h,

C. H, Eldridge ia teaching at White House, Ohio.

John Mathews is teaching in the Portland schools.

A‘len Redding ts having a good time at home visit ng.
Willard Ke izle ia farming and surveying in Lenawee county.

Archy Emery is now partner in his father’s store at Lansing,
Ed. Hume is building anew house on his farm near Laneing. |

H. A. Danville is at present working his father's farm at
Marilla,

A. Bird has not been heard from, but ia probably farming at
Highland.

E. J. Fletcher has not been heard from but rumor places him
in Dakota,

E. PF. Clark is in Colona, Be:rien Co., Mich. His business ia
not known.

Albert Mather when last heard from was enjoylng himself at
Charlevoix,

A. F. Allen, ‘61, is a prosperous farmer in Vineland, Douglass
county, Kansas.

Henry Baird will, for the time being, act as Asslatant’ Secre-
tary at the College.

Law and Rogers are having-eplendid succesa eurveying in.
Murlette, Banilae Gounty.

Eilwin Fairevild, son of President Falrchild of Kansas, is
studying at Oberlin co lege,

_ deff. Irish, “82, haa returned from the west, and will now prob-
ably enter the University of Michigan,

Richard Gulley foes to Missiselppi into the office of the South-
ern Live Stock Journal, at Starksvilie,

Osear Clute, ‘62, ia Preaident of the Iowa Bee-Keepers' Asso-
Clation, recently organized in that State.

A. A. Crogier, "79, ls farming at Hudsonville, Ottawa county,
He is now in the midst of peach harvest,

Wm. B. Northrup, '85, lg In Utlea, New York. He expecta to
return to College svuon, his health pernitt'ng.

L. A. Buell will make bee-keeping a specialty, He expects to
winter #0 colonies, He will teach eh ool this wouter,

Lou's Carpenter, "70, ase‘stant in mathematics here, spent last
vacation in Dakota, where he luvested in @ tree claim.

J, C. Simonson, two years with ‘74, ia a prosperous farmer
In Holly, which was his home when a student at the College,

L. W. Hoyt, "62, has returned from the Upper Peninsula, and
la now deputy eollector of internal revenue, at Grand Raplds,
Mich.

Herbert Collingworwd is in Boston, but will acon go to Starke.
ville, Mies., to en er the off-e of the “ Migsisa'ppi Live Stock
Joucnal,”

Alfred Gulley, ‘68, who went to California last year, has
returned to South Haven better satisiied with Michlsan than
California,

L. H. Balley bas increased responsibilities at Harvard on
account of the leaving of their gardener, He ia also writing for
several Papers.

Albert Bahlke, once with "83, Is now in Bismark, Dakota. The
bank at Pewamo, of which he was to have been cashier, failed
to bea organized,

i. M. Brooks, ‘73, of Wacousta, has invested in the eodpera-
live or grange store, at North Lansing, Mich., of which he is
one of the auditers.

Mr. 8. P. Tracy, '7é, is now In Chippewa county, Mich., as
agent for Ferry in contracting with the farmers of that county
to grow peda for seed.

Dan Holliday after spending some tlme in Northern Michizan

went to his home in New Orleans Lut has again come north, His
business is not known,

Daniel Strange, '67, expects to open an office in Lansing soon,
but Tar SrrcuLuM bas been unable to find what branch of the
wwuild's profusaion this offive will represent. -
14

THE COLLEGE. SPECULUM,

Will Bahike is principal of the Pewamo schools.

James MeClear, 82, haa recently entered the University law
department.

W. F, Hoyt, ‘8%, has entered the Sterling Mecical Call ge,
Columbus, Obie.

D. §. Lincoln, "81, Is engaged as gardener at the hospital at
Bt. Peters, Minnesota.

Ernest Hutton, once with Clase of "83, is a druggist in Howell.
He also haa charge of the city telephone exchange. ~

Clarence Weed, "$3, took the first prize fora collection of bee
Plante at the trl-State fair held at Toledo, Ohio, also ong prize
at the Mich'gan State Fair. ~ _

Prof, Frank Gulley, "80, has bought a 600-acre farm near
Starkville, Misa. He has also purchased sowe fine cattle with
which he will adorn hls farm,

John Swift, '68, is in Emmet county collecting 40,00) native
plants to-ba placed in the Detroit Park at Belle Isle. His
family ig at Croas village, Emmet county.

James Erassington, 76, hae a law offies and is a real catate
agent at Hart, Mich, He has a little boy three years old whom
he hopes to send to the Agricultural College. .

Prof. C. E. Bessey, "89, was elected at Minneapolis, October
29, secretary of the Biological section (section F} of the Ameri-
ean association for the advancement of science,

Mr. Frank Hagenbauch, "79, has a little daughter, born June
99 "g3. His brother, Chas. Hagenbaugh, ones with "#4, was

married March 7, ‘#3, to Miss Katie Bonebright.

James GL. Morrice, "73, bas a large farm Implement store at
Harbor Springs, Mich., and Frank Wells, also "73, is an agent io
the same business, his field including Beaver Island.

L. EK. Woodman, once with "84, afler working on hls father's
farm and rusticating in Northern Michigan, has again returned
to College, much improved in health. He ia now with ‘66.

Goy. Begole’s three fons were all at different times students
in the Agricultural College. One died in the army. . The only
surviving eon la In charge of the homestead farm, near Flint,

Jacob M. Hollingsworth, "82, and wife were at the College a
short time this term. He has left hls position as foreman of the
Riggs farm, Franciseo, Mich., and will teach mear Howell this
winter.

W. W: Daniells, @4, professor of chemistry in the University
of Wisconsin, has been spending the summer in Northern Cen-
tral Wisconsin doing fleld work for the United States Geological
survey.

Oliver Bristol, once with "83, hat taken the responsible posi-
tion of boss drummer of the Almont band. All students who
were at the College the sume time with Mr. Briatol van testify
to his abllity to fill the place.

The Columbus Medical Journal for September publishes in full
the graduating thesis af De. H. L. Rosenberry, elaze "61. Tha
subject ia Comparative Osteology. Dr. Rosenberry is now
practicing his profession at Malaga, Monroe county, Chio.

Eugene Davenport, 78, and wife were at the State Fair,
assisting Beeretary Garfield in the pomological department, and
Henry Baird and Clarenee Weed, "6', were acsistant secretarica
to Mr. Stirling, secretary of the State Agricultural Society.

Cc. E. Hollister, “61, is engaged in farming and surveying at
Laingsburg. He has two children, May, aged twenty, Is in her
third year at Olivet Collage, while Cassey, aged seventeen, is at
home, helping in farming and surveying. He will probably
enter the Agricultural College September, "#4.

Mr. O. E. Ladd, ‘78, is still in Detrolt aseistlng Prof. Will W,
Traoy ‘67, in D. M. Ferry’s seed cardens.
test sends as to vitality, aleo to test new sarts just introduced,
and note their value.
seed growers and inspect ther growing crops.

Tt was stated in the last Breconem that Mr. H. 8 Hampton,
Th, was farming in Idaho, but we have direct Information that
this ia a mistake. Mr. Hampton is a lawyer at Albion, the
county seat of Cassa county, Idaho, He ja in partnership with
Judge Heed, an old practitioner of the territory, and is doing a
large business. Mr. Hampton is also deputy county treasurer
of Cassia county,

8. M. Millard, "4, president of the alumni, a6 all probably
know, isa prominent lawyer in Chicago, His home is, however,
away from the noise and bustle of that metropolis, in the quiet
elty of Highland Park, about 23 miles from Chicago, on the
bluffa of Lake Michizan. Mr, Millard is alderman of the city of
his home, trustea in the Highland Hall College for women, a
successful institution having a fseulty of 14 professors and
instructors, and in the September me ting of trustees of the

Thele business is to |

Ulincis Industrial University, was unanimously elected president
of that board,

Mesers. A. B. Puebles, ‘79, now a missionary in Utah, W..8,
Delano, in the signal service at Yuma, Arnzona Tertilory, and
Dr. H. L. Rosenberry, '81, are all making collections to send to
the College Museuza. Why not? We have alumni now in
almost every State. In what more commendable way could
they show their love by their works than by filling our museum
with rare curiosities from the several States, that we may
rejoice in the ores of California, the strange animal forme of
‘Texas, the beautiful coral of F.orida, and the equally interest.
ing curiosities of the other States.

; EXCHANGES.

oO ag, a

eh ee ne eee

The alumni of an institution like, above all things, to hear
of the whereabouts and doings of their old classmates and
friends, consequently a paper to be well supported by the:
alumni of the institution In which it ts published must keep up
a well edited personal department, I: is according to- thie
hypothesis that we try to account for the amall size, of the Creg-
cent, it containing but little over four pages of reading matter in
the number before us. Of this amount the department of per-
sonne occuples nearly three-cighths of a column by direct meas.
wremont. Verily, friend Crescent, you ought to Increase your
personals four-fold or more,

As exchange editor we wish to call the attentlon of the
students to the fact that the SPECULUM is receiving considerable
adveree criticism on account of fia being a quarterly. . The
SPECULUM has lived long enough to demonstrate that it can live
a pod deal | rc. Why not make it monthly, or ot least hove -
it published twies during aterm. If necessary the size could be
reduced el ghtly, and thus make it more pleasant and interesting
for our subseribers? We donot make this suggestion in order.
to tey and follow the criticism of our contemporaries, for who -
ever heard of one college paper trying ta follow the critclam
it receives at the hands of another paper. Indeed ifone were .
to try it, the editors would soon find themselves in-the same
predicament as the man in the fable.

But few of our exchanges: have reached us as yet, but those
thot have seem to be starting in for the year in a good healthy
condition. One thing that is especially to be commended, ia
the fact that several new college Jokes have been forged during
vacation, and ara appearing in the flrat issues of those papers
that are lucky enough to possess an editor capable of producing -
these stupenduous out-growths of witand humor. They are
now ready to enter upon thelr unceasing round of pabl'cation in”
co!Jege journals, for all will admit that a joke that has been onee
ingrafted in the college press, never dies. ‘This fact Is espec-
jally noticable in the Thielensian, the successor of the Chresto-
mathean, published at Greenville, Pa. Otherwiae thia paper
promises to bea valuable addition to the college press, The
fact of its having started over the ashes of the Chrestomathenn
shows that its editors have pluck and “where there is a will
there laaway.” We wish you success, '

One of the leading college papers made the request In ite last
issue for last year that some more interesting and instructive
mode of running the exchange department be devised and
practiced by the coleze press. All who have ever had anything
to do with an exchange department will recognize the pertinence
of these remarks, but the trouble lies in trying to bring about a
change ao thatan exchange column will interestlog and in=
structive. The way itis runin the majority of papers, it ls of
no interest to any one except the exchange editors, and all the
interest that they take in itis to almply look it over to see
whether thelr paper has reeeived mention or not. Whatdo
papers care for the criticiams they receive through this depert-

| ment? Tow many ever profit by the suggestions made? Not

Mi. Tracv has also to visit the prineipal | one.

In many cases it might be better for them if they did. If
a paper ro cives a favorable notlee the exchange editor thinks
he helps run a peetty good paper, and that every one knows it,
and perhaps makes a mental resolution to give a favorable notice
in return. Ifthe notices is unfavorable the editera think that
thelr paper is just as good, but that every one does not know It,
and his ire is immediately arcused. We clip the following from
the Hesperian Student: ‘The way in which the Borkeleyan
treated us afier we gave it a nice little puff, it took us just
eighteen minutes by the clock to write It, and the return it mace
us for the carefully constructed compliment was exceedingly
wokind.” Atter perusing thia selection we come to the conclusion
that in some instances when one paper praises another it expects
praise in return. Look at the exchange column, from any
atandpoint one can see chances for improvement. It ls net
always pleasant to sit down and read the rant and aboses with
which some papers choose to fillthis column. Reform is needed
or else abolition of this department of college papers.
STUDENTS WILL FIND AT

G W. FRARY'S STORE

A. Large and ine Stocle of

GENTS HATS AND CAPS

Int Tate WVATEST sr rues.

teas

DLATITI TEDCOLPSorr,

JOB PRINTING.

loo Washington Avenue,
Over Ekstein's Grocery,

BEE-KEEPERS’ GUIDE,
Manual of the Apiary.

9,000 sold in six yoars. 900 sold in the last ten weeks,
tirely revise. Pitty pages and fifty costly
Hustrations mide,
Price by Mall $1.25, Liberal Blacount to Dealers aed for Clubs,

—

En-

A.J. COOK, Author and PF ubligher, LANSING, MDCH,

MOFFHEHTT,

at I NDS Tse

Nirous Oxide Gas or Vitalized lir given for the
painless extraction of Teeth.

Southeast ¢ corner of Washington and Mich. Aves., Lansing.

WW. RA POoHE,

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALER IN

Jewelry, Watches, Clocks, Diamonds,
Silver and Plated-Ware.

119 WASHINGTON AVENUE, - LANSING, MICH.

REPAIRING NEATLY DONE.

UDSON HOUSE

H,
M, HUDSON, Proprietor. LANSING, MICH.

RATES, #°.00 PER DAY.

JT. FRAZEL,

NWoRTHE DANSING,

BAKER AND CONFECTIONER

A-Fuii Line or Canbies, Cakes, OvSTERS, ETC.

EerrInEe CAKES A SPECIALTY.

Customers will find it to their advan-
tage te call and see me.

IONIA CITY LAUNDRY.

Collurs and Cujfs a Specialty.

GOOD WORK GUARANTEED,

COREY & OLMSTEAD,

LOLs r sz, - - - noicEH.

SHEARER’S LAUNDRY

talces the lead on

COLLARS AND CUFFS.

We use no hardenlyg in our starch therefore we break
no collars.

Thy OV WORE.
AND SATISFY FOURSELF,
TWO POOLS FROM POSTOFFICE, EAST, LANSING, MICH.

STUDENTS:—It will Pay You to Call on W. G. PATTERSON for Boots, Shoes,

and Rubbers.
REPAIRING NEATLY DONE.

Washington Avenue, Lansing.

TAYOROR & CO.’SsS

ONE-PRICE

BOOT and SHOE

HOUSE

125 Washington Avycnue, LANSING, Mich. a
PECK, ESSELSTYN & CO.
CRACKERS, CAKES, SWEET Goops,
AND CANDIES OF ALL KINDS.

LANSING, - - - MICHIGAN.

JOHN HERRMANN, HEADQUARTERS FOR COLLEGE BOYS!

Ee

Opposite Opera Block,

GHO. Tr. DAVIS'S

eee Coron oneivooscr | Bakery, Confectionery, and Restaura

Miccelarnk Geetlore’ Gots ICE CREAM AND OYSTERS IN SEASON.
IN MICHIGAN, lunches at all Hiours.

CIGARS AND TOBACCO.

BANQUET ORDERS PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO.

_ Students, Come and See Me, 103 Washington Avenue, Lansing.

ABER'S SHOE STORE

Takes no Backward Steps, but is

ALWAYS AT THE FRONT

BOOTS: SHOES!

Excellent in Quality. Moderate in Price.

BEST FIT FOR THE LEAST MONEY.

FULLY STOCKED WITI A FINE LINE OF

Stndents’ Interests have the Preference, : tisicoccat Repairing Promptly Done.
A. ABER. _ as AL ABER.

==B. F. SIMONS,==

127 Washington Avenue,
Disprays tus FINEST axp LARGEST STOCK or

DRY GOODS AND CARPETS

THAT IT HAS EVER BEEN OUR PLEASURE TO OPEN IN THE CITY.

YOU WILL ALWAYS FIND GOODS JUST AS REPRESENTED, AND OUR PRICES AT THE BOTTOM,
HE. W. DART

DEAL IN

may AND SHELF HARDWARE, GLASS, ETC,

ALSO THE

: CELEBRATED GASOLINE STOVE,
GOLDEN STAR AND GARLAND STOVES AND RANGES.

ALSO AGENT Fon

Fuller & Warren's and Richardson, Boynton & Co’s Furnaces.

a B. P. RICHMOND, CHAS. S. PINCKNEY.

Students will always obtain FrimsT-cnass Work at our

' TONSORIAL PARLOR,

‘ aileokhA Vins. 4

E
T

106 Michigan Avenue.

| LANSING, MICHIGAN. Dealers in Imported and Domestic Tobaccos and Cigars,

| HH. LARNED, | F/RST CLASS LIVERY.

i oc CHINA LAMPS, =
3 STUDENTS’ PATRONAGR SOLICITED,

124 Wasninaton AVENUE,

4 LANSING, -— = MICH. JIMMY MARKEY.
4 D. W. & M. J. BUCK,

THE LARGEST AND MOST EXTENSIVE FURNITURE DEALERS IN CENTRAL MICHIGAN,

; Koop an Immense Stock and Sell the Cheapest,

4nd You will Always Find What You Want

&T PRICHS TO SUIT You.

UN DERTA BRING A SPYBtCcrIrAaAai Lt s=TyY.

i 193 and 195 Washington Avenue, Corner Tonia Street, Opposite Opera House, Lansing.
OUR FALL ANNOUNCEMENT!

PARGES | oT 00K Uf FALL oTYEE

Hats, Caps, and Gents’ Furnishing Goods,

—AT—

| H. LEDERER & SONS’
OLD RELIABLE CLOTHING HOUSE, EVER OPENED IN THIS GITY.

SEE A SPECIMEN OF OUR PRICES,

Canada Gray Ov ercoats for = - - - - - - - =- - - $2.00
AL Wool Pants, - £ = = - - - - - = = ~ - J,50
A Good Business Suit, - - - ~ - a - ~ ~ 40
ie Odd Coats at a = = - - - - - - - pe, 00 and Upwards
oO Odd Vests at «= = - « « . - - Ste -

A Good Fur Hat for #1, - = « . - = - for mer prices $2 and $2.50
Undershirts and Drawers at - im = = = = - » £5e each

i

The above are a few Specimen Bricks. All Goods at Proportionate Prices. Call in and save

from 15 to 25 per cent at .
H. LEDERER & SONS, The Clothiers.

LANSING, September &, 1S8u.
NW. B.-—Ten Per Cent Reduction made to Students.

HULL BROTHERS,

DEALERS IN

fancy and Staple Groceries,

Fresh and Smoked Meats, Canned and Farinaceous Goods,
Colgate’s Toilet Soaps and Waters, Lubin’s Perfumes,
Toilet Powders, Champagnes, Imported Cigars;

MANUFACTURERS OF

FINEST CONFECTIONS IN THE WEST

ELECT PAKING PowDER, ELECT FLAVORING FXTRACTS,

KETTLE RENDERED LARD;

fioasters and Grinders of the

ie ine ie ie ie i ee a ine ag ag gi gag Ng Ti! am an Tag he a ia ian alli allan al ial a I

e | FINEST COFFEES AND SPICES! @

Se aE ae a a i a Fg i i “e a ye aya ya

And Curers of Sugar-Cured Ham, Bacon, Dried Beef, Smoked Tongues, ete.
None but Finest Goods kept, and all goods sold to the Consumer at less than Wholesale Prices.

HULL BROTHERS, - - Opera House Block, Detroit, Mich.