Return to LIBRARY OF MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY WOODS HOLE, MASS. Loaned by American Museum of Natural History THEGUID TO NATURE Vol. V MAY, 1912 Number 1 'And blushes still on sweet spring days." (See page 41) OJ EDWARD F. BIGELOW, Managing Editor PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION, Arcadia: Sound Beach, Conn. Subscription, $1.00 a Year; Single Copy, 10c Entered as Second Class Matter June 12, 1909, at Sound Beach Post Office, under Act of March 3, 1879 Gray Brothers Manufacturers of Improved Soda AND Mineral Waters Established 1882 Vichy, Seltzer, Car- bonic Sarsaparilla, XXX Ginger Ale & Lemon Soda : : : Deep Rock Artesian Well Water Used THE PUREST AND BEST Mail Orders receive prompt attention NEW CANAAN, CT. P. O. Box 794 Telephone Call 120 or inquire of your grocer Guaranteed under the Food and Drug Act, June 30, 1906 Serial No. 4755 GREENWICH, CONN. Did it ever occur to you how accessible (with fast electric trains) we are to N. Y. and that you could buy or rent to advantage and enjoy living here on the water or among the hills to the utmost satisfaction? I have for Sale Elegant Country Estates, Shore and Inland Residences, Farms, Acreage, Cottages and Building Sites. Also a number of selected Furnished Residences and Cottages to Rent in all locations. Would be pleased to have you call or write Laurence Timmons Opposite Depot Tel. 456 Greenwich, Conn. BEST NURSERY STOCK EVER GROWN We carry a general line of Nursery Stock, such as; Evergreens, Ornamental Shade trees, weeping trees, all kinds of flowering shrubs, privet, berberry and other hedge plants, trailing and climbing vines, hardy Herb, plants, fruit trees, berry bushes, grape vines, etc. Our stock is grown far apart in Nursery rows, so that each plant gets the full benefit of rain, sunshine, nourishment, etc. Our soil is excellent for growing nur- sery stock and is under high cultivation. We thus insure plants with excellent fibrous roots, strong and healthy, which transplant and grow with ease when properly treated. We shall be glad to show intending purchasers through our nursery, as we think it the proper way to see the stock in nursery rows. Our nursery is located on North Street near the Greenwich Country Club. We have made a specialty of laying out new places and remodeling old ones, as our records from both sides of the Atlantic will show. Training and long experience have taught us to do this work in the most artistic and effective way. Trees, shrubs, flowers and specimens in lawns must be placed so that they will harmonize, give shade where wanted, hiding unsightly places, but leaving vistas and making display of flowers and foliage and other worthy objects. We may here mention our connection with the World's Columbian Exposition, the Brooklyn Park Department, the Arnold Arboretum, Boston, and many private parks in and around Greenwich. GREENWICH NURSERIES DEHN & BERTOLF Props. LANDSCAPE GARDENERS AND NURSERYMEN GREENWICH, CONN. n' GREENWICH— AN IDEAL TOWN FOR RESIDENCE Greenwich Directory NATHAN B. McKINNEY Country Real Estate in Fairfield County SMITH BLDG., GREENWICH, CONN. The Jaynes Hardware Co. HARDWARE Paints, Oils, Varnishes, Etc. Telephone 908 Cor. Railroad and Greenwich Aves. THE GREENWICH BAKERY No. 121 Greenwich Ave. GREENWICH. CONN. MANUFACTURERS OF FINE PASTRY AND HIGH- GRADE BREAD AND ROLLS TELEPHONE 189 AUTOMOBILE DELIVERY D. GARRECHT. Proprietor THE NEW ENGLAND ENGINEERING CO. ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES AND CONSTRUCTION. FIXTURES DOMESTIC WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS 237 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, Connecticut A. J. NORRIS & CO. RE-UPHOLSTERING AND REPAIRS HOME DECORATION 67-73 ARCH STREET GREENWICH Phone 240 W Phone 190J SEE About FRED JOHN MAHER, Pres. JAMES MAHER, Treas LYON REAL ESTATE In Greenwich and Vicinity Write for Fred Lyon's Real Estate Bulletin Issued Weekly in the Green- wich News, the Leading News- paper of a Leading Con- necticut Town 222-225 GREENWICH AVE. THE MAHER BROS. CORPORATION Deal ers in LUMBER, COAL, HYGEIA AND LAKE ICE MASONS' MATERIALS Tomkins Cove Blue Stone Cord Wood Sawed and Split TELEPHONES: 269 303 119 Coal Office Lumber Office Ice Office GREENWICH, CONN. GREENWICH RUSTIC WORKS D. P. VAN GORDON PROPRIETOR Laurel and Cedar Rustic Work, Bridges, Summer Houses, Well Curbs, Grape Arbors, Vases, Hanging Baskets, Bird Houses, etc Cor. GREENWICH & PUTNAM AVENUES LENOX HOUSE BUILDING Phones 28 and 675 Telephone 259 W Send for Catalogue THE GUIDE TO NATURE Greenwich — Continued From Nature's Forest We select only the choicest timber in the manufacture of our famous high grade "Korelock" Veneered Doors and exquisite interior finish. Our large ware- house is amply stocked w.th Doors, Trim, Frames, Sash, Blinds, Mantels, Columns, Newels, Rails, Balus- ters, Glass, Etc. READY FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY Inquiries Solicited — Inspection Invited TELEPHONE 506 THE GREENWICH SASH AND DOOR COMPANY GREENWICH - CONN. *++ *++****+* *** + fc *** ***tt"»'**H'T|l "frtitfjl? * * SOUND BEACH An Ideal Seashore and Suburban Section of the Town of Greenwich. Easily Acceixjible by Rail, road and Trolley to Greenwich and Stamford The Home of Arcadia, The Agassiz Association and The Guide to Nature. * * + 4. 4* 4. 44 4i.;.^4t ■{..;..{..;<.). t>>i..)..i..i>.;..;.-i..i. -M* *!--;- '!■"•!* +"-M* D. MAHER & SONS LEHIGH COAL, HYGEIA ICE BUILDING MATERIAL, LIME, LATH, BRICK, SAND, CEHENT, DRAIN PIPE Tel. 1582-2 Sound Beach, Conn. L. S. MILLER DECORATOR AND PAPERHANGER Contracts taken for all kinds of House Painting Samples of Wall Paper of all the Latest Designs PAPER HANGING A SPECIALTY Telephone Connection 1545- SOUND BEACH, CONN. Robert Stewart choice groceries FLOUR AND FEED SOUND BEACH, CT. Telephone Connection KALL'S LAUNDRY Goods called for and delivered C. 0. D. hare Curtains a Specialty All work not satisfactory re-laundered free of charge SOUND BEACH :-: CONNECTICUT C. H. KNAPP Plumbing, Heating and Tinning SOUND BEACH CONN. WM. A. HAWKS GENERAL CONTRACTOR For Sea Walls, Roads, Sewers and Driveways Blasting and General Mason Work HIGHVIEW AVENUE SOUND BEACH - . - CONNECTICUT A Quadrupled Family. Two brothers, the proprietors of Kail's Laundry at Sound Beach, mar- ried sisters. Such conjugal relations, though rare, are not unique. But this family does better, since two older brothers of these Kails also married sisters. Therefore, if double doubling- is quadrupling this may well be called the quadrupled family. Pulling Over Shippan Point. Sound Beach is on Long Island Sound, as I have before insisted that my correspondents shall keep in mind. Locally, Sound Beach is regarded as one of the best places of residence along the coast. I believe everybody who has ever lived here will agree with this. Shippan Point is nearly as good, and as Shippan Point extends farther into the Sound, it has a slight advan- tage over Sound Beach. But the two are neighbors. Only a few miles of water are between them, but when viewed with a little optical aid they come close together in friendly rela- tions. I tried this with a telephoto lens as I stood on the Sound side of A SOUND BEACH VIEW OF SHIPPAN afc*.. THREE VISTAS OF SHIPPAN POIN1 Tele-photographed from Sound Beach! the porch at Mr. Sawyer's new house in Sound Beach. The results of the telephotography are shown in the ac- companying illustrations. The upper part is the extreme end of Shippan Point, the middle is about half way down the Point, and the lower illus- tration shows where the Point broadens out to the mainland. I think that this will give a new notion about the nearness of Shippan Point to Sound Beach, and of its picturesque beauty. COME AND MAKE YOUR HOME WITH US Sound Beach has long been known as an especially cool and healthy summer resort. It is essentially a sand bar jutting out into the Long Island Sound, with water practically on three sides, intercepting the prevailing southwest winds in the summer. Greenwich Cove, upon which SHORELANDS is situated, is an exceptionally safe anchorage for boats. Address: THE SOUND BEACH SUMMER HOMES CORPORATION, P. O. BOX 84, SOUND BEACH, CONNECTICUT, OR No. 1 LIBERTY STREET, NEW YORK CITY THE GUIDE TO NATURE MmOewmD mBBR Our "Contributing Editor" Jumps For- ward. I am here. By those who knew me best I am familiarly called "Gerump the bullfrog." Those who speak of me with proper respect call me Rana Catesbiana. I have been engaged as Contributing Editor of this magazine. With many a strenuous jump I come from explorations in the marshes of Mianus, to scan the actions of the peo- ple along the Connecticut shore. The managing editor had heard of me as a philosopher and as a keen- eyed observer of the doings of men. and of my fame in finding out the reason why. So he engaged me to locate myself on this platform, from which I may say the things he may not have the time nor the inclination to say. If perchance I shall at times disagree with him, is it then to be marvelled at that I shall probably also disagree with you? If I am not so wise as an owl, make due allowance to my credit, pray thee, since I have no claws nor sharpened beak with which to tear your possessions, and to say sharp things that shall pierce your heart. I am but Gerump, an observ- ing, meditative frog, and not a bird of wisdom. I have observed that in the affairs of Stamford and vicinity, provision has been made for lancing the inflamed boils, for advocating in arguments, or for blazoning a bulletin of things done. My field must then be always that of the optimist with a cheerful Ger- ump of encouragement and approval. I shall try to be a Cheerful Contri- butor, helpful to you as well as to the editor. Gerump ! The Joy of Doing Things. In an extended notice by "The Stamford Advocate" of Contractor Ar- thur and his new steam shovel, the fol- CONTRACTOR W. H. ARTHUR lowing statements particularly attract- ed my attention. They are quoted from Mr. Arthur's remarks to a report- er for the paper : "The Advocate used to say, when I RANA GERUMP SAYS 'LET US STAND BY THE STEAM SHOVEL AND DIG." was Superintendent of Public Works, that work was my recreation, and 1 guess it is. A fellow can have a good deal more fun with a steam shovel than with an automobile, if his taste runs that way." Here is the right spirit — the joy of doing things because they are worth while in themselves. Here is plenty of philosophy to save all mankind from many of their troubles. At the very best the time for social recreation must be short, but all of us can, if we will, make the regular routine duties of life our joy and recreation. I believe that things are worth while in themselves, and that our interests should not al- ways be relegated to something else. Life is worth living for this world, whether there is another one or not. That was what Thoreau had in mind when, on his deathbed, he spoke those matchless words, "One world at a time." So we might say one hour at a time, one thing at a time, this is really worth while, it cannot be lived over again, it cannot be done again. It sounds well and inspiring when one reads it in verse, that life is worth liv- ing for itself, but here is a man. Con- tractor Wm. H. Arthur, whose philoso- phy should be heralded to the ends of the earth for the good of others. Poetry and philosophy after all must in value come home to ordinary prosaic things, yes, even to the steam shovel. Life is not a curse, nor should work be a burden — each should be a perpetual joy, and if it be your mission in life to dig" into a bank of obstacles, remember Contractor Arthur's philosophy. A steam shovel that stays right there and plods on, faithfully digging into the bank, going ahead though slowly, but surely, may be so utilized that it shall bring as much joy as an automobile that is everlastingly whizzing to "something else." The philosophers at their books, the poets singing their rythmic verse, the preachers in their pulpits, never ut- tered words of more thorough prac- ticability to human needs than those, "Work is my recreation." We have heard of a man who did not appreciate that kind of philosophy. He thought that two years of hard work in the joy of doing, should bring enough money to enable him to enjoy another kind of recreation, and to find other good things in something else. Let us stand by the steam shovel and dig. Throw open your house and your heart to the sunshine. THE GUIDE TO NATURE A Cat that Sits Up and Takes Notice. Here is the photograph of a cat which Air. H. C. Stevens has sent to us. This interesting" cat takes care T^ 1 1 * 1 ■ ■■■ ■ SHE SITS UP of the rats and the mice at the store of the Eagle Confectionery Company, Stamford. Connecticut, where she has attracted much attention on account of her peculiar and characteristic habit ot demurely sitting upright. Sometimes she will sit for a long time and gaze at AND TAKES NOTICE A Robin with A White Neckband. Stamford, Connecticut. To the Editor : On the morning of April ioth, I ob- served in the grounds of St. John's Rectory, a robin with an unusual mark- ing. Around his neck was a perfect band of white feathers, about three quarters of an inch wide at the back of his head, and gradually narrowing to the front. The only other peculiar feature was that the top of his head was slightly darker than usual. On the following day the same bird was seen by several other people ; he therefore could not have been an opti- cal illusion ! Is not this a very unusual freak of nature? Julia M. Addison. It is, indeed, remarkable and of great interest as a study in albinism. Entirely white robins have been fre- quently seen, or robins with a few white feathers, but I have never before heard of one with such a neckband. — E. F. B. Bird Studies in Popular Advertisement. It is encouraging to note that inter- est in birds, as well as in other parts of nature, has so greatly increased with recent years, that enter- prising business houses are using na- ture studies in their advertising. We are in receipt of a set of dainty little cards each with an illustration of a bird on one side and a description on the other. These pretty little cards, published by the Sen-Sen Chiclet Com- pany, Twenty-fourth and Ralston Streets, Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, cannot fail to do good work in promo- ting a knowledge and a love of the birds. We congratulate the Chiclet Company upon this beautiful and orig- inal method of advertising. the boxes on the shelves, as she is shown in another photograph that Mr. Stevens has kindly sent to us. Greatest Apple Eating on Record. How many apples were eaten by Adam and Eve? We know that Eve 8i, and that Adam 812, total 893. But Adam 8,142 please his wife, and Eve 81242 please Adam, total 89,384. Then again Eve 8i424ofy herself, and Adam also 8i2424ofy himself, total, 8,938,840. — Fun. RANA GERUMP SAYS: All Of Nature. If nature-study is to do its work for the coming generation and bring about that perfect sympathy with the whole great out- of-doors and establish spiritual as well as bodily sanity, it must stand for all of na- ture and not for detached bits of it which may be utilized in this or that other study or enterprise. The child forgets himself when he is doing the best nature-study, which should give him sympathy and under- standing with all birds and not merely with the ones which work for him; and for all trees whether they make good timber or not; and for all insects whether they help or hinder him or remain neutral; and for the skies and the eternal stars as well as for the soil beneath his feet. It is only in the larger sense and in the widest bounds that the companionship with nature may be established, and this ideal is, after all, what makes nature-study worth while. — Mrs. Anna Botsford Comstock, in "The Nature-Study Review." What Airs. Comstock says is timely but it is only half good. We not only need all nature, but we need it for all people. Why in all that is good and true, beautiful and beneficial should we limit an interest in nature to "the child?" Perhaps the most deplorable conviction in the popular human mind to-day is that good old Mother Nature is all right for the children to study or to admire, but that men and women must look for something different. Can it be possible that any human being, when he reaches the age of twentv-one has grown out of touch with the earth or with the heavens above? Do not abandon old Mother Nature and wan- der away from her loving interests, to search for the almighty dollar to spend for golf, for flying machines, for frivol- ities. As long as we live let us all remain children in her sight. Go roam in the land of-out-of-doors, 'Twill banish that tired look of yours. Nature study is an asset you can have with- out money and without price, yet its results will be priceless to you. The sun is the very best of M. D's, yet his services are free to all! Let your pleasures overflow On the heads of those below: They'll return to you again, Purified by other's pain. He Proved his Fish Story. Many Stamford fishermen have told big stories about their catching of big fish, but Mr. E. B. Hoit, who tells a big story, brings a photograph of his big fish to protect him from possible MR. E. B. IIOIT KNOWS HOW TO CATCH THE BIG ONES! assault, verbal or other kind. He re- cently caught two hundred pounds of groupers at Sarasota, an island in the Gulf of Mexico, off the west coast of Florida, shown in raph. Some of these huge fish are the accompanying photo- Are you getting distraught with these trials of yours? Let me whisper a word to you: — Move out of doors. 8 THE GUIDE TO NATURE OUR TOWN CLERK MAKES A "RECORD" ON BIG CLAM SHELLS. Some Huge Clam Shells. Mr. William Waterbury, Town Clerk of Stamford for many years, re- cently became impressed with the idea that what he needed was a little more of nearness to nature and of devotion to her. For many months he has been a regular reader of The Guide to Na- ture, and we are not surprised that he should feel that the proper way to overcome the stress and strain of re- cording" deeds and issuing licenses is to go and commune with Mother Nature. This he did on the west coast of Florida, where he found some speci- mens of nature's work in the form of round clams that not only fed the inner man, but gave that man an ap- preciation of some of the marvels of nature. The accompanying illustra- tion shows the size of these clam shells, which Mr. Waterbury has been exhibiting to admiring friends in the true naturalistic spirit, which always is to see something for one's self and then to show it or to tell it to others. Co-Workers in Nature Just Across the Sound. The twenty-third annual session of the Biological Laboratory of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences will be held at Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island, New York, dur- ing the summer of 1912. Regular class work begins June 26 and continues for six weeks. Courses are offered in field zoology by Drs. Walter, Davenport and Kornhauser ; in bird study by Mrs. Walter and others ; in comparative ana- tomy in charge of Professor H. S. Pratt, Haverford College ; cryptogamic botany in charge of professor H. H. York, of Brown U niversity ; training course for field workers in eugenics in charge of Mr. H. H. Laughlin, of the Eugenics Record Office with lectures by Dr. C. B. Davenport. Facilities are offered for investigators. Further de- tails are given in the announcement of the laboratory which may be obtained by addressing the director, Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island, N. Y. What, pray, is life? I will tell you : Tireless twenties, thrilling thirties, fiery forties, fearless fifties, serious sixties, sober seventies, six feet of sod — God ! But do not remember the allit- eration to the forgetting of the LIFE! The great clock of the ages ticks days, not seconds ; and it can be heard, not with the natural ear, but with the ear of ambition and courage and con- science. Hear it, hear it, hear it ! To- day the fire burns brightly in the grate, tomorrow the ashes will be gray. — Arthur H. Harrop, A. M., Ph. D., Uni- versity of Denver, Denver, Colorado. A3 5^ LOOKING OVER THE FIELDS i.S Volume V MAY 1912 Number 1 YES, THIS BEGINS OUR FIFTH YEAR The Naturalist and Beauty. The naturalist differs from those who are not naturalists in that he ac- cepts beauty at its intrinsic worth whether the objects that exemplify such beauty be plentiful or rare. Let me illustrate by a concrete example. I recently visited one of the largest jewelry and art stores of New York City, a well-known establishment on Fifth Avenue. I had with me some young people. At my request the clerk let me hold in my hand a string of pearls with a diamond for a centerpiece. The price was $60,000. I inquired why any one should pay $60,000 for that small amount of material. The clerk said in surprise, "Because it is so beau- tiful. People will pay enormous sums for ornaments. Pearls and diamonds are more beautiful than anything else in the world." "No," I said, "in my opinion they will not pay $60,000 for the beauty, but for the satisfaction of having some- thing that no one else has. In the markets of the world the price of such things has been gradually forced up be- cause wealth has increased, and the supply has become limited either nat- urally or by the trade. The beauty only in this ornament is not worth $60,- 000, which is its price. As mere beauty it is not worth six cents." The clerk indignantly reprimanded me for forgetting in whose store I was. "These, sir," he added emphatically, "are the genuine article. You may go 'down town' and buy close imitations at a price somewhere near your six cents, but these are genuine and are worth $60,000 because they are so beautiful." Then I explained to the young peo- ple and I explain to you that what I had in mind was not a question as to the so-called genuineness, though one may question whether the artificial pearls and diamonds are not practically worth as much on the score of beauty. If the imitation is so perfect that only comparatively few experts can distin- guish the false from the true, the beau- ty of the one must be practically as great as that of the other. But what I intended to do was to im- press upon the young' people the fact that we too frequently see beauty through the eyes of dollars, or rarity, or exclusiveness, or selfishness, or whatever else you may care to call it. To prove that point I submit this argu- ment. Suppose we could make dia- monds and pearls as plentiful as the Copyright 1912 by The Agassiz Association, Arcadia: Sound Beach, Conn. i6 THE GUIDE TO NATURE sand of the seashore, so that in a variety of places we might shovel them up by the cart load. Then who would pay even the six cents for them though they had not lost one particle of their beauty. I think that it will be admit- ted, when one stops to consider it, that it is not the beauty of the objects but the spirit of selfishness felt in possess- ing material of which there is not suf- ficient to supply everybody. The naturalist admires pearls and diamonds and believes them to be beautiful specimens from the mineralo- gical world, but he takes them at their true value so far as their intrinsic beauty is concerned, and if he finds other things, even the wings of a beetle, that are to him equally beautiful, he admires them as much as he admires the costly kinds. A naturalist accepts beauty at its real worth and finds as much satisfaction in gazing upon beau- tiful objects that are supplied in pro- fusion for the benefit of all human be- ings, as he feels for others that are less abundant. Fortunate are we that the things of the world that are really the most beautiful are the most plentiful, but unfortunate in the extreme are we if amid such riches Ave forget to appre- ciate. What's the Use of It? Much has been said and written on the value of pure science, and the inter- relation between it and applied science. There are enthusiasts, to whom prac- tical application savors of desecration ; somewhat more numerous are those ex- tremists who see in "practical" results the only justification for the pursuit of pure science. It is true that these men usualty lack the philosophical faculty which would force them to make their own position clear to themselves by examining the concepts lying at its foundation. What, after all, is prac- tical? Is it not, in the last analysis, that which brings pleasure or alleviates pain ? To a certain type of mind, art brings pleasure, and pure science the most in- tense satisfaction. Unless such pleas- ures are bought at an undue cost to the community, art and pure science, then, carry their own justification. Ad- ded to this is the fact that they furnish the highest and most refined type of recreation to the appreciative, though not perhaps actively productive class, suffusing, like some unperceived but powerful undercurrent, higher ideals among their devotees. It would seem, therefore, that the advocates of pure science for science's sake have a strong case to plead, while the ground on which the "practical" extremist stands hardly passes the muster of close logi- cal analysis. Probably the majority of broad- minded, thinking men wisely take a median position. They, perhaps, do not side quite with the enthusiast for pure science, neither do they approve of an attitude of discouragement to- ward all scientific work for which they foresee no immediate practical appli- cation. They point out how the seem- ingly most abstruse scientific investi- gations have again and again grown to unexpected and most important useful application. On the other hand, it has been urged that the pure scientist is apt to be a prophet after the event, who merely analyzes the scientific principles on which depends the working of the de- vice constructed with intuitive wisdom by the practical man. It cannot be denied that instances are plentiful in which practice has thus outstripped scientific theory; but this only shows that the relation between pure and applied science is of a mutual character — each stimulates and ferti- lizes the other. Nor is such analysis of an accomplished fact a fruitless addi- tion to our knowledge. — Scientific American. At some time we are going to have a chance, if we attune ourselves to the desire, to see more and more of these beauties of the Infinite. 1 cannot be- lieve that they are around us and that all we shall ever know will be the few glimpses from this one short life. — Dr. IV. S. Beekman, Dayton, Ohio. Go to Mother Nature for relief, for rest, for balm, for peace. LOOKING OVER THE FIELDS 17 Thoreau, the Lichenist. BY REGINALD IIEBER HOWE, JR., CONCORD, MASS. Few who are familiar with the Jour- nals of Henry David Thoreau can have failed to notice that he was a student of lichens. Those realize, who read him, that every side of Nature had its engrossing appeal, and to all he gave a share of his attention and love. Naturalists, no matter of how broad a cast, rarely heed lichens beyond the most casual acquaintanceship. It there- fore seems to me quite unusual that Thoreau should have paid them as much attention as he did — remarkable, indeed, if he had not had the ferret eyes of a trained naturalist, plus the painter's love for infinitesimal shades of color. I have gleaned from Tho- reau's Journals his observations of lichens which though they show only a slight knowledge of species, and no technical grasp whatsoever, yet prove a keen appreciation of their place in Nature. There are records of the three types, foliose, fruticose and crustose; and the filamentous forms were not to him mosses, nor did the stiped species pass as minute fungi. The first great truth he argued was the effect of moisture on the algal symbiont; "A lichen day" he therefore established as follows among those of his calendar: "December 18, 1859. Rain. It rains but little this afternoon, though there is no sign of fair weather. It is a lichen day. The pitch pines are very inspiring to behold. Their green is as much enlivened and freshened as that of the lichens. It suggests a sort of sunlight on them, though not even a patch of clear sky is to be seen today. As dry and olive or slate-colored lichens are of a fresh and living green, so the already green pine needles have acquired a far livelier tint, as if they enjoyed this moisture as much as the lichens do. They seem to be lit up more than when the sun falls on them. Their trunks and those of trees gener- ally being wet, are very black, and the bright lichens on them are so much the more remarkable." March 12, 1853, "a moist, overcast, melting day" he termed "a rare lichen day" as was his wont, and for February 7, 1859, we find this entry which should make the lichenologist's ears burn with pride at his vocation, or the most dis- sipated of nature lovers happy over his titanic, moral avocation. "Going along the Nut Meadow on Jimmy Miles's road, when I see the sulphur lichens on the rails, brightening with the moisture, I feel like studying them again as a relisher and tonic, to make life go down and digest well, as we use pepper and vinegar and salads. They are a sort of winter green which we gather and assimilate with our eyes. That's the true use of the study of lichens. I expect thus the lichenist will have the keenest relish for Nature in her every day mood and dress. He will have the appetite of the worm that never dies, of the grub. To study lichens is to get a taste of the earth and health, to go gnawing the rails and rocks. This product of the bark is the essence of all tonics. The lichenist extracts nutriment from the very crust of the earth. A taste for this study is an evidence of titanic health, a rare earthiness. It makes not so much blood as soil of life. It fits a man to deal with the barrenest and rockiest experience. A little moisture, a fog, or rain, or melted snow makes his wil- derness to bloom like the rose. As some strong animal appetites, not sat- isfied with starch and muscle and fat, are fain to eat that which eats and di- gests the contents of the crop, the stomach and entrails themselves, so the lichenist loves the trip of the rock, that which eats and digests the rocks. He eats the eater. Eat— all may be his name. A lichenist fattens where others starve. His provender never fails. . . . There is no such cellyrium or salve for sore eyes as these bright- ening lichens on a moist clay. Go bathe and screen your eyes with them in the softened light of the woods." Thoreau evidently felt that his wide study of Nature would be a detriment to the average scientific man, for he wrote : "Man cannot afford to be a naturalist, to look at Nature directly, but only with the side of his eye. lie must look through and beyond her. i8 THE GUIDE TO NATURE To look at her is as fatal as to look at the head of Medusa. It turns the man of science to stone. I feel that I am dissipated by so many observations. I should be the magnet in the midst of all this dust and filings." Thus he showed that to study lichens seemed to him the most complete dissipation of a naturalist's interest. "I knock the his knowledge was meager — but that he knew the varied morphological types, included in the classification, is perfectly clear. This entry in his Spring Journal shows his recognition of a fruticose, filamentous species, quite the commonest of his Concord region. "It is a rare lichen day. The usnea [Usual florida (L.) Web.] with its large ROCK TRIPE. ( Umbilicaria.) DOG LICHEN. (Peltigera.) back of my hand against a rock," he continues, "and as I smooth back the skin I find myself prepared to study lichens there. I look upon man but as a fungus. I have almost a slight, dry headache as the result of all this ob- servation. How to observe is how lo behave. Oh, for a little Lethe. To crown all, lichens which are so thin are described in the dry state, as they are most commonly, not most truly seen. They arc, indeed, dryly described." We must smile here at Thoreau's premoni- tion of the work of Edward Tucker- man — the dullest of all botanical manu- als. Of lichen species, as we have said, fruit is very rich on the maples in the swamp, luxuriating in this moist, over- cast, melting day, but it is impossible to get it home in good condition." The Cladonias evidently attracted his attention most frequently for I find many allusions to them. There was no season of the year that the little Cladonia cristatella Tuck; a species later to be named by Tuckerman, did not at- tract his eve. "How swift," he writes, ''Nature is to repair the damage that man does! When he has cut down a tree, and left only a white-topped and bleeding stum]), she comes at once to the rescue with her chemistry, and cov- ers it decently with a first coat of gray, LOOKING OVER THE FIELDS 19 and in course of time she adds a thick coat of green-cup [Cladonia fimbriata or pyxidtaf] and bright coxcomb lichens, and it becomes an object of new in- terest to the lover of nature!" Occasionally he indicates an obser- vation of an allied species, which we would attempt in vain to name cor- rectly in this generation of hair-split- ting taxonomies. But that he knew the Reindeer "moss" is evidenced by three entries, only one of which I will here set down. "It is a little affecting to walk over the hills now, looking at the reindeer lichens here and there amid the snow, and remember that ere long we shall find violets also in their midst." Thoreau did not err with the common lot — they were reindeer lich- ens to him, not reindeer mosses. I find only two entries that refer 10 the great foliose Parmelias, and there, so far I am able to judge, all to one species, Parmelia caperata (L.) Ach. He perhaps used this large common species as the representative of many similar forms, recognized by his eye as distinct, but hardly important enough for a Journal's noting. Of these he writes: "There is a low mist in the woods. It is a good dav to study lichens. The view is so confined, it compels your attention to near objects, and the white background reveals the disks of the lichens distinctly. They appear more loose, flowing, expanded, flattened out. the colors brighter for the damp. The round, greenish-yellow lichens on the white pines loom through the mist (or are seen dimly) like shields whose devices you would fain read." Of the other foliose genera he men- tions two of the most prominent : Sticta and Umbilicaria. His observation of the Sticta pulmonaria (L.) Ach. is interestingly interrogative as is shown by the following quotation. Though the plant is not confined to the oaks, being equally fond of yellow birch boles, yet I believe it always shuns the conifers. "It is a lichen day, with a little moist snow falling. The great green lungwortlichen show now- on the oaks (strange that there should be none on the pines close by), and the fresh, bright chestnut fruit of other kinds [i. e., Sticta amplissima (Scop.) Mass], glistening with moisture, brings life and immortality to light." In one of his Journal entries of the other foliose genus, Umbilicaria, Tho- reau mentions for the second time accurately a lichen species — referring to one of the earliest of Tuckerman's works as his source of information. Here the economic side of the study seems to have interested him to such a degree that he actualh- made himself an arctic beverage. "Boiled a handful of rock tripe (Umbilicaria M allien- bergii) (which Tuckerman says "was the favorite rock tripe in Franklin's journey") for more than an hour. It produced a black puff, looking some- what like boiled tea-leaves, and was insipid, like rice or starch. The dark water in which it was boiled had a bit- ter taste, and was slightly gelatinous. The puff was not positively disagree- able to the palate." Faint praises, in- deed, for the favorite of Umbilicarimi nectars. Thoreau's knowledge of the crustose lichens would naturally be the least extensive owing to their minute char- acter, their less conspicuous coloring, and their general unattractiveness. Though here, except for spelling, he gives the correct Latin name to the most attractive of crustose forms. "The bank is tinged with a most deli- cate pink or bright flesh color where the beomyces rosaceus [Bocmyces roseus (L.) Pers.] grows." Again he writes of the same lichen: "Further still, . . . as I was showing to T.fappau] under a bank the single flesh-colored or pink apothecium of a Beomyces which was not covered by snow, I saw the print of C.'s foot by its side, and knew that his eyes had rested on it that afternoon. It was about the size of a pin's head. Saw also where he had examined the lichens on the rails." . . . This last sounds the true naturalist — though it sounds also like a Cooper allegory. Another mention of a probable crustose form is found where he says: "The very debris of the cliffs . . . are covered with geographic lichens. No surface is permitted to be bare long. 20 THE GUIDE TO NATURE . . . Was not he who creates lichens the abettor of Cadmus when he invent- ed letters? Types almost arrange themselves into words and sentences, as dust arranges itself under the mag- net. Print ! it is a close-hugging lichen that forms on a favorable surface, which paper offers. The linen gets it- self wrought into paper that the song i. e., what others call it, and therefore could not conveniently speak of it, it has suggested less to me, and I have made less use of it. I now first feel as if I had got hold of it." Have we not here the true naturalist's instinct revealed? To know Nature— -though not necessarily to appreciate it — we must be able to name her many chil- BOEMYCES ROSEUS (L.) PERS. LUNGWORT. (Sticta pulmonaria (I..) Ach. of the shirt may be printed on it. Who placed us with eyes between a micro- scopic and a telescopic world?" It would seem that he here refers to Buellia geographica Tuck. The last note that I take from his Journal is one in which he mentions his town neighbor, a Hellenist of repu- tation, the clergyman botanist of Chelmsford. ''Mrs. Ripley told me this p. m. that [John Lewis] Russell had decided that that green (and sometimes yellow) dust on the underside of stones in walls was a decaying state of Lepraria chlorina, a lichen ; the yellow another species of Lepraria. (This plant is not now classed as a true lichen.) I have long known this dust, but as I did not know the name of it, dren. In so far as Thoreau named few lichens we cannot call him a Hellenist, yet as they made up a real part of his world of Nature, and as he understood their place and functions, we may say at least he was a student of lichenology. "The American Bee Journal." for many years published at Chicago, Il- linois, has changed its location to Ham- ilton, Illinois, and will be edited by Mr. C. P. Dadant, one of the best-known and most extensive bee keepers of the country. We cordially recommend "The American Bee Journal" to our readers that are interested in honey- bees. The Journal is always instruc- tive and enterprising. LOOKING OVER THE EIELDS 21 The Education Which We Receive From Nature. BY .MRS. EDITH W. MITCHELL, LECTURER FAIRFIELD COUNTY (CONN.), PA MO N A GRANGE. Contemplation of the majesty and power of nature cultivates that chief of Christian virtues, humility. Who can gaze upon some lofty mountain as it towers away into the heavens with such wondrous majesty; who can listen to the thunders of a Niagara as it leaps down into the depths with a mighty roar and sends up its blinding cloud of spray ; who can gaze upon the starry worlds above us which for centuries have been whirling on through space at a lightning rapidity, and not feel with the wise man of old, when he ex- claims, "man is but vanity." Even the lords of creation can but feel humbled before the marvelous works of crea- tion's God. By contact with nature we come to love the simple every-day things of life. We are brought into harmony with our immediate surroundings and are made content with the lot in life to which we have been called, however humble it may be. For the greatest feast which this world has to offer to the eye or the ear of man is spread out lavishly before us and is ours to use and to enjoy "without money and without price." We live in an age of unrest and discontent. We demand continual change and variety of amusement and recreation to keep us sane and happy. We must each have a hobby to ride, if it is nothing more novel or out of the ordinary than an automobile or an aeroplane. Don't misunderstand me to belittle the value of a hobby. We all need one. But let me recommend one which shall bring us in touch with nature, a friendship with the birds, a botanical collection, a study of min- erals or a flower garden. Such pleas- ures never grow blase and benefit our health and ennoble our life into the bargain. Need I mention the wonderful train- ing and developing of the powers of the mind and the senses which any phase of nature study (it seems like a misnomer to call it study), may bring about? Talk with a wide-awake country boy who wanders at will over hill and dale and you will marvel at his power of observation, at the acuteness of his senses, at the depth of his rea- soning, and the amount of information he has picked up. Surely we may say of nature that "to know her is a liberal education." All the great minds of the world have been lovers of nature and have found their joy and their inspira- tion in communion with her. Research in Place of Directorship. Dr. William Trelease, for twenty-two years the Director of Shaw's Garden, otherwise known as the Missouri Bo- tanical Garden, at St. Louis, has re- signed his position, and intends in the future to devote his time more largely to scientific research work with less interruption from administrative du- ties. Dr. Trelease is well-known and is a skilled botanist of good executive ability, and has held the position for almost a quarter of a century with credit to himself and to the garden. By his excellent ability and faithful work he has brought the garden to a high standard of efficiency. The garden was established in 1889, upon the death of Mr. Shaw by whose will there was left a large sum of money to carry on the work, so broadly conceived as to include beautiful gar- dening, instructive labeling of plants, education in gardening and botany, and investigation in pure and applied bot- any and in allied sciences. What has nature study to do with this agricultural renaissance? Very much. It was the foundation of it. Nature study's greatest exponent, the man who upset the old order of teach- ing natural sciences, was Louis Agas- siz. The men who were his students learned to use their eyes, to observe accurately, to assemble facts, and to draw proper conclusions. All this quite independent of books. The "lab- oratory method" of studying natural science was established in our colleges by Agassiz and his disciples. — Tenth Anniversary Number of "Country Life in America/' April 15th, igi2. 22 THE GUIDE TO NATURE Howard Henderson Cleaves, Nature Student. BY WM. T. DAVIS, NEW BRIGHTON, STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK. We lately attended an auction of the effects of a poor old naturalist and FLASH LIGHT OF THE CHILDREN AT A FRI- DAY AFTERNOON LECTURE, IN THE AS- SEMBLY HALL OF THE STATEN ISLAND MUSEUM. among the things offered for sale was the study skin of a male egret in full plumage. It caught the eye of a woman, apparently a milliner, and that dilapidated bird brought a higher price than some of the other skins of more value. On the way home she was observed showing her purchase to a friend, spreading out the bird's plumes on her hand and no doubt ex- plaining what she was going to do with her bargain. By this time it is prob- ably part of the headgear of a woman of the fantastical class in her efforts to attract all possible attention. And why was the milliner so anx- ious to get the egret collected so many years ago? Simply because of the re- cent laws and the public sentiment still growing that brought the laws into being, that prohibit the slaughter and sale of these egrets. It is one of the encouraging signs of the times that the law makers saw more use and beauty in the living birds than in the dead ones, and so notified the fantas- AN UNCOMMON PHOTOGRAPH OF A 'COMMON TERN." Taken at Gardiner's Island, New York. Copyrighted, 1910, by Howard H. Cleaves. Copyrighted, 1910, by Doubleday, Page & Company. LOOKING OVER THE EI ELDS 23 BELTED KINGFISHER FLYING FROM NEST. Exposure of 1/1,000 of a second. Copyrighted, 1910, by Doubleday, Page & Company. ticals to that effect. But this state of affairs was not brought about without much argument, which is still going on, for a little lapse on the part of the educators and the slaughter might com- mence anew, and some truly beautiful birds be lost to the world forever. One of those who are helping on the interest in our birds, through his il- lustrated talks to children, is Mr. How- ard Henderson Cleaves of the Public Museum at St. George, Staten Island. Mr. Cleaves was born in Illinois about twenty-five years ago of New England parents, and early took an interest in photography. Being of an inventive and enquiring turn of mind the camera offered the way to much experiment. There was the ever pleasing lure of the fields and woods where little harmless tricks could be played on unsuspecting wild creatures, whereby their portraits might be secured, often, be it confessed, in anything but studio-like postures. At one time Mr. Cleaves placed an artificial goldfish of heroic size just beneath the surface of the water of a Staten Island pond about which an osprey was wont to circle. After much patient waiting, the bird finally dropped on the fish, the string was pulled amid much excitement and the picture secured. Most any one can OSPREY RETURNING TO A TALL P.EACII NEST. Gardiner's Island, New York. Copyrighted, 1912, by Doubleday, Page & Company. 24 THE GUIDE TO NATURE AN OSPREY RETURNING TO ITS LOW MARSH NEST TO CARE FOR HER TWO NEWLY HATCHED YOUNGSTERS. Gardiner's Island, New York, 1910. witness an osprey plunge for a fish. and most any one can also shoot at the bird, but it needs such in- genuity and patience as Air. Cleaves brought to the matter to get its pic- ture. He has also photographed a number of the shore birds that frequent the ponds and adjacent seashore near his home at Princes Bay. Many of these have amusing ways and trot along the shore line following some definite turn about a piece of driftwood or boulder, and it has been necessary to carefully study each particular idi- osyncrasy in order to secure the covet- ed pictures. Mr. Cleaves is a good observer, as shown in his numerous articles pub- lished in "Country Life in America," the "Proceedings of the Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences" and elsewhere, and as he has but started on the way, there seems to be a bright and useful future for his camera, his pen and his lectures in behalf of his feathered favorites. A PICTURESQUE "INLAND ROCK NEST" OF A PAIR OF OSPREYS. Gardiner's Island, New York, 1910. Copyrighted in England by Witherby & Company, 1911. Copyrighted in U. S. A. by Howard H. Cleaves, 1911. Copyrighted in V. S. A. by Doubleday, Page & Company, 1912. THE HEAVENS FOR JUNE 25 BY The Heavens in June. PROF. ERIC DOOLITTLE OF THE UNI- VERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. During" this, the first of our summer months, the early evening' heavens will be found filled with objects of in- terest. First to attract our attention will probably be Arcturus. that very NORTH far less bright than the great Arcturus above them. These are the white stars Spica and Regulus, and the red star Antares, the last being the most bril- liant star of the wonderful summer group of the Scorpion, which is so con- spicuous in the southern skv through- out the month of August. SOUTH Figure 1. The Constellations at 9 P. M., June 1. (If facing south hold the map upright. If facing west, hold "West" below; if facing east hold "East" below. If facing north hold the map inverted.) old and inconceivably brilliant sun, which now shines out exactly south of the zenith. And next we notice three bright stars which stretch entirely across the southern sky at nearly equal distances from one another, all of which are very brilliant objects, though In the northeast we see the beauti- ful Northern Cross whose greatest length now lies almost along the ground ; above this is the blue Vega, while below it, exactly in the East Point, there are rising the three brightest stars of the beautiful group -26 THE GUIDE TO NATURE known as the Eagle. All of these stars sank from our evening sky last De- cember, but throughout the entire sum- mer and fall they will remain with us, becoming very striking groups when with the advancing seasons they mount higher in the heavens. But the most striking and interest- ing object of all is doubtless the beau- tiful Jupiter which has now well en- tered the evening sky and pours out its steady, golden radiance in the southeast. Even without a telescope this is a beautiful object, for it is by far the brightest heavenly body now in the sky, and its deep golden color can easily be recognized, especially if the observer compares it with the white or blue stars Spica, Vega and Regulus. It is now retrograding, or moving westward among the stars, and during the month will pass to the west of Antares. This slow, westward move- ment will continue until August 3 by which time it will have almost reached the heavens is a most interesting one. The bright Antares itself, one of the most interesting of the stars, is men- tioned in the very earliest records r 1 I V^Sfc WEST South Figure '2. Passage of the moon over the bright star Antares, on June 29. which we possess. To the Persians of 3000 B. C. it was one of the four Royal Stars, while in Egyptian astronomy, seven centuries earlier, it is a goddess heralding sunrise at the time of the au- Figure 3. The occultation of Antares. Within the cylinder M, N, a, b, the star is invisible. the stars at A. Figure i ; it will then turn eastward and again take up its twelve-year journey around the Celes- tial Sphere. THF JUNF STARS. This whole southeastern region of tumnal equinox, for, 56 centuries ago, the autumnal equinox was near this star. The oldest of the Grecian tem- ples— beside many later ones — are ori- entated to Antares. Antares, which is believed to be a THE HEAVENS FOR JUNE very old sun, has a faint, emerald- green companion very near it, and this is probably revolving' about the larger .star. Eighteen hundred years ago this star was fainter than the star at B, Figure I. It is now pouring out four times as much light as it did then; but whether its period of greatest bright- ness has yet been reached we do not know. The stars A, C and D are all inter- esting double-sun systems, the first and last being easily seen with a small telescope. The star at B is remarkable for its greenish color. Finally, much farther east, in the constellation Ophiu- chus, there is a little double star at E which is of very "Teat interest, be- point A on the east ed^c of the moon (Figure 2) at 16 minutes after 11 o'clock (Eastern standard time) and reappearing at the point B at 30 min- utes past midnight. Antares will thus remain hidden for 1 hour and 14 min- utes, as seen from Washington. The reader should not fail to observe this most interesting phenomenon. The observation will be much more satisfactory if made with a small tele- scope or a pair of opera glasses; but even with the naked eye the sudden disappearance of the bright star as the moon passes over it will be very strik- ing. As the moon is three days from full, and as its eastern edge is conse- quently in darkness, the star will be Figure 4. Showing the comparative sizes of the earth, Mars, Mercury and the Moon. cause the two suns in their motion about one another seem to be disturbed by the pull of an unseen body. It may be remembered that the massive at- tendants of Sirius and Procyon were discovered in this way many years be- fore they were ever seen in the tele- scope. The body in the stellar system at E may be entirely dark, or it may be too faint to be visible in any of the in- struments which we possess at present. It has been many times searched for without success. THE OCCULTATIOX OF ANTARES. An event of great interest this month is the passage of the moon between us and the bright star Antares. This will occur on June 26, the star disappearing, as viewed from Washington, at the seen to disappear an appreciable dis- tance away from the bright edge of the moon itself — that is, it will be hidden before the moon has apparently quite reached it. The observer will notice that it will disappear instantaneously, a thing that would not be possible if there were any air on our satellite, for in that case the disappearance would be a gradual fading away. Unfortunately, it is not possible to state for each observer the exact time when the occulation will be seen by him, for this differs very greatly for different parts of the earth. That this must be so is evident from Figure 3, where the cylinder of light enveloping the moon is that made by the light of the star itself, and clearly to anyone inside of this cylinder the star will be 28 THE GUIDE TO NATURE wholly invisible. As the moon is far below the earth's equator on June 26, the area ab, which the cylinder cuts from the earth is a very elongated one. If it is remembered that not only is the moon in motion but that the earth is also turning' rapidly, it is evident that a quite long computation must be made to determine the exact instant when any point of the earth will enter or leave the shaded area. The best plan in observing the occu- lation will be for the observer to notice the relative positions of the moon and the star several times during the even- ing. He will notice that the former is moving steadily eastward an amount equal to its own diameter in each hour, and when it has approached the star quite closely the uninterrupted watch- ing can begin. The bodies will then be high in the heavens, in excellent posi- tion for the observation. THE PLANETS IN JUNE. Mercury, which reached its greatest western elongation on May 13, passes to the east of the sun on June 17, but as it will not reach its greatest eastern elongation until July 25, it will not be visible this month. Venus is also too near the sun to be seen ; by the end of the month it is al- most in line with the sun, though it will not pass to the west of that body and enter the evening sky until July 5. Mars is still conspicuous in the west, its rapid eastward motion during this month carrying it entirely across Can- cer and into the Constellation Leo. On June 9 it will pass exactly north of the star at F. Figur 1. and by observing the two bodies in a small telescope the eastward motion may be clearlv detec- ted in the course of only a few hours. It is of interest to notice that the earliest observation of Jupiter of which we have any record is connected with this star. It is stated that on Septem- ber 4, B. C. 240, the planet was seen from Egypt to occult this star, but as the observation was a naked eye one, the supposed occulation was probably only a very near approach. Mars is still rapidly drawing away from the earth ; its distance from us is increased from 194 to 212 millions of miles during the month. Since when nearest it is but 36 millions of miles distant, it is now in extremely unfav- orable position for observation. In a small telescope it appears as a reddish disc, but very slightly more than one- half full. Jupiter, the most brilliant and inter- esting object now in the sky, will be at once recognized as it shines well up from the ground in the southeast, in the eastern border of the constellation of the Scorpion. Saturn is slowly withdrawing from the rays of the sun in the morning sky, and may be detected rising a little north on the east point about an hour before sunrise. Uranus and Neptune are not in fa- vorable nosition for observation during the month. On June 21, at 2 hours \J minutes P. M., (Eastern standard time), the sun reaches the Summer Solstice, or highest point of its path in the heavens, and this is therefore the longest day of the present year. A Surprise. The Rev. E. J. Hardy, in his book "The Unvarying East," tells a delight- ful story. A young lady about to visit the Holy Land called on an old lady friend. She mentioned that she soon honed to see Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Galilee and many of the other places mentioned in the Bible. The old lady put down her work, re- moved her spectacles and exclaimed in great surprise, "Well, now, I knew that all these places were in the Bible, but I never thought of them being on the earth." — B.vcliangc. We can equal that story. We meet plenty of people who talk about God's Works, and yet seem to think of them as existing only in the Bible, or as poetical subjects to sing about. These people apparently fail to realize that God's Works are here now, in the frog pond, by the roadside, and in the field. THE INTEREST IN INSECTS 29 <:3&^%#S A GROUP OF APHIDS OR "MILCH COWS' THE STEM OF A PLANT. Experimenting With the Intelligence of Ants and Wasps. DY PAUL GRISWOLD HOWES, THE MAPLE- WOOD MUSEUM, STAMFORD, CONN. Authors Note: Among the many students and observers of insect life, we naturally find many varied opinions upon the causes of insect actions. Of course such questions can be determined only after long study; experiment and careful observing of the home lives of these creatures. Never the less, every little bit adds to the general knowledge of the subject and it is hoped that the cases sighted in this article, which it must be remembered, are individual cases that I have found in a great number of ex- neriments, will be of aid to those already interested in this fascinating study. Some believe that the behavior of insects is exclusively instinctive, others that they are governed or controlled by response to light, heat, gravity, etc., while still others hold that it is instinct tempered with and modified by reason. On this side stands the writer, together with many well known scientists; therefore I have been bold enough to use the word Intelligence, in the title of my article. The illustrations are from life by the author. Among the numerous volumes which have been written upon insect life, we seldom find one in which the ants are not credited as being the most mar- velous of all insects. The actions of these creatures and the deeds which they accomplish would furnish suffi- cient material to fill many a work of portly size, and indeed much has been written upon the subject. Marvelous is the manner in which they feed and care for their young and wonderful the loyalty of the subjects to their queen and their city, for all ants live in communities. The storing of proper food for the winter and the capturing of Aphids or "Milch cattle," from which the ants extract a sweet, nourishing licpiid are other interesting 3o THE GUIDE TO NATURE "FOR ALL THE WORLD LIKE A MINIATURE VOLCANO IN A SETTING OF GIANT TREES.' examples, all of which tend to make one wonder why these industrious in- habitants of our world have not been credited with intelligence before. These Aphids of which I have just spoken, are the young" of certain small insects commonly known as plant lice. They are sap-draining creatures and are of- ten found upon the stems and leaves of various plants, shrubs and trees sometimes in great numbers. The ants take great care of these -little "Cattle" and may often be seen extract- ing the sweet fluid from their bodies by gently squeezing their sides ! Not only do they use them through the summer, but when the cold weather arrives, the ants carry their Aphids into their underground nests, where they place them upon the roots of plants, thus securing a supply of nec- tar through the winter! Yet these very insects who, perhaps, by their marvelous actions, have held our rapt attention, or caused us to ex- claim in astonishment, may display, but a moment later, such an unpardon- able lack of resource that we are at loss to understand and our belief in in- telligence may be somewhat shaken. But perhaps not permanently, for it is true that among nearly every large colony of these insects, one will find an occasional example wherein an in- dividual seems really to leave the beaten track of instinct in which its forefathers have travelled unwittingly for hundreds and hundreds of years. Yonder near the forest's edge, a neg- lected, grass-grown wood path winds its silent way into the sombre, shaded depths of the virgin growth. In the center of the path stands a mound of dry, brown earth, protected from the elements by the thick, dark foliage above. The mound is nearly three feet in diameter and stands some eigh- teen inches in height ; for all the world like a miniature volcano in a setting of giant trees. Indeed even the lava seems to be there, pouring downward in an ever changing stream, as if im- patient to destroy some tiny city at the mountains base. But this is not the eruption of a fairy Vesuvius, which we are witnessing, nor is it even an unusual sight, but simply a great thriving insect city wherein live some forty-thousand mound ants, whose never ceasing labors cause their whole metropolis to writhe, like streams of moulten lava ! Let us go closer to the mound, that we may try an experiment upon a single member of this great colony of insects who is laboriously endeavoring to drag the remains of a field cricket, man}- times its own size, to the insect city, some twenty feet distant. THE INTEREST IN INSECTS 31- In the same circumstances, a man would have soon given up the task, for every twig", every leaf and every stone in the path, played a part in hindering the progress of the hard working in- sect. But the ant would not abandon such a dainty morsel of food, even had it been three times as heavy, and indeed she might have soon reached her des- tination had I not cautiously clasped the cricket by one of its antennae or feelers with a pair of slender forceps. The ant was greatly astonished at find- ins: her burden immovable, but she soon commenced to investigate and finally, after some minutes, came upon the closed end of my forceps. Vainly she tried to free the insect from the grip of steel, and finding herself un- equal to the task, she soon made off in the direction of the mound. Now when pei haps fifteen inches away, the ant suddenly turned, as if by some idea or impulse which must be obeyed. Going straight to the antennae which was still held by the forceps, chewed it free with her powerful jaws and once more made off, this time in possession of her well earned burden ! Of course it is possible that upon her return, the ant came by accident, directly to that part of the cricket which was being held in the forceps But it must be remembered never the less, that this time the ant freed her prize by chewing through the crickets feeler, an action which had not, ap- parently, occurred to her, when the jour- ney was first arrested. Although this fact is not a very remarkable one, it is true that the ant was efficient in adapt- ing herself to the circumstances, which were quite unusual. In such cases in- stinct is supposed to be deficient. Now let us watch another ant, an inhabitant of the same mound, who is also struggling homeward, bearing the remains of some dry and lifeless insect. After towing her burden backwards for perhaps twelve inches, the insect came upon a tall blade of grass, fully a foot in height, which was growing directly in her path. Here I expected to see the ant circumscribe the base of the stem, but what stupidity! In- stead of executing this simple ma- noeuvre, she climbed first to the top and finally down again upon the opposite side of the blade, probably with the idea that she had covered with ease a considerable portion of the homeward journey ! These two ants which we have fol- lowed with their burdens, were un- doubtedly children of the same queen yet while one was quite competent under the extraordinary conditions, the other lacked even sufficient power of perception to have prevented herself from accomplishing a useless feat. But who can tell? Perhaps had they been each in the others place, the wise ant A MOUND AXT CARRYING ITS BURDEN TO THE TOP OF A GRASS STEM INSTEAD OF CIRCUMSCRIBING THE BASE. 32 THE GUIDE TO NATURE COMPARATIVE WING EXPANSE OF THE CICADA AND SPHECID, ILLUSTRATING THE GREATER SIZE OF THE WASP'S BURDEN. would have been the stupid one and and the stupid ant the wise one ! A remarkable insect, capable of adaptation under adverse conditions is the Sphecid ; the largest and most pow- erful of our native wasps. This insect digs a deep burrow in sandy soil, at the end of which two elongated cham- bers or cells are constructed. In each of these, the insect places a single cicada or "Locust" that has previously been paralyzed, but not killed, by the wasps terrific sting. Now she lays an egg upon the breast of each of the unfortunate cicadas. When this has been done the burrow is sealed with earth and the young wasps feed upon the paralyzed insects until the}' reach what is known as the pupal state. In THE CARRYING TONGS ON THE SPHECID'S LEGS. this form they spend the winter, is- suing as perfect insects in the follow- ing spring. It is true that the cicada is larger and heavier, even than the powerful Sphecid, and it will readily occur to the reader, that to carry such an un- gainly burden through the air, would be an extremely difficult undertaking. But here nature has assisted the insect in accomplishing her function by sup- plying a pair of powerful upturned hooks or tongs, one of which is situated upon the under side of each of the wrasps back legs. These the Sphecid simply fastens in the cicadas sides and thus it is securely held during the overland journey to the burrow. During the latter part of August, the writer captured one of these insects, to- gether with a cicada which it had re- cently paralyzed. The carrying hooks were then carefully removed from the Sphecid's legs and after several hours, the insect was replaced beside the same cicada which it had been carrying when captured. This was within a few feet of the burrow. Now a re- markable thing happened. The wasp paid not the slightest attention to the cicada, but flew rapidly away among the trees. This I had expected, but to my great surprise she returned to the bur- row within an hour, carrying another victim apparently in her first and second pairs of legs ! The cicada was suspended. "Tail" down in a line per- pendicular to the wasps body ; the two insects forming the letter T while in the air. THE INTEREST IX INSECTS 33- This is a most remarkable case and points clearly toward intelligence, for the Sphecid left the instinctive rut so minutely travelled by her ancestors and instantly adapted herself to the most extrinsic circumstances imagin- able. Equally interesting are the results of two experiments upon different species of the same group of insects which were recently observed at close range by the writer. These experiments are well worthy of note, from the fact that a vast contrast in adaptability was dis- covered between two insect species, so entirely identical in their anatomical structure and so closely related in their classification that they should have been equal to each other, even under the unusual circumstances in which they were placed. Yet in one of these experiments it was shown that a certain species possessed the power of instantly distinguishing between right and wrong, while in the other, the second species, belonging to the same family, made plain its inability to leave the beaten path of innate propen- sity. As I have said, the insects in ques- tion were both species of wasps ; one the paper wasp and the other the com- mon blue mud-dauber. Although they are alike in structure and function, their habits are quite at variance, as we shall presently see. The paper wasps are a social species ; that is, they live in a colony, with a common den, which, in this case con- sists of a group of paper tubes or cells, suspended by a central stem from the under sides of overhanging stones or more often from old beams and tim- bers in barns or sheds. The paper for the nest is manufactured by the wasps from wood pulp which is scraped from unpainted lumber and then mixed with a glutinous substance which the in- sects possess. A large nest will con- tain in the neighborhood of five hun- dred cells, but the great majority are complete when one hundred have been constructed. In each of these cells an egg is laid by the queen, and the young are fed by the other members of the colony until their period of help- lessness is at an end. Their food con- sists of chewed up worms, spiders and other insects, mixed with a certain amount of nectar, and is undoubtedly quite nourishing and delicious. Thus it will be seen that the paper wasps are of a domestic turn of mind and quite different in habits from their mud-daubing cousin, who is a restless, nervous creature of a solitary nature. This insect constructs from five to fifteen cells of rich grey mud which, upon hardening becomes quite sub- stantial. The nest is placed in situa- A NORMAL NEST OF THE MUD-DAUBER WITH CELLS OPENED TO SHOW CONTENTS. The top one contains the young of the wasp, the cen- ter one the spiders with which it is pro- visioned, and the bottom cell is one from which the insect has issued. tions similar to those which the paper making species select. Like the Sphecid wasp, the mud-dauber fills each cell with paralyzed insects, which, in this case consist of small spiders. Then after laying a single egg in each, she seals up the opening with mud and leaves the young wasps to shift for themselves. For the first experiment, a mud-dau- ber's nest was selected which was dis- covered under the overhanging roof of an old wood shed. The affair con- sisted of ten cells, all but one of which had been sealed by the wasp, who, by the way, quickly appeared upon the scene, carrying two small, reddish spiders and fully prepared to avenge all public wrongs. The burdened in- sect flew directly to the nest and after earefullv inspecting her cargo, to make 34 THE GUIDE TO NATURE sure that it was in perfect condition and quite proper to serve as food for her offspring-, she entered the remain- ing' empty cell. To store these spiders to her satisfaction, required quite some time, but when once they had been suitably placed, our industrious insect lost no time in hurrying away to gather in more victims. This manoeuvre was **■ -:££:■«>.. i"*-** THE MUD-DAUBER'S NEST SHOWING THE EMPTY CELL WITH THE ENTRANCE SEALED. repeated on an average of every seven minutes, but upon her tenth return to the nest, she carried a small pellet of mud instead of the usual spiders. This was carefully placed upon the open end of the cell and after flattening it some- what with her head and fore feet, flew off for more. At this point I intervened in behalf of my experiment, and as a conse- quence thereof, the sealed portion of the entrance and the spiders were en- tirely removed from the cell. Within a very few minutes the wasp returned, bearing its second load of material, and this, as upon her previous visit, she •cemented to the opening of the cell. Now the wasp thrust her head through the half closed entrance and after ap- parently inspecting the empty interior, again flew away, as I believed at the time, in search of a new supply of spiders to replace those which had been removed. But this was not the case, as we shall presently see. I now left the immediate localitv of the nest fearing that perhaps my continual presence would alarm the subject of my experiment. In an hour I returned only to find that the wasp had ignored the fact that the cell had been emptied, and had completely resealed it without replacing the spiders or her egg ! In this case the insect clearly dem- onstrated her inability to perceive, even such a radical alteration as had taken place in the cell during her absence. She had simply proceeded to accom- plish a certain, regular course of inborn events, and owing to the fact that it did not occur to her to alter any one of these, even under the circumstances which had been caused, it is plain that there existed no mental activity, but simply innat; muscular actions of a reflective or unconscious nature. But now let us turn to the subject of my last experiment, which, it will be re- membered, was the closely related, pa- per-making cousin of the mud-dauber As I have stated before, the paper wasps do not seal up their cells, nor do they even store them with nourish- ing food for the young. Owing to this state of affairs, it would, of course, be impossible to effect a similar alteration upon their nest as upon that of the mud-dauber. But the purpose of my experiments was not simply to place the two species in identical circum- stances, but to discover, if when placed under extraordinary conditions, either would display in their actions, any evi- dences of mental activity; or in fact, anything which might give us better reason for believing that insects are sometimes governed by a power above mere instinct. At the time of this experiment, the paper wasps were adding several new cells to the nest, which had grown too small for the rapidly increasing colony. These new cells were nearly finished ; all but one, and of this perhaps a third had been constructed by the tireless insects. As I reached the nest, a wasp was seen working upon the unfinished cell, but she soon flew away in search of a new supply of pulp. When she had gone far enough to insure my feel- ings against that unpleasant sensation caused by her sting, the other members THE INTEREST IN INSECTS 35 of the colony were quickly put aside and the cell was then suddenly finished by human hand, assisted by a small tube of greyish courtplaster. In a few minutes the wasp returned and flew directly to the cell which I had so kindly completed for her. But she apparently considered my work as being far from the required standard ; indeed she must have thought me downright fresh, for soon my carefully made cell of court-plaster was cut away from the nest and viciously ejec- ted by the wasp, who was now in a temper to be quite fully respected. On the following day I returned to the nest with another cell, but this time I had moulded it of Papier mache, hence it was identical in size, color and texture, with those which the wasps construct themselves. Once more the wasps were put out of the way, and while the one who had been allowed her freedom upon the previous day was again collecting pulp at a respectful distance, I cut away the cell which was now nearly finished, and fastened the Papier mache one in its place. Upon fact that her nest cell had been rifled and her egg removed, which is an af- fair of much greater importance But why these differences in intelligence, if such we may term it, even among in- sects of the same flesh and blood? That is what we do not know ; it is a question for which we have yet to find an answer. But however that may be, it is evident from the results of the ex- periments which I have just described, that in cases unlikely to be provided for by instinct, insects will occasionally adopt means whereby their objects may be effected. And if it be true, as we now believe, that all instincts arose through successive generations pre- serving habits which happened to be of benefit, then insects must gain know- ledge from experience, which would be impossible were they not gifted with a certain amount of reason or in- telligence. weight !" declared the THE PAPER WASP REMOVING THE PAPIER- MACHE CELL CONSTRUCTED BY THE AUTHOR. her return to the nest, the wasp dis- played the same disgust at my inability to construct a cell, as upon the occa- sion of my original effort. Conse- quently the object of my labors met a fate similar to that which the first cell was subjected to! How quickly this insect recognized the uselessness of these man-made cells, for indeed I had left them open at both ends. Yet her very near rela- tive, the mud-dauber, was blind to the When Fact and Theory Met. Senator Frye of Maine was a very diligent and skilful fisherman, and his favorite game was the square-tailed trout. On one occasion, says the New York Globe, the late professor Agassiz, who was his friend, challenged the Senator's boast that he had caught a seven-pound trout. "Square-tailed trout do not ever reach that sicentist, postively. Mr. Frye did not engage in unprofi- table argument on the point at issue, but the very next summer the natural- ist received from Rangeley a large box, within which, packed in ice, reposed a beautiful square-tailed trout which weighed precisely eight pounds. Professor Agassiz's response was prompt and to the point. He wrote : "The theory of a lifetime has been kicked to pieces by a fact." — Youth's Companion. You may not be able to cross the ocean this Summer in quest of adven- ture : but you can cross your threshold into the land of out-of-doors, where you will be sure of finding much that is new and strange and interesting. 36 THE GUIDE TO NATURE A Chapter of the Agassiz Association. (Incorporated 1892 and 1910.) The Law of Love, Not the Love of Law The Problem of the Cat. A Great De- stroyer of Useful birds. Preven- tive Measures. CY HERBERT K. JOB, STATE ORNITHOLO- GIST, WEST HAVEN, CONN. On a wild tract of land in Connec- ticut used as a game preserve, remote from any town or village, during" the first year and a half of its recent opera- tion the keeper in charge killed forty roving cats, and during the next year two dozen more. Alan)' of these were evidently homeless, having relapsed into the condition of wild animals. Others were house-cats, accustomed to roam, mostly by night, miles from their homes. All were preying on birds and wild game. This is no exceptional case, but typical of what goes on every- where. People often wonder why our song and insectivorous birds which are pro- tected by law do not increase. The real wonder is that they have not long since been exterminated, with an army of hunting felines, especially in the vicinity of towns, roaming everywhere in the breeding season, searching for nests and young birds. If the nest is on the ground or anywhere that a cat can climb, the case is almost hopeless. Even if out of reach, the young when learning to fly are almost sure to flut- ter down and get caught. If one will look around near home, he will often find emoty nests which have been rob- bed of eggs or young. The cat is a born hunter, and nearly all of them hunt for wild game, even though their owners do not suspect it. It is a very moderate estimate to as- sume that each cat, on the average, slays one bird a week, say fifty each year. Think of the countless thousands of useful birds thus killed in the United States every year ! In most parts of Europe birds are said to be much more abundant than with us, though they are shot and trap- ped much more freely- A well-known naturalist who has travelled much in those countries considers this due in considerable measure to the compara- tive absence of cats. It seems to him a local peculiarity of the American peo- ple to tolerate in their homes numbers of these half-wild animals, a queer, abnormal fad. In Europe the posses- sion of cats is said to be regulated by law. A common barbarity is the practice of abandoning cats by peoole changing their residence, leaving them to sut- fer and to prey upon society. In pity I have taken in these homeless starv- ing creatures and fed them. At one shore resort in Connecticut I have been told that there are from fifty to one hundred homeless cats, abandoned by summer cottagers, eking out a wretch- ed existence around the piers. With us the cat has no standing in law, and is not recognized as orouerty. No one can obtain redress if his cats are poisoned or shot. Yet even this permission to kill does not abate the nuisance. Alike from the standpoint of kindness to animals, of the owner of the cat, and of the lover of birds, is it not high time that this matter should be regulated by law, — how manv and what sort of cats one mav THE EDUCATIONAL HUMANE SOCIETY 37 keep, how they must he treated and restrained? Any one who is sufficient- ly responsible to he permitted by so- ciety to keep a cat ought to have public spirit enough to be glad to pay a small license fee for the privilege. This could he attended to by the same offi- cials in charge of dog licenses. A fund would thus he provided for the main- tenance of the work and for the protec- tion and attracting of wild birds, to helo save our foliage, fruit, gardens and cro'js. Hitherto this matter has been laughed out of court, but the problem has now ceased to be a joke. The many powerful organizations of sports- men are beginning to realize that quail, grouse and woodcock cannot be exnected to raise many young amid this growing host of maurauding felines. If they and humane people generally will actively take uo this matter, we can soon get wise legisla- tion, canable of enforcement. Meanwhile birds are now beginning to nest, and will be under way with family cares nearly all summer, but particularly in June. It is surely a duty to society of everyone owning cats to dispose of all but one, or at most two, and to keep petted pussy under restraint, feeding it properly, keeoing it shut up at night, and not al- lowing it to roam at large. If we keep a cat we should be kind to it, but also be broad enough to be considerate of our neighbors and of the broods of helpless little birds. A Comment to Mr. Job's Cat Sugges- tions. Black Short Haired Cattery. Oradell, N. j". May 9, 1912. To the Editor: Your letter with enclosure on ''The Problem of the Cat" was duly received, and the article mentioned more than interests me. That people should be allowed to keep indiscriminately as pets male and femrdc cats and kittens to which they give the minimum amount of care, and which they abandon without compunc- tion the moment it seems convenient. is a crying shame, and undoubtedly measures should be taken, and that promptly, to nut an end to such a state of affairs. As a matter of fact, the only cat suitable for a pet is the UNSEXED MALE, and this fact should be made the basis of operations. Cats should be taxed as dogs are taxed, and more- over the keeping of breeding cats should be controlled by law, so that they may be kept exclusively in the hands of breeders — in other words, of resoonsible parties. But here I would like to say a few words in behalf of the CAT. \Ye are taught (and I believe truly), that no race of animals ever suffers extinction, or even irreparable loss through the normal agency of its natural enemies. But no animal is fitted to cope with Man, and he alone is responsible for the most terrible losses in the animal world. One boy with a gun, or in- tent on robbing bird's nests ; one man trying to reconstruct his nervous sys- tem by means of a wholesale slaugh- ter of the innocents ; not to mention one of the scores of milliners who make their living by catering to the vanity of countless "humane" as well as inhumane women, will do, or rather, do, more harm than any one tribe of animals, however numerous, could do to another, or any adverse wreather conditions could effect. I have lived in France for many years, both in city and country, and have raised and owned cats there with- out any government restrictions; I also know many English breeders who let their cats roam at large without hind- rance from the government, yet, as Mr. Job suggests the song birds are far more plentiful there than here — which would seem to prove that after all the cats are not the main source of the trouble. Allowing, however, that there may be too many cats here, the cause of the trouble is the lack of care of the breed- ing cats, and the inhuman manner in which cats and kittens are turned adrift when it is no longer convenient or agreeable for their owners to provide for them. They multiply rapidly in the open, and they must live — in the country on the birds and other wild 38 THE GUIDE TO NATURE game; in the city on the refuse of the garbage cans, and there they become a serious menace to public health. Nevertheless, the cat has his uses — he is, together with the Terrier dog an excellent prevention of rats, mice, and other vermin ; for the same reason that he is supposed to be a menace to the song bird, he is a wholesome check upon the ravages of the English sparrow, (which, by the way, nothing ever seems to exterminate) ; he is a confiding and affectionate friend to human kind, providing he meets with the slightest encouragement or kind treatment, just as a dog or a horse is ; and at his best he is a creature of sur- passing grace and beauty. The cat has always, and does now, suffer more than any other domestic animal from the prejudice of some, and from the strange combination of hys- terical affection and cruel indifference of others who profess to be his friend. A proper affection for a cat as a pet is no more abnormal than the same sort of affection for a horse or a dog: in fact all such affections are wholesome and elevating to all concerned. In short the cat need not be exterminated or lose his liberty; but the Owner! — Oh, yes, the Owner should by all means learn the lesson of his responsibility ! Very truly yours, Jane R. Cathcart. "Back to nature" is the cry, Would you know the reason why? Because it is our birthright true, A heritage fcr all, not few. An Albino Woodchuck. Albinism appears occasionally in various forms of animal life, but one of the rarest examples is that of the albino woodchuck. Here is a photo- graph of such a woodchuck captured in Virginia during the summer of 1910. It was forwarded to Mr. Edward S. Schmid, of Washington, on the twelfth day of August of that year. Mr Schmid lent the animal to Dr. R. W. Shufeldt of Washington, and he succeeded in making several excellent negatives of the animal. A print of the best one of these is herewith reproduced. The woodchuck was a complete albino with pink eyes. AN ALBINO WOOPCHUCK. THE CAMERA 39 Photographic Contests. Bonaparte, Iowa. (and then take them quickly. I never photograph them when they are play- To the Editor: ing for that needs a very fast lens and I want to tell you how well I like shutter to avoid the appearance of to read the articles in your magazine. Why do not you start an amateur pho- tographer's contest on nature subjects in your camera department? I am a sort of an enthusiast in that branch, also I would like to have a try-out. I enjoy each number immensely, and watch its coming. Respectfully, R. E. Wilson. We regard the entire magazine as a photographic exhibition wherein the best works of amateurs and profes- sionals are displayed to win the best of prizes — personal and public approval and satisfaction, and joy of doing things well. — Ed. Photographing Dogs. EY MRS. HUGH P. BRINT0N, WEST CHES- TER, PENNSYLVANIA. I have made a study of taking dogs' pictures and find that it is not so easy as it seems. The artist needs much patience and must be fond of dogs and possess their confidence. Taking such pictures is much like taking children's photographs. Don't let the subjects get tired and cross before you are ready to begin. I focus my camera and get everything ready, use the full opening, fast plate (Imperial Portrait is what I am using) and take one-twenty-fifth second exposure on a clear day. Then I call the dogs, give them a piece of cracker, get them where I want them, and snap them quickly before they are tired. Sometimes I get them at play, and then I am the one that gets tired, as the only way is to follow them around till they pause for a moment, movement, as you have to be very close — about ten feet. Puppies I put SOME GOOD PHOTOGRAPHIC POSES OF DOGS. 4Q THE GUIDE TO NATURE FIRST CLASS IN DOG PHOTOGRAPHY. on a box, high enough to keep them from getting off, otherwise you will be- come entirely discouraged. Dogs are lots of fun to photograph if you really like dogs, but not otherwise. Unusual forms of Hepatica. Manlius, New York. To the Editor : I am enclosing photographs of un- usual hepaticas which came to my no- tice this spring. One having the large whorl of sepals was found by my sis- ter. The senals were purple brown at first, but, upon exposure to sunlight for a few hours, became a clear, deep green. Both the sepals and petals were doubled in number, and apparently but one flower was produced this season. The one having two flowers on a single stem was otherwise perfectly normal. 1 found it a mile from the location of the other specimen. The possibility of such finds lends interest to the commonest form of plants, and to our every expedition afield. H. E. Ransier. Would you have a panacea For all life's woes and ills? Go straight to Mother Nature, 'Tis better, far, than pills. I have learned more practical use for my camera and lens, since the short acquaintance with The Guide to Nature and its editor's most able ad- vice therein, than I ever did from a quite sumptuous looking shelf of books I have on that subject. — Leslie L. Long, Llano, Texas . THE UNUSUAL FORMS OF HEPATICAS. THE CAMERA 4i APPLE BLOSSOMS By Emma Peirce, Sugar Hill, New Hamp- shire. The orchard, robed like bride, in white, And lauded highly for the sight, Flushed deep with pleasure at its praise, And blushes still on sweet spring days. 42_ THE GUIDE TO NATURE Weeping Norway Spruce ■ 1. 1 mi 111 1 Tiif ■JiiffiMiYiia- MiiWi Choicest Evergreens SHIPPED WITH BALLS OF EARTH For Spring Planting Also in Very Complete Assortment The Best Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Vines, Roses, Herbaceous Perennials, Garden Ornaments in Stone, Concrete and Wood The Elm City Nursery Company NEW HAVEN :: :: CONNECTICUT OUR COMPLETE DESCRIPTIVE iqis CATALOG NOW READY. COPIES CAN BE HAD WIT H0U1 CHARGE BY APPLYING. PHEASANT EGGS Ringneck, Silver, Golden Everything for Chickens DOGS and PETS WM. BARTELS CO. 42-44 Cortland St., New York Hudson Terminal The Aquarium The only Magazine devoted exclusively to the interests of the amateur aquarist. Published at Philadelphia, Pa., by the Aquarium Societies of the cities of New York, Brooklyn, Chi- cago and Philadelphia. Monthly except July and August. Subscriptions, $1.00. Single Copies, 10c. Business Manager, W. F. DEVOE H. O. Box, 383 BALDWIN LONG ISLAND NEW YORK The COLLECTORS' JOURNAL is a handsomely printed and lavishly illustrated mon- thly magazine devoted to stamp collecting. No one interested in this fascinating hobby should be without it. Sample copies 5 cents. Subscription, 50 cents per year. H. L. LINDQUIST, Editor 700 East 40th Street - - - CHICAGO cAquarium Specialty Co. Makers of All Kinds of Aquaria and Terraria 1827-1831 WASHINGTON AVE. NEW YORK CITY THE GUIDE TO NATURE Vol. V JUNE, 1912 Number 2 Indian Pipes are now "Coming into Fashion" in Damp Woods. Photograph by Nathan R. Graves, Rochester, New York. EDWARD F. BIGELOW, Managing Editor PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION, Arcadia: Sound Beach, Conn. Subscription, $1.00 a Year; Single Copy, 10c Entered as Second-Class Matter June 12, 1909, at Sound Beach Post Office, under Act of March 3, 1879' Gray Brothers Manufacturers of Improved Soda AND Mineral Waters Established 1882 Vichy, Seltzer, Car- bonic Sarsaparilla, XXX Ginger Ale & Lemon Soda : : : Deep Rock Artesian Well Water Used THE PUREST AND BEST Mail Orders receive prompt attention NEW CANAAN, CT. P. O. Box 794 Telephone Call 120 or inquire of your grocer Guaranteed under the Food and Drug Act, June 30, 1906 Serial No. 4755 GREENWICH, CONN. Did it ever occur to you how accessible (with fast electric trains) we are to N. Y. and that you could buy or rent to advantage and enjoy living here on the water or among the hills to the utmost satisfaction ? I have for Sale Elegant Country Estates, Shore and Inland Residences, Farms, Acreage, Cottages and Building Sites. Also a number of selected Furnished Residences and Cottages to Rent in all locations. Would be pleased to have you call or write Laurence Timmons Opposite Depot Tel. 456 Greenwich, Conn. BEST NURSERY STOCK EVER GROWN We carry a general line of Nursery Stock, such as; Evergreens, Ornamental Shade trees, weeping trees, all kinds of flowering shrubs, privet, berberry and other hedge plants, trailing and climbing vines, hardy Herb, plants, fruit trees, berry bushes, grape vines, etc. Our stock is grown far apart in Nursery rows, so that each plant gets the full benefit of rain, sunshine, nourishment, etc. Our soil is excellent for growing nur- sery stock and is under high cultivation. We thus insure plants with excellent fibrous roots, strong and healthy, which transplant and grow with ease when properly treated. We shall be glad to show intending purchasers through our nursery, as we think it the proper way to see the stock in nursery rows. Our nursery is located on North Street near the Greenwich Country Club. We have made a specialty of laying out new places and remodeling old ones, as our records from both sides of the Atlantic will show. Training and long experience have taught us to do this work in the most artistic and effective way. Trees, shrubs, flowers and specimens in lawns must be placed so that they will harmonize, give shade where wanted, hiding unsightly places, but leaving vistas and making display of flowers and foliage and other worthy objects. We may here mention our connection with the World's Columbian Exposition, the Brooklyn Park Department, the Arnold Arboretum, Boston, and many private parks in and around Greenwich. GREENWICH NURSERIES DEHN & BERTOLF Props. LANDSCAPE GARDENERS AND NURSERYMEN GREENWICH, CONN. A. STAMFORD DEPARTMENT OF OBSERVATION AND COMMENT iii THE WAY WE HAVE DONE IT IN FORMER YEARS. BUT NOW NO MORE "FUN" -FOR DRUG STORES AND DOCTORS! ANTICIPATION— "BUSY." REALIZATION— "BEAUT! FUI ." Stamford is to have a "Safe and Sane Fourth" this year. Demand Ocular Demonstration. I recently took a company of boys on a nature tour through Laddin's Rock Farm. On our way there I told them the legend of Laddin ; how it was supposed that his cabin was burned, and his wife and daughter were killed by the tomahawk in his presence, and that he, in desperation, mounted his horse and galloped off the precipice to his death. The boys listened atten- tively to the story and, when I arrived at the climax, one little fellow, seven years of age, who had been my most attentive listener, exclaimed enthusias- tically. "( )h let's go there first, and see if we can find anv of the blood !" The above photographs were taken by Clifford Hampton, Western, Nebraska. IV THE GUIDE TO NATURE Trying to Leaven the Whole Lump. I think it is Dr. Charles C. Abbott of Trenton, New Jersey, who states that there is one naturalist to every ten thousand people, and who believes that they are scattered over the country so as to keep nature's interests alive. Nowadays the proportion of naturalists among people who are non-naturalists is much larger. In every community many persons are to be found who are interested in some phase of nature. Probablv in Stamford and vicinity, we have many hundreds actively working to promote an interest in plants, trees, birds and various other forms of out- L. C. ROOT AND JOHN C. UHRLAUB WITH A PROSPEROUS COLONY OF BEES. FOR STAMFORD AND VICINITY ■ ;w ■ flt i1 . -4 -.>. AT MR. UHRLAUB'S APIARY. An open hive of bees full to overflowing. door life. Even good work with chick- ens, if done in the right spirit of in- terest in the chickens themselves as well as in the dollars produced, is good ornithology. Most of the interest in insects, of course, is with our insect enemies, for example, the good work that the Frost and Bartlett Company is doing in try- ing to prevent insects from devastating trees and various other plants. But we have with us a pioneer in the promot- ing and furthering of the activities of one delightful form of insect. This is Mr. L. C. Root, of Stamford, Connec- ticut, with his honeybees. There was a time not many years ago, when Mr. Root was almost alone in the local field for real interest in honeybees. Of course, for decades there have been farmers who have kept a few colonies in old claptrap box-hives, giving them but little more attention than to shake them down to the ground in May, and along in November to put the hive on a hole in the ground with sulphur in it. But with Mr. Root's coming to Fair- field Countv a new era besfan. Here is a man who not only loves milk and honey, but the cows and the bees, and he has taught us to give them the care that would naturally be the result of such love. Furthermore, he wanted to inspire everybody with appreciation of milk and honey and of their producers. I am inclined to think that bees are a little nearer to his heart than the cows. He undoubtedly lays more stress upon the product of the cow than on the cows themselves. But with the honey- bee it is different. He evidently likes the bees for themselves, regardless of their products. He has been active in interesting many people in honeybees and the editor of this magazine is proud to call himself a convert to bee culture and a pupil of Mr. Root's in their study. There is hardly a bee- keener in this part of Fairfield County that does not owe something directly or indirectly to Mr. Root. Among his most recent pupils are the following: John C. Uhrlaub, Wm. B. Pierce, Robert M. Gillespie. VI THE GUIDE TO NATURE Mrs. Harold Close, Mrs. Albert Buckhout, Conrad Lund, Fred Berg, Mrs. Herbert S. Ogden, Win. Munford Baker, Wm. P. Davis, Miss Elizabeth W. Goodwin. Mrs. Charles M. Slater. Mr. Root is also doing good work in popularizing the study of bees throughout the world by means of his book, "Quinby's New Bee-Keeping or The Mysteries of Bee-Keeping Ex- plained." The late Mrs. Root was Quinby's daughter, and Mr. Root was in personal touch with him in all his wonderful apicultural accomplish- ments. In this book is embodied all of Mr. Quinby's ideas, with careful revision and additions by Mr. Root. The work has been so largely rewrit- ten by Mr. Root, that he might in jus- tice claim to be its author, but with rare modesty, and in a spirit of rever- ence to the memory of one who devoted his life to the advancement and the popularizing of bee-culture, he prefer- red to retain the title of "Quinby's New Bee-Keeping." A Red Squirrel Attacked by Robins. Mr. John Phillips, our well-known shoe dealer, who resides on Forest Street, Stamford, Connecticut, just op- posite the High School, reports that he has seen a large number of robins chasing and even attacking a red squir- rel that had evidently been robbing birds' nests. Mr. Phillips is very much interested in the study of birds, and rightly regards the red squirrel as one of their worst enemies. One nat- uralist says that the red squirrel lias all the snirit of a weasel when the lit- tle rascal has his mind set on young birds in their nests. Mr. Weed of The Diamond Ice Com- pany, Stamford, Connecticut, reports that he saw, as he expresses it, "count- less thousands" of winged ants come from the ground and take flight. At the mating time ants are winged. We shall be glad to have telephone reports of any observations of such swarms of winged ants. "Flytraps are Old-Fashioned." Readers of The Guide to Nature are familiar with the editor's personal interest in the great work carried on by Professor Clifton E. Hodge, of Worcester, Massachusetts, as explain- ed and illustrated in the article on page 403 and 404 of the April, 1912, issue. Filled with enthusiasm to see a some- what similar work carried out locally, I called at several stores in the last part of May to obtain a quantity of fly- traps. At two of the stores I was told, 'There is no call for fly-traps nowa- days." At one other store the clerk laughed and said, "Why, don't you know that flytraps are old-fashioned nowadays. Nobody uses them." At another store, the largest and finest in which one would expect to find fly- traps, I was told in the first week in June, for the second time, that, "We have just ordered a few ; they will be here probably in a week or two." Here we are in the middle of June and nor a flytrap obtainable. Why? Prooam , not because the stores are at fault, but because the public is indifferent to these filth-carrying insects. In several places in Sound Beach, Stamford and Greenwich I have ob- served large piles of horse manure, yet each of these communities relies for much of its prosperity upon summer visitors and boarders. Stamford espec- ially prides itself upon being "busy and beautiful." The streets are clean, it is true, and well cared for, but the beauty should extend to back yards and especially to the stable yards, be- cause there are generated millions of flies whose chief business in life seems to be to travel over the teacups, or the cake, or the nursing bottle, and yet will you believe it, the suoply of fly- traps will arrive in the last oart of June at one store, and at the others tbe clerks will laugh at you, and say that flytrans are old-fashioned? Perhaps it is because the people prefer to nut sticky fly paper in their homes after offerinQ" every attraction for the flies to enter, honing that when the dirty in- sects have done all the injury they possibly can, and have distributed as much filth and as many tvohoid-fever germs as possible, they will finally and accidentally land on the paper, pro- FOR STAMFORD AND VICINITY Vll vided somebody does not sit down on it first. Even Rana Gerump knows that greater and more extended effort should be made to get rid of flies than of mosquitoes, and shall a frog be wiser than mankind? STAMFORD A Cat Assists a Lame Chicken. Here is a remarkable observation vouched for by Air. James J. Horan and his daughter, Airs. Weed. A few months ago a young kitten was dis- covered in the chicken coup. No one knows how the kitten got there, but evidence in the matter suggests that the kitten did not idly crawl into the coop, but desired the chickens' com- pany. This seems to be the explana- tion, because developments show that the kitten has an affection for chickens, and not the mere gustatory liking that most cats have. As the kitten became older it stayed with the chickens in the nests, and here is the surprising part of the observation. Among the chick- ens was a lame one, apparently with either a broken leg or with rheumatism in the joint. The leg was almost use- less, and the bird when sitting on the ground had great difficulty in getting up. But the kitten would go to the chicken, put her nose under the wing on the side of the lame leg and literallv lift the fowl to its feet, assisting it to stand on the one good leg until it ob- tained its balance and could hop away. Nearly every time the chicken stopped and sat down, the cat would repeat this remarkable oerformance. I know of but one observation similar to this, and that is vouched for by trustworthy observers at a stable in a little town in Pennsylvania. A cat that had become infirm through age, had for a companion a dog that evet-y morning and every night took that cat in his mouth and carried her to the house to be fed and then carried her back in the same manner to a resting place on the hay. While Air. Horan's observation is remarkable and note- worthy, it is not without parallel. Yesterday is an achievement, today is an opportunity, tomorrow may be a victory! Happiness is contagious; share your own with whomever you chance to meet. GEORGE STADEL ARCHITECT AND LANDSCAPE ENGINEER New York City - Stamford, Conn. P. H. BROWN, D. D. S. DENTIST 59 ATLANTIC ST. STAMFORD, CONN. OLYMPIA CANDY CO. Wholesale Manufacturers of CANDY AND ICE CREAM J. TUTULES 107 Atlantic Street Stamford, Conn. FRANCIS C. HOYT Real Estate Fire Insurance 231 ATLANTIC STREET TELEPHONE 232 STAMFORD, CONN. Nelson E. Emmens ARCHITECT Tel. Connection STAMFORD, CONN. BORG BROTHERS Chemical and Analytical Laboratories for Special Research Work 539 MAIN ST. STAMFORD :-: CONNECTICUT Telephone 472 PAUL KLEEBOHMER, Caterer DELICATESSEN Largest and Best Varieties of Table Luxuries Roasts and Salads a Specialty 485 Atlantic St. Stamford, Conn. NEW STORE NEW LOCATION NEW GOODS "All New in the Spring" COME AND VISIT AUGUST GARGIULO Grocer ai^d Fruiterer 422 Main Street, STAMFORD, CONN. Vlll THE GUIDE TO NATURE w. h. Arthur BeU Brothers CONTRACTOR r*v***w*o Sewers, Pavements, Macadam Roads, Concrete FOR THE PEOPLE THA T Wat.ls, Excavating Rock, Railroads jj-^ * *y ^r> *~r r_rr? DZ-lf,T Dealer in Sand and Gravel p. o. Box ss Telephone Connection Rebuilding, Overhauling, Painting, Repair Room 306, 1 Bank St., Stamford, Conn. Work of All Kinds SUPPLIES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION WES! ™?„ GARAGE Stamford Greenwich FRED SMITH, Proprietor Agent for Mitchell and Maxwell Cars Supplies, Repairing and Vulcanizing 30-32 West Main Street STAMFORD, CONN Quinby's New Bee-Keeping By L. C. Root A revised edition of Quinby's Mysteries of Bee-keeping Explained. One of the most practical works ever written upon the subject, giving the results of an extended practical experi- ence. One hundred illustrations- Cloth bound, 270 pages. Price by mail, $1 00. L. C. ROOT Stamford, Conn. THE STAMFORD GAS & ELECTRIC CO. 11-17 BANK STREET STAMFORD, CONN. GAS and ELECTRICITY FOR LIGHT HEAT POWER "ARCADIAN" JINGLES. By Fannie E. Blakely. The Singers. Who sings in "Nymphalia" When singers are few? Dear little Hyla, We're grateful to you! Rain falls in torrents, The wind roars on high, Low clouds go racing Across the gray sky; But, dear little froggy, We know by thy note That somebody's glad When "Nymphalia's" afloat. The Decorations. Pretty brown cat-tails In bright green and dun, With feet in the water And heads in the sun, Standing on guard O'er the swamp's mystery — Pretty brown cat-tails, Pray lend us the key! ''This Worship of Facts and Things!' Some folk think that we are veritable heathen for this worship of facts and things, but we have Jesus as our leader. When they pointed him to the temple he answered with disdain, that those stones would soon be thrown down, so completely that not one would be piled on another. Look, rather, he said, at the lilies in the field or at the wheat that grows, and let those that have ears to hear, hear and those wh< i have eyes, let them see. Let those that have hearts understand, now as then. If Jesus were alive today they would call his discourse science, and elect him president of Wisconsin or Cornell, while the churches were debating his orthodoxy. — E. P. Powell in "In the Woods at Eighty." in "The Indepen- dent." LOOKING OVER THE FIELDS 49 JUNE 1912 Number 2 Where is the Ignorance? "Harper's Bazar," which prints the illustration with its legend (on the next page), has, upon my request, kindly lent the cut to The Guide to Nature. A naturalist friend, who called my at- tention to this, suggested that I might be able to give a "rousing editorial" on stiued in either way. On the one hand, there is a great deal of "fool farming" on the part of city people, who come into the country, and are rightly the objects of ridicule by the country peo- ple who note their unusual methods. If the city man has read books and goes at the work in the theoretical the ignorance of nature manifested by book farming spirit, he becomes an city people when they go into the country. He claims, "The boy's facial expression shows that he is laughing at them for not knowing poison ivy and toadstools. Their facial expres- sion shows that they have heard of the effects of poison ivy, and are pained object of ridicule, though he may do the work vastly better than the country people. If, in his ignorance, he does foolish things, he is again the butt of ridicule, but I doubt whether ignor- ance ever receives so much condemna- tion from country people, as does the to learn that they are gathering it, and exhibition of superior knowledge. Any pained in prospect, too, at the thought of their blistered skin. The boy is laughing at their ignorance, not at their admiration of things that, to him, are the commonest of the common." I must confess that before I received the letter detailing this point of view, and after I had studied the illustration and read the legend, my sympathies and interests went entirely in the op- posite direction. Here is my version. Two enthusiastic people have come from the city to love commonplace nature with uncommon interest, and the boy, like too many people with whom familiarity has brought con- tempt, sees in their actions nothing but the manifestation of a harmless sort of lunacy. I do not know which mean- ing the editor of the "Bazar" intended to convey. The picture may be con- man who attempts to do anything in a different and better way becomes a target for ridicule. It is dangerous to think new thoughts. If on the other hand, the city people are really ignor- ant then they receive from the country neople pity and sympathy, and help. But I am inclined to insist that my first impression of this illustration is correct, and that this man and his wife are really in love with the common- place things of nature, to which the boy has always been accustomed, and I can quite readily imagine him sav- ing, "Aren't they the biggest fool peo- ple you ever saw to be interested in just vines and snake brakes and all them sort of things?" He has been so accustomed to the objects without knowing their interests, or having their beauty implanted in his heart, that he Copyright 1912 by The Agassiz Association, Arcadia: Sound Beach, Conn. 5<> THE GUIDE TO NATURE looks upon these city people as fools. "What fools these mortals be" — to the one who does not understand the inner meaning of the apparent foolishness. In illustration of this, an incident from actual life comes vividly to my mind. A backwoods farmer had been appointed school committeeman. He engaged an enthusiastic city girl, fresh from the normal school, with all her customed to city life, to pavements and straight streets, that the fullness of the year at the beginning of September came to her with all the charm and novelty of a new world. The stolid farmer could not understand it. When he arrived at home and while the teacher was in her room, his wife inquired, "Well, Waldo, what do you think of her?" Then he burst into ex- Froiu " Harper's Bazar." Copyright, 1912. by Harper & Brothers. THE BOY: Ye're like all the rest of the city folks that moves out here. Never satisfied till ye transplant a lot o' toadstools an' p'ison ivy. enthusiasm and ideals not yet calloused by the routine and the drudgery that come to any one in any line of work. The farmer drove to the station to meet this enthusiastic young lady. She had all the complacency of a child, and went into ecstasies at the charms of the country road, the flowers, the birds, the sky. She had been so ac- pression, "I tell ye, Sarah, I don't know what to think of her. She is the strangest piece I ever saw. She did nothing but say, 'Ah, Oh my, and Isn't that beautiful,' and over nothing but a passel 'o brakes by the roadside." I am inclined to think that this boy is like Waldo. It may be that the man and his wife are bringing in toadstools EDITORIAL AND GENERAL 5i and poison ivy, but what if they are- that is merely a mistake. The thing that puzzles him is not that they have made a mistake in identification, even if they have, but that they should be interested at all in any "such things." To him, the only uses of nature are to develop squirrels that he may shout, or fish that he may jerk out of the pond. The only beauty of the cow is in her productions, and the only use of the pasture is a place in which she may eat grass. The only use of planting any- thing is to raise something that you can put into your stomach, and the ideal that toadstools, or poison ivy, 01 allied things have any esthetic value, stamps all city people, in his estima- tion, as "just like all the rest of the city folks" — a lot of lunatics. If I go into any section of the country with which I am not familiar, to ascertain all the variety of birds or butterflies that are in that vicinity, or the dif- ferent varieties of ferns and mosses, I feel sure that I should never consult a native. I would hunt up some "city folks," who had moved there with an affectionate and intellectual interest in nature. Country people have good, sound, practical knowledge of the things that help them to earn a living, They know the trees so far as lumber and firewood are concerned. They know the weeds of the garden by their common names. They know the crows and the hawks, and possibly a few other birds that are either enemies or assistants in the struggle for exis- tence. But go to any country boy, or a farmer or his wife, and inquire what warblers are found in the vicinity, and what is their date of arrival and depar- ture, wdiat birds stop in their migra- tions northward, wdiat ferns are found in that vicinity, and see how much definite information you will get. Ask the country boy howr many varieties of snakes or frogs there are, and if the farmer and his wife and the boy are not the exceptionally "queer ones" — that is, those interested in "such things" — you will not get much definite information. But go to some city peo- ple, and vou will find that they have definite notebooks of their observa- tions. They have the latest nature study books and are regular subscri- bers to The Guide to Nature. Of course, there are exceptions to all gen- eralities. There are many country peo- ple who are good observers. 1 once knew a hard-working farmer who could tell the scientific name of every moss found on his farm, but he is an excep- tion. There are undoubtedly city folks that are "just like all the rest that move out here"- -that is, they bring in- difference to the real beauties and in- terests of the country, merely taking with them a little section of the city and transplanting it into the woods but they never break through the shell to get into the woods themselves. But these also are somewdiat exceptional. I believe, therefore, that the boy in this illustration represents the "don't know" point of routine of his daily life, and wdiat is worse, he does not want to know, but believes it sort of sissyism or laughable lunacy to be interested in "such "things." I believe also that the woman on her knees and the man as- sisting her, may represent ignorance of some particular plant, or even a mis- take, but they do represent a love of nature and a thorough desire to know more about her. Give them time and a few books and a year's subscription to The Guide to Nature and I have hope for them. For the boy, well, even on older faces I have seen the smile that won't come off, wdien they look at an enthusiastic lover of nature. "A city man and woman are in a country barnyard with the farmer's daughter. The city woman : 'Yes, a pleasant idace. but how do you employ your evenings?' Girl: 'Oh, we go to bed with the chickens.' Woman : 'Good gracious! How unsanitary.'' Nature-study is a Dursuit wdiich calls all our faculties into action; it makes ns observe, remember, reason, and think; it takes us out of stuffy rooms into the open air ; it makes us walk, wade, row, and even swim; it develops inventive genius, gives us eyes to see interesting things everywhere ; it ap- peals to the sense of beauty, form, and colour, and, above all. makes us reverent bv leading us to look up from Nature to Nature's God.— Reverend Charles A. Hall, in "The Open Book of A atiire. 52 THE GUIDE TO NATURE The Heavens in July. BY PROP. ERIC D00LITTEE OF THE UNI- VERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. The whole heavens are now filled with the typical summer groups of stars. Exactly overhead there stretches out the great Hercules; in the north the Dragon has reached its highest po- sition in the skv ; the Northern Cross, Bootes on the north and the Scorpion on the south are the two intermingled groups of the Serpent and the Serpent- holder, which, though they are marked by no very bright stars, contain in- numerable objects of interest, and which at no time are in better position for tracing out than at present. If the observer will face toward the south, north sc Figure 1. — The Constellations at 9 P. M., July 1. (If facing south, hold the map upright. If facing west, hold west below. If facing east, hold east below. If facing north, hold the map inverted.) the Eagle and the Archer are well up in the eastern heavens, while exactly south there shine out the stars of the bright Scorpion, which is the most striking summer group of all. THE JULY STARS. Filling the whole region of the sky between Hercules, the Crown and he will have no difficulty in finding a rather striking group of five little stars a short distance to the left of Arcturus and directly below the Crown, and these five stars (of which three are shown at D, Figure I), form the head of the Serpent. From here a quite definite winding line of stars THE HEAVENS IN JULY 53 leads downward nearly to the Balances, and then, turning eastward, passes the whole length of Scorpio to the star at N, Figure I, after which the Serpent's body extends northward along almost the exact center of the Milky Way until the tip of the tail is finally reached at the bright star, K, in the constella- tion of the Eagle. The stars at A, B, F and C are re- garded as belonging, not to the Ser- pent, but to the Serpent-holder, Ophiu- chus, and this great constellation in- cludes nearly all of the remaining stars in this region of the sky between Scor- pio and Hercules. The star at C is easily seen with the naked eye to be a pair of stars, and these mark the right hand of Ophiuchus, the left hand grasping the Serpent at the pair of stars A and B. These two star groups are among the oldest of the constellations. No less than four of the brightest new stars of historic times, appeared in Ophiuchus, one of which, known as the celebrated Kepler's Star, shone out near the star at L, Figure i. All of the stars marked X are double stars, though some of them may only be seen double with a moderately large telescope. But this region is particu- larly remarkable for the large number of star clusters which it contains. One of these will be found at H, a little below and to the right of the star M ; a still larger one is at R, nearly mid- way between the stars N and O, and there are a great many others, most of which require a large telescope for their observation. But so seen, they are remarkable and wonderful objects. Each is composed of hundreds or thou- sands of stars, gathered together into an approximately spherical ball, though whether each particle of the cloud is a sun so great as our own we do not yet know. Besides these two important constel- lations, there are many other interest- ing groups which can best be studied at this time of year. Turning to the east, the strange little figure known as the Dolphin, or Job's Coffin, will be seen about one-third of the way to the zenith, while above this is a line of six little stars forming the Arrow, which is speeding eastward from Hercules to slay the Eagle of Jove. Turning north- ward we see the great Dragon swing- ing high above the Pole, a constellation which in early times was even longer than now and enclosed both of the Bears in its folds. The head of the Dragon is a conspicuous and easily found figure ; this, with the nearby star at T, Figure i, was called by the early Arabians the Five Dromedaries. It may be added that the head of the Ser- pent at D, Figure i, is from its figure sometimes called Saint Andrew's Cross. THlv PLANETS IN JULY. The planet Mercury reaches its greatest distance east of the sun on July 25, and for a few evenings before and after this date may be seen shining low in the twilight glow, a little north of the west point of the horizon, for about an hour after sunset. Venus passes from the west to the east of the sun on July 5 at 9 P. M., but although by the end of the month it will have moved so far into our even- ing sky that it will not set until one- half hour after sunset, it will not even by that time have drawn so far from the sun's rays that it can be well ob- served. This planet is now oeyond the sun, at its extreme distance from the earth. Mars is moving so very rapidly east- ward that during the month it passes entirely across the constellation of Leo ; it is moving eastward almost as rapidly as the sun itself and therefore it remains continually visible in our evening sky. It will not be finally over- taken by the sun and so become a morning star until next November 4. The planet is now, however, very far away from us and in very untavorable position for observation. It, in fact, now shines only as a star of the second magnitude; that is, is but very little brighter than the North Star and very far inferior to the nearby star Regulus, which a few months agu it far exceeded in brilliance. But the most striking object in the evening heavens is undoubtedly the great planet Jupiter, which shines out brilliantly in the south, almost in the center of the constellation of the Scor- pion. This world, which has proceeded so little in its development that it is still a great ball of heated vapors nearly 90,000 miles through, is seen 54 THE GUIDE TO NATURE even in a small telescope to be covered with the most beautiful markings and bandings. By watching these we can see how very rapidly the world is turn- ing, for a marking rises at one edge, is carried completely around the planet and disappears at the other in a little move onto the planet's disc at 10 hr. 56 min., not emerging from it until 1 hr. 36 min. the next morning. Simi- larly, on July 2, 9 and 18, interesting occultations or transits may be ob- served. Saturn is now in the morning sky, I88O 1889 IIP'1' ^ : **' ' '- AEOUATOR — M 1886 18^3 ISBS Figure 2. — Detailed drawings of the Planet Jupiter, showing the appearance of the Great Red Spot in different years. This remarkable feature first appeared on the planet in 1878 and has not even yet entirely faded away. It was 30,000 miles long and 7.000 miles wide. In the square figure masses of vapor overlying it are readily seen. The black spots marked A are the shadows of Jupiter's moons cast on the ball of the planet. less than five hours. The four bright moons, as they continually move around the heated ball, sometimes passing behind the disc and sometimes in front of it, and sometimes enter- ing or leaving the planet's shadow and so being darkened, are ever most interesting objects of study. For example, on July 16, at 9 hr. 37 min. 1 s. P. M. (Eastern Standard Time), the third moon will disappear in eclipse, emerging again from the shadow at 1 1 hr. 42 min. 8s. On the same evening the second moon will and it each morning will be seen rising earlier and mounting higher in the heavens by the time of sunrise, but it will be many months before we will see it in our evening sky. On July 1 it rises two and one-half hours before sunrise, which time is lengthened to four and one-half hours by the end of the month. The planet is now in the constellation Taurus, just west of the Hyades ; it will remain in nearly this same position throughout the year, so that when by next autumn the chang- ing seasons have brought this beauti- THE HEAVENS IN JULY 55 ful "roup of stars into our evening sky, the constellation of Taurus will pre- sent a region of unusual interest. Uranus is just on the borders of our map, but is still very low down in the southeast. Neptune is passed by the sun on July 16 at 6 A. M., so that it is wholly invisible to us throughout the month. THE MOTION OF THE MOON. The reader who observed the beauti- ful occultation of Antares on the 26th of last month was doubtless struck by the extremely low position of the near- ly full moon in the sky. It is at this time of the year that the full moon is always very low in the heavens, be- cause our satellite when full always lies in the opposite region of the heavens from the sun, so that as the sun is then highest in the heavens, the moon is necessarily lowest. But the moon does not follow ex- actly the same path among the stars as that pursued by the sun; the latter is the path VUM, Figure 1, and ai present the moon's path lies nearly five degrees below this line in the region of Antares and the star at L. Conse- quently, although the full moons of June and July are always very low in the sky, those which occur this year are even much lower than usual. In its monthly journey around the heavens the moon will again pass over Antares on the morning of July 24, but unfortunately this will occur at about 5 o'clock A. M., after the moon has set to all observers in the United States. And on July 10 the nearly new moon will pass over the Pleiades, hiding its, principal star, Alcyone, and a great number of the other stars of the clus- ter from our view. This is always an interesting and long anticipated astro- nomical event, but this occultation will also unfortunately not be visible to us, for it will occur in the early even- ing when the moon has set, but while the sun is still shining in the sky. Flowers of the States. In most instances, the state floral emblems have been adopted by the vote of the pupils of the public schools ol their respective states. This compila- tion is the result of many inquiries from our readers. Alabama Goldenrod. Arizona Suwarro. Arkansas Apple blossoms. California California poppy. Colorado Columbine. Connecticut Mountain laurel. Delaware Peach blossoms. Florida Japan Camellia. Georgia Cherokee rose. Idaho Syringa. Illinois Rose. Indiana Corn. [owa Wild rose. Kansas Sunflower. Louisiana Magnolia. Maine Pine cone. Michigan Apple blossom. Minnesota Moccasin flower. Mississippi ___, Magnolia. Missouri Goldenrod. Montana Bitter-root. Nebraska Goldenrod. New Jersey Sugar Maple. Nevada Sage Brush. New York Moss rose. New Mexico __ Crimson Rambler rose. North Carolina Chrysanthemum. North Dakota Goldenrod. Ohio Buckeye. Oklahoma Mistletoe. Oregon Oregon grape. Rhode Island Violet. South Carolina Carolina palmetto. South Dakota Pasque Flora. Texas Blue Bonnet. Utah Sago Lilv. Vermont Red Clover. Washington Rhododendron. Wisconsin Violet. The national flower has never, as yet. been decided upon by universal acclamation. But it is quite safe to believe that it will be the columbine, for good and sufficient reasons. In a popular sense, the name columbine is not far removed from Columbia, the Goddess of Liberty and "the gem 01 the ocean" when standing for freedom and justice. Columbine is derived from the Latin columba, meaning a dove, and is em- blematic of peace. Another account says it is from aquila, an eagle, which, by the way, is the crest symbolic of America, as represented by the bald eagle. The red spurs of the flower are said to resemble the red stripes of "old glory," and the red, white, and blue varieties indicate the national colors. — Suburban Life. 56 THE GUIDE TO NATURE An Orchid Sells for About $10,000. On page 150 of The Guide to Na- ture for August, 1910, we published a full page or nearly a full page illus- tration of a white orchid of the type known as the large Cattleya gigas. Here is another photograph of the same orchid showing the flower from a dif- ferent point of view. At the time when I took the photograph previously pub- lished, the attendant in the greenhouse said, "We probably will get a pretty good sum for this. I should not be surprised if some rich man would give us $300 or $400, perhaps $500 for it." As this orchid's only merit is that it is different from the others of the same family in being pure white, instead of a beautiful, variegated purple, I thought that there could not be much reasonable probability of any man's paying $500 only for the sake of hav- ing an oddity in color. Upon my re- cent visit to the greenhouse to take the accompanying photographs, I learned with much surprise, when I in- quired what had become of that white orchid, that it had been sold several months ago for about $10,000. I at once requested Mr. Lager to tell me more in detail in regard to the finding and disposing" of that orchid. In reply he has written the following letter: "In regard to Cattleya gigas alba, let me say that this is the rarest orchid, and in fact the rarest of all plants of the present day. We flowered this Cat- leva in 1910, and exhibited it at the THE ORCHID THAT SOLD FOR ABOUT TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE PLANT WORLD UNDER CARE 57 A GROUP OF CATTLEYA MOSSIAE AND C. GIGAS. The former comes from Venezuela, the latter from Colombia. They are both exceedingly beautiful, lavender in color, with purple lips, and are easily grown in any greenhouse in a temperature of from 60° to 65°. Where the glass is lightly shaded, both enjoy plenty of water while the new shoots are forming: but when they are resting, the quantity of water should be reduced. The moisture in the atmosphere however should be maintained at all times. great orchid show in Boston, where we were rewarded by a gold medal. The plant was entirely a chance find, and came here late in 1909 in a lot of other specimens of Cattleya gigas. The way in which we happened to keep this rare find is also remarkable, as it was only by accident that the plant was not sold for a dollar or two. The only reason was that, after most of its com- panions had been disposed of, this one, with some others that were not in good condition when first imported, were left as remnants and were spread on a wire netting. Finally we potted them. Imagine our pleasant surprise when the next spring (1910) this plant crop- ped up with pure white flowers — the only white flower ever found in C. gigas. 'The plant was sold by us in 191 1 in London, England, at" the highest figure ever realized for an orchid. So pleased with their acquisition were the British horticulturists that the British horticultural press commented on the TRICHOPILEA HEXKESV. A very pretty species from Colombia, with pure white flowers. 5* THE GUIDE TO NATURE VAN DA SUA VIS. A native of the East Indies. Its flowers are large, fragrant and white stained with pale purple and bright red-brown. It is a plant easily grown in a shady position, in a temperature of from 60° to 65°, with abundant moisture. plant to the effect that it was 'refresh- rare art works found their way across ing to know that while so many mas- to America, a plant of such rarity and terpieces of paintings and so many beauty could be acquired by Great ODONTOGLOSSUM ROLFAE. A splendid hybrid which requires a moist, cool house at all times. A temperature of from 55° to 60° suits it well. THE PLANT WORLD UNDER CARE 59 Britain.' This is perhaps not the exact wording, but it is the meaning of what was said in the press at the time. "We wanted to dispose of the plant in this country and thus keep it here, but we found it impossible to obtain the price. Possibly it may be bought and brought back by some enthusiastic collector." Orchids. Not long ago I visited a primary school in which the teacher was giving a lesson on "Jack-in-the-pnlpit." She- talked interestingly of the home of Jack- in-the-nulpit and of the beautiful fancy that likens the upper portion of the flower to an old-fashioned sounding- board over a pulpit, and she explained that the central portion might well be compared to the preacher. But imagine my astonishment when at the close of her lesson she stated to the young peo- ple, "So I hope you will remember our lesson of Jack-in-the-pulpit — one of our most interesting orchids. Could any- thing be more incorrect botanically CYPRIPEDWM CAUDATUM. This is one of the most remarkable orchids in culti- vation. It is of a yellowish-green color, with petals that sometimes attain a length of more than twenty- four inches, and resemble delicate ribbons suspended in the air. It is a plant almost extinct in its native habitat. Years ago it was found around Lake Chiriqui in Central America, and a patch was known in Ecua- dor, but it has now disappeared from these places. A VIEW IN ONE OF THE GREENHOUSES. The plants shown in flower are Cattleya mossiae, C. gigas, C mendelu, Laclia purpurta, Vanda coerulea, Venda teres, Dendrobium thyrsi florum, D. chrysotoxum, D. Venus, and many others. It is difficult to imagine any exhibit of flowers more showy than a collection of these plants brought together from all parts of the globe, and all in bloom at the same time. 6o THE GUIDE TO NATURE LAELIA MA J. 4 LIS. A charming Mexican orchid of lavender color. This plant likes plenty of sunlight and a temperature of from 55° to 60°. than to assign a member of the Arum family to the orchid family? And yet when one goes to the botan- ies to learn what an orchid really is, the confusion seems not to be cleared up, but rather to be increased, though evidently the botanist thinks that he has made the whole thing clear in the following words : "Herbs, distinguished by perfect zygomorphic gynandrous flowers, with 6-merous (sometimes apparently 5- merons) perianth adnate to the i-celled ovary, with innumerable ovules on 3 parietal placentae, and with either 1 or 2 fertile stamens, the pollen cohering in masses." When the ordinary reader, not es- pecially versed in botanical terms, reads that description he knows a lit- tle less as to what an orchid really is than before he read it. An orchid is a decidedly irregular flower in which the parts that correspond to those of a regular flower are exceedingly irregu- lar and unlike the ordinary form. But it does not follow that every irregular flower, as, for example, the Jack-in-the- pulpit, is an orchid. So let us be con- tented with the statement that in an orchid, petals, stamens and stigmas are of a decidedly peculiar and orchida- ceous form. There is, first of all, the lip which is really a transformed petal and there are a stamen and various other parts. Perhaps our most beau- tiful native orchid is the lady's slipper or moccasin flower or whip-poor-will's shoes, three names for one flower. Al- most everybody recognizes that as an orchid because it is similar to the cul- tivated Cypripedium. And so our com- mon fringed orchis has its close coun- terpart in the greenhouse varieties, but not every one thinks of our Pogonia or BRASSIA LAWRENCEANA LONGISSIMA. Very striking in its appearance. The sepals and petals are seven and eight inches long, dark orange- yellow with purple blotches. The plant comes from Northern Colombia. It will grow in a temperature of from 60° to 65° in a moist atmosphere and a shaded positior. THE PLANT WORLD UNDER CARE 61 Calopogon as an orchid while the com- mon rattlesnake plantain and the tway- blade, coral root and adder's month, all seem remote from the popular idea of the expensive orchid of the greenhouse. And speaking of orchids of the greenhouse let us tell our readers that we have never seen any more beautiful than those in the extensive green- houses of Lager & Hurrell of Summit, New Jersey. Here seems to be the Mecca of all the wonderful South American orchids. They have their commercial value, but back of all such success is the genuine love that the proprietors have for these weird flowers of the tropics. An orchid any- where, here in our own woods or in South America, seems to savor of something from another world. A moccasin flower seems not like a flower, but like an elfin balloon. It is, therefore, fascinating to walk through Lager & Hurrell's extensive green- houses and see the astonishing forms into which this curious family of flowers has by nature been diversified. A Vase for a Single Flower. For many years a bouquet was a heterogeneous mass of all sorts of in- congruous flowers, but within the last two decades or so of increased interest in nature, most people have learned that flowers are most beautiful when only one kind is in a bouquet. There was a time when we sprinkled in a little of everything everywhere, and to a certain extent that, in planting, is now the best method, since it follows nature's method. The Roycrofters of East Aurora, New _ York, are inculcating another teaching, which is to admire a single flower, and for that purpose have placed in the market an attractive vase designed to hold only a single speci- men, as shown in the accompanying il- lustration. Whether one purchases this vase or not, or whether one uses only a bottle to hold the flower, here is a good idea, because a single flower has beauty enough for a million peo- ple if^ all could see it. As Thoreau said, "A mouse is marvel enough to stagger sextillions of infidels." "So a single flower is surely enough to de- light all the inmates of a household: Suppose there was no other of the same kind in the world, suppose we had never seen any other flower. What a marvel would we regard an unfolding rose ! It would be so great an aston- THE VASE FOR A SINGLE FLOWER. ishment that it seems as if our senses could not endure more than one at a time. You would have me reverent in the church, where you open to me the word of God; I would have you rever- ent in the fields and by the seashore, where I show you the works of God. — Loni<- Agassis. 62 THE GUIDE TO NATURE Superimposed Negatives. There are many methods of putting" two or more photographs together with interesting and sometimes startling ef- fect. One of the most impressive methods is that of skillfully blocking out. in each negative as it is printed, the section of the entire photograph that is to be supplied by parts of other negatives. An effective and attractive photograph is here shown of Master boy and the marine scene. And last, he printed the boy in position on the eagle. It requires a skilled photo- grapher to do these printings success- fully, so as to have them merge into one smooth picture. Our less skillful amateurs can obtain the same, or nearly the same effect, by printing each negative entire, then, as might have been done in this one, the en- tire marine scene could be mounted and AN EFFECTIVE RESULT OF SUPERIMPOSED NEGATIVES. Teddy Freeman, Stamford, Connecti- cut, riding over the bay on an eagle. In making this picture, the photo- grapher, Mr. G. B. Windsor, who kindly lends it to us, used three nega- tives. First, he printed the marine scene and blocked out of that, by opaque material so that it would not print, a stenciled pattern of the space to be occupied by the eagle and the boy. Next, he printed the eagle, block- ing out the space to be occupied by the photographs of the eagle and the boy carefully cut out and pasted in place. If the cut edges were visible, a touch with the paint brush would have cor- rected that. Then one negative could have been made from the three photo- graphs and from that prints as desired. This method of pasting is not so effec- tive as that of superimposed prints, but it has some advantage where the pho- tographer is skilled in the use of an artist's brush, because he can then THE CAMERA 63 sometimes work in things that do not show in any of the photographs. It is by this last method, or in combination with the first, that startling photo- graphs are made in which different things are not in the same proportion, but appear greatly exaggerated as, for example, a man standing on his own hat. with the man not much taller than the hat ; or a boy carrying an ear of corn as big as himself. I recall the picture of a man standing under the hoof of a horse, the horse being in rapid movement. In this case, the horse was photographed when very near to the lens, or with a lens of long focus, so as to get an enlarged hoof and leg. Then the man was photographed by a short focus lens, or at a great distance by a long focus lens. Trick photographs such as a man sit- ting astride his own cigar which he is smoking, are usually made by the pasting method. None of these photo- graphs have any nature study merit, but they do have a camera merit, so far as they show skill in the manipula- tion of negatives, prints and lenses. Double Walnuts. Chattanooga, Tennessee. To the Editor : I find each issue of your magazine very interesting indeed, and to add somewhat, perhaps, to the interest. I send you herewith a photograph of the double hickory nuts that grow near Chattanooga. So far as I am able to ascertain, this is the only hickory tree in existence that produces double nuts. You are at liberty to use the picture in your magazine if you choose to do so. Robert S. Walker. There may be several hickory trees in the country having double nuts — who can tell? They are not reported. or brought to our attention. This is the only tree of which I have heard, but doubling is a freak that occurs with so man}- plants that the report of another hickory with double nuts would not surprise me. — R. T. M. Photograph of Girl and Cat. BY F. GRAFTON, CHESTER, WEST VIRGINIA. I send you herewith a photograph of a eirl and a cat. The cat has the habit A GOOD POSE OF GIRL AXD CATS. THE DOUBLE WALXUTS. 64 THE GUIDE TO NATURE of sitting up on his hind legs when he is hungry, and will frequently retain that attitude until some one feeds him Sometimes he will sit for four or five minutes at a time with hardly a change in position. This suggested that I take his photograph, to show this re- markable trait. Curious Group of Trees. Barnesville, Ohio. To the Editor : I am sending you a picture of a tree that may be called a natural graft. The tree to the left is a white elm. From its trunk at the base two sugar maples seem to grow. At about six feet from the ground, the two trunks of the maples and an elm branch have grown together. Five feet farther up, the two maples are completely joined, and the bark around them is perfectly smooth. Several feet farther up. the maples again separate, or the single trunk there branches Yours truly, Emma E. Laughlin, Gray Memorial Botanical Chapter of 'the A A. Convince nature that a thing is need- ed, and she will produce it. — Elbert Hubbard. THE CURIOUS GROUP OF TREES. Yes, Just What we Want. Lincoln, Nebraska. To the Editor: Enclosed find money order for the renewal of my subscription to The Guide To Nature. I like the magazine very much. The pictures are espec- ially good ; many of them are works of art. But in spite of its good qualities, I believe it can be improved, and hope that you will accept my suggestions kindly and for what they are worth. There was some excellent material in the March issue. In the camera deoartment is an article entitled "Long Focus and Short Focus: Theoretical vs. Practical." We need more such articles that give valuable informa- tion, and not so many that are only words of appreciation of nature. I am helned to apnreciate nature by being told how to deal with her rather than by being- told how much some one else appreciates her. We want to know how to use the microscope, how to prepare our speci- mens, how to make permanent mounts ; how to care for our pet animals ; how to photograph the birds ; how the trees resist the cold of winter; why the maole leaves turn red in fall even before frost, and the many other things that are known only to those who have had the training of the scientific deoartments of our colleges and universities. C. Elmer Frf,y. This is exactly right. Will our con- tributors please tell things that will help "the other fellow." Don't leave it so much to the editor. Why should he do more than vou? — E. F. B. THE CAMERA 65 A SIDE VIEW OF STAMENS AND PISTILS OF MALLOW. Looking into the Center of Flowers. No marvel of intricate detail, of gor- geous coloring or of delicate irides- cence can be found in greater perfec- tion than in the stamens and pistils of flowers, especially when they are examined in a cluster as nature ar- ranges them. Do not cut them apart, hoping then to see their beauty, but bring to bear upon them a pocket mag- nifier of about one inch focus or a little less. Here more than in most other places is a foundation for the old time statement, "Natura, maxime miranda in minimis," by Fabricius — Na- ture is most to be admired in those works which are the least. It seems to me that the stamens and pistils are far more attractive than the corolla and sepals, and rightly they should be so on the principle that the arrangements at a party are more beautiful and more interesting than the cards of invitation because stamens and pistils, and the nectar that may be pt their base, are the real attractions A "FRONT" VIEW OF THE CENTER OF THE MALLOW. 66 THE GUIDE TO NATURE for the insect, whose unconscious and unintentional work is to transfer pol- len from one blossom to another. Take, for example, the accompanying" views of the interior of the mallow's flower. Could anything- more plainly express nature's design, or reveal a beauty more delicate or fairy-like? Here sure- ly is a perfect machine, self-evidently the work of a Mechanic who delib- erately designed that machine. It is unthinkable that such adaptation di- rectly to a certain end could have been without a designing workman. We suggest this aspect of flower photographv as an interesting field for our camerists. The secret of success is to use a very short focus lens with a long bellows, to stop down the lens, and to give plenty of time in exposure. The accompanying photographs were taken with a five inch Dagor with about three feet of bellows stopped down to sixty-four, with an exposure of three and one half minutes. A Mammoth California Pumpkin. BY JOHN L. VON BLON, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. This California pumpkin is believed to surpass in size anything of the kind ever before raised. The young lady that occupies it is sweet sixteen, and large for her years. True, she was not sixteen when the photograph was taken, for that was more than a dozen years ago, but she was a big girl to find in a pumpkin sufficient space for a comfortable rest. California pumpkins are not all so big, and not all Califor- nia girls live in pumpkins, but this picture shows one of the possibilities <>f the Golden State. Think of the pies that "mother could make" out of one of these giants fresh from the vine. In addition to cow feed and pie material, pumpkins of this variety have been found useful for a unique purpose in a certain California town, where a strict prohibition law is in force. Sev- eral business men were observed to be active buyers of pumpkins, and it was observed that they were rolled into rear rooms and many men went to ad- mire them. Event uallv the police found the exolanation. The pumpkins were filled with beer! Go to the hills, the woods, the fields, For the balm that Mother Nature yields. "ONE OF THE POSSIBILITIES OF THE GOLDEN STATE." Enthusiasms with a Load. Perhaps some people think that such an equipment for the field must be a terrible burden, and they may say that, if Nature-study means carrying so much apparatus about on their ram- bles, they are not going to be bothered with it. That is the kind of people who need carrying everywhere they go. If the}- have to take a journey of a couple of hundred yards, they must be hauled in a street-car or a motor. Needless to say, they will never be naturalists : they are not built that way. Then, the naturalist sets out to take records, not to break them. He does not walk for a wager; he is never in a hurry, never impatient; and as for the load, that is carried by his en- thusiasm. Your naturalist is a self- reliant, independent, and manly mor- tal ; you find him out in all weathers, facing sunshine or storm ; you see him drenched to the skin, yet cheerful ; per- spiring under a hot sun and a heavy load, vet rejoicing on his way. — Rev- erend Charles A. Hal!, in "The Open Book of Nature" THE CAMERA °7 A Photographic Souvenir of the West- ern Plains. BY FRED E. WHITE, BROWNTOWN, WISCON- SIN. The accompanying photograph shows the sod-shanty home of Glen Davis, a young man from Indiana, lo- cated about ten miles northwest of Butte, Nebraska, in the valley of the Xiborara and about cue mile from the day when I first saw a bee-orchis (Ophrys apifera) in ignorant astonish- ment, to my first view of the grand forests of the Amazon ; thence to the Malay Archipelago, where every fresh island with its marvellous novelties and beauties was an additional delight — nature has afforded me an ever-in- creasing rapture, and the attempt to solve some of her myriad problems an A PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDY OF A SOD SHANTY. river, — an illustration of claim life on western virgin lands. The roof is overgrown with a healthy crop of wild grass, weeds and Russian thistles. Mr. Davis was living here alone, with his pony, dog and cow. The photograph was taken in July, 1903. Dr. Wallace's Enjoyment of Nature, The general biology class of the Uni- versity of Colorado sent a letter of ap- preciation to Dr. Alfred Russell Wal- lace on the occasion of his eighty-ninth birthday. He replied as follows : My dear Young Friends: Thank you much for your very kind greetings. I am much pleased that so many of you are readers of my books. The wonders of nature have been the delight and solace of my life. From the ever-growing sense of mystery and awe. And now, in my wild garden and greenhouse, the endless diversities of plant life renew my enjoyments; and the ever-changing pageants of the sea- sons impress me more than ever in my earlier days. I sincerely wish you all some of the delight in the mere contemplation of nature's mysteries and beauties which I have enjoyed, and still enjoy. We are anxiously watching the re- ports of the improvements of the new Arcadia, which we hope and trust will only give the AA a new birth of zeal with which to further our cause of nature study. — Xao)ni E. Dixon, Secre- tary J ahnstown {Pennsylvania) Chapter of 'the A A. 68 THE GUIDE TO NATURE ^<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<^ < o t-+ w < « W K H 78 THE GUIDE TO NATURE HOMES NEAR TO NATURE 79 Vol ame V JULY 1912 Number 3 A Village of Rest in a Valley of Peace BY EDWARD F. BIGELOW, Arcadia: Sound Beach, Conn. VER the hills of many dif- ficulties and through the vales of many trials, winds and extends up- ward and onward, ever onward, a wide and well travelled road. Along" this way pass all sorts and conditions of humanity. Some hurry by, straining every nerve ; some plod slowly and wearily ; a company of the young and gay, laughing and singing in their mer- riment, is followed by the slow march of the funeral. The "road" is but another name for Life, and the never ending procession of travellers is humanity. And is it strange that of all this surging throng a few should turn into a bypath for rest and recuperation? The wonder is that there are so few. This is pre- eminently an age of the utmost nerve strain and tension. The race is to the swift, the strong, the capable. This is yet a new country. Though we do for EVERYTHING PLEASANT AND HOMELIKE. Copyright 1912 by The Agassiz Association, Arcadia: Sound Beach, Conn. 8o THE GUIDE TO NATURE * '364 '■••.'.-•■* ' "'• ' v' * .!•- PSt"* fu , ttl I ST.- ' ■ ■ « ■ 2 v A TYPE OF THE RESIDENTIAL SECTION OF "THE VILLAGE." a time lay aside the axe and the gun, we must not forget that the tools of humanity are still in use, and require greater nerve strain than the clearing of forests and the banishing of wolves. If nerves break down, or our faults or those of our fathers are visited upon us, what may we expect, if not freed from their effects? That they shall be visited upon our children — yes, even to the third or fourth generation. * ^s sjs j|c sjs * It was midday — warm, calm, peace- ful. These thoughts, of reveries, or waking dreams, ran through my mind as I sat alone in a summer house on the summit of a hill white with summer •daisies. The outlines of neighboring hills were tremulous in a summer haze. At the foot of my hill, just beyond a stone wall, rugged and picturesque, was the broad and well travelled high- way ; I watched the wayfarers ; I won- dered what were their thoughts and ambitions. And then to me it seemed that I, like Mirzah, (figuratively de- scribed, in Addison's Spectator ) had as- cended alone the high hills of Bagdat for meditation and prayer. He tells us that while "airing myself on the tops of the mountains, I fell into a profound contemplation on the vanity of human life." My meditations were not "profound" nor limited to "vanity," yet Mirzah's words came to mind, and I remembered "the valley," and what he heard, and his conclusion that "man is but a shadow and life a dream." Mirzah dreamed when the ills of humanity were to be borne ; now they may be remedied or cured. Before me was a rock of an institution — a village of rest and peace, where persons tem- porarily disabled from the great stress and strain of modern civilization can restore exhausted and shattered nerves. HOMES NEAR TO NATURE 81 Recently this sanitarium has cele- brated its twenty-first aniversary. His alma mater, Wesleyan University at Middletown, Connecticut, at her re- cent eighty-seventh annual commence- ment conferred on Dr. Givens her highest degree, the LL.D. But all this told of the effect, the re- sults. I wanted to get at the heart of things, and especially to ascertain to what extern nature has been a factor in rearing and maintaining this great rock of an institution. I wanted to know the secret of the man's success. With these two purposes in view, I sought and obtained the freedom of the place, and during a period of several weeks I have, at my convenience, vis- ited the different parts of the institu- tion. I have gone alone and have done as I pleased. I have sometimes met the doctor briefly for a bit of general, social conversation, or a cheery "Good morning," and although he was aware that I was making a study of the in- stitution, not one word of suggestion has he proffered. I have been free to photograph and to make notes. What I saw I am telling the reader in my own way aided by my camera. I have talked freely with attendants, workmen and patients. All are enthusiastic as to the attractiveness of the place and the excellence of the management. It is self-evident that Dr. Givens's success is the result of a high degree of medical skill and executive ability, combined with hard, faithful and pains- taking scientific work. But these quali- fications, though they are important, do not reveal the whole secret of this institution's success in curing nervous diseases. Two other factors have been equally prominent — the natural beauty of the location and the healthfulness and invigorating air. Pope was only partly right when he said that the proper study of mankind is man. The whole truth is to add that the best part of man is the mind, and he who would best study mankind must study the mind. From devoted study of the mind of man the physi- cian is able to analyze, diagnose and scientifically treat nervous and mental diseases with remarkable skill. Such a physician loves his work for its own sake, and delights in securing a "THE HOMESTEAD"— A TYPE OF ISOLATED COTTAGE FOR AN INDIVIDUAL HOME. 82 THE GUIDE TO NATURE A SAMPLE OF THE MANY ATTRACTIVE SUMMER HOUSES. thorough knowledge of the temper- ament and character of every patient. He investigates mentality as closely as a watchmaker does a watch and finds out the "kink" or the excessive strain or defect and knows how to eliminate it. Dr. Givens exemplifies the things he does ; he keeps calm and free from nerve strain. He carries the biggest load with the greatest apparent ease of any man I ever saw. I have seen many a man, and some women, with less than a thousandth part of the busi- ness and responsibility that he has, who were veritable fusserbudgets. ex- citable themselves and exciting to all about them. To me the most astonish- ing thing with this man is his perfect calmness and modesty. Think of it ! A man, the sole owner of a "village" honored by physicians, scientists, humanitarians and a great insti- tution of learning, with the beauty- spot of Connecticut as his personal property, yet not once appearing as anything but the quietest, calmest, most modest and retiring of men; net once has he said, "Don't forget to pho- tograph this," or, "Be sure to make a note of that." However, 1 have a sus- picion that I am nearing the danger line of upsetting the record for calm- ness, when he reads these lines and notes the freedom I am taking in these remarks in public regarding his per- sonal characteristics. But over all the place are his own characteristics of peacefulness. It is restful and invigorating. I think that when I get tired and nervous and a little excited perhaps, and want to get out of the laboratory and office, I will shoulder my camera and go to Dr. Givens's. If you are a reader not in sympathy with a naturalist's pursuits, you may be disposed to laugh. Please do not. There is no joke about it. Where else should a naturalist go but where nature, beautiful and interesting, is to be found at her best? If the ac- companying photographs do not show you that there is no superior natural realm, wild or cultivated, in all Con- necticut, then I have used my camera in vain. I have not done justice to the subject. Then, too, the nature interests is not merely a matter of aesthetics. Here is extended opportunity for de- tailed study of trees shrubs and plants with its wide variety of hundreds of shrubs it may well be called an arbo- retum. The greater part of this "village of rest" is on a hill within a large "valley of peace." To the east and the west of the village are vastly higher hills. The western part of the village extends down to a long and picturesque lake of Connecticut. This has been HOMES NEAR TO NATURE 83 for many years the Mecca for automobilists and camerists who would study nature. The views of distant Long Island Sound, from the larger hills and from "the village" are not ex- celled by any in southern Connecticut. Aeons ago glaciers and other forces combined to locate in this valley varia- tions of nature's best. The majestic hills, the gracefully sloping hills, the domes, the ravines, the winding roads, the wide brook and the lake afford beauty at every point of the compass, wherever the artist or camerist stands. Up this valley, even in the warmest days, there is always a cool breeze from the Sound. I doubt whether in all the world there can be found a more comfortable and health giving location. The moist breeze from the Sound is so tempered and stimulated by this valley and its lake that it is perfectly fitted to give life and health. Dr. Givens has had the rare good sense of knowing where to apply art and science and where to let nature work out her own problems. A most excellent example of this is in a pic- turesque "old country road" that leads from the cultivated and well cared for grounds to the lake. It prepares one's thoughts to best appreciate the natural, simple grandeur of the lake. I was es- pecially pleased with one of the many summer houses in an extensive field of daisies. The setting is ideal, a poem of rest, just aside from the long path with a sfood view of the hazy hills and picturesque lake. But there are some things, some oi the best things, that plate and pencil cannot portray. And these best things are found in the greatest profusion at this village of rest and quiet and sooth- ing influences. They are peace, se- renity, calmness ; they are the sweep of the horizon, the haze on the hills, the cool shade of the trees; the dome of the sky as viewed from the top of the hill white with summer daisies, it is the path of peace from the highway of life, the cordiality, the love of hu- manity And the greatest of these is love — untiring, faithful, devoted, prolonged, hopeful, effective love, for one's calling in life. A COOL AND INVITING WALK BY THE LAKE. 84 THE GUIDE TO NATURE HOMES NEAR TO NATURE 85 ■$ ►?.V> ' v »» w * '^\! ^ » > ** . O ui « Pi M O -5 ■if ■., • < T3 i A • ' a Y * » . >'* ° u i; :> W 8 K -5 ;#n:i , H -. ;-v%„ ■■■ o ° >; • ^ J5 if} «> ' ■ *; i W u -■■ w,i\V . .0 Z5 ■ ^ i ,. rt - tf - .* ¥ < .5 • V . 1 ., .• [i4 i '.■'>•'. i a •-* .'i^i, fr i tn So ■ * >'t .,■! H « /'\:! v n ft i ^ bo ■ » O -c - , » ^ * ' ^ « 1 * r i fe S x '«» ' _ o » > p ■" \| . » W o> •; * < s a ' < ,, i ■ £ 5 i O c 1 ° ■ £ U2 . , * p 13 i-i o " * 'PtfL^-'*- • * . W u b i*. P „ O -a O H HOMES NEAR TO NATURE 9i «)2 THE GUIDE TO NATURE o ■n J W o On w D W 5! C/J o ^ o m o j H 2; w H U 2; HOMES NEAR TO NATURE 93 94 THE GUIDE TO NATURE HOMES NEAR TO NATURE 95 en w w H W B H O w o < K en w H W I— I H < £< O fx< (4 O en w M H & O a i— I H en w C4 96 THE GUIDE TO NATURE An Account of our Experiment in Propagating Quails. BY REV. HERBERT K. JOB, STATE ORNI- THOLOGIST, WEST HAVEN, CONNECTI- CUT. As I believe that an account of this experiment will be of interest, the fol- YOUNG QUAIL FEEDING— SEVEN WEEKS OLD. By courtesy of The Outing Publishing Company. lowing is issued for the public and the sportsmen of Connecticut. We did not succeed, during this first season, in raising a stock of young for distribution, but every stage of the pro- cess was successful until a deadly dis- ease appeared among the birds when they were nearly mature. But the pros- pects of future success are far brighter than ever before. The experiment was conducted at the Connecticut Agricultural College, with an average of thirty pairs of our bobwhite quail. The first result was the perfecting of the details of a suc- cessful breeding system, by which even the wildest stock will breed abundantly in confinement. Most of our birds were thoroughly wild. Though we lost the best part of the breeding season through a late start, these thirty pairs produced six hundred and ninety-three eggs. Our banner quail laid seventy- three eggs, the next fifty. Only one hen quail failed to lay. The average was twenty-three eggs per pair. The fertility was ninety per cent. The sys- tem is simple and practicable. The second result is a successful hatching system. After preliminary tests, the hatches were usually more than eighty per cent, and ran as high as ninety-five per cent, which poultry- men will agree is not bad. A third result is that an immense amount of detail as to the care and handling of the quails has been mas- tered. We wish to continue an elab- orate series of scientific feeding tests, with a view to the forestalling of dis- ease. We have worked out a promis- ing system for game preserves which we desire to test in detail during the coming season. The quail chicks are beautiful and docile, and seem amen- able to artificial conditions and man- agement. A fourth series of results, of funda- mental importance, is in the line of ex- perimental work on quail diseases. Professor L. F. Rettger, the bacte- A GROUP IN MAIN PEN OF QUAILS DONATED BY MR. HOWELL. By courtesy of The Outing Publishing Company. ORNITHOLOGY 97 riologist, of Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University, has been carrying- on co-operative investigation in connec- tion with poultry diseases during his vacation seasons at the Storrs Agri- cultural Experiment Station. He has discovered the causative organism of at least one deadly epidemic disease, and is now keeping it in culture, pur- posing to attempt a vaccine or serum to render quails in captivity immune. He has also recently isolated another organism, first found in the young quails. Though there has not yet been time to demonstrate that this was surely the main cause of their death, yet this view has received remarkable confirmation from the recent discovery urge that it be continued for at least another year. To stop midway in a promising scientific quest productive of useful results, on the ground that the final goal was not reached in a few months, appears to them an amaz- ing proposition. The Station's inves- tigation of the white diarrhoea of chicks has already taken three years, and a proposed cattle disease inves- tigation is likely to extend over five years. Yet the Government consid- ers money thus used well expended. The ornithologist is now completing a Report on quail propagation, em- bodying the results of this experiment at Storrs and of another experiment in Connecticut that was carried on pri- OUR THIRD BATCH OF FORTY QUAIL CHICKS, ONE WEEK OLD, FEEDING. By courtesy of The Outing Publishing Company. by English scientists of a similar or- ganism in diseased grouse. If the organism proves to be the cause, we believe that the disease can be eradi- cated or prevented by simple medicinal treatment. The work was conducted on the grounds of the Connecticut Agricul- tural College, with the assistance of the Storrs Agricultural Experiment Sta- tion, and was done under the direct supervision and with the approval 01 the Federal Government. The College and the Experiment Station officials, together with other important interests, believing that this work is of value and of economic im- portance, and that it promises to solve a problem and be worth a large amount of money to the State and the public, vately in co-operation with him. It is the most thorough treatment of the subject that has ever been prepared. Until the diseases, the feeding and the handling of quail are thoroughly studied in a scientific manner, the whole problem of their artificial in- crease will remain at a standstill. The depletion of the birds in one State for the benefit of another will never solve the problem. So long as shipments of quail are made without understanding the disease problem, so long large num- bers are practically sure to be swept off by the dreaded epidemic, with grave danger of spreading it among the native quail and grouse. A small frac- tion of the game fund would continue this fundamental work. It may be re- marked that the expense was not as 98 THE GUIDE TO NATURE large as stated in some of the papers. This whole matter naturally rests with the sportsmen of Connecticut, and it is for them to decide whether or not the public will be benefitted by a contin- uance of the work. Chimney Swift Nesting in a Pine Stump. BY THE REVEREND MANLEY B. TOWN- SEND, SIOUX CITY, IOWA. In July, 1910, it was my privilege to take a canoe trip with a friend through a portion of the vast forest that covers northern Minnesota. We purchased an Ojibway Indian birch bark canoe, loaded it with a month's provisions and our camp duffel, and plunged into the the veery, sounded his twilight bell. I love to think of him as the wilderness bird, the incarnation of the wild. Ducks of many species abounded. A great patch of blossoming arrowhead beautifies a wet depression just be- hind the tent. As I sat eating my supper of baked beans, corn bread and tea (the beans were baked in the ground), I noticed a chimney swift circling about a pine stub that stood on the shore. Its pe- culiar motions caused me to observe it carefully. We had seen many of these interesting birds far from human habi- tations, and we felt sure that they must nest here in hollow trees, as their an- cestors used to nest before the white man provided his convenient chimneys. THE PINE STUMP, AT THE LEFT, CONTAINING NEST AND YOUNG OF CHIMNEY SWIFT. forest. We paddled for two hundred miles through a wonderful chain of lakes and streams, doing our cooking, eating and sleeping in the open air, close to nature's heart. One hundred miles from Walker, our starting point, we pitched our tent on the narrow beach of a heavily wooded island in a beautiful sheet of water named by the Indians "Woman Lake." It was a pic- turesque spot with its charm height- ened by the abundance of wild birds in the neighborhood. Just back of the camp rose a tall, dead pine, on which the turkey vultures loved to roost. From the lake the demoniacal cry of the loon saluted every morning's rising sun, and at every evening's sunset, through the darkling wood, last and sweetest of all the feathered songsters, Presently the bird hovered for a mo- ment before the stub, then through a tiny hole disappeared within the trunk. Question: Was there a nest inside? We determined to find out. It was late, the twentieth of August, but there might be a second brood. The next day we cut a hole at the base of the stub, and after climbing up the in- side, we found a nest plastered to the wall, and containing four young, naked and helpless. The stub was dark as a pocket, and musty with the odor of decaying wood, but it was warm and dry. We counted it a rare privilege to observe this bird still adhering to the good old-fashioned ways of its ances- tors that its "progressive" kin have mostly abandoned for modern improve- ments. ORNITHOLOGY 99 Bird Caused Accident. Mrs. Nelson Macy, a summer resi- dent, had an automobile accident on Lake Avenue on Tuesday in front of the William G. Rockefeller place, and luckily escaped without serious in- juries. She was driving her car when a bird flew in back of the windshield. The bird flopped from the wind shield to her face several times. She struck at the bird with one hand and lost control of the oar for a moment. In that second the car left the road and bumped into a tree. The glass wind- shield was smashed to smithereens and Mrs. Macy's face was cut, the chief in- jury being a long cut on her lower lip which was afterwards sewed up by Dr. Parker. She was taken into W. G. Rockefeller's resident where she was cared for. Mrs. Macy is still sore from her many injuries. — Greenwich Nezvs. A Young Robin Cares for Another. Noroton Heights, Conn. To the Editor: I am writing you an account of what seems to me an unusual bird trait, in the hope that you will inform me of any similar experience. On May 31 a young robin, partly pinfeathered, came into my possession, having fal- len from the nest and sustained a slight injury. I fed it earth worms with the aid of a forceps, and a few drops of watei from a medicine dropper. It thrived and at the end of a week I fixed a small twig in the ground and put the bird under a wire coop to give it a chance to learn to pick, which it did readily. I then gave it it's freedom,, but it would come to me when I called "Bob," also would often fly into the window to me. The bird developed quickly, was apparently afraid of noth- ing, roosted in the trees at night, but would come down to me whenever I appeared. On June 22 another robin, well feathered and able to fly a little, fell from the nest — another nest. Fearing thatthe cats would get it I captured it, fed it worms, gave it a drink and tried to make friends with it by showing how Bob would take the worms ; it still seemed afraid so I put it up in a tree, hoping the parent birds would find it and take care of it, which they did not do. The little thing stayed in the tree all day, calling, and toward evening I discovered Bob carrying worms to it. The next day he con- tinued feeding the small bird, but I noticed he never gave it any of the worms I gave him, he gave him only worms and bugs picked up by himself. On June 24 he coaxed it to the ground and began to teach it to pick. He continues to feed the bird and apparently has assumed the full role of parent — protecting it and teaching it. At the present time Bob himself cannot be more than five weeks old. Thinking this case of a bird raised by hand, never having had the aid of par- ental instruction, assuming the posi- tion and duties of parent to a still smaller bird, must be very unusual, I take the liberty of writing to you about it. Very respectfully yours, (Mrs.) Harold E. Hoyt. THE GREATER REDPOLL. By Grace H. Sadleir, Island Pond, Vermont. Singing in sunshine your glad roundelay, Dressed in your robes of crimson gay, Care free, even tho' skies be gray, Dear redpoll, we welcome you! Far away in your land of snow The shifting Auroras gleam and glow O'er shimmering ice fields and drifting floe, Where the white fox makes his den. One day an impulse came to you, Guided by Him Whose care is true, And southward o'er frozen wastes you flew Till you reached our milder clime. Here, fluttering down into weed filled fields, You find the banquet Dame Nature yields, And at night you sleep where the evergreen shields Your rest from the wintry blast. But, little friends from the Arctic land, Chirping so gaily, a brave, blithe band, Tell me — how did you understand That south it was time to go! Preparedness wins the battle. Every difficulty overcome, leaves us stronger for the next one. The harder the duty, the stronger may it find you. Take care of the days, and the months and years will take care of themselves. Look well to your margins; they may make or mar the whole course of your life. Do the right thing now, instead of plan- ning great things to do by and by. IOO THE GUIDE TO NATURE The Heavens In August. BY PROF. ERIC DOOLITTLE OF THE UNI- VERSITY OF PENNSYEVANIA. Besides the innumerable objects of interest always to be found by one who explores the heavens with a small tele- scope, we will witness this month the of the stream of meteoric particles known as the Perseid swarm. On any one of these four nights the observer, by facing- the northeast and watching for a few minutes, may see bluish, very swiftly moving shooting stars dart out- ward in all directions from the radiant WORTH SOUTH Figure 1. The Constellations at 9 P. M., August 1. (If facing south hold the map upright. If facing east hold "East" below; if facing west, hold "West" below. If facing north, hold the map inverted.) bright August shower of shooting stars ; we will have with us for observation and study the very brilliant Jupiter and Saturn, and we will see the planet Mars approach so closely to a bright star that except by a careful scrutiny they will appear as a single star. THE AUGUST SHOOTING STARS. From August 10 to August 13 the earth passes through the densest part point in the constellation Perseus in- dicated in Figures 1 and 2, move a greater or less distance across the sky, and finally disappear, usually leaving a phosphorescent trail behind them. The opportunity for witnessing the display is unusually favorable this year because the new moon occurs on August 12, and therefore throughout all of the four nights the sky will be dark. As the THE HEAVENS IN AUGUST 101 hours of the night go on, the radiant rises higher and higher in the sky, the most favorable hours of all for obser- vation being between I o'clock and sunrise, though occasional stars may be seen at all hours of the night. These shooting stars are caused by the collision of the earth with an im- mense swarm of little particles which are following the same path about the sun as the third comet of 1862, and are very probably the remains of this comet, which has been torn apart and stretched out along its path by the tidal .action of the sun. As each dark and cold little particle of the swarm ploughs through the air of our swiftly moving earth it is burnt up by the friction and is seen by us as a shooting star. us the occupation is not visible, the moon passing below the star. Could we journey to the southern hemisphere on the night of any of the occultations we would see the moon apparently ris- ing in the sky, owing to our displace- ment on the earth, and in time it would be seen to hide the star from view. On the morning of August 7 the moon will similarly pass squarely over the Pleiades as viewed from the southern hemisphere, but as seen from the north- ern latitudes it will appear to pass be- low them. When any star is thus hidden by the moving moon it almost always disap- pears instantaneously ; it goes out as suddenly as a flash of lightning ; there is no hanging on the edge of the moon and no gradual fading away. Even when EAST Figure 2. The eastern heavens at 1 o'clock A. M., August 1. OCCULTATIONS. The occultation of Antares by the moon, which occurred on the evening •of June 26, was witnessed by many •observers in the western part of our country, but in the east the skies were so generally cloud}- that but few saw this interesting phenomenon. The path of the moon among the stars is at pres- ent changing so little and the occulta- tion was so nearly a central one that it will be repeated each time that the moon in its monthly course reaches this part of the sky during August, September and October. But by care- ful watching the observer may notice that each month the path of the moon in this part of the sky lies a little lower down than the path pursued the month previously. Consequently, as seen by the phenomenon is photographed by an apparatus containing a revolving, very sensitive, photographic plate, no gradual fading can be detected. The stars shines out in full brightness until the body of the moon actually hides it from view. This shows us clearly that the moon has no atmosphere, or, at most, an inconceivably rare one, for had our satellite an atmosphere only one-two-thousandth part as dense as our own, there would be a distinct lingering and fading away of stars on its advancing edge. A phenomenon of even more interest is the occultation of a star by a planet. This has been several times observed, but owing to the very much smaller ap- parent sizes of the planets and their far slower motions, it is witnessed far less 102 THE GUIDE TO NATURE frequently, especially as all of our plan- ets are so bright that the faint stars seem to disappear as the planet draws near them. The last observation of this nature to be reported was an oc- culation on the 13th of last August of a seventh magnitude star by the planet Jupiter, of which several observations and several photographs were taken. In this case the brightness of the star diminished as it drew near the edge of the planet, but what is of especial in- terest is that when apparently touching the edge it disappeared instantly, prob- ably because its light suddenly became hidden by an impenetrable cloud of va- por. Usually the disappearance is gradual, the star "hanging on the limb," as astronomers say, until finally the interposed vapors become so dense that it is no longer visible. THE PLANETS IN AUGUST. Mercury, which reached its greatest distance east of the sun on July 24, runs rapidly westward throughout the month, passing the sun and entering the morning sky on August 22, but not reaching western elongation until September 7. It may be seen with dif- ficulty low in the northwest just after sunset, toward the beginning of the month, and in the morning sky in the northeast toward the end of the month just before sunrise. Venus is also too near the sun to be easily observed. It sets in the north- west only 32 minutes after sunset on August 1, but this time is increased to 50 minutes by August 31, when it may be detected shining out in the north- west, very near the ground, just after sunset. Mars, though continuing its rapid eastward motion across Leo and into Virgo, is being so rapidly overtaken by the sun that it has now moved just beyond the borders of our monthly map. On August 27 it will pass very close to the bright yellowish star Beta Virginis. If the observer will turn due west at about eight o'clock on this evening he will see these two bright objects only a short way above the ground and so near together that they can be distinguished only with diffi- culty with the naked eye. In a pair of opera glasses or in a small telescope, however, they will form an interesting figure, the brighter and far redder Mars lying a very little distance to the south of the yellow star. Jupiter will at once attract attention, as it shines out so brightly, a little toward the west of the south point, near the center of the striking summer constellation of the Scorpion. It is still in excellent position for observa- tion, and with its bright moons and its banded surface is a magnificent sight. Saturn may be seen well up from the ground in the east, almost exactly mid- way between the beautiful groups of Figure 3. Showing the position of the meteor swarm through which the earth passes on August 10, 1913. the Hyades and the Pleiades at I o'clock in the morning. The rings are now well widened out and the planet presents a beautiful sight in a small telescope. This part of the morning sky is now so attractive and will so well repay observation on account of the presence of Saturn, the occurrence of the August meteors and the close pas- sage of the moon to the Pleiades, on the night of August 6, that we add this month a chart of it (Fig. 2). Uranus is moving slowly west and south in the constellation Capricornus. Neptune is too close to the sun to be observed during this month. THE INTEREST IN INSECTS ICH 0m 3fc ^#3<^?<^e ftg When Bees Will Sting and when they Will Not. A friend has sent me a newspaper clipping that descants on the pleasures and profits of bee-keeping, and says that "swarming bees never sting." My friend asks, "Is that true?" It is not. Any confiding person who depends upon that statement will get stung. Floating about in various news- papers and magazines, and sometimes in periodicals that should know better, are statements as to why bees sting and why they do not sting, and how to prevent them from stinging. We seem to be affected by a craze for getting money out of our surroundings in suburbs and country, and newspapers and magazines welcome articles that tell us how we can pay off the mort- gage by keeping a few honeybees, frogs, chickens or skunks. It is the ob- ject of these writers to show as lucidly as possible that the bee will not sting, nor the frog jump, nor the chicken peck at you, nor the skunks offend your olfactory sense, provided only that you know how to handle them and do it at the proper time. In various parts of the country and before crowds of people, I have made remarkable exhi- bitions in handling bees. I have taken out the frames from as many as seven hives, and have passed about among a company of one hundred and twenty- five teachers the seventy frames, with probably more than half a million honeybees held in hand or flying in the air. I have had bees shaken over my head, I have poured them by the quart over ladies' bare arms. I have placed little children on platforms before large audiences and poured a pint of bees into the lap of each, and the children petted those bees as they would pet kittens. I have taken men, women and children who were ignorant of the habits of honeybees, to the hives, and had them pass out the frames without the use of veil or gloves. "But isn't it dangerous?" "Are you a "How do you stupify magician them?" "When do you hypnotize them ?" "How do you know they won't sting?" These are some of the many questions asked me at such exhibitions. There is no special time. I do not stupify them. I am not a magician. Bees will sting, and sting severely at swarming time or at any other time, but there are certain times, and certain days, and certain colonies known al- most intuitively to one who has had experience with bees, on which and by which the operator will be stung only rarely or not at all. Only a few days ago a club of boy scouts arrived at Arcadia, and though none of them had had any experience with honeybees, and some had never seen any bees in hives, I took them to the apiary, where I at once opened a hive and passed out the ten frames. The bovs held the frames and handled them, without aid from me and with- out gloves or veil. It is simply a matter of self-confi- dence and self-control. I firmly be- lieve that from a variety of things in this world we get just what we expect, or are paid in the same coin with which we pay. Go to the bees at swarming time or at any other time, in a nervous, fighting state of mind, slap at the first one that comes near you, and you will be stung. But go with calmness and self-composure, and with gentle, kindly motions, and though you may not es- cape, you will, by this method, surely minimize the chances of injury. But there is never a time when it is impos- sible for the bees to sting. When you io4 THE GUIDE TO NATURE think of something else besides their stinging, of kindness and gentleness and love for them, they seem to recip- rocate, although they will not always do so. If they are too much disposed to sting you, puff a little smoke into the hive, not to stupify them, but to give them something else to think about. Smoke tells them that a catas- trophe has come, and that the only thing to do is to eat, drink and be merry, for their home will soon be de- stroyed by a forest fire. They gorge And yet all I have said must be taken with certain painful exceptions that only experience can teach. Some bees are vindictively ugly at swarm- ing time and, as I once heard a far- mer express it, "Those durned critters would sting the hair off a dog, though they are hanging there in a quiet mass so innocent-like on the branch of the tree." Bees are at times angered by smoke and the more they are smoked the worse they will fight. You have all probably heard of the BOYS FROM GREENWICH AT THE ARCADIA APIARY, TAKING THEIR FIRST LESSON IN OPENING A HIVE OF BEES. themselves with honey and are then less able to sting, not only because they are happy, but because they are unable to curve the abdomen in that spiteful, vixenish manner so necessary to drive in the sting effectivelv- A similar condition arises at swarm- ing time. The bees rill their honey stomach with honey, and are then not only in a kinder frame of mind, but have greater diffculty in getting into the stinging attitude. Further, there is not so much reason for stinging. After they have left the hive, they have no permanent abiding place; they have no home to protect. They are in an uncertain frame of mind. henpecked man who told his friends that he would hang around the house for a while until he could ascertain trie state of affairs within. If all were calm and serene and smiling he would en- ter, but if temper were crossgrained lie preferred to go to the barn and do the chores. The skilled bee-keeper exercises, es- pecially in making exhibitions before a crowd, some of the same kind of di- plomacy, though the admiring crowd is not aware of the fact. He says to them /'Come on, I will show you how gentle the honeybees are." He goes to one hive, and the guards dart out vin- dictively. He says nothing about it, THE INTEREST IN INSECTS 105 but turns his attention to other hives in succession until he finds one that, looked at from the outside, seems calm and serene at that particular hour of the day. Bees are somewhat like hu- man beings. Cross people are not al- ways cross, and good-natured people are not always good-natured. Bees and people have their moods, and it be- comes one to ascertain, in dealing with people or with bees, whether all signs are favorable and the coast is clear. Take, for example, the colony of bees that I opened recently with the com- pany of boys. Some one remarked, "What a wonderfully gentle colony," and so it was at that particular time, but the next day I tried it alone with the same hive, and under about the same conditions. I was called to lec- ture before a school, and I thought that I could run out to the hive, take a frame and put it into an observation hive without bothering with gloves or veil. I got severely stung on face, hands, wrists and even through my trousers. Those bees acted worse than the "blamedest" yellow jacket you ever saw. Suppose you knew a pool in a brook where you could go at any time and pull out a pound trout as soon as you drop your hook. Would there be any fun in that? Suppose the newspaper writer, previously referred to, were cor- rect when he says that bees will not sting at swarming time? Would there be any joy in handling them? No; no more than with a swarm of flies. If life was a sure thing in any respect, most of the joy of living would be an- nihilated. If there were no obstacles, even stings, to overcome, there would be no satisfaction in overcoming. A sinless world or a surely successful world would be unlivably monotonous. The uncertainties and stings of life are the greatest factors in human hap- piness— and I do not know but that they are so in bee happiness. How- ever, I sometimes wonder if the bees do not look upon our moods just as we look upon theirs. Apparently they do. Take all your worries to Mother Nature; she will brush them away like cobwebs. Great Clouds of Butterflies. New York City. To the Editor : Referring to our conversation the other day, about migrating butterflies, would like to tell you an experience I have had about twelve years ago in north- ern Wisconsin. At that time, our entire family was camping near Sturgeon Bay and I had permission from the owners of Cham- bers Island, to fish in the several lakes, which were situated in this large and uninhabited Island, which had been purchased man}' years ago by a manu- facturer of oak furniture, who had cut all the available oak down and left the Island in charge of one or two care- takers, until the new growth of hard- wood trees should be available again for re-cutting. On a beautiful September morning-, we sailed from Fish Creek in a large sloop to Chambers Island and arrived on the Island early in the morning, passing through very dense brush and forest growth and after about an hour's tramping through this dense, sombre forest, we suddenly came out on a very large clearing of probably 100 acres or so. The entire territory was covered with millions of milk weeds, which had attained a most mag- nificent growth in the rich forest soiL There was not a breath of wind stir- ring, a blue cloudless sky brought out sharply the contrast between the sun- lit clearing and the sombre forest from which we just emerged. The moment we started to stir amongst the milk weeds, thousands upon thousands of the most magnificent specimens of the Monarch Butterfly rose slowly, like a dense cloud and settled in a few seconds again on the plants, on our clothing, on our hats, on our faces on the branches of the forest trees, over- hanging the clearing. I carefully lifted my straw hat. There was no possible space left on which another butterfly could have settled. My wife's clothing- was covered from head to foot with butterflies. As we traversed the clear- ing, more and more butterflies rose and we could actually hear a noise made by the wings of these countless mil- lions of butterflies. Every single milk weed plant was literally covered with 100 THE GUIDE TO NATURE butterflies and innumerable brilliant green cocoons hung on each plant, many of them still filled, many of them already empty of these recently emerg- ing insects. Nobody, who has not seen the quantities of butterflies we saw, could have possibly believed the ver- nothing else but a Monarch with folded wings. As we were in the midst of this field, fighting the butterflies with branches, from touching our faces, there burst suddenly on our ears the weird laughing cry of a loon, which as we saw afterwards was disporting A SECTION OF A GREAT FLOCK OF MONARCH BUTTERFLIES. Kindness of the American Museum of Natural History. acity of what I am telling you. I have never regretted so much of not having a photographic camera with me as I did that morning. We felt positively uncanny and my wife was frightened. At the edge of the clearing, every branch of any of the trees, looked as if they were covered with dead, brown leaves and every apparent leaf was on a nearby lake with two young ones and my wife frantically grabbed my arm at this unfamiliar sound and her face turned pale. I do not think that many people have had an equal experience and during the twelve years that have gone by, my wife and I have many times discussed the same. I have been hunting in the THE INTEREST IN INSECTS 107 India jungle and traversed South America on horseback and there are only two situations, in my life which I could compare with my impression of Chambers Island. One was when going on horseback through a very extensive swamp region in Argentine and countless numbers of flamingos, black necked swans and white and black Ibises were rising before my as- tonished eyes and another time when in shooting tigers in India, a very large quantity of peacocks suddenly rose be- tween the feet of the elephant on whose back I was riding. I remain, with sincere regards, Yours very truly, John C. Uhreaub. fairly common in May, it is just as hard to believe that they did not come up from the South." We desire to obtain observations re- garding such migrations of butterflies, and want our friends and all members of The Agassiz Association to report promptly in regard to such butterflies especially monarch in flocks large or small. Migration of Monarch Butterflies. To illustrate the migration of the monarch butterfly the American Mu- seum of Natural History, in New York City, has prepared a new group of these insects containing five hundred speci- mens. The accompanying illustration is from a section of that group. In the early part of the autumn the butter- flies go southward in flocks of many hundred or even of many thousands, and often remain in one locality for several days. In an interesting article in 'The American Museum Journal," Professor Frank E. Lutz writes as follows : "Curiously enough, certain definite resting places, or gathering places, seem to be used year after year. Such an one is near Clin- ton, Connecticut, where the specimens for a Museum group were obtained in the fall of 1911. The swarming butterflies are so num- erous and clustered so thickly that the leaves are obscured and the brownish un- dersides of the wings of the resting but- terflies gives to the tree a truly autumnal ap- pearance. "Then comes the continuance of the south- ward flight. In places the air is brown with fluttering butterflies. As they reach the more southern states they doubtless spread out over the country again, but we are indeed ignorant as to how far those individuals which were born in New England for in- stance, really go, how they spend the winter, or from whence the monarchs of the next New England spring come. No one has put on record a return flocking from the South, so that if there be a migration north- ward it would seem to be only by stragglers. Futhermore the specimens found here in the spring seem to be in rather too good a con- dition to have made the journey. On the other hand no specimens have been found in this vicinity in the winter and as adults are Winged Ants. Croton-on-the-Hudson, N. Y. To the Editor : The winged ants, mentioned in the June number of The Guide; to Nature, may be seen at their mating season, during the last days of August in parts of Delaware County, N. Y. Their day is about August 24, in places where I have observed them, and they appear in swarms that actually fill the air. They evidently prefer a sunny afternoon, and continue their flight until the sun sinks behind the hills. By looking toward the setting sun they may be watched to very good advantage. They arise in bunches, or swarms, each swarm evidently repre- senting- one queen and hundreds of males. I have seen ants from the col- onies representing the good part of a long valley, all celebrating this mating occasion at once. Whether this com- mon impulse was due to the suitable, sunny August afternoon, or to some prearranged plan, it was hard to con- jecture. Work usually ceases for a time on the farm, during this flight of the ants, and all hands make a few, more or less scientific, observations. It is extremely difficult to follow the activ- ities of the ants after they return to the ground, to see how the males spend their few remaining hours, and where the queens prepare their nests, and the writer is hoping for the opportunity of reading a few extra pages from this little explored part of the book of na- ture during the coming vacation. Charles A. Dann. You know it is quite a task to sup- port a family and save a dollar for a good book, but I am so used to The Guide to Nature that I would not like to be without it if I have to pay for it on the installment plan. — H. Koster, Brooklyn, Nezv York. io8 THE GUIDE TO NATURE Time and Dissolution vs. Thought and Evolution. A friend took a long' pedestrian jour- ney with me through the most rural and picturesque part of the country. We passed a deserted, dilapidated, de- caying farmhouse. The gates were off their hinges, most of the picket fence was broken down, one of the barn doors was off and the other swinging by one hinge, the garden was smoth- ered in weeds and the appearance of the whole place was that of desolation. Said my friend, "Isn't it a pity that this picturesque farmhouse and its pleasing surroundings have been desert- ed and neglected for so many years?" Then he gave me a little history of the place because he was acquainted with that part of the country and knew the sad story of this farm that once was in good condition and prosperous. We travelled onward for a mile or more and approached a thoroughly modern farm with well painted out- buildings, with a silo, with the fences in good condition, and with all the surroundings bearing the marks of modern and intelligent cultivation. My friend said, "Mr has made a great transformation in the few years during which he has been here. He is a thinker and worker, and in addition he has the facilities for developing the farm." We travelled onward still, and my friend, who is an atheist, began to draw me into conversation on his fav- orite subject. "It does seem wonder- ful," he explained, "that the plants and animals of our earth are so wonderful- ly developed and so well adapted to their surroundings, but there was plenty of time, you understand, to bring about any number of changes. Time will accomplish much if you have enough of it. The improvements may be extremely slow from century to cen- tury, but if you have centuries enough you can accomplish almost any degree of perfection." "Perhaps so," I said, "but time, plenty of it, alas ! too much of it Drought only dissolution and decay to that farmhouse that first attracted our attention." "But then," he eagerly interrupted, "that kind of time produces nothing but dissolution and decay." "Oh, I see!" I exclaimed; "it re- quires not time only, but intelligence to produce a place like that second one." "Yes, yes," he eagerly assented. And I said, "When you assent to that, as you have done, don't you see that you are 'begging the question,' and throwing away your argument that, as I understand it, development and pro- gress can be caused by time alone, without the influence of an Infinite In- telligence to overrule and to direct? You are no atheist. Be an atheist if you are bold enough to take the risk but don't be a fraud." This was a dream that I had last night. I am dictating it to my steno- grapher the first thing upon my arrival at the office. I dreamed no more. Per- haps you know more of an atheist's mind and can help me finish the dream. This old earth is evolving, it is improv- EDITORIAL AND GENERAL 109 ing, and there is detailed and infinite mechanism everywhere. I see it under the microscope, I see it in the heavens I see it all around me, and yet my friend claims that the only thing needed is time, time, time, plenty of time, and then perfection and beauty and complicated mechanism can be produced. But my thought returns over the road, and asks. What was the matter with that first farmhouse? If time alone developed and bonified the second farm, why did it destroy the first? The first dilapidated house had even longer time. Evidently time alone here brought dissolution and decay. Think it over, friend. A Proposition for Nature Study. Air. Bernard Sexton, Greenwich, Connecticut, issued this call in the last silent children of life which dwell in the fields and woods about us, art happy in the possession of intimacies which enrich and ennoble us. To be alive in a world of beauty and power and to grow more intimate with it from day to day is to retain the spirit of childhood. The symoathetic observance of the great creative move- ments in the visible world brings to those who have it resources and con- solations as well as positive joys— "O ye stars, ye waters, On my heart your mighty charm renew; Still, still let me as I gaze noon you Feel my soul becoming great like you." It is mainly with a thought of these hisfh considerations that we are MR. SETON'S BOYS AND GIRLS IN THE AGASSIZ GROVE IN ARCADIA. of May for a nature class in June. It shows that he has the right spirit. The coming of spring brings home to the dullest some sense of the transcen- dent importance of the powers tha, operate in the world of nature. We a:A surrounded by mysteries of beauty ana power. The growth of knowledge does but add to our reverence in the pres ence of the processes of life which aL this season confront us wherever wt turn. Those of us who have madt some slight acquaintance with those planning to go into the woods of June and make the gro and things there a subject of study. Our work, however, is to be a really diligent search for truth and beauty, not a mere desultory wandering in the woods. Each member of the party will be equipped with notebook, drawing ma- terial and collecting apparatus. We begin the walks on Monday, June 3d, planning to be abroad on four days of each week dining the month of June, from ten in the morning till four in no THE GUIDE TO NATURE the afternoon. The outing" days will be Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays save when heavy rains make changes of schedule necessary. An occasional rainy day may be spent indoors preserving and classifying specimens. In general it is the deep appreciation of a number of the more interesting and beautiful types rather than the memorizing of undigested and unpalatable facts that we shall aim for. MY CREED. 'My creed is work; to follow duty's call However far it leads across the plains — Through trackless woods, or ringing on the hills: To seek for pleasure in the realms of toil — Still ever striving for a larger self With which to do a service for the rest. To lay a new path through the unknown way, And leave some heritage e'en though so small No other hand would love or care to leave. Rejoicing ever in my brother's craft, To follow system and the perfect law — Be what I am, and do my very best To lead a life which towers above the hills, And points the way across the plains to God." THE MOUNTAIN GARDEN. By Emma Peirce, Sunset Hill, New Hamp- shire. Straggling on, as stone-walls do, A wall of verdure it straggles through; On one side nature has done her part, On the other is seen the gardener's art. Near ferns and brakes of coolest green, The gleam of golden-rod is seen, St. John's wort with its neighbor vies. And buttercups of golden dyes. Clover blooms are all around, Gay in white and crimson gowned; The red of raspberries is seen, Like jewels in a casket green. With pendent cherries ruddy wine, The white of clematis is fine; Tall grasses wave in summer air, And meadow-sweet is everywhere. Beyond the wall is golden-glow, A fitting crown for blooms below, Weaving its gold, in discs of light, Through nature's woof of colors bright. The flag has waved its last adieu, Though still the larkspur wears its blue. And hollyhocks in stately row, Show every tint, from wine to snow. Sweet William won an early fame, And left behind a fragrant name; And now in fine array is phlox, A picture in its crimson frocks. At this regal beauty's feet Nestles white alyssum sweet, While mignonette the border makes, And from its tawny tresses shakes The perfume that is ne'er forgot, The incense of the garden-plot. "The Charm of Expression." One of our subscribers, Mr. C. D. Jackson of New York, recently re- ceived the following letter from his ten year old boy who is at present in Paris. We publish it because of the originality and terseness of expression. Hotel Astoria, Avenue Des Champs-Elysees, Paris. June 14, 1912. Dear Father, Excuse me for writing to you so late. But I have had all my time taken up. Sunday when with my friends one of them had a water pistol with which he squirted everybody. Once he squirted a little boy on the legs, and he went and told it to his mother. The ones who had squirted him ran away and another boy and I staid alone. The lady came up to us, and in an impet- uous tone demanded of us if we had squirted her son. We answered that we had not but that it was our friends. "Where are your friends?" she asked. "We don't know," we answered. But we did know. Then she said, "The next one who touches my boy gets a good slap." The governess of the one who had squirted the boy had her chair right next to the mother of the squirted boy. Now the boy that had the water pistol needed his gouter so he sent another boy to get it for him for he knew that the squirted boy would recog- nize him. But unluckily his governess wanted him to come and get it himself. I am sorry to say I cannot tell any more for just then I had to go home. I meet Fred nearly every morning on the Avenue Du Boie. Your loving son, Charles Douglas Jackson. P. S. Alan cannot put in a few lines be- cause he is sleeping. Walking With God. Very few men cultivate the habit of walking with God, or have any in- ward assurance of God. They have merely heard pious rumours of such a personage. These rumours have given me no comfort; but now and again in the years, sometimes with little chil- dren, sometimes alone under the sky, I have experienced the Divine Pres- ence, have felt that the great comrade was here, and those have been the richest hours of life. I have walked with the Master a little way in the silent fields — with the only master. — Stanton Davis Kirkham in "Outdoor Philosophy" Study the birds, the trees, the flowers, An antidote for weary hours. THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION in AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION' Established 1S75 Incorporated, Massachusetts, 1892 Incorporated, Connecticut, 1910 WANTED: AN ASSEMBLY HALL. For Nature Lectures and Exhibitions Free to the Public. During; two weeks of the coldest weather last winter, more than four hundred people, of all ages, visited Arcadia to see two tablespoonfuls of spawn transform into embryo trout. More than fifty of these visitors came on one of the stormiest and coldest days of the season, but they all felt well rewarded for their efforts. Some even published letters of appreciation in the papers of Stamford and Green- wich. If this one little phase of nature, visible at an unfavorable time, with the exhibition held in an overcrowded room, can thus attract the public, how much more might other exhibitions of nature's doings be appreciated in good weather and in favorable circum- stances. How many of these interested per- sons know why a leaf is green? If we had proper facilities, we could give you ocular demonstration of the grains of chlorophyl. How many know any- thing of any of the life-processes of the plants that they cultivate? If we had a hall with projection equipment, we could give you ocular demonstra- tion of the movements of the "physical basis of life," the protoplasm, within the cells of certain plants. How many know that every plant is built up of cells, or what a cell is? We could give to several people at one time ocular demonstration of plant and animal structure and activities if we had the room. During all of April and May we have had many visitors ; we should like to have more. One day I was at the hatchery and the microscope table from 9.00 A. M. until 11.00 P. M. instruct- ing and entertaining visitors. Some days all our rooms have been crowded. It is not unusual to have from forty to fifty visitors at one time. It is ut- terly impossible to give each individual attention and do justice to the subject. In this town of Greenwich there are 4,600 children and 11,863 adults. In nearby Stamford there are 6,502 chil- dren and 22,334 adults — a total of 45, 299. If I give only an hour's attention to each, and have two visiting days a week, eight hours a day, I can, by this individual method, receive person- ally only 832 a year, thus needing more than fifty-four years to reach each per- son for one hour. We want to reach more people in less time, and I do not expect to live over 108 years more in order to have the second visit from all! We need an Assembly Hall, where demonstrations can be made to several at one time. We need all our present rooms for progressive, original work. They are full of equipments. We wel- come the public, and for that reason make this appeal for the necessary room for exhibitions. To show these interesting objects directly to each caller is effort not used to best advantage. No two per- sons have exactly the same foci to their eyes. The microscope focused for me may not be best focused for any one else. I see one thing, and in the same object you will not see what I want you to see, unless you can adjust the instrument, as you probably cannot. We want to make exhibitions to sev- eral people at one time, and we will if we have an Assembly Hall. We ask for $1,600 with which to build it. The foundations are completed and paid for. The lectures, to be given by various naturalists, WILL BE FREE TO THE PUBLIC. We want to show life processes. We want mosquitoes magnified on the screen ; flies' tongues 112 THE GUIDE TO NATURE magnified ; sections of plants ; we want to show trees, flowers, birds, frogs and other living creatures. In this way we can exhibit the minute details, and it is these minute points that form the won- derful and instructive whole. We want to show Nymphalia on the curtain and on the tables; we want to show the details of Nymphalia. We want, yes, Ave want $1,600, and we want the money now. Everything shown or said in the building will be FREE TO THE PUBLIC. May we not have a dollar from every citizen of Sound Beach, Greenwich and Stamford ? We should not ask people in distant places to contribute. This is, or should be, local co-operation. Please send NOW. The A°-assiz As- sociation. Inc., Arcadia, Sound Beach, Connecticut. EDWARD F. BIGELOW, President. Contributions to Agassiz Assembly Hall. Balance from Building Fund of New Arcadia $J4-59 Mr. J. Langeloth, Riverside, Connecticut 50.00 Mr. Wesley H. Finney, Sound Iieach, Connecticut 1.00 Mrs. E. Dimon Bird, Green- wich, Connecticut 2.00 "Homedale,"' Greenwich, Con- necticut 2.00 Miss Alice L. Armistead. Stamford, Connecticut 1.00 Mrs. Charles M. Joslyn, Hart- ford, Connecticut 1.00 Miss Belle W. Ferris, Sound Beach, Connecticut 1.25 Mrs. P. D. Adams, Sound Beach, Connecticut 2.00 Miss J. Pinkham, Sound Beach, Connecticut 1.00 Total $75.84 The Aquarium The only Magazine devoted exclusively to the interests of the amateur aquarist. Published at Philadelphia, Pa., by the Aquarium Societies of the cities of New York, Brooklyn, Chi- cago and Philadelphia. Monthly except July and August. Subscriptions, $1.00. Single Copies, 10c. Business Manager, W. F. DEVOE P. O. Box, 383 BALDWIN LONG ISLAND NEW YORK The COLLECTORS' JOURNAL is a handsomely printed and lavishly illustrated mon- thly magazine devoted to stamp collecting. No one interested in this fascinating hobby should be without it. Sample copies 5 cents. Subscription, 50 cents per year. H. L. LINDQUIST, Editor 700 East 40th Street - - - CHICAGO (Aquarium Specialty Co* Makers of All Kinds of Aquaria and Terraria 1827-1831 WASHINGTON AVE. NEW YORK CITY Wigwarm Poultry and Pet Stock Houses A complete Poultry House for 12 hens. Nests, feed hoppers, fountain and yard. Complete in every detail. Price $20.00 The Wigwarm Brooder is THE ONE successful Brooder that has given such good results raising quail at the Connecticut Agricultural College. It is the most successful Brooder ever made. Send for our catalog P. E. F. HODGSON CO. 116 Washington Street, Boston Setting Coop for a hen and her chicks or for rabbits or other pet stock. Com- plete with yard. Size 2 x 4 ft. 2 ft. high. $3.00 THE GUIDE TO NATURE £& Vol. V. AUGUST, 1912 No. 4 3*v One of the brightest features in Agassiz's character, is the fact that he sank all personal in- terest in science. He was devoted to it, his life seemed a consecration to the dissemination of knowledge. ^V The success of the Agassiz Association lies in the fact that it appeals to all, old and young, big and little. — Charles Frederick Holder, LL. D., in "Louis Agassiz: His Life and Work" EDWARD F. BIGELOW, Managing Editor PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION, Arcadia: Sound Beach, Conn. Subscription, $1.00 a Year; Single Copy, 10c Entered as Second-Class Matter June 12, 1909, at Sound Beach Post Office, under Act of March 3, 1879 Gray Brothers Manufacturers of Improved Soda AND Mineral Waters Established 1882 Vichy, Seltzer, Car- bonic Sarsaparilla, XXX Ginger Ale & Lemon Soda : : : Deep Rock Artesian Well Water Used THE PUREST AND BEST Mail Orders receive prompt attention NEW CANAAN, CT. P. O. Box 794 Telephone Call 120 or inquire of your grocer Guaranteed under the Food and Drug Act, June 30, 1906 Serial No. 4755 GREENWICH, CONN. Did it ever occur to you how accessible (with fast electric trains) we are to N. Y. and that you could buy or rent to advantage and enjoy living here on the water or among the hills to the utmost satisfaction? I have for Sale Elegant Country Estates, Shore and Inland Residences, Farms, Acreage, Cottages and Building Sites. Also a number of selected Furnished Residences and Cottages to Rent in all locations. Would be pleased to have you call or write Laurence Timmons Opposite Depot Tel. 456 Greenwich, Conn. BEST NURSERY STOCK EVER GROWN We carry a general line of Nursery Stock, such as; Evergreens, Ornamental Shade trees, weeping trees, all kinds of flowering shrubs, privet, berberry and other hedge plants, trailing and climbing vines, hardy Herb, plants, fruit trees, berry bushes, grape vines, etc. Our stock is grown far apart in Nursery rows, so that each plant gets the full benefit of rain, sunshine, nourishment, etc. Our soil is excellent for growing nur- sery stock and is under high cultivation. We thus insure plants with excellent fibrous roots, strong and healthy, which transplant and grow with ease when properly treated. We shall be glad to show intending purchasers through our nursery, as we think it the proper way to see the stock in nursery rows. Our nursery is located on North Street near the Greenwich Country Club. We have made a specialty of laying out new places and remodeling old ones, as our records from both sides of the Atlantic will show. Training and long experience have taught us to do this work in the most artistic and effective way. Trees, shrubs, flowers and specimens in lawns must be placed so that they will harmonize, give shade where wanted, hiding unsightly places, but leaving vistas and making display of flowers and foliage and other worthy objects. We may here mention our connection with the World's Columbian Exposition, the Brooklyn Park Department, the Arnold Arboretum, Boston, and many private parks in and around Greenwich. GREENWICH NURSERIES DEHN & BERTOLF Props. LANDSCAPE GARDENERS AND NURSERYMEN GREENWICH, CONN. STAMFORD ADVERTISEMENTS Vll ESTABLISHED 1853 THE QETMAN & JUDD CO. Lumber and Timber of all Kinds Homes Near to Nature Should be so constructed as to give lasting satisfaction. Our method of manufacturing dependable Interior anc? Exterior house trim from thoroughly kiln dried material) by skilled mechanics insures such satisfaction. SPECIALTY: High Grade HARDWOOD FLOORING THE 5T. JOHN WOODWORKING CO. thoroughly KilnDried and stored in Steam heated build- ing until delivered to our customers. Our steadily in- creasing trade in this specialty proves the fact that the country home is not complete until fitted out with this beautiful and sanitary furnishing. Old residences may be greatly improved by laying thin floors over the old ones. CANAL DOCKS, STAMFORD, CONN. Telephone 36. Canal Docks, Stamford, Conn. Telephone 781 DIRECTORS WALTER FERGUSON, Pres. W. W. HEROY, W. D. DASKAM, Vice Pres. F. H- HOYT, W. H. JUDD, Sec. and Treas. F. W. BOGARDUS. J. G. WIGG, General Manager. THE STAMFORD LUMBER CO. LUMBER Sash, Doors, Blinds and Window-Frames WHOLESALE AND RETAIL OFFICE AND YARD, 297 PACIFIC STREET. STAMFORD. CONN. Wf\ f\ r\ ¥ ¥ T? T? Preserves Buildings Better. Is as Artis- U U U L 1 f Hi tic but Costs 1-3 as Much as Paint ' ">etSMvo*SHme.ii Sum. ^ ^ SUCCHDED BY -^30QPO No other outside coating is as adaptable or as service- able as Woodlife Liquid and Woodlife Colors WOODLIFE LIQUID used alone where a weathered effect is desired, or blended with any of the 16 WOODLIFE COLORS to make WOODLIFE SHINGLE STANE, produces a long-lived, artistic wood preservative and disinfectant that does not raise the grain of the wood, that can be used on new and old buildings and that ccsts little to buy and to apply. GUARANTEED FOR FIVE YEARS Color cards, prices and interesting information from the above dealers, or from THE WOODLIFE COMPANY, 188 Montague St., Brooklyn, N. Y. ||f|||§ For Sale By Frank M. West. Stamford, Ct. Greenwich Hardware Co.. Greenwich, Ct., J. L. Thompson. Port Chester. N.Y., Ericsson Hardware Co.. Port Chester, N- Y- Vlll THE GUIDE TO NATURE FOR REST AND RECREATION IN "THE SWITZERLAND OF AMERICA" THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS OF EASY ACCESS FROM NEW YORK CITY THE SANTA CRUZ INN, Haines Falls, New York • Excellent service in every respect under the universally admitted superior management of Mrs. French. Delightful views; picturesque, rugged scenery; high elevation; invigorating mountain air; purespring water. A VIEW OF, AND A VIEW FROM SANTA CRUZ INN. FOR REST AND RECREATION i , IX THE HALL AND THE DINING ROOM OF SANTA CRUZ INN, HAINES FALLS, NEW YORK LOCAL OBSERVATIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION A boy who had lived for perhaps ten years, was fishing from the bank of my pond. A fish-hawk suddenly dropped into the water and flew off with a fish in his claws. The boy looked on in amaze- ment. As he hurriedly wound up his line I heard him say, "I am afraid of that bird. It might carry me away, it is such a strong bird." At my last glimpse of him he was running. I wish he had been a little nearer the truth. Yet it may be better to know nature incorrectly, than to know her not at all. It was necessary for me to call at a house to make an inquiry. A little girl of five or six years followed the woman to the door. I appreciate the fact that any child might justly be sur- prised to see a frog on the step, and astonished to hear him speak, yet it may be unseemly for the child to ask ques- tions and to interrupt. The woman gave me the information, and when the child continued to pull her mother's skirts and to ask questions, the woman turned and slapped her in the face. The little girl said nothing. She ap- peared to be accustomed to such treat- ment, but it sent a pang to my reptilian heart. The land at one side of my pond rises in a gentle acclivity, on which nature has planted some trees and scat- tered some stones. Among the stones are feathery sprays of asparagus es- caped from cultivation. I saw two boys climbing the slope. One was showing the other some of the beauties of the natural objects about them. I over- heard him say, as he touched a plume of asparagus, "This is Indian thyme. The Indians planted it here a hundred years ago." I was pleased to perceive that the boy had some natural power of obser- vation, and I was glad to see that he was willing to help a companion, but I dislike to pay tax. When the Tax Assessor visits me at my pond, to talk over the amount of my personal prop- erty, I am disposed to croak in my loud- est and harshest voice, and I usually do so. When I look at certain things for which my money is spent without my consent, the paying of tax becomes to me especially offensive. The schools for instance. I know that the English language is the most difficult in the world to write correctly, but, really, the adult of the present should do better with it than he often does. The other day, as I was hopping abroad, I noticed on a fence a sign-board that said. "No Crosing aLoUD." I had recently paid my school tax, and this placard gave my nervous system a shock that sent a thrill into my pocket. I was still thinking condem- natory thoughts, when on the side of a house I read, "For Sale. Inquire on the Pormisis," and, as one of my friends was wont to say, "I was sapporized." Where lies the l^lame? On the teach- er, the system or the pupil? After all these years, after all the treasure that has been lavished, where lies the blame? Why do so many human beings have bad manners ? To protect myself when I traverse the village streets, I move quietly and slowly, and keep myself concealed as well as possible in the grass by the wayside, or among the weeds or the bushes. As I was resting, or hiding under the open windows of another house, I heard the querulous voice of a child and a woman's reproving words. As RANA GERUMP SAYS XI I was about to hop onward, the child continued to whimper, and I heard the woman say, "If you don't stop that cry- ing-, I will knock you down." Poor little thing" I am sorry for you. In my intention I press your hand. In reality my hand is cold and moist ; you would not like it to touch yours, but I am sorry for you. Are all human mothers like these two? If they are, I prefer the frogs' methods. I abandonee! my errand, and returned to the pond. I will fare me forth no more this day Nature Study in the Sound Beach Kindergarten. Through the skill and enthusiasm of Miss Julia Louise Jacobs, the kinder- garten teacher at Sound Beach, the young people have been doing really practical work in nature study in a school garden, as shown in the accom- panying illustration. A variety of plants have been cared for. It is not school-books we want, it is students. The book of Nature is al- ways open, and all that I can do or say shall be to lead young people to study that book, and not to pin their faith to any other. — Louis Agassis. Don't Scrape the Trees. We are informed on excellent author- ity that it is a mistake to scrape the trunks of trees to free them from any insect pest. Scraping the trunk does not lessen the number of hiding places in the bark, nor prevent the insects from climbing higher ; in addition to this, it disfigures the tree and may seriously injure it. The better way is to kill the pests. Useless in Results and Hideous in Appearance Amherst, Mass. To the Editor: I have noticed several times in my visits through towns of Connecticut that they arc making a practice of scraping the bark from their elm trees. I suppose this was done to prevent the elm leaf beetle and other insects from finding shelter under the outer bark, but I would not tolerate it for a minute. I have been tree warden here for twelve or fifteen years and always try to keep the trees as natural in appearance as possible. To scrape a tree gives it a con- ventional appearance and does it no good; moreover I always leave that little fine feathery growth on the trunks of elms as it is a protection and gives the tree a more or less natural appear- THE SOUND BEACH KINDERGARTEN IN THE GARDEN. Xll THE GUIDE TO NATURE HOW THE TREES HAVE BEEN DISFIGURED ON ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL STREETS IN STAMFORD. ance. It is a common practice to scrape apple trees more or less, and while it may do some good in this case they sometimes scrape them so close that it does harm An apple orchard, how- ever, is planted in such a way that it has a conventional appearance, and where one is spraying for scale, etc., it is better to have a smooth surface to spray on, but there is no excuse what- soever for disfiguring' shade trees in a town by scraping them. Only an in- significant number of insects would be harbored under the bark. A few pupae of the elm leaf beetle may get under the outer bark of elms, but the de- struction of the pupae by hot water, and other ways is absolutely valueless in controlling the pest. Anyone who has studied nature in all its phases knows that there is no greater delu- sion than the idea that every insect killed means one less next year. All that we can do at present for the con- trol of insect pests like the elm leaf beetle is to spray the trees to pre- serve the foliage so that the leaves may manufacture food sufficient to keep the tree in a healthy condition. Finrdly, I will say that I consider the scraping of elm trees not only use- less and expensive but one likely to give a hideous appearance to the tree. Yours verv truly, ' G. E. Stone, Department of Vegetable Pathology and Physiology, Massachusetts Agri- culture! Experiment Station. RANA GERUMP SAYS XI 11 Practically no Benefit. Office of State Entomologist Geological Hall, Albany, N. Y. To the Editor : I do not consider scraping- the rough bark from trees of material benefit in controlling insect pests, except in a few special cases. Removing of the rough outer bark is of slight service in check- ing the elm leaf beetle, since a larger pioportion of the grubs usually descend to the oase of the tree and it is therefore possible to destroy more of the assem- bled insects with applications of hot water, kerosene emulsion or some other contact insecticide. This method of checking the beetle is, however, of very little value compared to thorough spray- ing for the destruction or the parent insects and the voracious grubs. This latter method is really the only satis- factory one and, as' a consequence, scraping of trees is practically negli- gible so far as controlling elm leaf beetle is concerned I have known instances where this work has been done with practically no benefit, aside from the presumably large profits accruing to the party doing the scraping. Very truly yours, E. P. Felt, State Entomologist. Entirely Unnecessary— "and Disfigures Trees." Washington, D. C. To the Editor: In my judgment the scraping of bark from large trees and also coat- ing trunks with whitewash, etc., are entirely unnecessary, while in some in- stances actual damage may be done to the vitality of the trees. There is no question but that treatment of this kind disfigures trees. Very truly yours, Geo. B. Sudworth, Dendrologist, Forest Service, Washing- ton, DC. "Serves no Useful Purpose." _ , New Haven, Conn, lo the Editor: The scraping of the rough bark from the trunks of shade trees is useless, so far as the elm leaf beetle is concerned and it is not to be recommended for other insects except in localities infest- ed by the gypsy moth. Such practice injures the appearance of the trees and serves no useful purpose. It is better to allow the elm leaf beetle larvae to descend the trunk to the ground, where they will transform. It is better yet, to spray the trees with arsenate of lead, so that there will not be any larvae left to transform. Many so-called tree experts carry this scraping process altogether too far. They go too deep cutting into the cam- bium and really injure as well as disfig- ure the tree. If the expense of this work could be diverted toward the proper spraying of the foliage, it would go far to preserve the leaves for the whole season. Very truly yours, W. E. Britton, State Entomologist of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Conn. "Unnecessary, Expensive and Unsightly." Stamford, Conn. To the Editor: I consider the scraping of trees un- necessary, expensive, unsightly, and many times injurious to the trees. Very few insects nre destroyed, and where the scraping is done deeply, it destroys both the live tissues and allows attacks of sucking insects such as aphis anc scale. The Frost & Barteett Co. F. A. Bartlett. President. :s d Stop Disfiguring the Trees. It is a strange anomaly that the great- est disfigurements to trees on many ot the streets in our towns or cities, is made by those who are supposed to be experts in the care and culture of trees. Here is an illustration of one of the most beautiful streets in Stamford, Connecticut, showing how the bark has been scraped. Such treatment is piti- ful. The worst of it is that this en- dangering, and disfiguring, and con- sequent expense to the owners or to the city, are absolutely useless. We do not know who did this particular deed, but we know from observation through- out the state that there are plenty of others guilty of the same thing, "evi- dently with a mistaken notion as to the value of such treatment. It is, indeed. XIV THE GUIDE TO NATURE a pitiful sight and The Guide to Na- ture believes that it can do no better work in behalf of trees than to oppose and if possible stop this mistaken prac- tice everywhere. To make certain that our condemnation is just, and in accord with modern dendrology and economic entomology, the editor of this magazine wrote to several authorities. Their replies are published herewith. A marked copy of this appeal to stop the pernicious practice will be sent to a large number of Connecticut news- papers. 'We hone they will copy it and also publish an editorial condemning this disfigurement and needless ex- pense.. A frog, a calm, philosophic frog, I insist, is wiser than an owl — that's the opinion of Rana Gerump, the editor of this department. Do you insist the owl is wise? Then read the following: Unmasked. The bird whose wisdom is proverbial cuts a ridiculous figure in a story told in Mr. H. Perry Robinson's book, "Of Distinguished Animals" ; moreover, the manner in which he was stripped of his imposing presence does not tend to strengthen the belief in his sagacity. The physiognomy, indeed, of all owls is charmingly unbirdlike. To see an owl at its most ludicrous, it is neces- sary to see it wet, for it is a dreadful impostor in the matter of size, being but a poor hapenny-worth of solid owl to a quite intoler- able deal of fluff. Some years ago my family possessed a pair of brown owls, whose cage abutted on the stable yard. ( )ne of the owls, be- ins" brought out into the day, when the hot sun beat upon the paving of the yard, flew helplessly about, and chanced to settle immediately under the tap of a r a i n-w a t e r butt which leaked. d he leak was inconsiderable. Per- haps a single drop fell from the tap every two or three seconds. To the first few drops the owl paid no atten- tion ; then it began to shake its head. Evidently it was raining, and the owl knew all about rain. It knew that when rain fell in one spot it also fell elsewhere, on the just no less than on the unjust, and there was nothing to be gained by shifting. A move of three inches in any direction would have kept it dry, but owls are ill-adapted to walking on a level, and undertake it with reluctance. Doubtless, too, it considered that moving would be futile ; so it sat and submitted to be rained upon, and grad- ually it grew wetter and more wet, till, "for all its feathers," it was soaked. The plumage of the head and neck, much of which normally stands out at right angles from the skin, clung close to it, and to our astonished eyes the true dimensions of the bird were re- vealed. In place of the pompous-look- ing, comfortable fowl of our daily ac- quaintance, was a thing less bird than gargoyle — a new and obviously mythic- al creature, thin, ungainly-footed, with an extraordinarily long neck, termi- nating in a head which had become re- solved into a beak and two huge eyes blinking at us with incomparable sol- emnity.— The Youth's Companion. Spraying for Insects and Disease. Extensive experiments that appear to be successful have been made on the Wm. Zeigler estate, Noroton, Connecticut, by The Frost and Bart- lett Company, in spraying for insects and disease. It does seem as if the materials that are useful in ridding trees of insects, and those that prevent the growth of fungi, may well be mixed together, and used together. This is a labor saving process and accomplishes two excellent results at one time. Heigh-ho for the out of doors, For depths of woods, and for breezy shores, For the oxygen that fills our pores, Heigh-ho for the out of doors. YOUR favorite negative enlarged to n x 14 inches, by my special daylight method, is worth $1.00 to you. Send plate or film with money and receive a really good enlargement. Signed guarantee with each picture. Eugene Hurth. Box 131, Narberth, Pennsylvania PRACTICAL APPRECIATION OF PLANTS xv BOBBINK & ATKINS WORLD'S CHOICEST NURSFRY AND GREENHOUSE PRODUCTS The proper way to buy is to see the material growing. We shall gladly give our time and attention to intending purchasers visiting our nursery, and invite everybody interested in improving their grounds to visit us. Our Nursery consists of 300 acres of highly cultivated land and 500,000 square feet of greenhouses and storehouses, in which we are growing Nursery and Greenhouse Products for every place and purpose, the best that experience, good cultivation and our excellent facilities can produce, placing us in a position to fill orders of any size. Our Formal Rose Garden, planted with 5,000 Roses in 250 varieties is now in full bloom. Everybody in- terested in Roses should visit our Nursery and inspect same. Boxwood and Bay Trees. We grow thousands of trees in many shapes and sizes. Palms. Decorative Plants for Conservatories, interior and exterior dec- orations. Our greenhouses are full of them. Hardy Old Fashioned Flowers. We have thousands of rare new and old- fashioned kinds. Our Herbaceous Grounds are especially interesting at this time. Special prices on quantities. Hardy Trailing and Climbing Vines. We grow in pots, quantities for all • kinds of planting. 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COPLES CAN BE HAD WL7HOUJ CHARGE BY APPLYLNG. ii4 THE GUIDE TO NATURE The Chambered Nautilus This is the ship of pearl, which, poets feign, Sails the unshadowed main, — The venturous bark that flings On the sweet summer wind its purpled wings In gulfs enchanted, where the Siren sings, And coral reefs lie bare, Where the cold sea-maids rise to sun their streaming hair. Its webs of living gauze no more unfurl; Wrecked is the ship of pearl! And every chambered cell, Where its dim dreaming life was wont to dwell, As the frail tenant shaped his growing shell, Before thee lies revealed, — Its irised ceiling rent, its sunless crypt unsealed! Year after year beheld the silent toil That spread his lustrous coil; Still, as the spiral grew, He left the past year's dwelling for the new, Stole with soft step its shining archway through, Built up its idle door, Stretched in his last-found home, and knew the old no more. ¥ c ^\ i i i ' dfl ■ wr}< Ik. ******* ^* '•THIS IS THE SHIP OF PEARL"— THE CHAMBERED NAUTILUS. THE CHAMBERED NAUTILUS "5 "AND EVERY CHAMj ERED ( EL] BEFORE THEE LIES REVEALED." Thanks for the heavenly message brought by thee, Child of the wandering sea, Cast from her lap, forlorn ! From thy dead lips a clearer note is born Than ever Triton blew from wreathed horn ! While on mine ear it rin^s. Through the deep caves of thought I hear a voice that sings : — Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul, As the swift seasons roll ! Leave thy low-vaulted past ! Let each new temple, nobler than the last, Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast, Till thou at length art free, Leaving thine outgrown shell by life's unresting sea! — Oliver II end ell Holmes. Published by permission of Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts u6 THE GUIDE TO NATURE Vol ame V AUGUST 1912 Number 4 Astonishing Performances of a Blue- Bird. It is not to be wondered at that tht term nature faker has been applied to many genuine naturalists. The wonder is that it has not been applied to more. When one sees a natural action, though it be decidedly out of the ordinary, it seems perfectly natural, and the obser- ver usually takes it as a matter of fact. But perhaps long afterwards, the full and remarkable import dawns upon him. Then he writes an account of hic observations, and this account, isolated from the original observation, seems incredible and to entitle the observer to a place among the nature fakers. As an example of this, I recently witness- ed a remarkable performance of a blue- bird, and not until several days after- ward did it occur to me that it was unusual or specially noteworthy. At the time it seemed surprising, yet quite the ordinary thing for a bluebird to do, simply because a bluebird did it, and in a very natural manner. I was sitting with a pleasant company on some rustic furniture around a rus- tic table on Mr. John C. Uhrlaub's lawn, under a wide spreading tree. A (bluebird flew down and lighted on the -end of a perpendicular stake, some 40 ■or 50 rods away in the garden, making it seem from the isolated position of the stake, an unusually consoicuous po- sition. I exclaimed to the lady who sat on the opposite side of the table, "See that bluebird," and with mv index- finger and fully extended arm, I pointed to the bird. She turned to see it and immediately, as I extended my arm, the bluebird flew straight toward my finger. From some strange fascination as I saw that bird coming toward me I held my arm and finger in the same position. The bird was evidently fas- cinated or attracted in some unknown psychological or hypnotic manner by my extended arm and finger, because it flew as straight as it could fly, until it was just on the other side of the table, then it swerved abruptly downward, went under the chair in which the lady was sitting, through the intricate rustic work on the lower side of the table and through the rounds of my chair, brushing shandy my trousers by its ex- tended wings as it swot under me. The question is: What was the cause of that bird's peculiar action? It seems to me that she was attracted by the extended finger, but that the attraction was disturbed by fear as she came near to us, and yet why did she take the course under the table, which seemed a difficult place to pass through? Copvrieht 1912 by The Agassiz Association. Arcadia Misunderstood Kindness. Not long ago I was traveling in the country near the home of my boyhood and found a picturesque old house in which a friend of my boyhood was liv- ing. He was not at home, but I took an excellent photograph of his house and later sent it to him with my com- pliments. It was probably the first Sound Beach, Conn. EDITORIAL AND GENERAL 117 time that the antique farmhouse had been photographed, and I thought the owner would be grateful. Imagine my surprise when some of the neighbors told me later that he called me all sorts of names, and said everything against me that he could think of, knowing that what I had done was the outcrop- ping of the innate rascality that he had observed in my boyhood. "It is bad enough." he said, "to be forced to live in an old farmhouse and not to have an up-to-date house, but it is worse to be twitted about it and have it thrown in my face in the form of a photograph by a fellow who lives in the city. He had not only been living in beauty and surrounded by beauty with- out knowing it, but was resentful when by the aid of the camera I attempt- ed to tell him the facts of the situation. I almost envied him for living in such a house. It was so quaint, so pictur- esque, so attractive, but he evidently regarded it as ugly and as an evil to be endured, longing to escane to the city for a finer residence. But is he alone in this? Are there not plenty of people living in this old, old world in a very paradise of beauty and amid lovely memories of the past, who are longing to go to some other paradise, or some holy city, or some beautiful mansion in some land of the blest? And yet when someone tells such a person that the beauty sur- rounding him is the very perfection of beauty that the Infinite God knows how to make, he resents it. Sometimes he says to the sneaker, "Why. are you a materialist? Don't you know this is a vale of tears?" Don't you know that this was pro- duced by an Infinite Eather for you? He wants you to use it as it is and to appreciate the fact that it is as it is. Probably Browning had that thought in mind when he said, "God must be glad one loves His world so much." If I had been the one who placed that friend of my boyhood in that old farmhouse in that particular position in life, I should not have been pleased when I learned that he gets mad because some one tells him that his residence is a marvel of beauty, and that he should be contented with it. enjoy it as it is and not be everlast- ingly envious of a city house. When one who appreciates the beauties of this world as they are, and tries by camera and by words to show that they are the best in existence, and, so far as we know, never to be excelled by anything better adapted to our capac- ities at the time, many an auditor either laughs to scorn or becomes con- temotuous when the beauty is shown to him. But there are others, and I am thankful to say they are not few in number, who are grateful when the charms and the beauties of the earth are shown to them. Darwin realized that it is possible to become so calloused by neglecting to cultivate a natural love for the beau- tiful, as to be unable to value the pres- ent beauty. He expressed regret that he had lost his taste for poetry and for music. Because no one had shown Carlyle the constellations when he was a boy, it aroused his indignation in advanced vears, and he exclaimed regretfully and with a touch of resentment, "Why did not some one teach me the stars when I was a boy?" Shall some one, fifty years hence, find fault with you because you, an adult naturalist, did not teach him in his youth to know not only the stars but "the beauties of his surroundings? Not lon°- as:o I tried to interest a business man in our star maps but I only arous- ed his indignation. It was but a par- allel to my sending of the photograoh to the dweller in that old farmhouse — only in one case I was trying to show the beauty of the heavens and in the other case the beauty of an earthlv naradise. Both men pot mad. incred- ible as it may seem. .Wain I met a well-known lawyer in the street last week and he made this remark, "Why, of course, everybody agrees with your The Guide to Nature, or at least they could not disagree with it. It is s:ood so far as it goes, but it is awfully wishv-washy. You ought to take no real thines that have a vital interest to neonle if you want to make a success- ful maeazine." Then he told me what he reeards as vital interests and sooke of his vivid interest in both the Re- nublican and Democratic conventions. Can it be possible that "such things" are of greater interest to an}- human fi8 THE GUIDE TO NATURE being or can it be possible that such temporary human affairs are to be compared in any sense with the beau- ties and interests of nature? Read the newspapers rather than read a nature magazine ! Hark, I hear an echo from the past — the voice of Henry David Thoreau is saying, "Read not the times, but the eternities." "What Is It Good For?" What in the name of common sense, in the spirit of all that is good and true in this beautiful old world do you mean by everlastingly asking the question, "What is it good for?" Has youi sensitiveness to the value of things for themselves become so obtunded by the endless scramble for dollars to put clothes on you, and to stuff things down your throat, that you can- not think of anything as good for anything in itself, unless it supplies you with money, or clothes, or food ? Pardon this strong statement, but the repetition of this question by high and low, old and young, surely borders on the exasperating and I find that almost invariably every questioner, when asked to define his query, seems unable to do so. I was recently coming from the fields with a fine collection of ants, their eggs, larvae and cocoons.. It was one of the best gatherings that I had ever made, and I was showing it with great satis- faction to several persons on the trollev car. They listened while I described how I had captured the insects by sweeping the entire nest into the fruit jar by the aid of a brush. They listened to what I said about ants as wonders of creation, and then, imagine, if you can, my dumfounded amazement by the almost simultaneous question, "But, what are they good for!" When I inquired, "'What do you mean by the expression 'good for?' they became con- fused and thought that I was taking them at an unfair advantage, and was quizzing them on some technical or philosophic point. At last I centered my cross-questioning upon one young- woman, and I said, "Really, I want to know; please relieve my suspense; what have you and the others in mind, after all I have told you about these little creatures, when you ask that oft repeated question, 'But, what are they good for?' Can't you see ; is it not self- evident that they are good because they are among the most interesting forms of animal life?" "Oh, but," she hesitated and giggled, "I-I didn't mean that ; 1-1 meant, aren't they good for something?" "Please," again I insisted, "relieve my suspense ; tell me what you mean. Out with it, and get it off your mind. Express it in some way. What do you, and those who are not interested in any realm of nature, who know nothing of this world around us except as it fur- nishes dollars and clothing and food, what do you mean? I should like to get inside of minds and ascertain the significance of the question that comes to me so often, 'What are they good for?" Again she hesitated and giggled and stammered, and I felt almost cruel for embarrassing her, but I was deter- mined to chase that question into the inner recesses of her mind, and dis- cover if I could what was there. "I merely meant," she said, "and I did not suppose that the question would so excite you, I-I merely meant are-are they, are they-they good for bait for fish or something of that kind?" Ye gods, have pity upon the poor ignoramus whose limited knowledge of the creatures of this world induces him to think that they can be of no use unless they are "bait for fish or some- thing of that kind." It is evident that Professor Bailey also has met such persons, that they have wound around him like innumer- able threads, the persistent inquiry, "What are they good for?" Here is how he tries to escape from these ex- asperating, tantilizing questions : "Yet we still think that every animal and plant was created for some purpose other than for itself, and we are al- ways asking what every organism is 'for'. When speaking once to a popular audience, a person inter- rupted me with the question : 'Can you tell us what a snake is good for?' I replied that I surely knew the answer to one question; a snake is good to be a snake." Most persons seem to think, since man is the "lord of creation," and stands at the head of all created things, with power and dominion over them, that EDITORIAL AND GENERAL 119 they are all intended to serve his needs, or his wants, or to be the utilitarian protagonists in his special life drama, and that they must be active and contin- uous in supplying" him with the things needful for his physical well being. But that does not seem to be God's thought and intention. He has said, that man shall not live by bread alone. All animals and all plants are not in- tended to minister only to man's bod}-. He has a mind, or is supposed to have such an appurtenance, and is expected to cultivate it. Of what use is an ant or a rattlesnake? I don't know God's purpose in making them, but I may possibly ascertain it if I use the mind that He has given me. I can at least try. On his first day at school, your boy may ask, "What is that hard alpha- bet good for?" What is the world's literature good for? For precisely the same purpose for which the study of the ant's habits is good — to enlarge, to ex- pand, to cultivate your mind, your power of observation, your ability to appreciate and to enjoy the wonders and the beauties of the heavenly world, when you get there. If the gate should unfortunately be closed in your face, before you go elsewhere, you will prob- ably pause to ask, "What was I good for?" Why not ask yourself the question now? Methods Rather Than Results. I have recently seen in my chicken yard a pretty good imitation of human actions. A large flock of barred Rock chickens was confined to a brooder house and small yard. I desired to have them in a larger yard on the end rather than on the side of the brooder house, and for that purpose cut another hole through the end of the brooder house and made an- other ladder to lead into the larger yard. The chickens greatly enjoyed the larger yaid during the day, and went up and ('own the new ladder into their accustomed home, in which not the slightest change had been made. But when night came, they wanted to roost ; they were lonesome and home- sick, and one hundred chickens began that painful, pitiful peeping that chick- ens make when they are lost, and the clamor continued although their home had in no way been changed. It was only a change in the manner of going to bed, by means of a new ladder at a new entrance about the size of a cat-hole cut through the end, as shown in the accompanying illustration. The thing that interested me and pre- sented this parody on humanity was the fact that the chickens were pained, lone- some and homesick, because of a new methoJ, of which the final result was exactly the same as that of the old. It was laughable yet pathetic to see those chickens walking up the new ladder in- to the new entrance, and then pleading pitifully as if they were lost, and turn- ing around and coming out again, still bewailing their forlorn condi- tion. They went into the larger yard repeatedly, and tried to get into the smaller yard so that they could go to bed (in a firelcss brooder") by the usual method. It has taken them several days to become reconciled to the new iadder THE NEW LADDER AND ENTRANCE AT THE RIGHT, OPENING INTO THE LARGER YARD. 120 THE GUIDE TO NATURE and the new entrance, and they bemoan their fate in this changeable world, not only upon going to bed but after they get there. On the first evening when this new ladder made these poor chickens home- sick, there appeared in a daily paper pub- lished in a neighboring town, a strong letter from the prohibitionist party, stating that they would not work for no license with the committee of the churches, for the reason that while they desired to accomplish the same object, they were opposed to the method. They wanted prohibition but they wanted it in their own way. The Republicans and Democrats must become prohibitionists or their no license aims would be pain- ful and pathetic. It was a plaintive letter filled with moans of disappoint- ment and dissatisfaction. I do not in- tend to enter into the argument, for I cannot understand nor sympathize with such objections, any more than I can understand why my chickens could not settle down contentedly, though they had come up that night by a new ladder through a new entrance. But the psy- chology of my chickens and the psychol- ogy of those prohibitionists are alike unfathomable. To say the least, with- out going into the subtleties of the argu- ment, it must have surprised the pas- tors and congregations in their union fight for no license to be opposed by the prohibitionists ! It would be too personal and too pro- vocative of controversy, if I were to press this parallel into the domain of nature, education and religion. It is perhaps enough to make the reference to a nolitical situation. Extended work in Teachers' Insti- tutes for many years, and personal arguments with many educators, have convinced me that my chickens have no monopoly in bemoaning new and better methods, even if the same results are attained more easily, and a larger "yard" thereby made more available. I wonder if in some future life we shall quarrel and complain because some have come up by one ladder and some by another. But it is enough to limit our philosophy to the present life. We even hear it said, "Oh you get the people interested in nature, but your methods are not the 'best' — too simple and too popular". Some people insist that information and rea- sons should be in technical and philo- sophic form. And when I read a letter that moans and cries and wrings its hands because my methods are not the same as the writer's, I go out not to feed the chickens but to look at those two ladders, and the more I think of some things in this world and perhaps of arguments pertaining to the next, the more — well, but can you realize, my friend, what a consolation it is to pick up and pet a nice little barred Rock rooster that has come down a new lad- der crying because he is lonesome and homesick in the same old bed that was reached by a new ladder from the larger yard? Studying The Echo. BY JOHN T. TIMMONS, CADIZ, OHIO. Our readers may spend an interest- ing afternoon or, better still, a few hours of the early morning in studying an echo. Success will depend much upon the location of the student and the shape of the surrounding country. The best time is in the early morn- ing, before a rain or an electrical storm. The atmosphere is then heavy and the echo seems to be louder and is more easily located. How can we find an echo? By ex- perimenting in the use of our loudest and clearest voice. If we hear the words repeated across the fields, or on some hillside, we know that an echo exists in that place. At certain times an echo known to be at a given point is indistinct, while at other times it is plain, and the words or any other sounds that we may make are almost as loud as the originals. Single words and short sentences should be used, or the experiment will not be satisfac- tory. A few clear notes on a flute or on some other instrument produce good results, and a few words of a song are pleasing, as the tune as well as the words are reproduced. A gunshot is likely to stir up won- derful echoes, and striking two blocks of wood together, or clapping the hands will produce good results. If we are fortunate in our search for a suitable locality, we may find a spot at which we may hear two or more echoes, each coming from a different point. EDITORIAL AND GENERAL 121 Occasionally we may find a spot at which one echo will produce another, and if we listen we may possibly hear a third produced by the first. There MR. WELLS McMASTER, OF SOUND BEACH, WITH THE YOUNG FOLKS DEMONSTRAT- ING THE REMARKABLE ECHOES NEAR HIS COUNTRY HOME IN CHESHIRE, CONNECTICUT. are localities in the great hills and mountains where the echo is repeated until it seems to wander miles away across the country. In such places music or a short song gives the best results. It may pay us to listen to the whistle of the locomotive as the train speeds through the country, since it often causes a pleasing echo. Such is often heard by passengers on the rear of the train. There is an instance recorded in which the echo of a locomotive whistle came so distinctly from a direc- tion opposite to that of the actual sound that a man was misled by it and was killed by the train. It is interesting to hear cattle or dogs bawling or barking in answer to what they suppose to be another animal, when they are answering only an echo. Those that cannot go to the country may study the echo if they will but watch and listen. The shape and size of city buildings, and the width and the angle of streets and alleys will often produce interesting echoes, which are easily studied. A good way in the city is to move about quietly, or to remain at the open window, and listen for the echo of a sound made by some one else. The peculiar whir of an electric car as it approaches a corner is often echoed by some building, until the cars seem to be coming- from some other direction. The puffing of a locomotive as it moves through the railroad yards, or along; the track, often makes an interesting" echo, that suggests the presence of several locomotives. In certain localities the heavy rain clouds that sometimes pass over, leav- ing a calm, cool atmosphere, will send back an echo. Much of the rumbling of the thunder during a storm is the echo of the first report, the great sound waves striking both the hills and heavy clouds, and being reflected back. In many deep canons in the moun- tains, and in some caves, the echo is wonderful. It is estimated that in some places a single word or a revolver shot will be repeated hundreds and occa- sionally thousands of times, producing a bedlam of sounds. I believe that it is possible to trace the echo in other ways than through sound. I believe good thoughts, kind deeds and a loving heart produce echoes that are still more interesting- than those produced by sound. Let us study them all. Efficient Lectures on Nature. John J. Schoonhoven, M. A., 1374 Union Street, Brooklyn, New York, offers a series of very attractive and effective lectures on nature. Among" his subjects are the sea beach, animal parasites, fungi, and the microscopical world. Professor Schoonhoven has had many years of experience and can adapt his addresses either to a popular or a scientific audience. We cordially rec- ommend him and his work. He is scholarly, and a man, genial and win- ning. 122 THE GUIDE TO NATURE A Chapter of the Agassiz Association. (Incorporated 1892 and 1910.) The Law of Love, Not the Love of Law. How Animals are Taught Their Tricks. The training of animals, to teach them to perform all sorts of entertain- ing tricks, is a task that requires per- haps a special talent on the part of the trainer, but above all demands pa- tience and a thoroughly methodical pro- cedure. Let us begin with the dog, and see how he is taught his tricks. We commence with the simplest, and grad- ually work up to the most complex and apparently impossible feats. The first thing every dog must learn is his name. Select a short, sharp- bounding name, and stick to it. Never call him anything else. If you have several dogs, the name is taught on the same principle. Divide their food, and then, placing a piece on the ground, call each in turn by his name, and give him the food when he comes for it. Send the others back if they come for- ward out of their turn. By and by they will learn that a certain name is always associated with a certain dog. Ramble among the dogs, and call out one of their names every now and then. If the right dog comes to you. reward him with a piece of cracker. Pay no attention to the other dogs. They will learn very soon ; and the first great lesson — dependence and obedience — will have been learned. Having taught a dog to fetch and •carry — which he will easily learn — the next thing is to teach him to go and get any object called for. Place a glove on the floor; then say to the dog. "Fetch the glove," putting the accent on the last word. Then, when he has done this several times, place a shoe on the floor ; and teach him to fetch this in a similar manner. Now place both objects on the ground, and teach him to fetch either one, as asked for — rewarding him when he brings you the right one, and rebuking him when he fetches the wrong, which you take from him and replace. He will soon learn to distinguish the articles, when a third may be substituted, and so on until a number are on the floor. You should then go into the next room, tak- ing the clog with you ; and send him m to fetch any article you mention. After a little time, he will bring you the right one every time. Next, teach him differences in color. Place a red object on the floor, and a blue one beside it. Teach him to fetch you the article called for as you did before, being careful to reward him every time he brings you the right handkerchief. Then put down a green object, a purple, a yellow one, and so on ; until finally the needed array of colors can be placed for selection. Next, he should be taught the ar- ticles of furniture — table, chair, etc. He must go to each one as you call out its name. Finally, combine some of the previous commands: "Place the glove on the chair"; "Get the handker- chief, and place it on the table," etc. At first this should be said very slowly and only half the command repeated at once; but the halves of the sen- tence may be gradually blended to- gether, until you can sav it as you would to any individual ; and the dog will obey your command. To a certain extent, also, dogs may be taught the letters of the alphabet, the numbers of spots on cards, large dominoes, etc. The method of train- ing them is simply one of constant re- petition. Cards bearing the letter or number are placed in front of the dog, THE EDUCATIONAL HUMANE SOCIETY 123 and the letter or number is called out aloud, and at the same time the dog is shown which one it is. After several trials, he will select this one and dis- regard the others, when it is called for. This once learned, the next letter is taught in like manner, until a large number are recognized by the dog, and he is able to pick out any of them at will. Plants are also to be selected in a similar manner, from a row placed on the table, and so forth. It must be admitted, however, that most feats of this character, as per- formed in public, are the result of some trick, rather than any marvelously elaborate training on the part of the dog, which would be necessarv if these feats were genuine — granting them to be possible at all. As a matter of fact, most of these apparently marvelous feats are based on a very few cues, given to the dog at the appropriate time, to which he has been taught to respond in a simple manner. A few examples will make this clear. Many of these feats are performed by means of a cue word, in just the same kind of way as "mind-readers" entertain and puzzle their audience. As soon as this word is given, it may be in the course of a sentence, the doe knows that he is to perform a certain action. It is not necessary for him to understand the whole of the sentence; only one word in it. As soon as that word is caught, the action is performed. Each action corresponds to a certain cue word. Again, there is the method of training by the use of the eyes. The dog watches his master's eyes, and when his master glances in any direc- tion— at a card, for example — the dog can follow his glance, and pick out the card in turn. Or the dog may be told to bark a certain number, in which case the dog watches his master's face closely, and simply barks until the eyes, or some movement, tell him to stop. He does not have to know that he barks nine times. All he has to know is that he must go on barking until he is told to stop by his master's signal ; and the trainer is the one who does all the counting. There are certain stage tricks which depend very largely upon the dog's memory, however — such as picking up a numbered card, and the like. The cards are arranged in a row, and the trainer stands in front of the row in which the card rests. A string is at- tached to the dog's neck. First, the dog is trained to go to the row of cards nearest the trainer; then, if he is in- clined to pick up one too near, a slight pull on the string" is given, pulling the dog up to the required number. The trainer stands at a certain distance from the table in these tricks ; if close to the table, the dog knows it means card one ; if farther away, card two, and if still further, card three. By care in training, the dog can be taught to pick out any required card, without in any way knowing the number writ- ten upon it. When the dog has been taught to pick up any card by means of this code, the trainer may appear to make it far more complicated by caus- ing the dog to add, subtract, multiply, divide, etc. All that is necessary, of course, is that the performer himself should do the sum, mentally note the position of the card giving' the answer, and indicate this card to the dog by means of some hidden code. In the same way, horses can be made to stamp out any desired number, tell the date of a coin, etc., by simply going on pawing the ground until the trainer gives them the signal to stop by means of some secret sign, unnoticed by the audience. — Scientific American. Notes on the Armadillo of Texas. . . BY DR. R. W. SHUFELDT, C. M. Z. S., WASH- INGTON, D. C. There occur in the American fauna quite a number of different kinds of armadillos, their habitats ranging all the way from southern Texas, down through Mexico, the Central American states and South America. They are all timid, inoffensive animals with very interesting life histories, and they are related to the extinct glyptodons, which, like the living forms, were pro- tected by an osseous coat of mail com- posed of little confluent scutes formed in the integuments. Most of the glyp- todons were large animals, their armor often protecting the entire body, but sometimes only the back where it is known as the carapace. In our own existing armadillos, however, this coat of mail never covers the belly, while above it is divided into three definite sections, an anterior, a posterior and a middle part. This middle part is gen- 124 THE GUIDE TO NATURE erally composed of from three to nine transverse bands, and when these are complete, the armadillo has the power to roll itself up into a ball as a means of protection against its enemies. Just now I am preparing a contri- bution on the armadillos, and so will not have much to say here in detad about them. Recently I have macin some very successful photographs from life of the nine-banded one, which graphs, several of 8 x id size. Other material was also obtained from this pair later on. They are delicate and do not thrive well in captivity for some reason or other, and so do not live long in that state. Very few good photographs of liv- ing armadillos are in existence so the ones obtained by me from the afore- ; aid pair are much to be prized. One of these made by a 5x8 camera has • ' ' . *. ♦ • « Ti »■« i •♦•*/♦' TEXAN ARMADILLO ROLLING INTO A BALL. Photographed from life, by the author. is found in southern Texas, and pre- served their skeletons and coats of mail for future descriptions. Mr. Edward S. Schmid, who has the animal establishment at 712-12U1 Street, Washington, D. C, and to whom I have been so frequently in- debted for loans and gifts of various kinds of animals, has, on several occa- sions, had in his collection living spe- cimens of several of the different species of armadillos. Some ten years ago he had a female nine-banded one, which had a litter of young, only a few days old. Something or other preven- ted me from getting a photograph of this group, — a fact that I have never ceased to regret. Last summer, how- ever, I was more successful, and when he loaned me a pair of three-quarter grown females of the same species, taken in southern Texas, the best was made of the opportunity, and I secured from life a valuable series of photo- been reproduced, and, as a cut, illus- trates the present article. It shows the animal in the very act of rolling itself up into a ball, a feat 1 succeeded in having it perform by gently tapping it on the bony plate covering the top of its head with a lit- tle rod I held in my hand. It is one of the most interesting things in the world of nature to watch the ease and rapidity with which an armadillo of this species can do this feat. In the figure, the act is all but performed, and it is most interesting to note the posi- tion of the feet, the head, and the tail. From this pair of armadillos I learned a good deal as to their habits, which I never knew before, especially as to the manner of their feeding, their peculiar traits and behavior, and the wonderful strength they possess. There is no Sanitorium to compare with the great out-of-doors. THE EDUCATIONAL HUMANE SOCIETY 12 = Birds or Cats?— Which? The present discussion by various magazines and newspapers of the com- mon cat as the greatest enemy of our birds, is timely and necessary, as the matter is growing more and more seri- ous. "Forest and Stream" makes a plea against the cat in behalf of the common game birds, especially those in parks and says : "These birds nest, lay and hatch each year, but then what happens? The common or garden cat comes along and takes its toll from among the progeny as well as the progenitors. The result is that instead of thousands of game birds in this great park, we have thou- sands of cats and few game birds. Park Commissioner Higgins, than whom there is no more conscientious and act- ive commissioner, knows little about conservation of game birds, conse- quently a great opportunity is lost. A law should be passed by all city govern- ments, and if city governments will not take care of it, the Conservation Com- mission should take it in charge, forbid- ding all residents on park property from owning or housing cats. City author- ities should order all cats in city parks destroyed . If this is not done, all un- housed game birds in city parks soon will be wiped out. Why not a bounty on the scalp of the ex-house cat? When it was a house cat it had a mission ; now that it has ceased to be a house cat, it should have a dismission." The simple question is, Should cats have privileges not permitted to men and boys ? It is strictly against the law to go gunning for biras, yet here in Sound Beach I have positive evidence that cats kill more birds than would several boys or men with their guns. The gunner would here and there shoot a bird in the tree tops, but the cats make wholesale destruction of the young birds in the nest. This spring there were several nests of red-shouldered blackbirds in the marsh near by. The dry season evaporated the water so that these nests were easily accessible, and it is my belief not one young red-shoul- dered blackbird has been permitted to live. The same is true of some other birds. There should at least be a law against ownerless cats and providing that the wardens of the Fish and Game Commission may shoot them or other- wise dispose of them. The cats can hardly be blamed for capturing young birds, as they must at times, take the birds or starve. Then too, it should be provided in the law that cats shall not be permitted to roam at will, espe- cially in the months of May, June and July. It is a remarkable fact, in view of all the laws and efforts for the protec- tion of birds in all parts of the United States, that there has been absolutely nothing done to prevent this great slaughter by cats. Why should there be an exception in favor of this four-footed animal any more than of oxen, cows or horses? They are not permitted to roam at will over everybody's property. Horses or cows left to go at will over a neighbor's lawn or garden, would not cause a greater financial loss than cats cause when left to roam at will over his chick- en yard. This is said in kindness and good will toward one of the best house- hold pets. We should not condemn the starving cat for seeking food, but should preferably change the lax methods of caring for the cat. The time is coming when this difficulty must be adjusted. Summer dwellers at seaside resorts take their cats, and leave them at the end of the season. With the cat it is either to prowl and hunt and become half wild, or to die of starvation. Consequently the birds suffer, the cats suffer and are condemned, while the guilty summer- visitor, thoughtless, careless and greatly to blame, goes free. Is there no occa- sion for a change here? And is there no occasion here for a little missionary work ? The Cat and Birds. Oradell, New Jersey. To the Editor : The cat is not such a monster as he is reputed to be by his enemies. Do you know — indeed you must — that cats brought up from kittenhood with birds are harmless as far as birds are con- cerned, and that the cat bred for a pet is not as a rule a hunter? We never even guarantee any of our cats to be mousers, unless they have been farm- raised cats accustomed to hunt, though again, any cat may be trained to it as was my own at the age of three years when necessity compelled it, as the rats and mice were getting ahead of us and I do not believe in poison or traps if it is possible to avoid them — the natural 126 THE GUIDE TO NATURE enemy alway seems to me, so much less cruel than our human devices. Since his hunting- instinct has been developed, I notice he has an eye on the birds, but I also Motice he is very bungling and so rarely catches one that the birds do not hesitate to come and nest in my yard and they raise their families in practi- cally absolute safety. And yet my cat is as lithe and active and clever as a cat can very well be. Please forgive my harping back to this subject again but I love the birds and the animals. I notice those that come under my observation with won- der and delight, and am convinced that wanton cruelty or killing for the love of killing is either abnormal to them or else acquired by training from their human associates. There — am 1 quite and absolutely unfair? To those who think so I can only contend that they do not know animals as T do, have never watched them with the same amount of sym- pathy, nor allowed them to show them- selves in all their native innocence and beauty of character. Sincerely yours, Jank R. Cathcart. Are Outdoor Interests Exclusively Killing? By coincidence several magazines de- voted to outdoor life accumulated on my reading table so that one evening recently I examined several in suc- cession. In them was brought to my eyes a broadside of shotguns, rifles and pistols. After reading those mag- azines I felt as if I had been in the armory or into a museum filled with all kinds of apparatus for "playing" and killing fish and shooting four- footed animals. There were rifles and shotguns, rods and nets and barbed instruments and fictitious flies without end, but strange to say I look- ed in vain for one advertisement of a field glass, a camera, a telescope or a pocket microscope. Can it be possible that the great majority of men, and a liberal number of women too, are more interested in killing than in seeing and thinking? Now I am not saying that it is wrong to go fishing for the good reason that it is not. I am not sure but it is permissible to use a rifle or a shotgun at times on certain conditions. Only occasionally do I have a desire to use firearms and that is when I see a horde of cats in Sound Beach carrying off young birds from the nest, and oc- casionally one of the parents. But even in that my first impressions may be wrong, because the cat is acting accord- ing to its nature and its instinct, and probably that should not inspire me with a desire to kill the cat because it is killing something else. What I hope to see is an intelligent interest in nature eradicate as much as possible our in- herited savage instincts, through which we find pleasure in torturing the "play- ing" fish or in filling a game bag. I do not like to say that these are wrong because I know many kind-hearted men and women who indulge them- selves in that kind of relation to the out door world, but I do affirm that it is not right for these magazines to make so much of our outdoor life, under a variety of titles, center in a "slaughter of the innocents." Coyote Pets. Mulino, Oregon. To the Editor: While living in South Dakota I had the good fortune to secure at different times a number of baby coyotes or prairie wolves. Although not abun- dant in our locality, they were occa- sionally brought in alive, to show the "town folks" and get the bounty of a dollar or so per head, and by watching my chance I now and then picked up one or two before they were destroyed. Some of the puppies were so small that they had to be fed milk with a spoon, and, when they grew larger, ate bread and milk with great relish. But as they grew they developed that crafty expression so common to the wolves and foxes. It was some- times concealed under a look of inno- cence but was nevertheless there. I remember of watching one of my pets, then about three months old, lying with chain slack, in the tall weeds out- side his kennel door. A half grown chicken was picking up the crumbs too small for a coyote to notice, but neither did the coyote notice the chicken. Nearer it came, but the pup was looking in another direction, and the foolish bird, becoming bolder, crossed well over the dead line. Sud- THE EDUCATIONAL HUMANE SOCIETY 127 denly there was a rush forward, a scurry back into the kennel, and an hour later a few feathers told the trag- edy. With careful handling coyotes may be well tamed, but it must commence when they are very young1. The one blance which, to my mind, undoubtedly exists, and this is equally true of other races of men and breeds of dogs. I have not the slightest doubt that you have absolutely touched the right note in saving that mankind stands to the animal world as the representatives of TICTO, A STUDY. DINGO, THE LITTLE INNOCENT. shown in the large photograph was owned by a friend, and was a model pet. One sad day its instinct got the better of its training, and escaping from the pen it raided the neighbor's chickens. Beneath that shell of peace- fulness an eruption had taken place, and a rifle ball ended the life of one of the nicest pets that I have ever seen. Some of my favorite covote names were Dingo, Tobo, Blanca. Ticto, Rom- ulus. Remus and Nero. Alex Walker. Dogs and Their Gods. I have noticed that dogs and cats (the latter to a somewhat lesser de- gree) are particularly susceptible to the emotional influence of those with whom they are in contact and that in this way, certain breeds of dogs have acquired not only a sort of national (or local) "character" but actually a certain re- semblance to the general type of the inhabitants of the country they live in. Have you c. g., studied the express- ion of — (a) an Aberdeen terrier, and (b) the typical Highland crofter? I feel fairly certain that if you have, you will have been struck with the resem- their God. — Leon L.Hymans. [ I do not think that I have ever noticed any general facial resemblance between the dogs and the men of an}" country; but I have often thought that when a dog and a human being have lived in close companionship for a long time the d< >g does come to resemble its master in the expression of its face, as in character.— E. K. R.] — London Country Side. AYhat a lesson for human beings, if a dog in its devoted companionship comes to resemble and partake of the characteristic of its Superior Being! Enjoyed a Day at Arcadia. I want to tell you that my visit to Arcadia was the most pleasant visit I ever made to any place. I was very much surprised in the privilege ex- tended to me in the way of examining photographs and specimens, and espe- cially in using the instruments. I found your buildings, library and equipment good and in perfect order. I wish you every success. John Vollmer, Ashland, Pennsylvania. 128 THE GUIDE TO NATURE A Pomeranian Resembling a Teddy Bear. Cincinnati, ( )hio. To the Editor : Enclosed please find another picture of my "little Teddy bear," when he was three months old. In this picture he is depicted pulling a cap off my ATTRACTIVE ANTICS OF THE POMERANIAN. brother's head, one of his greatest sources of amusement (and ours as well, at that time). He was born on January 5th, 191 1 at the Glenkirk Kennels, located at "Waldheim," Hollidaysburg, Penn. and arrived here three months later, viz. April 5th, a shaggy brown or beaver-colored fluff of dejected and homesick Teddy bearism. The box in which he was sent was partially cov- ered and partially slatted giving him air and light. In the box were some straw and a drinking cup. Attached to the outside was a label which read as follows: — "Mr. Expressman, I am a wee bit of a puppy : Please be kind to me ; give me water to drink, and food is in the sack." Securely fastened to the outside of the box was a cloth bag, or sack, with food. Imagine our surprise when on opening the box, instead of a puppy, out comes what seemed an ac- tual living Teddy bear. The little fel- low was an exact duplicate of a small brown Teddy bear, as to color, size, shape, tail, ears, mouth, and all. He weighed but 3 lbs and 2 oz. Innu- merable people have been deceived by his appearance, thinking him to be a real bear cub. Inquiries without num- ber have come to us as to his habits, food, behaviour, etc., etc. As to the lat- ter Avould state that he is the most adorable little fellow we have ever had. His keenness of preceotion is won- derful, and his sense of right and wrong is marvelous. Never have I seen a creature so sensitive to the least harshness in speech ; a harsh word is all the punishment he needs for any correction. As he has grown, his baby coat, which was so shaggy and bear-like, is gradually being replaced by that long silky hair which makes the Pomera- nians such beautiful dogs. His energy is untiring — ever ready to play and romi), and have a good time. Since January 12th, his fame as a wonderful dog has increased very ma- terially, for on that day the Pompera- nian Club of America had its annual show at the AYaldorf-Astoria. There were over 320 entries, dogs from abroad as well as this country and Canada, some of them valued at hun- dreds of dollars, one being listed at $1,000. The sire of my little fellow took first prize in both his classes, and was reserve winner to "Offiey New Marco" the $1,000 Pomeranian mention- ed. This was the greatest competition in Pomperanians ever known in this country. Besides this he won other prizes. In December at a dog show in Pittsburg, the Glenkirk Kennels won nine first prizes, three silver cups, and fourteen ribbons. Needless to say we are justly proud of our little "Glen- kirk Brownie." For brevity we call him "Glen." His pedigree is enor- mous, it being recorded for five gen- erations. It may be of interest to note that his nose and eyes are the same THE EDUCATIONAL HUMANE SOCIETY 12 'I ft m. S "j FOUR VERTICAL FLASHES TAKEN WITH THE CAMERA STATIONARY. NO. 1 NO. 2. NO. 3. No. 1 shows two separate flashes, one composed of only one discharge, and the other of one discharge reaching the ground and others reaching only part way. Nos. 2 and 3 are typical of how vertical flashes appear on the plate when the camera is moved during exposure. THE CAMERA 139 NO. 1 NO. 2 Xo. 1 is a vertical flash. The cut shows the top at the left side. No. 2 shows a flash composed of forty separate discharges. The duration of this flash was about 6/10 second, and the intervals be- tween some of the discharges as low as 1/500 second. The first discharge shows black. The reason for this is not clearly understood at present, but it is supposed to be caused by reversal of the image on the plate, but there are many reasons which oppose this explanation. lightning' is seen, and immediately clos- ing the shutter after a flash has passed across the field of the lens. This must be done at night, and when only clearly outlined flashes are seen; when there is much sheet lightning the result will usually be only spoiled plates. Photographs obtained in this man- ner do not give us much knowledge of the details and nature of the flashes, be- cause the pictures show only single dis- charges, whereas in reality, most flashes are multiple, consisting of many discharges that follow one another in no. 1 x< 1. 2. NO. 3. No. 1 shows a horizontal flash broadened by moving the camera. No. 2 is a vertical flash, the dark part in the center being a cloud through which it passed. No. 3 is a horizontal flash with one branch terminating in the ground — taken with a camera moving up and down. I-jO THE GUIDE TO NATURE rapid succession through the path opened by the first discharge. In order to separate these so that they may be seen and studied, it is necessary that the camera be made to move during" the the angle of most of the lenses used in ordinary cameras. Where exactness is essential, a re- volving table operated by a motor must be used. The plates are developed as NO. 3 OF THE PREVIOUS ILLUSTRATION AS TAKEN WITH A STATIONARY CAMERA. exposure. By so doing, we change the position of the flashes on the plate, in the same manner in which the image of a landscape is shifted on the ground glass when the camera is turned. So that instead of a single streak on the plate after develooing it, the flash may reveal a number of streaks running par- allel with one another, and sometimes covering the entire width of the plate. The distance between these streaks varies, depending on the time intervals between the flashes, and also on the speed with which the camera is moved. By knowing the speed of the camera and its angle, we can estimate the time between the discharges that form the flash, and also the total duration of the flash. Perhaps the reader would like to know how to proceed with the moving camera. The simplest and perhaDS the best way, where exactness is not re- quired, is to move it by hand, holding it slightly elevated in front of the body, swinging it from one side to the other when the flashes are vertical, and up and down when they are horizontal. By practice, we can acquire a fairly uniform speed, and can make one swing a second, moving the lens through an arc of about sixty degrees, that being they are in ordinary work, contrast and details being looked for. Lightning photography offers an un- ending variety, no two flashes being alike, and if the thousands of amateurs that are scattered far and wide would take up the subject, and spend a few hours when opportunity offers in gath- ering these mysterious messages from above, they would not only add to their collection of curios, but they might be instrumental in aiding science to solve some of the questions connected with atmospheric electricity. A Yellow Columbine. Baltimore, Maryland. To the Editor: You mention in your June issue co- lumbine as being red, blue and white. I have two plants in my yard that pro- duced a beautiful yellow blossom. Everv one who saw them acknow- ledged that they never had seen a yel- low. Have you? Yours truly, Tohn A. Davis. I love you because you love the things I love. -Alice Hubbard. LITERARY NOTES 141 A Beginner's Star-Book. By Kelvin Mc- Kready. With Charts of the Moon, Tables of the Planets, and Star Maps on a New Plan. New York: G. P. Put- nam's Sons. This is one of the best, if not the best, popular book pertaining to the heavens that has come to my attention. It is of novel ar- rangement and gives the information one desires in attractive and convenient form. The Biology of The Seasons. By J. Arthur Thomson, M. A. Illustrated by William Smith. New York : Henry Holt and Company. This book presents the gist of the seasonal drama, without going too minutely into the details of the successive scenes. It is a biology and not a naturalist's year-book. It is most admirably adapted for all who en- joy the pageant of the year and the drama of the seasons. Butterfly and Moll! Book. By Ellen Robert- son-Miller. With illustrations from drawings by the author and photographs by J. Lyonel King, G. A. Bash, Dr. F. D. Snyder and others. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. Here is a nature study book that shows original work. The illustrations are not bor- rowed from a variety of antiquated sources, but for the most part are original. The text is enthusiastic and interesting. General Science. By Bertha M. Clark, Ph. D., Head of the Science Department, Wil- liam Penn High School for Girls, Phila- delphia. New York: American Book Com- pany. This course in general science, which was successfully developed by the author for use in her classes, is suited both for the general reader and the pupil in the high school. While it deals with physics, chemistry and hygiene, the controlling idea has been to make the presentation as informal and un- technical as possible. The Rolling Earth. Outdoor Scenes and Thoughts from the Writings of Walt Whitman. Compiled by Waldo R. Browne. Boston, Massachusetts. Hough- ton Mifflin Company. Whitman was preeminently a rough and rugged man, but a tender poet of outdoor life. He says: "I restore my book to the bracing and buoyant equilibrium of concrete outdoor Na- ture, the only permanent reliance for sanity of book or human life." The compiler has included some of his best work in prose as well as in verse, though even his prose is really poetry. "A song of the rolling earth, and of ' words according, Were you thinking that those were the words, those upright lines? those curves, angles, dots? No, those are not the words, the sub- stantial words are in the ground and sea, They are in the air, they are in you." Physiology of Man and Other Animals. By Anne Moore, A. B., A. M., Ph. D. New York: Henry Holt and Company. This is a successful attempt to correlate the laws of human physiology with the laws of other sciences. The material is put in admirable form as a class text-book. Moths of The Limbeiiost. By Gene Stratton- Porter. New York: Doubleday, Page & Company. This is a beautifully illustrated book on he;ny coated paper. It is popularly written and also contains much valuable definite in- formation not given in the regular manuals of moths. Heredity in Relation to Eugenics. By Charles Benedict Davenport. New York: Henry Holt and Company. This quotation from the first chapter very nicely expresses the spirit and scope of the book: "It is a reproach to our intelligence that we as a people, proud in other respects of our control of nature, should have to sup- port about half a million insane, feeble- minded, epileptic, blind and deaf, 80,000 prisoners and 100,000 paupers at a cost of over 100 millions dollars per year. A new plague that rendered four per cent of our population, chiefly at the most productive age, not merely incompetent but a burden costing 100 million dollars yearly to sup- port, would instantly attract universal at- tention. But we have become so used to crime, disease and degeneracy that we take them as necessary evils. That they were so in the world's ignorance is granted; that they must remain so is denied. "The general program of the eugenist is clear — it is to improve the race by inducing young people to make a more reasonable selection of marriage mates; to fall in love intelligently. It also includes the control by the state of the propagation of the mentally incompetent. It does not imply destruction of the unfit either before or after birth. It certainly has only disgust for the free love propaganda that some ill-balanced persons have sought to attach to the name. Rather it trusts to that good sense with which the majority of people are possessed and believes that in the life of such there comes a time when they realize that they are drifting toward marriage and stop to consider if the contemplated union will result in healthful, mentally well-endowed offspring. At present there are few facts so generally known that they will help such persons in their inquiry. It is the province of the new science of eugenics to study the laws of inheritance of human traits and, as these laws are as- certained, to make them known. There is no doubt that when such laws are clearly formulated many certainly unfit matings will be avoided and other fit matings that have been shunned through false scruples will be happily contracted." For the trials of this life of yours, There's no antidote like the out-of-doors. Sun, air, exercise, The trinity of health! XVI OF INTEREST TO PHOTOGRAPHERS Sailing close hauled in a stiff breeze, this little sloop is making fast time — but not too fast for the pauscK lomt^eiss "Iessar [ens Even the spray is "caught" curling over the stern. Speed pictures of all sorts, snap- shots requiring the smallest fraction of a second are easy with this won- derful lens. The Tessar Ic is also a splendid lens for portraits, especially on dark days, because of its light gathering power, while its flat field adapts it admirably for groups and landscapes Send at once for our new catalogue, 56 H, containing full descriptions and much valuable information. Bausch & [pmb OPtical ®. HEW YOfiK WASHINGTON CHICAGO SAN FRANCISCO london ROCHESTER.. N.Y. rl>AHKro" Willoughby's Removal Photographic Bargain List No. 123 EXPLAINS THE Square Deal SEND STAMP WILLOUGHBY 810 Broadway New York FOR SALE — Over eight thousand species of fine shells from every part of the world. All correctly classified and sent on approval to reliable collectors. I would like to hear from every person interested in mollusca who reads this notice. Walter F. Webb, 202 Westminster Road, Rochester, N. Y. THE BRYOLOGIST is the only magazine that will help you to study Mosses and Lichens. It is the bimonthly organ of a live society of 200 members, The Sullivant Moss Society which includes moss students of all grades of achievements from the college professor to the beginner, all anxious to help each other. Subscription, $1.25 a Year. $1.50 pays for membership in the society and a year's subscription to the Bryologist. Address A. J. GROUT, Ph. D., New Dorp, Richmond Bor., New York City, N. Y. Ams Nah mid Fern An up-to-date periodical for all who have had the equivalent of a year's study of German. Recom- mended by state universities and leading educators. Features: Travel Sketches, Selec- tions from the best comic operas. Letters from Germany. Current topics. Songs. Vocabulary. Ex- cellent illustrations. Send for 50c trial subscription. Francis W. Parker School Press 330 Webber Ave., Chicago =£ A little time is necessary for the appreciation of the beautiful, the charming, the wonderful in life. — Alice Hubbard THE GUIDE TO NATURE Vol. V. SEPTEMBER, 1912 No. 5 We stand for full appreciation of this world. Don't lose "the heaven of such a place as this." The better the use of this, the better the preparation for the next. God must be glad one loves His world so much. — Browning. EDWARD F. BIGELOW, Managing Editor PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION, Arcadia: Sound Beach, Conn. Subscription, $1.00 a Year; Single Copy, 10c Entered as Second-Class Matter June 12, 1909, at Sound Beach Post Office, under Act of March 3, 1879 Gray Brothers GREENWICH, CONN. Manufacturers of Improved Soda AND Mineral Waters " Established 1882 Vichy, Seltzer, Car- bonic Sarsaparilla, XXX Ginger Ale & Lemon Soda : : : Did it ever occur to you how accessible (with fast electric trains) we are to N. Y. and that you could buy or rent to advantage and enjoy living here on the water or among the hills to the utmost satisfaction? Deep Rock Artesian Well Water Used ^ THE PUREST AND BEST Mail Orders receive prompt attention NEW CANAAN, CT. P. O. Box 794 Telephone Call 120 or inquire of your grocer Guaranteed under the Food and Drug Act, June 30, 1906 Serial No. 4755 I have for Sale Elegant Country Estates, Shore and Inland Residences, Farms, Acreage, Cottages and Building Sites. Also a number of selected Furnished Residences and Cottages to Rent in all locations. Would be pleased to have you call or write Laurence Timmons Tel. 456 Opposite Depot Greenwich, Conn. BEST NURSERY STOCK EVER GROWN We carry a general line of Nursery Stock, such as; Evergreens, Ornamental Shade trees, weeping trees, all kinds of flowering shrubs, privet, berberry and other hedge plants, trailing and climbing vines, hardy Herb, plants, fruit trees, berry bushes, grape vines, etc. Our stock is grown far apart in Nursery rows, so that each plant gets the full benefit of rain, sunshine, nourishment, etc. Our soil is excellent for growing nur- sery stock and is under high cultivation. We thus insure plants with excellent fibrous roots, strong and healthy, which transplant and grow with ease when properly treated. We shall be glad to show intending purchasers through our nursery, as we think it the proper way to see the stock in nursery rows. Our nursery is located on North Street near the Greenwich Country Club. We have made a specialty of laying out new places and remodeling old ones, as our records from both sides of the Atlantic will show. Training and long experience have taught us to do this work in the most artistic and effective way. Trees, shrubs, flowers and specimens in lawns must be placed so that they will harmonize, give shade where wanted, hiding unsightly places, but leaving vistas and making display of flowers and foliage and other worthy objects. We may here mention our connection with the World's Columbian Exposition, the Brooklyn Park Department, the Arnold Arboretum, Boston, and many private parks in iand around Greenwich. GREENWICH NURSERIES DEHN & BERTOLF Props. LANDSCAPE GARDENERS AND NURSERYMEN GREENWICH, CONN. STAMFORD ADVERTISEMENTS VII 'Building- Homes /Near To flATOR-E ESTABLISHED 1853 THEQETMAN&JUDDCO. Lumber and Timber of all Kinds SPECIALTY: High Grade HARDWOOD FLOORING thoroughly KilnDried and stored in Steam heated build- ing until delivered to our customers. Our steadily in- creasing trade in this specialty proves the fact that the country home is not complete until fitted out with this beautiful and sanitary furnishing. Old residences may be greatly improved by laying thin floors over the old ones. CANAL DOCKS, STAMFORD, CONN. Telephone 36. Homes Near to Nature Should be so constructed as to give lasting satisfaction Our method of manufacturing dependable Interior and Exterior house trim from thoroughly kiln dried materia' by skilled mechanics insures such satisfaction. THE 5T. JOHN WOODWORKING CO. Canal Docks, Stamford, Conn. Telephone 7S1 DIRECTORS WALTER FERGUSON, Pres. W. W. HEROY, W. D. DASKAM, Vice Pres. F. H. HOYT, W. H. JUDD, Sec. and Treas. F. \Y. BOGARDUS. J. G. WIGG, General Manager. THE United States Government Standardizes SATINA In addi ion to the use of Satina Interior Wall Finish on some of the highest class Business and Office Bui'dings Banks, Schools, Churches Hosi'iials and Homes, comes the order from the Government SPECIFYING THE USE OF SATINA INTERIOR WALL FINISH ON ALL BUILDINGS UNDER ITS JURISDIC. TION. The Biards of Fducation of New York and many other cities specify that Satina be used on their buildings. Reasons «hy.r"» should use Satina : color cards and literature gladly sent. The Chas. H. Brown Paint Co. 188 Montague St., Brooklyn, N. Y. THE STAMFORD LUMBER CO. LUMBER Sash, Doors, Blinds and Window-Frames WHOLESALE AND RETAIL OFFICE AND YARD, 297 PACIFIC STREET. STAMFORD. CONN. THE GUIDE TO NATURE against this unnecessary practice, which is becoming- far too common. Yours very truly, Harry G. Higbee. [Mr Higbee is a Member of The Agassiz Association, and a skilled stud- ent of insects and trees. — Ed.] The spirit of nature-study requires that the pupils be intelligently directed to the study of their immediate en- vironment in its relation to themselves ; that there shall be, under the natural stimulus of a desire to know, a constant effort at a rational interpretation of the common things of life. — Professor Wilbur S. Jackman. The Burdett-McGillivray Company ADVOCATE BUILDING Stamford c onn. Retailers of Dry Goods, Fancy Goods, Novelties, Wearing Ap- parel for Children, Misses and Women. .... The Burdett-McGillivray Co. STAMFORD, CONN. The GUIDE TO NATURE AN ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY MAGAZINE FOR ADULTS Devoted to Commonplace Nature with Uncommon Interest By EDWARD F. BIGELOW, Managing Editor SUBSCRIPTION, $1.00 A YEAR PUBLISHED BY THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATIO|N World-Wide in Membership EXECUTIVE OFFICE : ARCADIA, SOUND BEACH, CONNECTICUT After you have exhausted what there is in business, politics, convivi- ality, love, and so on— have found that none of them finally satisfy, or perma- nently wear— what remains? Nature remains; to bring out from their torpid 141 THE GUIDE TO NATURE e the most conspicuous object in the evening sky. Its ringrs are now well widened out, and for many months it will remain in excellent position for ob- servation. Uranus is now in Capricornus, in the position shown in Figure 1. Neptune is at present in the constella- tion of the Twins. It rises at midnight, and is hence a morning star. THE TOTAE ECEIPSE OF THE SUN. An important total eclipse of the sun will occur on the morning of Oc- tober 10, the path of the shadow of the moon as it sweeps over the turning earth being that shown in Figure 3. When the shadow has reached the eastern part of Brazil the moon will be teors which may best be seen by facing eastward on the evenings indicated a short while before midnight. The shooting stars will dart outward in all directions from the southwestern edge of the constellation Gemini, usually leaving a trail behind them. A Remarkable Opportunity. Mr. John H. Choate, of Salem, Mass- achusetts, sends us the following item as he expresses it, detailing a circum- stance that occurred some time ago. It is illustrative of the knowledge pos- sessed by some intelligent and presum- ably educated persons. In a company of ladies, one remarked that she had seen in the paper that there were to be two full moons that month. "Oh, I am glad to hear that," exclaimed another. "I never have seen two full moons at once." 158 THE GUIDE TO NATURE A Hawk Insisted on Attention. Interest in ornithology is generally voluntary on the part of the student, but here is an example in which a bird demanded attention. Mrs. Harry Wat- erbury, of Stamford, Connecticut, was busily engaged in her household duties when suddenly there came a resound- ing crash of splintering wood and breaking glass. Imagine her surprise and terror when the greater part of a window sash, glass and all, was knocked inward. It appears that a red- tailed hawk had been in pursuit of a bird in the back yard, and in some un- explained manner its steering appa- ratus had failed to act properly, and the hawk had dashed against the win- dow. The force of the impact stunned the hawk and threw it back to the ground some rod or more from the broken sash. As soon as Airs. Water- bury had recovered her composure, she. with the assistance of some of the neigh- bors, put a crate over the reviving hawk that was then hopping around the yard. A specialist on birds, Mr. George B. Bliss, was at once called to give expert opinion in the matter. Mr. Bliss is not only well versed in feathered creatures, but is a sportsman. The first thing that he thought of was his gun, and he bravely ran to the rescue both barrels loaded. But here was a new kind of shooting. But to shoot a hawk at short distance under a crate was con- trary to all previous experiences. He decided that he could not "focus" the thing at that distance, or if he did, the hawk would be left in fragments. So he carried the bird home and deter- mined to dispatch it by some other method. He put it in the yard and oc- casionally went to see it. Tt may be supposed that he consulted books and paoers as to humane methods of killinp' a hawk. Should he chloroform it and then blow its head off. or should he decanitate it a la chicken? But the more he interviewed that hawk the more his love for birds got the upper- most of his desire to kill. Days went by and he realized that something must be done. The thing was approaching' a critical stage. He summoned all his courage and, with the necessary killing implements, he bravely started forth. That hawk must be killed. He looked aronnd in every direction. He found a suitable chopping block and grabbed the hawk. But the hawk looked at him piteously. Mr. Bliss again looked abotu in every direction ; it was the fitting moment; no one was in sight. Heart and hands opened simultaneously and away soared the hawk into the ethereal blue. Mr. Bliss went back into his store and reoorted, "That hawk got awav from me." "The Rat of The Air"!— The English Sparrow. BY NIEL MORROW LADD, BELLE HAVEN, GREENWICH, CONN. There is only one bird we hate. There is only one bird we take plea- sure in killing Bird lovers will doubtless recognize the English sparrow as the despised species. Bird lovers who have erected bird boxes to attract blue birds, flickers, wrens, tree swallows, woodpeckers, chicadees, robins and phoebes, will un- derstand our hatred. Last year we had five boxes in trees, and succeeded in having all occupied, two by wrens, two by blue birds and one by starlings. Late last winter we put out ten more boxes — five being the ideal bird boxes made after the approved Baron von Berlepsh pattern. We expected great results, but alas, the sparrows upset our plans. March 17th our diary reads : "English sparrows building in boxes, broke up three pairs by killing with a shotgun," and regularly since that date we have taken out nesting material and alto- ORNITHOLOGY 159 gether thirty eggs of this "rat of the air July first shows this sad situation — ■ fifteen boxes, with varying entrance holes from wrens to flickers — ALL EMPTY. From early Spring, we have carried on a crusade of sparrow extermination, by means of traps and shooting. The former we confess, were a failure, and TWO STUDIES OF THE WREX HOUSE. shooting but little better. We have killed over three hundred English spar- rows in twelve months, but this has not discouraged those that have remain- ed to raise big families. One incident has helped to make us forget our disappointment. On May 3rd we noticed the English sparrows, half a dozen or more, chasing a pair of wrens that were examining a box used by wrens last year. Notwithstanding the fact that the box was only nine feet away from the house, and had an entrance hole of but one inch, the sparrows were successful in driving the wrens away. The next few days we noticed the same, or so we believe, pair of wrens still about the garden. Hoping we might persuade these merry little birds to stay with us during the summer, we took a small wooden box of thin wood ; nailed a shingle on top ; a cleat on the back ; cut a three- quarters of an inch hole in the front near ;he top, and nailed the box to the trunk of a maple about eight feet up— the entire work occupying about thirty five minutes. The wrens built in this box, and now July 13th, are busily feeding their young with insects and grubs gleaned from the nearby garden. Fifteen carefully made and properly placed boxes unoccupied, and one quickly and carelessly made, occupied almost immediately by the happiest of all birds — the house wren. These photographs show the male wren about to enter his home. Had we known that this box would be the only one available for photographs, we would have placed it more advantageously with regard to proper lighting. Is there any new discovery or inven- tion which will assist us to exterminate the sparrow from our immediate vicin- ity? We do not want to go through another summer without the presence of a family of bluebirds. Homes for Purple Martins. Youngstown, Ohio. To the Editor : The efficiency of bird houses in in- creasing the number of birds even in thickly settled communities has been demonstrated in this locality. With the increasing population of the rural dis- tricts in northeastern Ohio, little at- tention has been paid to the birds, with the result that purple martins have be- come comparatively scarce. In the last three years, residents of Youngstown, of their own accord, and following no regular campaign or set plan, have been building bird houses in the yards. One of the largest is within a few feet of a city fire station. Beginning late in July, and for several weeks afterward, observers saw large flocks of purple i6o THE GUIDE TO NATURE martins hovering about the city, and apparently assembling for the fall mi- grations as is their custom. Each even- ing the cornice of a large business block on the principal street has sheltered hundreds of martins, and the handsome birds could be seen perched along the telephone wires before retiring to the cornice for the night. The increased numbers of these use- ful insect gleaners is attributed directly to the bird houses in the city. C. A. Leedy. Nest and Eggs of Sea Gull. Berkeley, California. To the Editor: The accompanying print of sea gull nest and eggs was taken on Bare Is- land, one of the San Juan group located in Washington Sound, Washington. NEST AND EGGS OF SEA GULL. Great numbers of sea gulls nest on the island, that is really a large rock and, as the name indicates, quite bare. The gi.lls used to nest on the high cliff on the south end of Waldron Island seven miles south, but since man began to quarry the rock, the blasting has driven the gulls away, many now making their nests on Bare Island. The nest was found about forty feet above the water on a small projecting ledge. The most interesting thing about the nest was the chick picking through the shell, as shown in the photograph. Very truly yours, John E. Doren. "How I Made a Bird City." This is the title of an interesting and well illustrated article by Mr. Edward A. Mcllhenny in the first September number of "Country Life in America." We take especial pleasure in recom- mending to our readers his excellent portrayal of the snowy heron. The beautiful photographs are extremely ef- fective and the text is sympathetic and interesting. Nature Study in the Schools. The schools must prepare the child to earn a living and to live his life. Nature-study makes its contribution to these aims and its contribution is no mean one. Man wins his livelihood from Nature and the ftudy of her laws and methods of operation is essential to intelligent progress. The contem- plation of Nature has always led men on into that thinking, that attitude of mind, that larger life and broader vision that make life worth the living. — Dr. Elliot R. Downing, From an editorial in "The Nature-Study Review/' Nature Versus Art in Color. Has it ever struck you how hard it is to reconcile many man-made stand- ards to God's great world of nature? For instance, the artists, the milliners, and the dressmakers tell us that cer- tain colors do not harmonize : greens and blues do not "match," and purples and violets clash with both of them. Yet lupines grow side by side with a score of shades of green, and the blue sky overarches all and harmonizes per- fectly. One of the most exquisite sights I have ever seen is the paloverde in bloom. It is a tree common on the deserts and elsewhere in this Great Southwest land. Its "leaves" are much like pale-green sticks, and the flowers are the richest purple the eye of man ever saw. — Geon^e Wharton James, in May Life and Health, Wash- ington, D. C. I often think, when working over my plants, of what Linnaeus once said of the unfolding of a blossom : "I saw God in His glory passing near me, and bowed my head in worship." — John Fiske. THE CAMERA 161 The Tilting Tripod. camera appears to be as far below the As the tilting tripod is one of the reflecting surface as the distance from most convenient and valuable acces- the water to the top of the ground. In sories to a camera, I wonder why it is doing similar work, one must be care- so seldom used, especially since it is *tjF* V'^V _|& ^1K . v^ / ..* ' *r* &>i?^R . <*&■■ '" /^SBk ^^iHKl- — x^ *' V & 21 5 1 H * tB K ^e^ * - t^^w WB / ~ f?-, *,^^H lri> W5jS7 ■ s-^&dtK£^ \ • v "'•Mf-"" |S «■'. K ■HH PHOTOGRAPHING DOWN A WELL. The camera, vertical by aid of the tilting top, is reflected by the water. so inexpensive. There are various de- vices of ball and socket for tilting the camera in any direction, but I have not found those nearly so convenient as the tilting top, made of two hinged boards, and supplied by the Folmer & Schwing Company, of Rochester, New York. In actual use their device is "worth its weight in gold." By it many things, otherwise totally inaccessible, may be readily obtained. Take for example the accompanying interesting study in the perspective of an old well. The camera and tripod, you will observe, are re- flected in miniature at what appears to be an excessively remote distance from the surface, but is actually from the water at the bottom of the well ; but the optical effect is such that the ful not to drop things down the well, and especially not to lose hold of the camera, or one may be compelled to make undesirable aquatic experiments. Small ant-hills, spiders' webs on the grass, beds of flowers and various other interesting objects on the ground, are readily photographed by the use of the tilting tripod. Then, too, such a tripod is as good for photographing upwards. By reversing the camera on the top, and putting on a telephoto or long focus lens, one may take views of birds' nests in the trees, of interesting A PHOTOGRAPH OF A SMALL ANT-HILL BY VERTICAL CAMERA. 1 62 THE GUIDE TO NATURE flowers on the trees, hornets' nests high on the bushes or on the peak of a house, and other things in mid-air. Our readers frequently call for practical suggestions, and we believe that the recommendation of the tilting tripod is worth a hundred times more than a new formula for another kind of de- veloping" solution, and many times more than the price of a year's sub- scription. Some Helpful Suggestions. Lincoln, Nebraska. To the Editor : At one time there appeared in The Guide; to Nature; an article about large caladiums, which any reader can raise if he will add plenty of fertilizer and water to the soil from the time at which the bulbs start. An article also appeared in your magazine about leaves of the calla lily which sometimes grow white, and then much resemble the flowers in form. Forcing callas by heat, fertilizer and water, will often produce such leaves. As a food for ordinary "goldfish" in a house aquarium, I have found that the common breakfast food, "Ouaker puffed rice," is as good as any fish food yet tried. I allow each fish to have two grains well broken up, each day. Fifteen cents will buy about two quarts of this food. It has for some time been a matter of discussion among bee-keepers whether bees ever move their e2°s from one hive to another. I was in- clined to take the negative side of the question until the following incident occurred in my apiary. One colony had been trying to swarm for some time but could not leave, because the queen's wings had been clipped. Being very busy I kept cutting out the queen cells and letting the bees try to swarm. They evidently got tired of making unsuccessful ef- forts, so one day they came out and went into an empty hive. I expected them to return to their original hive, as T did not think that they had a queen, but they disappointed me. Upon examining them a day later. I found a large queen cell started with an egg in it. I could not find another egg in the hive. The combs had not been used before this year. That queen cell hatched out a nice large yellow queen, and the colony is now prospering. A WELL BALANCED STUDY OF CACTUS BLOOM. THE CAMERA 163 BUD AND BLOOM EFFECTIVELY SHOWN. Where did that egg come from if not from some other hive? I have seen many amateur photo- graphers printing- pictures by awk- wardly holding their printing frames before an electric light bulb and guess- ing at the distance. I put on an ex- tension cord, and bring the light bulb down into a small wooden box, whose depth is equal to the distance at which I want the light to be from my printing- frame. I first press a white paper into the box to increase the light by reflec- tion. As it is awkward to use a clock to give the right exposure of the frame to the light, T count, using this expres- sion, "Naught, one-half and one." To say this, as ordinarilv spoken, takes about two seconds. With a little prac- tice one can always repeat it in about the same time. With the printing box above de- scribed and this method of counting, it is easy to expose each picture to the light for exactly the same length of time, and all prints will then be alike. The counting method was suggested by "Camera Craft." Honing that these suggestions may be of some value to you I remain. Yours fraternally. C. Elmer Frey. Approves of Long Focus. BY LESUK L. LONG, LLANO, TEXAS. These pictures are samples of slow work with a fast lens. My lens is a Tessar Ic and non-convertible, of eight and a quarter inch equivalent focus, but both the blossoms of the cacti were taken with full bellows, being fourteen inches, producing a picture about two thirds the actual size. Had the lens been as described in the article, "Long Focus and Short Focus : Theoretical vs. Practical," in the March issue, I could have reproduced actual size. The cactus which was eleven feet in diameter I had to get too close to fill the plate, while a single element would have allowed me to get back farther and gain in depth thereby. Certainly de should have an extra copy of that March issue to pass along, "Household Insects." A series of articles by John J. Schoonhoven, on this topic, begins in the September 1st number of "Country Life in America." They should be in- teresting, and bid fare to be so, as Professor Schoonhoven is not only a learned biologist, but a skillful camer- i>t. The several illustrations are beauti- ful. The articles will be instructive and valuable to all readers of "Country Life in America." 164 THE GUIDE TO NATURE A CACTUS ELEVEN FEET IN DIAMETER. The Truthfulness of Nature. The rocks and shells, and the frogs and lilies always tell the absolute truth. Association with these, under right direction, will build up a habit of truth- fulness, which the lying story of the cherry-tree is powerless to effect. If history is to be made an agency for moral training, it must become a nature study. It must be the study of original documents. When it is pursued in this way i: has the value of other nature- studies. But it is carried on under great limitations. Its manuscripts are scarce, while every leaf on the tree is an original document in botany. When a thousand are used, or used up, the archives of nature are just as full as ever. From the intimate affinity with the problems of life, the problems of nature- study derive a large part of their value. Because life deals with realities, the visible agencies of the overmastering fates, it is well that our children should study the real, rather than the conven- tional. Let them come in contact with the inevitable, instead of the made-up, with laws and forces that can be traced in objects and forms actually before them, rather than with those which seem arbitrary or which remain inscrut- able. To use concrere illustrations, there is a greater moral value in the study of magnets than in the distinc- tion between shall and will, in the study of birds or rocks than that of diacrit- ical marks or postage- stamps, in the development of a frog than in the longer or shorter catechism, in the study of things than in the study of abstrac- tions. There is doubtless a law under- lying abstractions and conventionali- ties, a law of catechisms, or postage- stamps, or grammatical solecisms, but it does not appear to the student. Its consideration does not strengthen his impression of inevitable truth. There is the greatest normal value, as well as intellectual value, in the inde- pendei ce that >.omes from knowing, and knowing that one knows and why one knows. This gives spinal column to character, which is not found in the flabby goodness of imitation or the hys- teric virtue of suggestion. Knowing what is right, and why it is right, before doing it is the basis of greatness of character. — Nature-Study and Moral Culture, by Pres. David Starr Jordan. The Natural Scientist a Religious Teacher. Truly, he who unfolds to us the way in which God works through the world of phenomena may well be called the best of religious teachers. Tn the study of the organic world, no less than in the study of the starry heavens, is it true that "day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge." —John Fiske in a memorial lecture on Charles Darwin. WITH THE WEB MAKERS 165 With the Web Makers The Study of Spiders. BY UK. R. \V. SHUFELDT, WASHINGTON, D. C. There have lived naturalists who de- voted their entire lives to the study of spiders ; indeed, in the case of a few. their researches were confined to special groups of spiders. There are naturalists living now who are patient- ly pursuing similar studies ; yet, with all the literature we have on this sub- ject and the constant contributions which are being" made to it, there still remains to be studied an almost end- less number of these forms, while many spiders are not yet known to science, and we may say that but a -very small part of their structure is known at all. There is plenty of room here for the young naturalist to interest himself 111 : for, in many instances, the habits of our commonest species of spiders have never been carefully studied or de- scribed. Unthinking people — or those who have never given the matter a thought — when asked what a spider is, are pretty sure to say that it is some kind of insect or other. This is a long way from the truth, for spiders are not in- sects at all, any more than crabs and crayfish are insects. As a matter oi fact, they belong to a very well defined group designated as the Araneina, of which no fewer than seven Suborders are known. That is to say, we have the tunnel-weavers, the orb-weavers, the line-weavers, the tube-weavers, the crab spiders, the running spiders and the lumping spiders. Spiders possess no antenna? as we find in insects, and the head and thorax are fused together forming a cephalo- thorax, — these two parts being sepa- rate in the Insecta. The abdomen is said to be "stalked" or joined to the cepholothorax by a constricted isthmus. At its distal end. we find the spinnerets or spinning tubercles, in which is stored the material for the making of the web or other habitation. Xow, if any one will take the trouble to capture any good-sized spider, and place it in some suitable receptacle for examina- tion with a magnifying-glass, it will further be observed that near the mouth there occur a pair of append- ages wihch terminate, at their free ends, in claws. These are called cheli- Fig. 1. The garden-spider and its orb-web. ccrcc, and in some species their apices open externally, which openings lead to the poison-glands. The next pair of mouth-organs, called pedipalps, seem to correspond to the antennae of insects. Spiders have from two to four pairs of lungs, and the openings leading into these sacs are to be observed near the abdominal stalk on the under side. There is a whole lot to study on a spider with a good glass, — so much, 1 66 THE GUIDE TO NATURE indeed, that it will be quite out of the question to touch upon it in as short an article as this. At different times I have photo- graphed quite a number of our var- ious species of spiders, as the Argiope or garden spider, some of the vagrant spiders, tarantulas, the triangle-spider and several others. Two of these are As we all know, spiders are noted for the webs or nests they build, some of which are very curious, while others are extremely beautiful. A spider's spinning apparatus is one of the most wonderful animal structures in all na- ture. As stated above, it consists of the spinnerets which occur ventrally at the extremity of the abdomen. The • ■ > * M^ *<*" * »» .-** >»■ '-?•' ^ ~**W!^ •jLJSS Fig. 2. A vagabond spider with silk sac holding eggs or yourg. Figures reproduced from photographs from life by Dr. R. W. Shufeldt. reproduced here with the view of show- ing what excellent subjects they make for the camera. In Figure i, we have the well-known and common orb-web spinning garden spider Argiope, and in Figure 2, one of the vagabond or run- ning spiders of the genus Lycosa. It is seen to be carrying its young in a ball spun from its web. It will be noted that these spiders have four pairs of legs, whereas insects have but three ; moreover, the eyes in these spiders are what we call simple, — they are compound in all true insects. There are many differences between spiders and insects ; yet they have some things in common. For example, both have two pairs of jaws with associated parts; both breathe through spiracles, and both have in their bodies their an- nular plan of structure. Spiders are hatched from eggs and so are many species of insects, and both moult at various stages during their growth. receptacle holding the fluid silk is in- ternal, and the latter hardens as soon as it comes in contact with the air. There may be one or two pairs of spinnerets, each being supplied at its end with sometimes as many as a cou- ple of hundred minute tubes, through which the threads pass. By drawing them together, the spiders can spin a thread ; or by having" them diverge, spin a flat ribbon, such as we see zig- zagging" down from the center of the orb-web of the garden spider, here shown in Figure 1. A single thread is sometimes so fine that it will require good eyes to see it, yet it is composed of some hundreds of fine silken threads, each requiring the use of a powerful microscope to discern. One can take away from a spider its entire supply of silk; when this hap- pens, and it is allowed to escape, it gen- erally robs some weaker one of its al- readv constructed web. WITH THE WEB MAKERS 167 Spiders put their silk to various uses, as the making of their webs (Fig. 1) ; the lining of their tunnels or nests; to envelop their eggs, and, in some in- stances, to spin a device, by means of which some species are able to fly. Spider poison is extremely active and in a few instances has been fatal to man ; and, were such a spider as a tarantula as big in bulk as a rattle- snake, its poison would be fully fifty times more dangerous to life. Most species of spiders live a soli- tary life; others sometimes live in pairs, and when they do, they are con- stantly fighting each other. When Mr. Kipling attempted to show that "the female of the species is more deadly than the male," he probably had cob- webs in his knowledge-box; for, while it is surely true of spiders, it is by no means true of the vast majority of ani- mals now living in the world. Female spiders are nearly always much bigger than the males of the same species, and are far more fre- quently seen by us. Male spiders are constantly being persecuted or killed by the female ones, — the latter amus- ing herself by biting off his legs, or slaying him outright for a meal. She is of an initable, fickle and quarrel- some disposition ; and, after only too brief a courtship — by her brought to a close — she will bite her lover to death and gobble him up. Under normal conditions some spi- ders have kept alive for a year ; others may live as long as three or four years, but that is about the limit of the longe- vity of any of them. If we constantly study them in nature, we may frequent- ly meet with males in which several of of the legs are missing. These have been, as a rule, snipped off by their voracious mates, and they never grow rut again. This kind of spider-pecking seems to be borne most philosophically by the males, for they ignore their losses and start out merrily in the pursuit of other mates. My limited space will not admit of it here, but later on I hone to describe, in another article for The; Guide to Nature, the many kinds and wonder- fully interesting webs and nests that soiders construct, and to have some- thing to say about flying-spiders ; how they treat their young; and, finallv, touch on some of the remarkable habits of some species, illustrating much that I present with reproductions of my photographs. Robbing a Spider of Its Silk. In response to an inquiry as to how to rob a spider of its silk. Dr. Shufeldt writes as follows : "It is an easy matter to rob a spider of its silk. When I was a boy, I per- formed the feat on one or two occa- sions. "One has to capture a specimen of any of the weavers of the groUp, at a time when it is producing its silk, so that the free end of the thread may be seized. The spider may be held in any convenient manner to keep its legs gently confined, so that they may not struggle and break the silken thread. With this in hand, it may be gently reeled off in any way that meets the end in view. The supply is never large, so the operation is not one of exeat len°;th." A Spider, a Carpenter Bee and a Wasp. New York City. To the Editor : I am sending you a photograph of a spider's nest, which I saw the spider spin on the inside of one of my book- cases. The webs, as you will notice, are fastened partly to the plate glass window, and partly to the woodwork of the bookcase. I think that the best constructive engineer could not have used better judgment than this little spider manifested, in making her nest absolutely secure with the least waste of material and of energy. The win- dow glass was very slippery and highly polished. At first the spider stretched a web from one corner of the wood- work to the other, then let herself down from this "girder" to the glass, and de- posited a drop of glutinous substance and, waiting patiently until that had hardened sufficiently to hold a thread strongly and tightly, she ran along this improvised tight rope back to the woodwork, and fastened the thread at the other end. After a skeleton web had been made, the little worker took down the original cross threads. Each fiber was tested by pulling hard on it, and if it seemed not strong enough, a reenforcinc thread was fastened on it. 1 68 THE GUIDE TO NATURE I also noticed that the basal threads, in every instance, were much thicker and stronger than those of the subsequent constructions. The little nest has given me, during its construction, many hours of solid amusement. Is there THE INTERESTING SPIDER'S WEB ON THE INSIDE OF A BOOKCASE. any characteristic or mechanical ap- pliance which we big men follow which is not also used by small forms of ani- mal life? The other day I observed a carpen- ter bee at work on an old fence post. In two days she chiseled out a beauti- fully round hole seven inches long and about half an inch in diameter. A week ago I watched a wasp sting a green caterpillar of probably eight times its own weight, then carry the burden for a distance of more than twenty feet over bushes two and three feet high, to a hole which it had pre- viously dug in less than a day's time, and which, as I found upon digging, was more than twenty inches deep. In my hayloft are numerous ourple wasDS at work, making the cleverest little receptacles of mud. It will take a wasp hardly a day to make a beautifully shaped box, with four or five neat com- partments, and plaster the whole thing inside with additional layers of mud, and do it in not more than an hour's work. Here we have the three trades of plasterer, a carpenter and constructive engineer, practised by three different kinds of animals. Yours very truly, John C. Uiirlaub. Interesting Experiments in Plant Cir- culation and in the Coloring of Flowers. White pinks may be readily colored green, blue, red or pink by inserting the stems of the cut flowers in ink of the desired color, as they are usually put in water to keep them fresh. As soon as the petals begin to take the color, the stems should be transferred to clear water. The color will then continue to deepen for some time, be- cause the water that the plant will take up will carry the ink already in the vessels of the stem, onward into the petals. If kept in the colored liquid until the petals assume the desired tint, the color will finallv become so deep that it will spoil the daintiness of the effect. This is an interesting method by which to make decorations for special occasions, such as green pinks for St. Patrick's Day, and red, white and blue ones for the Fourth of July. It also affords an opportunity for studying the circulation of liquids in plants. It is said that lilies of the valley are specially susceptible to the influence of these coloring liquids, and it may naturally be inferred that any white flower will be equally favorable, if it holds its freshness for a long time, since the continued freshness of cut flowers is due to the presence of water within their cells and vessels. When a plant wilts soon after cutting, it shows us that the liquid current throughout the stem and the flower is exceedinglv imperfect and that that particular flower will probably not take up a colored liquid, nor even water. It is also said that ammonia taken into the plan in this manner will pro- duce a variety of tints, and that the vanor of ammonia brought into contact with the flower under a bell glass will be the, cause of especially novel effects. Pansies are capable of remarkable changes in color when they are brought in contact with these ammonia fumes. The stud)- of Nature is an inter- course with the highest mind. You should never trifle with Nature. At the lowest her works are the works of the highest powers, the highest something in whatever way we may look at it. — Louis Agassis. THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION 169 • hJ Pi < w w B H iz; w p < O w B H fa O fa i— i > HOMES NEAR TO NATURE 177 "THE APPROACH IS THROUGH THE SHADY LANE CALLED LAWN AVENUE William, father, Gertrude and Mar- garet, daughters, contributed the first syllable of their name to form the name of the home, Beu-Wil-Ger-Mar. The approach is through the shady lane called Lawn Avenue which winds its way along- the side of Roton hill to its highest part and there on the hill- side is Beu-Wil-Ger-Mar. With the lights and shades of an autumn day THE SUNDIAL AND ESPLANADE. 1 78 THE GUIDE TO NATURE "THE PERGOLA BEING OX A SIDE HILL IS STEPPED AND THE EFFECT IS VERY PLEASING.' the picture seems ideal. Can you see the tulip tree shaped like a candela- brum, and the sun dial and esplanade in the back ground? The paths and drives originally were at right angles straight and severely regular. Easy curves replaced these. A semi-oval drive swings through the lawn to the porte cochre and extends to the back of the house where a complete oval permits a vehicle to turn around. An off-shoot leads to the garage. The A WESTERN VIEW ACROSS THE TENNIS GROUNDS. HOMES NEAR TO NATURE i7() 'SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH NATURAL BEAUTY MARKS HAPPINESS." ovals are not regular geometrical curves, but curves fair and true adapted to the placing" of the trees and shrub- bery. '\ he tennis court is at the side of the house so placed that only one tree had to be moved. It is hand)- and invites you to play whereas a court farther away would often remain idle. The general view of the garden seems at a glance confusing and elab- orate, but when you know that the left hand system of paths enclosing flower beds one roses and the other annuals, leads through the pergola to the garage, and the ones to the right to the vegetable garden, all seems graceful and plain. Each bed and path has its place and purpose. YYe have worked with an end in view. i8o THE GUIDE TO NATURE "COME TO THE CABIN IN THE W 1 1 . 1 ) WOOD." "WE HAVE HAD MANY DELIGHTFUL TIMES AROUND THIS FIREPLACE.' HOMES NEAR TO NATURE 181 The pergola being on a side hill is stepped and the effect is very pleasing. The horizontal lengthwise members are not perfectly level but incline slightly with the hill which removes the effect that some stepped pergolas have of seeming to be falling towards the hill. The esplanade with its classic balus- trade overlooks the scroll flower bed and von will note that its every turn is a graceful curve. There was a place for it and it tits that place. The sun always out. We will pull it and enter. If it is at night when some one is hav- ing a birthday party you may hear an adaptation of an old song: O then its Come Come Come Come Come to the cabin in the wild wood, Come to the cabin in the glen, No spot is so clear in old Stamford, As the little log cabin in the dale. The hearth is a single stone about nine feet by nine feet, the half of a boulder solit in twain by the glacial EVEN "SCOTTY THE THIRD' IS PERFECTLY CONTENTED WIT ROUN DINGS. II THE BEAUTIFUL SUR- dial with its golden gnomon tells the time on a sunny day. In the valley below the flower gar- den just beyond what is shown in the picture is the vegetable garden. Here an enormous ellipse makes a path for all sides and corners of the garden. Let us walk down through the flower gar- den past the garage and through one side of this ellipse and across a flat space where at one time we had our tennis court to the bungalow which we call The Reservation. A genuine log cabin nestling between two pro- tecting maples. The latch string is forces in some far distant geological period. Rustic furniture and the log sides make you think that in reality you are in the wilds of some distant wood. We have had many delightful times around this fire place, and many a good meal has been cooked in it. Your name should be in the guest book. The lesson we seek to impress is: — think interesting thoughts, work with an object in view ; the natural sequence of events proclaim that by surrounding Yourself with natural beauty makes happiness, not only now but at every 182 THE GUIDE TO NATURE AN ENTHUSIASTIC PRESIDENT OF THE STAMFORD BOARD OF TRADE. stage of your life. In the buzz and tur- moil of an active business career how sweet are the smiles of the flowers which greet you as you rush from the house to the garage. In later years what a satisfaction to say I laid out that garden or I planted that tree, for we well know that during many years the beauty we have created will min- ister to some one. Money and Scientific Pursuits. There is one thing which a man of original scientific or philosophical gfenius in a rightly ordered world should never be called upon to do. He should never be called upon to "earn a living;" for that is a wretched waste of energy, in which the highest intellec- tual power is sure to suffer serious detriment, and runs the risk of being frittered away into hopeless ruin. Like his great predecessor and ally, Sir Charles Lyell, Mr. Darwin was so fav- ored by fortune as to be free from this odious necessity. He was able to de- vote his whole life with a single mind to the pursuit of scientific truth, and to ministering in the most exalted way to the welfare of his fellow-creatures. — John 1'iske in a memorial lecture on ( 'harles Darwin. WAITING. By John Burroughs. Serene, I fold my hands and wait, Nor care for wind, or tide, or sea; I rave no more 'gainst time or fate, For lo! my own shall come to me. I stay my haste, I make delays, For what avails this eager pace? I stand amid the eternal ways, And what is mine shall know my face. Asleep, awake, by night or day, The friends I seek are seeking me; No wind can drive my bark astray, Nor change the tide of destiny. What matter if I stand alone? I wait with joy the coming years; My heart shall reap where it hath sown, And garner up its fruits of tears. The waters know their own, and draw The brook that springs in yonder heights; So flows the good with equal law Unto the soul of pure delights. The stars come nightly to the sky; The tidal wave unto the sea; Nor time, nor space, nor deep, nor high, Can keep my own away from me. THE OUTDOOR WORLD 183 The Picturesque Old Farmington Canal. BY WELLS MCM ASTER, CHESHIRE, CON- NECTICUT. Stimulated by the building of the Erie Canal in New York state many similar projects were proposed in this and adjoining" states. In 1822 a charter was granted to the Farmington Canal Company for a canal to start at tide water in New Haven harbor and extend to the town of Colebrooke where it was to enter the Connecticut River. Pros- perous communities in the upper Con- necticut valley were sending a rich stream of commerce down the rivei to Hartford, then a capitol of the state. The Farmington Canal it was planned would turn much of this commerce to New Haven, also a capitol of the state. The Connecticut River which in earlier years had probably been diverted from its original course, turning east, between Hartford and Middletown, by volcanic action at Berlin, would through the canal carry commerce to the Sound by its original path. A series of twenty locks were necessary to overcome an elevation of one hundred and eighty odd feet between Newr Haven and what LOOKING SOUTHWARD AT THE OLD AND THE NEW— CANAL AND RAILROAD BY BROOKSVALE, CONNECTICUT, STATION. THE 1 84 THE GUIDE TO NATURE is now Plainville. A town meeting held in New Haven in 1822 endorsed the canal and a few years later a stock sub- scription of $100,000.00 was voted. Alto- gether the canal was an expensive pro- ject for New Haven. The story is told that the only stockholder to receive a dividend annually mowed a piece ot the towpath and sold the hay. For nearlv twenty years the canal was a popular route of travel. There were, however, many difficulties of main- tenance and when in 1846 a charter was granted for a railroad the active existence of the canal ceased Nature in reclaiming her own has touched this once famous highway of com- merce with many beauties; water lilies add their beauty to its sur- face ; cattle wade in the cool shade of overhanging boughs, and in some places a cautious peep will be rewarded by the glimpse of a trout as he flashes under a stone or the overhanging bank. Lessons from a Storm, Regarding the Care of Trees. BY l<. R. GORTON, YPSILANTI, MICH. The notoriously poor care that is given to shade trees throughout the country was forcibly brought out by a recent windstorm which passed over southern Michigan. Although the wind was merely a straight blow, and by no means a tornado, no one who gave the fallen trees even the most cursory examination could fail to be impressed with the large part played by lack of care in selecting, trimming, and repairing weaknesses in the case of trees destroyed or injured. Fully one half of the trees which were seriously affected by the storm revealed large half-hidden cavities be- tween the main branches, in which water was caught in every shower, thus creating there a mass of decay and growing roots. Many left standing have been split in this manner and de- mand immediate attention if they are ever to regain their former strength. The remedy of such a condition is well understood by the tree surgeon, who places bolts through the main branches, nerhaos five feet or more above the break and ties them together by means of strong wires, which may be tight- ened by twisting, or joins them with a taut chain. In no case is it wise to pass the chain or wire arounel the branches. Of course the crack should be filled with soft wax if necessary to prevent the entrance of water. A large elm in the vicinity of the writer's home was saved in this manner by treatment administered only a few days before the storm. Defects of this kind of long standing require a more thorough treatment of the decaying cavity, and should be turned over to the tree sur- geon. Another source of weakness that was unlooked for was revealed by a half dozen fine specimens of maple, around which the soil had been raised a foot or more in grading. The growth of the trunk at the former level of the ground appeared to have been greatly restric- ted, thus leaving the tree supported by a section no larger than the tree was at the time the grading was done. Of one tree examined, this section was of less than half the area of the present section of the trunk. A vivid lesson is here taught. In raising the level of the ground around a young tree provision should be made to prevent the earth from coming in contact with the trunk. This can be done by surrounding the tree with a cement ring or a substan- tial hoop of galvanized iron encircling the base at a distance of several inches from the trunk. The evidence of weakness arising from faulty trimming and lack of at- tention to broken branches was mani- fest on every hand. Many large limbs which gave way to the force of the wind were inwardly decayed by the entrance of water through old scars. It was plainly obvious that many fine examples of elms and maples might have been preserved intact by a little careful attention. A break should in every case be cut as smooth as possible at a point where the wood is sound and then coated with a durable paint or asphaltum. The most overwhelming evidence was probablv against the selection of such trees as the ash maple or the Car- olina poplar. Many enormous speci- mens of the latter were torn up by the roots and several dwellings narrowly escaped serious injury from their huge trunks. In one case the cornice was swept from a house and a porch badly wrecked. The ash maple is apparently too brittle to offer great resistance to THE OUTDOOR WORLD 185 the wind. The branches lack in flexi- bility and therefore were easily broken off by the periodic gusts. It was shown to be absolutely dangerous to set such trees as these near dwelling houses. The trees that withstood the force of the storm best of all were the maples, elms, and the nuts of all kinds. Large spruces showed a fair amount of resistance, but many were broken off towards the top, and a few were up- rooted. There are some cities at least that will profit by these lessons taught by the storm. Their citizens have been forced to realize the value of the trees which line their streets and adorn their homes and will undoubtedly take steps at once to remedy in a measure the great amount of damage indicted. While a tornado is rare and almost ir- ristible, the violent gale is of frequent occurrence, and thousands of the finest specimens of ornamental trees require immediate attention if they are to with- stand the storms of a lifetime. Impressions of Leaves. EY JOHN COLLINS, PHILADELPHIA, PENN- SYLVANIA. (In looking over my botanical files I came across some excellent leaf prints sent to me by Mr. John Collins, of Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, together with an article published in "Popular Science," for January, 1900, dur- ing my editorship of that magazine. As sev- eral of the leaf prints have been unpublished I copied the article and sent it to Mr. Collins with the request that he would permit me to republish it in The Guide to Nature. The following letter from Mrs. Carrie B. Aaron, 726 Stokes Avenue, Collingswood, New Jer- sey, was received in reply. "Your letter of August 8th addressed to my father, Mr. John Collins, has been for- warded to me from his former address. My father has been dead several years, and up to the time of his death at eighty-nine years of age, he kept that love of nature and desire to help others. He would be very glad to have you reprint his article and I see noth- ing to correct in it." — E. F. B.) This simple and inexpensive process is within the reach of every one. No previous knowledge of drawing is re- quired, and with a small amount of practice, very good results may be at- tained. The materials used are printer's ink, a dabber to press it on the leaf, good printing paper, not fully sized but rather soft, common ink, or possibly a piece of India ink, a lithographic wax crayon and a crayon holder. These crayons can be had of any lithograph- er, costing about twenty cents per dozen. The French kind, marked Leur- ercier, are very good. Leaves that show the veins promi- nently on the underside, will give the best impressions. Among these we may mention the oaks, chestnut, pop- lars and maples. Ferns, geraniums and many flowering plants are equally suit- able. Those of a spongy, fleshy texture should not be used. Much depends upon the care and neatness of those who desire to make a collection of the various forms of leaves found in the garden, the forest or the field. They should *be fully matured and free from imperfections. It is best to cut off the stems close to the base of the leaf, and, if the mid rib is large, to pare it down a little with a sharp knife. Put some of the printer's ink upon a piece of window glass or on any hard and smooth surface that will not absorb the oil of the ink, and cover the end of the dabber very evenlv with a small quantity. This dabber may be made by stuffing some curled hair into a piece of soft leather and fasten- ing it to a short handle. Having inked the veined side of the leaf, lay it carefully upon the printing paper, put another paper upon it, and press firmly noon all the parts. Lift the paper and leaf, and you have a fac- simile. Then, with a pen and writing- ink, complete the veining as nearly ac- cording to nature as possible. The shading and finishing are to be done with the wax crayon placed in a crayon holder and sharpened from the point towards the holder. Be careful to shade evenly, without showing any lines. By using washes of India ink upon the white parts of the print, less time will be required in the shading. In case it is desirable to color the leaves, much less shading is necessarv. Avoid blotches. If they should happen, scrape them away when thoroughly dry, with a sharp knife. There may be some failures at first, but the beginner need not become dis- couraged. Practice for a few weeks will enable one to produce prints that look like fine engravings. 1 86 THE GUIDE TO NATURE was* :m \, L ' in1 / .«:- 7 v'"';*; w PRINTS OF LEAVES. Simplicity and Truth. Nat iire-studies have long" been valued as a "means of grace," because they arouse the enthusiasm, the love of work vhich belongs to open-eyed youth. The child blase with moral precepts and irregular conjugations turns with de- light to the unrolling of ferns and the song of birds. There is a moral training in clearness and tangibility. An occult impulse to vice is hidden in all vague- ness and in all teachings meant to be heard but not to be understood. Nature is ne. er obscure, never occult, never esoteric. She must be questioned in earnest, else she will not reply. But to every serious question she returns a serious answer. "Simple, natural, and true" should make the impression of simplicity and truth. Truth and virtue arc but opposite sides of the same shield. As leaves pass over into flowers, and flowers into fruit, so are wisdom, virtue, and happiness inseparably re- lated.— Nature-Study and Moral Cul- ture, by Pres. David Starr Jordan. THE OUTDOOR WORLD 187 How to Make A Spore Print of A Mushroom. BY W. I. BEKCROFT, CHESHIRE, MASS. When a mushroom is mature, tiny bodies, called spores, are being' con- tinually shed, even as you hold it in your hand, though they are singly in- visible to the naked eye. Their exis- tence, however, may be shown by the following experiment. Select a mush- room of the type having gills or plates on the underside. The kind sold in the markets is excellent for this purpose, though the}- are many other kinds sim- ilarly useful that grow wild in the woods. Cut the cap from the stem, lav it right side up, that is. with the gills downward, on a sheet of white paper, and cover it with a glass jar to keep out air currents. If the mushroom is shedding its spores freely, it will, in a few hours, make an exact copy of the underside of the cap— "writing its own autograph.'5 If the spores are drop- ping slowly, it may take as long as ten hours to make a good print. The brown spored species are the best for this purpose, as they make a stronger print. If a permanent record is de- sired, dissolve a little gum arabic in water, brush it over a sheet of thick, white card, and put the cap on this before it is full}- dry, but not while it is wet, as portions of the cap may then stick to it. A SPORE PRINT OF A MUSHROOM. 1 88 THE GUIDE TO NATURE The Heavens in November. BY PROF. ERIC DOOLITTLE OE THE UNI- VERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. It is in this month that the most beautiful constellations of Orion and the Twins both enter our evening sky, and already the eastern part of the heavens begins to present the brilliant appearance which is characteristic of the winter stars. If the observer will face due east he will now see the won- derful Taurus with its Hyades and Pleiades, already mounted nearly half way to the zenith ; to the left of these are the two stars which mark the ex- treme tips of the Bull's horns, of which the pure white star, at A, Figure I, is a great double sun in almost the same condition as our two Dog Stars, while the second, at B, is a fainter, yellowish star whose influence in the days of as- trology was for some reason believed to be particularly malign. It is at the point C, a very short distance above and to the left of this star, that there is found the singular Crab Nebula, often mistaken by amateur observers for a new comet. THE NOVEMBER STARS. To the right and above the tips of the horns we see the very brilliant Capella, while below there are the two bright Twin stars, Castor and Pollux, just emerging from the ground. But most interesting of all is the beautiful Orion, whose brightest star at H has now fairly entered our evening sky. This wonderful orange-red sun is one of the most interesting variable stars of the heavens. Seventy-six years ago Sir John Herschel discovered that its light was fluctuating; in the year 1849 another fluctuation began, its light in- creasing until in 1852 it was actually the brightest star in the northern heavens. A lesser brightening was witnessed in 1894. What is occuring in this great sun is wholly unknown to us, nor can Ave tell when a variation in its light is to be looked for. The three nearly equidistant stars, D, E and F, which form the Belt of Orion and add so much to the beauty of this constellation, are now just aris- ing from the ground. As might be ex- pected, this striking line of bright stars has been noticed and named by people of all ages and in all countries. The Chinese called them a Weighing Beam ; the Hindus, an Arrow; the Scandina- vians, a Distaff, and the Greenlanders, three Seal Hunters who were lost at sea. To the native Australians they were young men, dancing before a group of maidens, who, represented by the Pleiades, were playing for them. The careful observer will notice that the star F is decidedly more yellow than those at D or E. The lower star is an interesting triple ; the upper is not only a double star, but its bright- ness also varies irregularly. SUNS WHICH VARY IN BRIGHTNESS. It happens that one of the most re- markable and interesting variable stars of the heavens is expected to reach its greatest brightness during this month while it is in excellent position for ob- servation in the evening sky. This star will be found at the point K in Figures 1 and 2, a very little to the left of the straight line passing through the stars L, N, P and S. It can readily be iden- tified by its position a little below and to the left of the star at N. This wonderful object is usually very much too faint to be seen with the naked eye, but at a somewhat ir- regular interval it begins to pour out more and more light until its bright- ness has increased many thousand fold. It usually remains thus bright for about two months and then it fades rapidly away. It is predicted that this star will be brightest on November 5. It should then be more than twice as bright as the nearby star at M, Figure 2, and will probably so remain throughout the month. It will reach its greatest THE HEAVENS IN NOVEMBER 189 faintness next May, when it will shine as a star of the 13.2 magnitude, only visible in the largest telescopes. Thus the changes in this distant sun are even more remarkable than those of the celebrated Mira, at R, Figure 1. We know that its wonderful blazes of light are partly caused by outpourings of luminous hydrogen, and its spectrum clearly indicates the agitation and brated Demon Star, Algol, whose light is periodically cut off by the passage of its dimmer companion between itself and us. This star will reach its great- est faintness on November 2, at 7 hours 22 minutes P. M. ; on Novem- ber 20, at o hours 16 minutes A. M. ; on November 22, at 9 hours 5 minutes P. M., and on November 25, at 5 hours 'A minutes P. M. The observer must NDgTH SOUTH Figure 1. The Constellations at 9 P. M., November 1. (If facing south hold the map upright. If facing east hold "East" below; if facirg west hold "West" below. If facing north hold the map inverted.) violent motions of its heated materials at these times, but of the real cause of the periodic disturbances we are still ignorant. Not only should the observer watch this star from time to time during the coming weeks, to observe its gradual fading away, but he may also be inter- ested in examining the well-known Mira, at R, Figure i, and the eclipsing variable at T. The former of these, which last May was nearly as bright as the North Star, is now barely visible to the eye, though it will not reach its greatest faintness of 9.6 magnitude until next December. The latter is the eele- not expect to see the light of the star suddenly cut off; the companion moves before the brighter star so gradually that four and one-half hours elapse be- tween time of greatest faintness. By looking at the star at intervals of per- haps an hour its light changes are, however, easily observed. STARS LESS DENSK THAN AIR. From a study of the stars of this kind we can not only ascertain the nature of these double sun systems but we can also find approximate!}' how dense the two bodies are. And it is found that many of them are remarkably rare and tenuous — merely nebulous masses 190 THE GUIDE TO NATURE which are still very far from having attained the compact condition of our sun. Thus the average density of all of the Algol variables is probably not far from one-third of that of our sun, while recent computations show that Figure 2. The square of Figure 1, enlarged to show the position of the variable star at K. one of the fainter stars of this kind in the Southern Cross is actually less than one hundredth part as dense as our air. Yet this body appears to us as a bright and non-transparent star ; when passing before its companion star it membered that the material of our own sun formed an equally rare cloud when this had not yet contracted far within the present orbit of the planet Venus. THF PLANETS. Mercury reaches its greatest dis- tance east of the sun on the morniner of November 19. The planet is then far below the Celestial Equator, and so if seen at all can only be detected in the extreme southwest for a short while after sunset. Venus is rapily moving out from the sun's rays, passing Jupiter in its east- ward motion on the evening of Novem- ber 7. By the end of the month it sets two and one-half hours after sunset and may readily be detected in the southwest, low in the twilight glow. Mars enters the morning sky on No- vember 4; Jupiter is drawing rapidly nearer the sun, though it does not pass to the east of this body and become a morning star until December 18. Both of these planets are in an unfavorable position for observation during this month. Saturn is high in the east, nearly midway between the Hyades and the Pleiades, and presents a beautiful ob- ject for study in a telescope of mod- erate power. It is exactly ODposite the sun (and so is due south at midnight) on November 23. Figure 3. Appearance of Saturn and its rings. At persent we see the ring even more widened than hen shown, but there is little trace of the shadow of the ball on the rings because Saturn's shadow- now extends almost directly away from the earth. hides the light of this body from us The November Shooting Stars may exactly as if it were opaque, for the light best be seen after midnight from the of the hidden star is unable to pene- 14th to the 16th of the month. They trate the many millions of miles of dart outward in all directions across tenuous matter of which its attendant the sky from the constellation Leo, star is composed. Remarkable and sur- which is then well up from the ground prising as such a result is, it is to be re- in the east. THE CAMERA 191 A fainter shower of reddish, very behind them. And toward the end of slowly moving" stars, are to be looked the month, the Tanrids appear near for from November 17 to November 23. the bright star Aldebaran, at Z, Figure These are the Andromids, which move 1. These also move but slowly over outward from near the star at V, Fig- the sky, and fire-balls are said to oc- ure 1, usually leaving luminous trains casionally appear among them. "O. Conyngham Valley, Pennsylvania. FA' C. D. ROMIG, AUDENRIED, PENNSYL- VANIA. This photograph, taken by Stephen D. Engle. Jr., of Hazleton, Pennsyl- vania, shows the beautiful Conyngham Valley which lies a few miles north and west of the outskirts of the city of Hazleton, in Luzerne County, in the middle anthracite coal field. It is a general view of the valley from the east to west, covering terri- in height, with the little peaked Sugar Loaf conspicuous in the southwest. There is also a gap in the mountain in the far west where the Big Nescopeck creek flows through to the Susque- hanna River at Nescopeck, Pennsyl- vania. The well-kept farms within this val- ley, framed by nature's own rustic woods and mountains, when viewed from the latter, make an indelible pic- ture 011 the mind of all who are for- *tt*tt**f*8b ^^-•^r SSifi,.' ■♦>• ^0MMj^r*:% -.'.£?$:- AN INTERESTING AND UNUSUALLY GOOD PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDY OF A VALLEY. tory about five miles wide and more than fifteen miles long, and was pho- tographed from Pulpit Rock in the east. This valley, which is like an oblong- basin, is entirely surrounded bv moun- tains ranging about five hundred feet tunate enough to see them. To the general public, this view is most at- tractive at Conyngham Pass, where is located the YVilkes-Parre and Hazle- ton railway station, also the public highway at this Point. The Hazleton ICJ2 THE GUIDE TO NATURE County Club house here is ideally sit- uated for observing" this valley. Conyngham Pass was the scene of a massacre of a small squad of soldiers by Indians in the year 1780. The exact spot is somewhat in doubt but the evi- dence at hand indicates the County Club grounds. Within the past few years camping in tents and bungalows throughout this valley has been much in vogue and is well worth the attention of those so inclined. The Wilkes-Barre and Hazle- ton third-rail trolley-system running between Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre, a distance of thirty miles, passes through the middle of this grand scene, across the valleys and over the hills and mountains, thus affording to the general public a treat to the eye and a treasure for the memory at any season of the vear. Photographing a Woodcock on the Nest. BY E. VANBERWERKEN, STAMFORD, CONN. This woodcock's nest was found by my son and a companion in the first week of April. They did not know what bird could lay eggs in a place so open, and with so slight a nest. On their return they told me about the find and asked what bird I thought it could be. The woodcock is the only game bird that I know that breeds as early as March and April. I knew at once that they must be the woodcock's eggs. At the next visit they found the bird on the nest, and continued to visit her every week, being careful not to let the dogs go near her. The bird soon became used to them. I went out to get the snapshots just before the eggs hatched. By careful movements I got within three feet. It was late and a little cloudy when the picture was taken, so I fear the bird will not show up well. After exposing the plate I gently ad- vanced near enough to touch her on the head with a little piece of dry gold- en rod about a foot long. I think I could have touched her as easily, and she would have remained on the nest. The boys found another nest near this one. I took three or four pictures of that, but owing to the lateness of the hour and a somewhat imperfect instru- ment, I did not succeed in getting good photographs. I think there were more woodcock nests in this part of the country than usual this season, owing to the cold, late spring. It is surprising how tame the old bird becomes if one is only gentle. She soon loses all fear, when setting. It seems too bad to educate them to the opposite by shooting at them. That large eye looks not unlike the deer's and it almost gives one a touch of what is called buck fever when one thinks of shooting at such a sight. The Best Kind of Hawk Hunting. Mulino, Oregon. To the Editor : Having read with interest Mr. Job's article in the August number, I am en- closing photographs showing my fav- orite method of hunting hawks and MR. VANDERWERKEN'S TWO PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE WOODCOCK ON THE NEST. THE CAMERA 193: CAMERA HUNTING ON THE MARSHES. owls. My hawk studies in South Da- kota have been confined mostly to the marsh hawk or harrier. This species may lack the dash and daring of the sharp-shinned hawk, and its home is on the ground, not in the tallest trees as with the red-tailed, hut nevertheless it is fully as interesting. From an eco- nomical standpoint it is one of the most desirable of birds. The greatest interest in the study of marsh hawks centers around their home life. It seems strange that this species should choose for its nesting site a marsh inhabited by bitterns and coots, instead of nesting in trees like most of its cousins. In 191 1, having previously located a nest several miles out in the country, I walked to it, equipped with cameras and accompan- ied by two companions. In the course of our visit we secured a number of in- teresting, photographs. The one en- closed gives an idea of the nest and its surroundings, as well as the attitude towards us of the young hawks, which were about three week old. Alexander Walker. A GOOD CAMERA SHOT AT AN OWL. We find The Guide to Nature one of our best read papers in the library and the Nature Study classes get many of their lesson plans from it, in the line of field studies. — Carrie B. Ludden, 13. Ed., Department of Biological Sciences, State Normal School, Kearney, Nebraska, October 2, 1912. 194 THE GUIDE TO NATURE Strange Growth of an Elm Tree. Sidney, Ohio. To the Editor: In this letter I enclose the picture of an elm tree that is growing about a mile west of Sidney. The height of the arch in the highest place is about six feet. The tree plant louse known as Pemphigus vagd- bundus Walsh. Your man was correct in his explanation. THE ELM TREK OF CURIOUS GROWTH. is about two feet in diameter. Several at- tempts have been made to explain the pecu- liar shape. The one that seems most satis- factory is that at one time the tree was growing in a swamp, and as the water was drained away the ground subsided, exposing the roots, which then took on the life of the trunk. Under a separate cover I am sending you the peculiar work of an insect. The leaf and twig are from the cottonwood. If not asking too much will you identify the in- sect which does the work. The man that brought it to me insisted that the large spongy growth is an enlargement of the spherical formation on the leaf stem. Lee A. Dollinger. This is an interesting' growth. It may be that your explanation is right, but photographs of similar forms have reached me from other places where there has been no drainage of a swamp, because the tree has grown on a hill. The other objects are the galls of a Snake's Eggs. BY H. E. RANSIER, MANLIUS., NEW YORK. No matter how "queer" you may have once been considered, nor how much your sanity may have been ques- tioned, nor how foolish you may have been rated, when the rest of the com- munity is in doubt, isn't it funny that they will turn to you for information and a helping hand ? I have long been known to be in- terested in Nature's ways, so it happens that much of my material is brought to me. In the later part of June, 191 1, a man brought me a curiosity which he said he had noticed while working around a compost heap, about a hundred feet from a small pond. The "find" con- sisted of nine or ten cream white, ob- long, leathery objects, finely wrinkled lengthwise, from one-half to five-eights inch wide, and one and one-quarter to one and one-half inches long, each at- tached to its neighbors, the whole form- ing a cluster of what at first sight I thought was a fungus. It was sug- gested that they were eggs of some kind, so we opened one. It had de- veloped a spiral, nearly transparent form of some length which was unques- tionably an embryo snake! As I thought it would be worth while to watch them hatch, I placed them in a tray of sand, and left it in a warm, dry, second-story storeroom, where the sun could stream in on them. The eggs shrunk rapidly and soon dried up. From this experience, I think the snake knew what she was about when she selected a compost heap in which to leave them, for there they would have both warmth and moisture, and doubtless one is as essential as the other. The size of the eggs and their loca- tion would indicate that they were either those of the common black snake, or the water snake. A boy from the country told me that he frequently found them in manure piles around the barns at home, so I invited him to bring me some, and while more than a year has elapsed, he has not done so yet, so perhaps he was mistaken as to 'J" HE CAMERA 195 the frequency of his finding' them, or this may be an off year for snakes. There was a time when I killed all snakes on sight, but the following ex- perience, which occurred several years ago, cured me of the habit. Passing down a woods road alone late one summer afternoon, with my mind on things far away, 1 was startled by a large snake which was lying di- rectly across my path. It was oer- fectly quiet, and one might have thought it dead but for the brightness of its eyes. I killed it and examined the contents of its stomach. You may Gouverneur Morris Mansion, Willow Avenue and I32d Street. Every fall I have had ten or more baby snakes, which I took to the wilder parts of one of our larger parks and set free. Not knowing how to keep the larger ones through the winter, I also set them free; so that each fall I have tin empty cage. Will you please tell me how to keep them over winter? Mr. Mellen's railroad is making such changes in the district referred to, 1 very much fear there will be few live things next spring. Tames J. ClKary. THE SNAKE'S EGGS. imagine my astonishment when 1 found that its stomach contained a number of partly grown wood rats, one behind the other, in single file as it were. My lecollection is that there were seven young rats. A cat that had done as well would be proclaimed a wonder. Snakes Hardy in New York City. New York City. To the Editor : F'or the past five years I have every summer picked up from eight to twenty snakes — garter and DeKay's — almost in the heart of this city ; on the site of Tonas Bronck's farmhouse, and the It is interesting to learn that you have found so many snakes right in the heart of the city. Snakes may be kepi during the winter in any cool place in almost any box made over into a viva- rium. Have some wire netting for ventilation and keep earth and a little water in a part of it. It should be in a cool place but not freeze, preferably in some good location in the cellar. They lie semi-dormant all winter and need not be fed. — Ed. It is possible to keep a snake in a room with a temperature around 700, when they may be fed upon earth- worms.— Raymond J. Ditmars. 196 THE GUIDE TO NATURE &&€€*«€C Incorporated, Connecticut, 1910 Our Names and their Significance. The Agassiz Association : This name- was selected by our first President, Mr. Harlan H. Ballard of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, at the founding in 1875. He states in the AA's handbook, "Three Kingdoms," as follows : "Not many of you need be told why we have named our Society ThK Agassiz Association. There are few that have not heard something of the life and work of that famous man — so universally honored and beloved — Pro- fessor Louis Agassiz. In 1846 the great Naturalist left his native Swit- zerland, made America his home, ac- cepted a Professorship at Harvard College, and built up the greatest school of Natural History in this coun- try. Though one of the most learned, he was also one of the most devout and gentle of men. "Mrs. Agassiz, the widow of Louis Agassiz, and Professor Alexander Agassiz, his son, lend their cordial ap- proval to our society and its work, and have very kindly given us permis- sion to use the father's name." So our Agassiz Association means the enthusiastic, sincere, reverential observation and study of nature — both popular and technical — in all of which we are the followers of the great Agassiz himself. The AA: This is the "pet" name- not a mere abbreviation — applied to the Association by the present Presi- dent. He urges all Members and friends to write and print it AA, with- out space or periods, because of its emblematic significance. As A is the first letter, so The Agassiz Associa- tion is the first organization in this country (patterned on a similar one in Switzerland, Professor Agassiz's na- tive land) to study nature in this wide, embracing enthusiastic manner. The doubling of a letter always means, as a title of designation extra quality. But chiefly we value and commend the AA because of its monogramic use in the word Arcadia — the name of The Agas- siz Association's Home. Arcadia : This takes its name from the Grecian Arcadia (not the Nova Scotian Arcadie, as some persist in thinking). The term has always been a favorite one with pastoral poets and writers, and signifies all nature. Orig- inally it was pervaded by the spirit of Pan, who was so named by the other gods because he was the god of all nature, "the child of heaven and earth." The Agassiz Association is for the study of all nature, and Arcadia is the Plome of all nature. Our beloved AA is the beginning and the center, the center and the end, and the begin- ning and the end of ArcAdiA. In fact, the principle of The Agassiz Associa- tion, "Study nature, not books," is the corner stone of Arcadia. To study na- ture is our constant aim and end ; it penetrates through essentials to the center of all our work. Nymphalia is the name given to a part of our new Arcadia. It designates a delightful meadow, marsh and pool, gift-leased by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Com- pany to The Agassiz Association for the purpose of a park and for general nature study. The Grecian Arcadia was the home of the water nymphs and the wood nymphs, and Nymphcca is the name of the white water lily, the floral emblem of The Agassiz Association. Idle Nymphaxz are proverbial for their beauty and fragrance, and have long been regarded as an emblem of purity. So Nymphalia may mean equally well the home of the water nymphs and of the water lilies. The water lilies (Nympluca-) are to be cultivated in the THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION 197 pool in this recently acquired territory. Nymphalia abounds in an abundance of widely varied forms of plant and animal life. The real nymphs of the place may be found by any one who will seek them in the right spirit. Their names are Love, Stud)'-, Enthusiasm, Interest and Beauty. If you start with the first as a Guide you will find all the others. "We love things not because they are beautiful, but they are beauti- ful because we love them." The colors of The Agassiz Associa- tion are gold and green — the golden sunshine on the green fields. The floral emblem is the white water lily (Nymphcca). The motto is, "Per naturam ad Deum" — through nature to God. The sign and seal are the Swiss cross. The pennant is of green felt with "The AA" in golden letters. A Faithful Worker in Behalf of Schools Mr. Ossian Lang, after an extended experience with the Teachers Magazine, has resigned his position, and is to pub- MR. OSSIAN LANG. lish The Social Center, meaning the schoolhouse, which he thinks should be used by adults as well as by chil- dren. Mr. Lang has an extended re- putation as a lecturer on various edu- cational and political topics. He has many friends in all parts of the coun- try who will aid him in his new ven- ture. We are sure that he will make successful whatever he undertakes, be- cause he is a thorough lover of schools and of all educational interests, and is a diligent worker in their behalf. His successors on the Teachers Magazine publish an open letter of appreciation, telling of his prolonged and faithful work, and extending to him the best of good wishes. "Why do You go Back?" Two ladies recently called at Arca- dia, and the first thing that attracted their attention as they wandered into the garden was some primitive husk corn. "Why do you grow that?" was their surprised inquiry. It was ex- plained that this kind of corn is nearer to the primitive original than any other of which we have knowledge, that some of it grows the kernels in the tassel and other specimens show the kernel first appearing at the modern place — that is alongside of the stalk. The corn has not yet learned how to dis- card an individual husk for each kernel, and to use one husk for the whole ear. 'Tut why do you go back to that, why don't you experiment with the best modern kinds?" was the inquiry. It is self-evident to our scientific friends, that to understand a subject one must go to the very beginning and study it in all its phases. But the point of view that most surprised us was the persistent inquiry about bringing in wild nature. "Why do you go back to wildness, why don't you study modern things ?" Here was a marked example of a person who could think of nature only as it is adapted to human utilitarian needs. It occurs to us that there may be other would be lovers of nature who ask the same question, and the reply would be, "When you would under- stand any object in nature, study it in all its phases and in its allied forms." That seems self-evident. But we wonder if there is not here a good suggestion for studying your- self. Go back over the course to the most primitive forms of life, and there- in we may better understand what human nature is. The race has climbed the hill to what we call modernism and it is, indeed, refreshing to be able to. congratulate ourselves on the accom- 198 THE GUIDE TO NATURE plishments of mankind, and to survey our present position from the almost dazzling heights of attainment. Then the problem arises, how shall we pro- gress still further. Jt is carefully to go back over the course and ascertain how we reached the present high van- tage ground — in other words, to go back so that we may go forward more effectively. A Noble Sacrifice. BY KIMI-'.R TROTZIG HOWARD, SOUTH DAKOTA. The illustration shows an ordinary potato of last year's growth, and ar- that, with the aid of the monthly ar- ticle on the constellations, "my eyes have been peering as never before into the depths of the heavens." She has learned a large number of constella- tions of which she gives a list. In ad- dition to all this, she is making some careful studies of the milky way, with observations of Saturn. Our member says she joined the AA not because of an}- special scientific knowledge, but because she had a general love for all nature. That is the right attitude. A real love of nature will produce the knowledge. We are pleased with the spirit of this report. The AA has evi- THE NEW POTATO GROWING DIRECTLY FROM THE OLD. tached to it by a short sprout, another new potato. The old potato is utterly devoid of any other larger sprouts with leaves or roots than those shown in the photograph. This specimen was found in the first part of June on a cement floor, in a cellar where it is dark and dry; yet the generous "Murohy" sacri- ficed a large part of its bulk to repro- duce a notato like itself, but much finer in cpiality. The large potato is four inches long; the little one is one and one-quarter inches long and three inches in circumference. dently been helpful in stimulating and producing it. Learning Wild Flowers and Constel- lations. Mrs. E. F. Jenner of Farmington, Connecticut, a new member, sends us an interesting list of thirty wild flowers that she has learned, and also states Danger from Rats. Miss Harriet E. Wilson, Storms town Pennsylvania a member of The Agassi/. Association reports that she- was twice seriously bitten by an in- furiated rat and that it is astonishing what sharp teeth a rat has. She very naturally adds that under the circum- stances she would like to know what rats are good for. Perhans, like some other evils in this world, they are intended to test our ingenuity, or our ability in overcoming obstacles. One who has tried to raise little chickens, will agree that there is nothing that more severely tests one's ingenuity than to protect them from rats. THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION 199 The Arcadia 'Coon. We have a mascot — a young raccoon that we found at Brooksvale, Connec- ticut, while exploring" the roaring brook for photographic purposes. She had opened her eyes only a few days before. She was very small. We found her snugly curled up among the stones. We brought her home in our hands, and fed her with milk from a bottle. Just now she is somewhat past the bot- tle stage, and has entered on the gin- gerbread era. Nothing is quite so heartily welcomed as a piece of ginger- bread, though for steady diet bread will do when the gingerbread desert has been eaten first. Xo other wild animal makes 30 in- teresting a pet as a raccoon. If taken when very young it loses its wild ways and even becomes affectionate. The endless curiosity is always entertain- ing, and the manner in which our 'coon comes out of her cage at night, walks around the lantern carried by the one who brings the food and then explores the tin pans and dishes in that vicinity, is, indeed, almost human-like. Usually it results in knocking some tin from the table to the floor, followed by a scamper to the 'coon home. But soon forgetting the fright out she comes again for another exploring tour. Perhaps we may later have occasion to sav more about this 'coon. She is now developing rapidly, and new traits are manifested almost every day, but we want our readers to share the in- terest in the bottle stage before that era is too long" past, hence the accom- panying pictures. ^^■^r^^ ^^^?^^ 'POSITION'S EVERYTHING"— TWO FAVORITE VARIATIONS. 2O0 THE GUIDE TO NATURE An Assembly Hall is Really on Its Way to Arcadia It appears now very small in perspective ( and prospective) on the dis- tant financial horizon — several hundreds of dollars away. Please apply at least One Dollar (as a "lens") and bring it out a little clearer. Ten Dollars would show motion (and emotion ). Twenty-five Dollars would make it jump hitherward with joy. One Thousand Dollars would land it on the foundation. Eighteen Hundred Dollars would complete it and furnish some chairs for you and your friends to use in enjoyment of some things new to you, that are entertaining and instructive. This building will be under the control of the following Board of Trus- tees for free instruction to the public: BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Corporators: Edward F. Bigelow, Ph. D., Sound Beach, Conn., President and Treasurer; Hon. Homer S. Cumming's, Stamford, Conn., Secretary; Wal- ter D. Daskam, Stamford, Conn. Other Trustees : Harlan H. Ballard, Pitts- field, Mass., Honorary Vice-President ; Hiram E. Deats, Flemington, New Jersey, Business Adviser and Auditor; President David Starr Jordan, Stan- ford University, California, Dean of Council; Dr. Leland O. Howard, Wash- ington, D. C, Naturalist Adviser; Reverend Charles Morris Addison, Stam- ford, Conn. ; George Sherrill, M.D., Stamford, Conn. Contributions Balance from Building Fund of New Arcadia Mr. J. Langeloth, Riverside,. . Mr. Wesley H. Finney, Sound Beach, Mrs. E. Dimon Bird, Green- wich ""Homedale," Greenwich Miss Alice L. Armistead, Stamford, Mrs. Charles M. Joslyn, Hart- ford Miss Belle W. Ferris, Sound Beach Mrs. P. D. Adams, Sound Beach, Miss J. Pinkham, Sound Beach, A Friend, Stamford Mr. William H. Judd, Stam- ford, Mr. C. H. Knapp, Sound Beach, to Agassiz Assembly Hall. Mr. Samuel P. Avery, Hart- $14.59 ford, 25.00 50.00 Miss Helen W. Smith, Stam- ford, 10.00 1. 00 Mrs. C. O. Miller, Stamford, . 10.00 Mr. James W. Brice, Sound 2.00 Beach, 10.00 2.00 ]\rn George A. King, Arling- ton, New Jersey, 2.00 l-°° Mr. Robert Stewart, Sound Beach, 5.00 i.oo ^ Friend, 5.00 Mr. Warren H. Taylor, Stam- T O C "J ford, 10.00 200 Mrs. G. H. Bladworth, Sound Beach, 10.00 IOO Mr. Allan F. Kitchel, Sound 25.00 Beach, 2.00 Mr. W. J. Delap, Stamford, . . 10.00 25.00 Dr. S. Elizabeth Finch, Sound Beach, 10.00 10.00 A Friend, Sound Beach, 5.00 $249.84 THE GUIDE I'JVJV & TO NATURE red . o. i-ict Vol. V. NOVEMBER, 1912 No. 7 DO YOU NEED A "GRINDSTONE?" The Principal of a large private school writes : "This year we have quite a number of younger ones, who, I am glad to say, have not had THE EDGE taken off their love of the "REAL THING." Some of us older ones might well sharpen up "the edge" a little! £» EDWARD F. BIGELOW, Managing Editor PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION, Arcadia: Sound Beach, Conn. Subscription, $1.00 a Year; Single Copy, 10c Entered as Second-Class Matter June 12, 1909, at Sound Beach Post Office, under Act of March 3, 1879 && Gray Brothers Manufacturers of Improved Soda AND Mineral Waters Established 1882 Vichy, Seltzer, Car- bonic Sarsaparilla, XXX Ginger Ale & Lemon Soda : : : Deep Rock Artesian Well Water Used THE PUREST AND BEST Mail Orders receive prompt attention NEW CANAAN, CT. P. O. Box 794 Telephone Call 120 or inquire of your grocer Guaranteed under the Food and Drug Act, June 30, 1906 Serial No. 4755 GREENWICH, CONN. Did it ever occur to you how accessible (with fast electric trains) we are to N. Y. and that you could buy or rent to advantage and enjoy living here on the water or among the hills to the utmost satisfaction? I have for Sale Elegant Country Estates, Shore and Inland Residences, Farms, Acreage, Cottages and Building Sites. Also a number of selected Furnished Residences and Cottages to Rent in all locations. Would be pleased to have you call or write Laurence Timmons Opposite Depot Tel. 456 Greenwich, Conn. BEST NURSERY STOCK EVER GROWN We carry a general line of Nursery Stock, such as; Evergreens, Ornamental Shade trees, weeping trees, all kinds of flowering shrubs, privet, berberry and other hedge plants, trailing and climbing vines, hardy Herb, plants, fruit trees, berry bushes, grape vines, etc. Our stock is grown far apart in Nursery rows, so that each plant gets the full benefit of rain, sunshine, nourishment, etc. Our soil is excellent for growing nur- sery stock and is under high cultivation. We thus insure plants with excellent fibrous roots, strong and healthy, which transplant and grow with ease when properly treated. We shall be glad to show intending purchasers through our nursery, as we think it the proper way to see the stock in nursery rows. Our nursery is located on North Street near the Greenwich Country Club. We have made a specialty of laying out new places and remodeling old ones, as our records from both sides of the Atlantic will show. Training and long experience have taught us to do this work in the most artistic and effective way. Trees, shrubs, flowers and specimens in lawns must be placed so that they will harmonize, give shade where wanted, hiding unsightly places, but leaving vistas and making display of flowers and foliage and other worthy objects. We may here mention our connection with the World's Columbian Exposition, the Brooklyn Park Department, the Arnold Arboretum, Boston, and many private parks in and around Greenwich. GREENWICH NURSERIES DEHN & BERTOLF Props. LANDSCAPE GARDENERS AND NURSERYMEN GREENWICH, CONN. STAMFORD ADVERTISEMENTS Vll 'Building Homes Near To flATORE ESTABLISHED 1853 THE GETMAN & JUDD CO. Lumber and Timber of all Kinds SPECIALTY: High Grade HARDWOOD FLOORING thoroughly KilnDried and stored in Steam heated build- ing until delivered to our customers. Our steadily in- creasing trade in this specialty proves the fact that the country home is not complete until fitted out with this beautiful and sanitary furnishing. Old residences may be greatly impro-ved by laying thin floors over the old ones. CANAL DOCKS, STAMFORD, CONN. Telephone 36. Homes Near to Nature Should be so constructed as to give lasting satisfaction. Our method of manufacturing dependable Infrior and Exterior house trim from thoroughly kiln dried materia' by skilled mechanics insures such satisfaction. THE ST. JOHN WOODWORKING CO. Canal Docks, stamf:rd, Conn. Trie phone "J 8 1 DIRECTORS WALTER FERGUSON, Pres. \V. \V. IIEROY, W. D. DASKAM, Vice Pres. F. H. IIOYT, W. II. JUDD, Sec. and Treas. F. W. ROGARDUS. J. G. WIGG, General Manager. THE United States Government Standardizes SATINA In addiiion to this use of Satina Interior Wall Finish on some of the highest class Business and Office Buildings. Banks, Schools, Churches. Hospitals and Homes, comes the order from the Government SPECIFYING THE USE OF SATINA INTERIOR WALL FINISH ON ALL BUILDINGS UNDER ITS JURISDIC- TION. The B lards of Education of New York and many other cities specify that Satina be used on their buildings. Reasons why you should use Satina ; color cards and literature gladly sent. The Chas. H. Brown Paint Co. 188 Montague St., Brooklyn, N. Y. THE STAMFORD LUMBER CO. LUMBER Sash, Doors, Blinds and Window -Frames WHOLESALE AND RETAIL OFFICE AND YARD, 297 PACIFIC STREET. STAMFORD. CONN. Vlll THE GUIDE TO NATURE A Local Department of Observations and Suggestions, with the "wisdom," not of an owl but of a frog. Appliances for Nature Work and Pleasures. Perhaps the most important func- tion in the mission of this magazine is to disseminate a correct understanding of what nature work is, and secondarily to be a guide in the better performance of the work. Certain errors are deeply imbedded in the general public mind. I recently read in a journal devoted to the keeping of honeybees about the error in reference to artificial honey- comb with honey sealed in it, a blunder that originated some thirty years ago in a newspaper article, that said that a process for placing honey in such comb had been discovered, as well as a method of sealing the cells with a hot flatiron, so as to give the product the appearance of honeycomb perfected in the hive. That journal stated that this erroneous, pernicious statement had cost thousands of dollars in at- tempts to correct the wrong impres- sion. One of our national bee associa- tions offered a prize of a thousand dol- lars for a sample of such honeycomb. That this error was deeply imbedded in the human mind and generally be- lieved, is a trifle when compared with that older and more strongly en- trenched error as to the meaning of studying nature. It appears that cen- turies ago certain members of the in- sect world were used by certain queer people in uncanny experiments in magic, and since that time the study of nature in general popular estimation means the study of bugs. During more recent years, in the renaissance of natural science in our larger institu- tions of learning, there has been dis- seminated another error not quite so prominent but equally difficult to eradi- cate. This is that to study nature means to peer through a microscope and to dissect some plant or animal with a scalpel. Nature has waited many centuries and met with many difficulties in com- ing into her own, but within the last few decades, perhaps within a score of years, she has been steadily and suc- cessfully doing that. Free yourself, O reader, from the traditional errors of the past, and let us tell you plainly and pointedly that what this magazine stands for is not to lead you to become an expert in any department of en- tomology, not an expert with the tools of the laboratory, but to guide you sympathetically to nature in all her charms, attractions and helpfulness. Go to her in your own way, but if you go to her through the chicken yard, you are as much studying birds as you are if you go to her through the field glass, with the object a scarlet tanager at the tonmost tip of a tree. Go to her in your garden, and watch that annual marvel of the unfolding of the plant through the germinating seed till it comes in late year to full mystery of a joyous crop. Go to her through your greenhouse. Enjoy the esthetics of the varying colors and delicious perfumes offered by the triumphs of the modern florist's art. Go to her if you please in the larger forms of cultivated olants that we call agriculture. A cornfield is, if riehtly used and rightly viewed and rigiitly studied, as much a nlacc of inspiration as the tangled thicket. Why in the name of common sense, have we relegated the daisv to the botanist and forgotten the cornstalk' No one who risditly views them does that, but in this clinging", cobAvebbv A LOCAL DEPARTMENT IX superstition of the past there seems to be a popular impression that botany means some rare floweret in some hid- den cranny as it does not. There is no reason why botany should not be studied in the potato field. Isn't that Solatium tuberosum as interesting as the bittersweet, the Solatium nigrum or any other member of that family? Is there any plant in all the domains of nature more interesting" than the many varie- ties of Brassica? Perhaps you know- it under the name of cabbage, turnip, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, rape or cauliflower. The last mentioned mem- ber of the Brassica family has perhaps excited more intellectual interest than its plebian brothers and sisters, because it has been so aptly defined as cabbage with a college education. So if you want to study or to revel in the beau- ties of plants or animals, by whatever name you may call it, if it is only your garden or your field or your conserva- tory, or the equipment of your subur- ban home, then the Mecca of all your interests is the well-equipped store that deals in the various appliances that you will need. Of that kind in this vicinity I know of none more extensive or more attractive and efficient than that of Lockwood & Palmer, Stamford, Connecticut. Would you have a better garden, would you better know your garden's interests? Look at the long list of apparatus that you will need, plows, harrows, wheelbarrows, farm wagons, hoes, rakes, trowels, dibbles, in fact no end of attractive appliances to open up the charms of the plant world under cultivation and observa- tion. Would you revel in beautiful ornithology? Here are innumerable appliances for keeping your feathered pets that we know under the common name of poultry. Do your fourfooted friends comprise pet rabbits, cavies, cats, dogs, cows, oxen, bulls or horses, why of course you will find everything 3rou need at this great and well-equip- ped hardware store. Do you like to tinker around, build buildings and equip them? What better place for every form of tool to delight the worker in wood? If you are building a barn you need an assortment of tools, and do not forget that you are going as di- rectly to nature in building a barn as in building a laboratory, only you are dealing with a different form of animal life and have a different point of view. In your barn you will study the bal- anced relations of the cows, you know what is best adapted to your draft horse or to your trotter. If you are building a laboratory, it will be for the study of the habits and the traits of smaller forms of life. Lockwood & Palmer's well-equipped store is an emporium for better and more effective living near to the heart of nature. In fact you can find here not only the equipments for living near to the heart of nature, but for getting there. Probably there is no other store in all eastern Connecticut better sup- plied with good, comfortable carriages and all sorts of vehicles than is this store. Merely to walk through their carriage department makes one long to take a ride into the suburbs of Long Ridge, or High Ridge, and to seek the wilds of New Canaan or Quaker Ridge. To tell you all this comes within our guidance into the deep recesses of old Mother Nature as much as would the telling where you might buy a tele- scope. Perhaps some one to whom still cling those cobwebs of erroneous tra- dition will ask, Why does a natural his- tory magazine recommend a hardware store? Why not, when from the roof to the cellar what one finds in these many stories are but helps to take you to nature in the way in which you "like to go. If you like nature best in the cornfield and the potato patch, you will certainly find here as much to delight your eye as will the one who admires nature through the vasculum and col- lecting case. Good, intensely good is this modern movement of taking people out of the crowded cities to the country or even to the suburbs. There is more room there, no longer are you crowded into the tiny rooms of a flat, nor in some lit- tle section of a home in the city, but here you have plenty of space in which to spread, and in which you can have the conveniences of a home. If you want to furnish the kitchen, the pantry, the cellar or the back workshop, you go first of all to Lockwood & Palmer's for your supply of good things. That these enterprising proprietors have well served their fellow-men is shown in the {Continued on page xix.) X THE GUIDE TO NATURE * A LOCAL DEPARTMENT XI o o o o o ° J w Q I — ! H fa W J w XII THE GUIDE TO NATURE o O ui C* O 2; o A LOCAL DEPARTMENT Mil W u a i— » e4 p Pi O en < a w H XIV THE GUIDE TO NATURE m 3 w H U A LOCAL DEPARTMENT xv u. U P P o « a, W H < fa O > w > J w o w Pi o Pn XVI THE GUIDE TO NATURE St < o Ph ~ [d a V A LOCAL DEPARTMENT xvii A SECTION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF MACHINERY AND TOOLS FOR THE FARMER. GOODS ARE DELIVERED QUICKLY BY ELECTRICAL POWER. XV111 THE GUIDE TO NATURE IN THE WELL EQUIPPED OFFICES. A LOCAL DEPARTMENT xix ^^H ' imtiif ! r "til k ^ ^BJ 1- CI309I I- HB » 09028^.* _.;'. •'"■«■ i ■ 1 » I •■ * ■***»* Mi * ■■■■■Br 9JPJM1 " WE ARE IN READINESS TO TRANSPORT THE GOODS. remarkable growth of their headquar- ters. Only a few years ago, I am told on good authority, they were doing less business in the entire year than they now do in a single month. What does that mean? It is merely another way of stating that they have been of so good service to so many people who are seeking to better equip their homes or their workshop, their farm, their garden or their greenhouse, that those who have been benefitted by their in- creased activity have spread the wel- come news so that these proprietors must go on and do more and still bet- ter work. This magazine joins with them in its expression of admiration, and says, all hail to such glorious work ! The more plows and hoes and tools thev sell, inasmuch as thev are good ones and a joy to use, the more enthusiastically will our people go into realms of nature, and the more fre- quently our people do that the health- ier, happier, wiser and more enthu- siastic thev will be. Cultivate the habit of out-of-doors. It will bring health to your cheek, zest to your occupations, vigor to your soul. Nature never palls never dissa- points. She will rest you, interest you, invigorate you, inspire you. Her breath is balm, her presence healing. You need take no long journey across the sea, or across the continent, for she is always at hand — often at your very door — awaiting" recognition. XX THE GUIDE TO NATURE Aged One Hundred and Two Years. In our number for January, 191 1, we published an account of Captain William H. Davidson's celebration of his one THE OLDEST AND YOUNGEST AT THE SOL- DIER'S HOME TWO YEARS AGO. hundredth birthday. We reproduce herewith the illustrations that accom- panied that article. Captain Davidson died October 24, in the hospital at Meriden, Connecticut. He would have been one hundred and two years old had he lived until November 26. On the occasion of the celebration of his hundredth anniversary, he preached a sermon in the chapel of the Soldiers' Home at Noroton as shown in the ac- companying illustration. He had served in the Mexican and the Civil war and was formerly a missionary to the Sandwich Islands. He was five feet, nine inches in height, had a flowing beard, was of impressive appearance, and on his birthday seemed to be in perfect health. The officials at the home said that he never complained and practically gave them no trouble. He had been strictly temperate all his life. Education of Boys and Girls. BY PROFESSOR B. J. HORCHEM, "PARK LIFE/' DUBUQUE, IOWA. It is indeed a clamoring indictment of our educational system that in nine cases out of ten, the education of the modern schoolgirl does not prove to her the boon it should ; too often, it is a detriment to her in the life that every woman must or should take up. It is amazing how small a percentage of high school girls study domestic science — I believe it is about three. Yet almost every girl, if she does not cook, must at least supervise the process. Education is life and the boys and girls should be together as much as they must be in later life. Much of the good in boys is inspired by their ad- miration for girls, and in healthful environment and proper safeguard such as "Park Life" affords, the girl has it in her power to do a great work for eood. HE PREACHED A SERMON WHEN HE WAS ONE HUNDRED YEARS OLD. THE PLANT WORLD UNDER CARE 201 Vol Lime V NOVEMBER, 1912 umber The Greatest Plant Value from the Least Land. I have been informed that a pound of iron made into watch-hair springs becomes, in proportion to the weight. THE GINSENG LEAVES AND FRUITING. more valuable than any other thing in the world. This suggested the inquiry as to what plant is the most valuable in proportion to the space that it oc- cupies. Perhaps the first premium Elgin, 111., Sept. 30, 1912. Dear Sir: The number of hairsprings required to weigh a pound varies according to the size of the watch for which they are intended, from 9882 to 125500, the latter figure being the number in a pound of the hairsprings we use in our 10/0-size movement, the diameter of which movement is tne same as that of a nickel 5-cent piece. The value of a pound of these hairsprings Is $50,200.00.— Elgin National Watch Com- pany, Geo. E. Hunter, Superintendent. would be given to orchids if we are to allow greenhouses to compete. Prob- ably no other plant was ever sold for so high a price as the white Cattleya, an orchid, grown by Lager and Hurrell of Summit, New Jersey, and described in the June number of this magazine, and for which the florists received $io,ooo. If one takes into considera- tion the fabulous prices that have been paid for various tulips these bulbs would come well toward the front. But leaving out things that we imoort and grow in greenhouses, undoubtedly the first premium must be given to ginseng. T>ut whether this value depends upon A NEARER VIEW OF THE FRUITING. the plant's benefit to mankind, or whether it is an outcome of supersti- tion, has not yet been demonstrated. Probably the truth as with many other questions, lies in the middle ground. Copyright 1912 by The Agassis Association, Arcadia: Sound Beach, Conn. 202 THE GUIDE TO NATURE Ginseng may have some medicinal value, and it is a good condiment for those who like it, as do the Chinese. But it appears that the Chinese value the plant chiefly on the doctrine of following in the advertising pages in the early part of 1910: Mr. J. K. Bramer, of Onondaga Co., N. Y., sold $4,937.52 worth of dry Ginseng. This was grown on one-eighth of an acre, and had MR. H. R. SMITH OF STAMFORD. CONNECTICUT, IN HIS LITTLE PLOT OF GINSENG. likeness — an optical version of similia, similibus curantur. It is stated that they grade the root in proportion to its likeness to the nude human being. Some of the roots in outline resemble the human figure, but many do not. It is, therefore evident that the Chinese do not depend wholly upon this resem- blance, although it is said that eighteen dollars per pound are given for those which closely resemble the human body. In our advertising pages some re- markable statements have been made which, while true, undoubtedly refer to exceptional cases. As, for example, the been from four to eight years under cultiva- tion. The beds that were dug, as Mr. Bra- mer expressed it, "were not doing as well as they might" and were not the best beds in his garden, and were not dug for the purpose of making a record. The small roots and sets which he cut from the tops of the roots were worth, at the same price per pound a little over $1,000.00. These were set back in the beds which he dug. This makes the total value from one-eighth acre $6,000.00 in round numbers, or $48,000.00 from one acre for the dry root. This statement has been severely criticised by some of our correspon- dents who do not claim that it is un- true, but that it was an exceptional case. We cannot blame an advertiser THE PLANT WORLD UNDER CARE 20 for publishing a record of one of the best sales. It is natural to put the best story at the front. But leaving out all exceptional sales and all exaggeration by unprincipled dealers, the fact re- mains that ginseng" as a money-produc- ing crop is remarkable. Knowing the commercial as well as the botanical interest in the plant when we first began to work in the grounds of the present Arcadia last spring, one of the first things to be sowed was gin- seng seed in Arcadia Grove. Some of these have succeeded well, perhaps as well as could be expected from a somwhat unfavorable location and from inexperience in ginseng culture. In order to get the facts at first-hand from some one with actual, practical experience, I called upon Mr. 11. R. Smith, who resides at the corner of Bedford and Oak Streets, in the thickly settled portion of Stamford, Connec- ticut. He has furnished the specimens from which the accompanying illus- trations were made. I also show Mr. Smith hoeing his crop of ginseng in its limited quarters by his back door. The houses in that part of the town are near together, and the back yards are of the handkerchief kind, but he has shown what can be done in so very re- stricted an area. From a patch about fifteen feet square, he states that he has sold some two hundred dollars' worth of roots, hut this is not an annual income. It takes about six years to produce a crop. Rut it is a satisfac- tion to care for the plant around which there is so much mystery and so much botanical interest, and which, if suc- cessfully grown, brings a fabulous price. Jii the limits of this article, I do not intend to enter into the details of the culture, because these may be readily obtained from the many booklets of the many growers. There seems to be no immediate danger that the price will fall, even if the number of producers be doubled. The demand being so large from China, and the crop being of so slow a growth, it would take a long time to overstock the market. Now that China has become a Republic, perhaps her wealth will so increase, and the Chinese will come so closely in touch with America, that the market will be even better. At any rate, it is a satisfaction for a nature lover to have at least a small bed of ginseng in the back yard. The plant has its intrinsic interest, and it is from that point of view that we call our readers' attention to it. Plenty of Interest in Nature. I was very much interested in your suggestion upon nature study at our Institute and have tried some and find plenty of interest. — Clyde I,. Voress, Sidney. C'hio. A ROOT OF GINSENG, UIOUI.V PRIZED IJY THE CHINESE. 204 THE GUIDE TO NATURE The Patridge Vine. Here is a plant that is unique in the floral world — our little wild wood friend, the partridge vine. In its flowers we see a double floral union to produce one household. THE PARTRIPC.E VINE IN BLOOM. Those familiar with plant biology know that cross fertilization, which most plants strive for, requires the flowers of two separate plants for trie production of seed. This has been called the marriage of the flowers. But here in the partridge vine two complete flowers enter into partnership on the same plant to produce fruit and seed, and the result is our pretty red berry with its double scar in the "blow end." It is a Siamese twin, the offspring of two pairs of parents, and so fused to- gether that even the most skillful botanist cannot distinguish the indivi^ dual children, or discern the double parentage save by the twin scar re- ferred to. It is thus a colony of two and suggests the aggregate colonies of polyps in the animal world. The plant here pictured was found in the deep recesses of a hemlock grove in Ulster County, New York. Under the swaying branches, shut away from the sun, among the brown needles and tiny cones of repeated havests, is the typical home of the partridge vine. Nestling close to the ground it forms a carpet of exquisite verdure exactly in keening with the dark canony of the hemlocks, and the berries, a vivid and living red, lie among the glossy leaves like jewels, often so thickly set as fairly to crowd and jostle one another in a riotous ef- fort to add brightness and cheer to the forest's austere and sombre grandeur. Our little plant was taken up by loving- hands with enough of its own soil to THE TWIN FLOWERS OF THE PARTRIPGE VINE. THE PLANT WORLD UNDER CARE 205 nourish it, and was transported to Ar- cadia. Here in a disused aquarium it goes on living its brave, cheerful life, marking the seasons with bloom and ing off a branch into which nearly all the fibro-vascular bundles enter, thus causing the branch truly to become the trunk, and the original trunk to atrophy fruitage. A New Example of Sympodial Growth. BY EMILY PALMER CAPE, STAMFORD, CONN. I was once taking a walk along Sum- mer Street, Stamford, Connecticut, and turning the first country road to the west, I found a bridge under which ran a winding stream. Noticing a nar- row footpath by the water's edge, I wandered along to see where it might lead. Walking slowly I saw manj beautiful birds and wild flowers, then a great bed of sumac (Rhus glabra) stopped my path, it grew so thickly. Studying it as I pushed my way along, I suddenly stood still for I saw that this sumac was sympodial. The depth of enthusiasm I felt in my discovery will be explained, when I mention that as long ago as 1907 Dr. Lester F. Ward wrote to Science ask- ing for the names of plants, other than the vine and the linden, having the sympodial mode of growth. In all these years the scientific world had never mentioned having found any. Thus to find this new example was a real de- light to me. A few words as to the meaning of sympodial growth will be appreciated by those who may not be familiar with it. The development of life in all its forms has interested thinking minds for ages. Darwin's law of evolution often means to the masses only the ris- ing from a lower to a higher stage of existence, but the how is seldom thought much about. To those who have the prevailing idea that evolution signifies a monopodial or simply arbo- rescent, development, this subject may have a special interest. The science of botany gives the general conception of monopodial growth or that in which the main trunk gives subordinate stems or branches and thus diminishing in size till it terminates in a slender twig. This is the type that all are acquainted with, and of which they think when the arborescent character of organic de- velopment is mentioned. Now sympo- dial branching shows us the main trunk rising to a certain height and then giv- A SPECIMEN OF SUMAC SHOWING SYMPODIAL DEVELOPMENT. Drawing by Emily Palmer Cape. and disappear all but a small end. This large branch at length in turn sends off another branch, and the first one is 206 THE GUIDE TO NATURE sacrificed as was the original trunk be- fore, to the fuller development of the tree, or vine, or bush. The examples usually given illustrating' sympodial development are : the grapevine, and the linden tree for the zigzag or con- cinnate type, and the forget-me-not and other borage plants for the bostrycoid type. Thus walking through the country, and discovering that the sumac is sym- podial, made me feel that joy and en- thusiasm with which the knowledge of a new fact in any department of na- ture always fills the happy finder. I have made a drawing of a specimen collected on the above mentioned oc- casion, of Rims glabra, the only species to be found about Stamford, Connec- ticut, illustrating the sympodial mode of growth. When I informed Dr. Ward of my discovery he was greatly interested and desired to know whether other species of the genus Rhus had the same habit, and he has since visited Washington, D. C, in order to study the sumac in that vicinity, his old stamping ground for botany for so many years. He has found that all the three other species there, Rhus typhina, R. Capallina, and R. vernix, grow according to the sympo- dial law. I quote an interesting paragraph from Dr. Wrard's Pure Sociology, p. 75, "Each successive sympode possesses attributes which enable it better to resist the environment and therefore constitutes a form of development of structural advance so that the entire process is one of true evolution, and has culminated in the great class of dicotyledonous exogenous plants which now dominate the vegetable kingdom." It is most interesting to follow Dr. Ward's splendid application of this law into human history. Here we find a parallel. "We may look upon human races as so many trunks and branches of what may be called the sociological tree." Pure Sociology, p. 76. The sumac seems to offer the finest example of sympodial growth known. So strong and well developed is each sympode that it can be very quickly determined. Those who wish to look further into the study of sympodial development, I refer to Lester F. Ward's Pure Sociology, pp. 71-79. If any reader of The Guide to Na- ture should happen to discover any other examples of sympodial develop- ment in nature, during their walks, I hope they will send an account of it to the managing editor, Dr. Bigelow, who is doing so much to spread knowledge that is worth while. The Columbine for National Flower. Pittsfield, Massachusets. To the Editor : "Suburban Life" has this about the columbine: "It is derived from the Latin, columba, a dove, and is emble- matic of peace. Another account says is is from aquila, an eagle, the symbolic crest of America." I find that, "The claim of the colum- bine to become the national flower has been pressed since 1896 by the Colum- bine Association of Boston ; for these reasons: (1) it is wild 1(2) it is com- monly diffused ; (3) it has decorative value; (4) it suggests Columbus; (5) it symbolizes the dove, or peace ; (6) also, the eagle, or power; (7) its spurs, the Liberty Cap ; (8) its compound leaves exemplify the Federal motto, B pluribus unum." Its scientific name is Aguilcgia vul- garis, and it comes to me (what I have not seen mentioned elsewhere) that it combines most beautifully the ideas of peace and power represented on the obverse of our democratic American coins — the eagle, bearing in its beak the legend, B pluribus unum, and in one of its talons the sheaf of arrows, and the other the olive branch of peace. Truly yours, and with congratula- tions on the growing excellence of The Guide to Nature. Addison Ballard. THE HEAVENS FOR DECEMBER 207 The Heavens in December. BY PROF.. ERIC DOOUTTLK OE Till- UNI- VERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. The most interesting- object in the heavens this month is undoubtedly the beautiful planet Venus, which with its extraordinary brightness and the rapi- dity with which it climbs up through the evening sky, will at once attract the attention of every observer. For many weeks we have seen this silvery-white world shining out in the southwest just after sunset, and throughout this time it was easy to see that it was drawing rapidly eastward from the sun. On November 7 it passed Jupiter in its eastward motion ; in less than a week the apparent distance between the two worlds had increased to eight degrees and by the end of the month they were not less than twenty-five degrees apart. But all this time the brighter planet was moving rapidly southward among the stars, so that we saw it set con- tinually farther and farther toward the south point of the horizon. On Novem- ber 20 it had reached a position more than twenty-five degrees below the celestial equator, which is nearly two degrees lower than our sun ever gets in the sky, but after this date it began to move slowly northward again. THE PLANET VENUS. During the first days of December Venus will be seen shining in the southwest for more than two hours after sunset, while by the end of the month it will not set until three and one-half hours after sunset. At this time during the early evening hours it will be high in the evening sky, where it will pour out 25 times as much light as the planet Saturn and exceed by more than 2\ times the brightness of Vega, which is our brightest north- ern star. In the telescope Venus now has the appearance of a bright little moon, slightly more than half full. The round edge of the ball is very brilliant ; as we approach the line which sepa- rates the day side from the night side of tlie planet the surface becomes much darker. Yet it is universally recog- nized that this world is always sur- rounded by so dense an atmosphere that we have never been able to pene- trate with our telescopes to the solid ground below. If there are any living- creatures on this world it is doubtful whether they ever see the sun or stars, for their skies are always cloudy. All apparent markings which have hitherto been observed on Venus are almost certainly merely cloud forma- tions. Yet Venus is of the highest interest to us because it is more nearly in the condition of our earth than any other heavenly body of which we have any knowledge. It'is of almost exactly the same size, it is nearly of the same weight, and most important of all, it has a heavy and wet atmosphere, which it is reasonable to suppose is warmer than our own. It is not impossible that the seas and lands of this tropic world are swarming with life, but of this we are, of course, by no means certain. THE DECEMBER STARS. Though the presence of the beautiful Venus leads us to turn first to the wes- tern heavens, there is much in the op- posite part of the sky to attract our at- tention. Here, for the first time since last winter, we see the bright Dog- Stars just emerging from the ground, while the very brilliant winter groups of Orion, the Twins and the Bull are shining high above them. The Greater Dog Star, Sirius, a winter star and the brightest star of the entire heavens, al- ways enters our sky just as the bright summer star, Vega, is leaving it. This month for a few weeks we may see both of these stars in the evening heavens together. The Lesser Dog Star, Procyon, is farther away from us than Sirius, and nearly twice as large; the light of 208 THE GUIDE TO NATURE Sirius occupies sixteen years in mak- ing its long journey to us, while that with which we view Proc}^on left the sur- face of that distant sun no less than twenty-six years ago. Each of the Dog Stars is attended by a darker sun which revolves around it. From the study of the motions of these we learn that Sirius is three times as large and forty times brighter than our own sun, while Procyon is nearly twice as large as Sirius. When we remember that our earth is only one-millionth part as large as our sun, we realize that the stupendous size of these wonderful sys- trologers it was known as the Dark Sign, and its influence was considered particularly unfortunate. To the Chal- deans it was known as the Gate of Men, —the region of the stars through which when men were born their souls de- scended in their passage from Heaven to the earth. Its most interesting ob- ject in a small telescope is the striking cluster of stars at A, Figures I and 2, which appears to the eye as a faint cloud of light, but in a very small tele- scope is readily seen to be composed of about 150 stars crowded closely to- gether. NORTH 5DUTH Figure 1. The Constellations at 9 P .M., December 1. (If facing east, hold "East" below; if facing west, hold "West" below. If facing south, hold the map upright; if facing north, hold the map inverted.) terns is truly inconceivable. It should be added that both of the darker atten- dants to the Dog Stars were discovered from a mathematical discussion of the positions of their primaries many years before they were ever seen in any telescone. North of Procyon and below the twins there may now be seen the most interesting constellation of the Crab. This is the faintest of all the constel- lations of the zodiac, so that to the as- The very slowly moving, far-distant planet Neptune is now just entering the borders of Cancer and has there- fore again been brought into our even- ing sky. As this outermost known member of our sun's family of worlds occupies 165 of our years in passing around the heavens, its motion among the stars is very slow. As will be seen from Figure 2, it has during the past three years moved but a short distance toward the border of Gemini. Nep- THE HEAVENS FOR DECEMBER 209 tune is too faint to be seen with the naked eye. In the telescope it appears as a small, greenish disc on which no markings can be seen, attended by a single satellite which is of almost ex- actly the same size as our own moon and at almost the same distance away from its planet. But the planet itseli is a ball of heated vapor no less than 35,000 miles in diameter and is there- fore a very different world from our. THE NEW COMETS. The first comet of the year was dis- covered toward the close of Septem- ber, at which time it was far below the was discovered in the constellation Sextans, a little west of the brightest star of the Lion, which is now a con- stellation of the morning sky. This object is moving rapidly southward and is not now visible in northern latitudes. Computations indicate that it is iden- tical with a comet first seen in 1790 and again discovered in 1858, and whose return was looked for toward the close of the present year. These are the only new comets of the present year. It is quite unusual for so many months to pass without our being favored with at least a few of these celestial visitors. \/La ,-- © /*/ y '• \ a \ • -* •9 1 • • •J a 9s • • • 1 • i • / - — — — ^ • • „•" "*-»-.«. Figure 2. The square of Figure 1 enlarged to show the motion and present position of the planet Neptune. equator in the southern sky. Since this time it has been moving almost exactly northward among the stars, and throughout December will be visible low in the northwest. The comet is a faint, telescopic object and it will con- tinually grow fainter because it is re- ceding both from the sun and from the earth. When brightest it was seen to have a diffuse head, of an apparent diameter about one-sixth that of the moon, and a faint, slender tail. On October 18 a second faint comet THE PEANETS IN DECEMBER. Mercury enters the morning sky on December 8 and reaches its greatest distance west of the sun on December 28. At the latter date an unusually fav- orable oppoitunity will be afforded for viewing it, for it will then rise in the east more than one hour and a half be- fore sunrise. Venus will be seen shining most con- spicuously in the southwestern sky in the early evenings throughout the month. 2IO THE GUIDE TO NATURE j&m $& ^^s^^e ;^^*&r&^ The Western Harvesting Ants. BY SARI, I(YNU JOHNSTON, FORT LUPTON, COLORADO. On the dry and level treeless plains, whose monotony is seldom broken, the sight of which seems to so many people tiresome, the hills of these ants dot the landscape so abundantly in many places that the most inattentive person's eye must stop and rest upon them if only just for a glance. My first glimpse of the western prairies also brought to me my first view of the homes of these ants. With the piles of earth our eastern species of ants threw up I was familiar ; but such ant hills I had never seen be- circumference and cleared of all vegeta- tion. The hills are from eighteen to thirty inches high and perfect cones save on one side where, frequently, the base- is elongated making an ellipse, or wdierc a small depression as though a saucer had been sunk in it and the im- print had remained. In the center of this, which is one to four inches deep, is the entrance to the nest. In looking- at one hundred of these nests I found all of them shaped like the above and ninety-nine of them with the entrance on the south, east or southeast. When the cold days of fall arrive one may see the ants busily engaged in A PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDY OF ANT MOUNDS. fore. diev and a dow. As soon as near Greeley, one of these were large and prominent ooked white from the car win- I conld, after arriving Colorado, 1 examined nils more closely and found that their prominence was due to the fact that they were a graveled covered hill in the midst of a circular piece of ground, eight to fifteen feet in inspecting their nests. They carry gra- vel and otherwise fix it up for the win- ter. At this season of the year, fre- quently, near the base one may see a layer of chaff which is the refuse from seeds stored for the winter. The hills an more numerous in some sections than in others. 1 do not know what governs this. T can venture a guess that the lower level portions of THE INTEREST IN INSECTS 21 L our plains will have more than the higher lands. I have been out in the sand hills and have only seen a few ant hills. Not far from the Platte river in one spot of about an acre I counted two hundred ol them. Their conical shapes, quite pointed on the top are rather remarkable in looks. However, I have seen one or two where evidently two colonies have built so closely together that their homes united and made a long' nest. The one in the photograph being nearly six feet long and thirty six inches wide at the base the crest being a thin a\ge and twenty eight inches from the ground. What memorials these are to indus- try ! What monuments are they to ceaseless toil ! AVhat evolutionary his- tory is hidden within these quartz covered mounds! Could we but pull aside the veil and glance back across the eons of the past we would in all prob- ability see the time when the lineage of these ants lived individually and in holes in the ground and not in mounds. Each one of these mounds with its six to twelve thousand inhabitants is a question mark beckoning every nature student on to fields unknown where only meager answers can be had. Yet, may we not allow ourselves great freedom in our conjectures? We can- not put it aside and say it just happened. The "why" must be answered and a conjecture or two will perhaps be inter- esting. The cone-shaped hills of course are to shed water which we don't have much of out here. It also serves to keep the nest thoroughly warm and dry. The fact that the entrance is found where it A SECTION OF THE INTERIOR OF AN MOUND. ANT is and seldom on the north or west is to secure the rays of the early morning- sun to warm up the eggs, larvae and pupae which are regularly brought near the surface by the caretakers of the ants nursery. The gravel covering of the hill enables it to withstand the heavy winds of our semi-arid plains. The cleared portion around the nest is for further protection against enemies or perhaps to allow the sun a better chance to get to the nests. More interesting than their homes are the ants themselves. J have sat and watched them build their homes, remove weeds, carry seeds and have <* A HUGE AND LONG ANT IIIIJ.. 212 THE GUIDE TO NATURE wondered how they accomplished so much. Never have I seen any concert- ed action among them. One ant picks up a piece of gravel too large to carry ; does another come to help? Not he. Everyone works individually and yet they all live in a communistic colony. What a mecca for an anarchist, every- one does as he pleases. No ruler to rule ; no boss to give orders. Yet every- thing goes on toward the one great end ; a substantial home and an abundant storehouse. I have, as I sat, wondered what master mind planned it all. Can we really be sure there are no over- seers? May in: each worker get "sealed orders" at night for the day's work? A hundred ants may be near the en- trance when a worker conies home dragging a load too big to carry up the side to the door. Yet there is no one that feels enough responsibility to help, much less to give a command. The load carrier may lay it down for a mo- ment, either to rest or to look around and then comes the funny part, another ant grabs hold and starts away but by this time the original owner returns and if he finds it, grabs hold too and then begins a tug-of-war, neither getting any where for they pull in opposite direc- tions. Nothing is accomplished until one or the other gives up. The two ants could take the load up to the entrance with ease but it has to be done by one if at all. Down deep in these tunnels in the earth has, somehow, been worked out a plan of housekeeping unequaled any- where else in the animal world. Little beings from one-eighth to three-eighths of an inch long by sheer manual labor have made a house of collossal pro- portion to theii size. I say by manual labor alone for it seems to me that there is no brain work. Of course the plan of the nest represents great inge- nuity and brain work if it was made at one time. It was probably done in the remote past through an evolutionary rather than a thought process. I can- not conceive of any animal great or small which now shows such a lack of brains, making a plan for a dwelling containing rooms and halls with arched ceilings and winding stairways con- necting floor with floor. Yet that is what we find in these nests and below the surface for some eight feet. An ant picks up a pebble, starts, perhaps in the direction of his home but quite often in an opposite direction. If he comes to a weed, stick, stone or other hindrance instead of going around it he simply climbs over it load and all. When he gets it to the base of the nest he fre- quently has to stop, if it is large, leave it there for there is no one to help him take it up the steep sides. Again he may drop it along the side of the nest and then, I have seen what seems to me to be gleams of intelligence. He looks the load over carefully, walks around it and then, in many cases, grasps it and goes to the top and puts it there to roll down and find its own resting place. I believe their hills are covered, in the main, in this manner. When they are carrying seeds to their homes they will pick up a seed, covering and all and carry it home and then hull it after it has been placed in the gran- eries and bring the hulls out again. More brain work would mean less labor here. I have often wondered how they managed to clear the space around their homes so completely of vegetation. I have never observed them at this work- to any great extent. What I have seen has revealed many little traits that caused me to wonder. An ant will work at trying to cut down a large weed, for nothing must grow within a given ra- dius, for a while and then scamper off and no more would be seen of her (all the workers are females). This action will bring up many questions but why take space to ask them? Once I picked a little hardworking member up and he said "let me go" in a very forcible man- ner. He grabbed me with his jaws and then set his body to working in such a way as to give me a sharp sting every tenth of a second. No wonder he can cut down weeds and grass and drive away all enemies for he has two stout jaws each with seven teeth and a sharp stinger. Would that I could see within the home ! What little I have to tell I have had to piece little bits of information gathered from time to time, together. By carefully removing the inch or so of gravel we come to the soil which has been brought up in the process of mak- ing the galleries upon galleries we find there. Inside of the saucer-shaped opening, that is just underneath the outer surface, of a morning in the sum- THE INTEREST IN INSECTS 21 mer and fall we find the eggs, larvae and pupae brought out here for air and the morning sun I suppose. Do the ant nur- ses, for such there must be, work under the command of a head nurse or is the same independent, erratic course per- sued within as without? Who tends to the granaries for I have seen a seed brought by an ant turned over to an- other at the door of the home. More often the seed and its carrier tumble in pell-mell and T suppose land on the first floor. When are the seeds hulled and the refuse brought out? My observa- tion would lead me to believe that be- fore each winter this is done. Yet, who can tell? May not the hulls brought out in the fall be the remains of the previous store hulled as eaten? All one can say for sure is, hull and seed are ants do the work and if a storm is rap- idly approaching more ants are busily engaged at it. Who ordered out the extra force? They do their work well for one can scarcely find the opening* when they have completed the closing task. Many of them are often found long distances from home ; although they are satisfied to fill their storehouses with such seeds as grow on the plants immediately surrounding their dwell- ings. Unable to see over even the smallest object they must have a sense of direction that guides them at all times. The cool days of fall bring less and less activity to these busy little creat- ures; fewer are seen out side, and most of them are fixing up their habitation. Cooler days and they become scarcer, SOME SEEDS FOUND IN A MOUND OF THE HARVESTING ANTS. taken in at the time they are gathered. Wrho controls the coming and go- ing of the ants? Who is there time- keeper? About eight or nine in the morning one can see them opening the doors, which are always shut at night- fall and when it storms, and issuing forth for the day's work. At noon, if the day is hot, they return to the nest and take a two or three hours' rest ; if it is cool and cloudy no cessation of work occurs. Wise creatures are they. Another thing in their favor they are always home when the doors are shut at nights. When the night closing comes a few one here and there filling in the saucer- like opening; then none at all. All is quiet; they are more or less dormant, eating when not too cold, awaiting an- other era of activity. The hill stands amidst its bleak surroundings a silent tomb of unanswered questions. They have worked hard and have earned their rest, although they "Have no ruler or guide or overseer, yet they have provided their meat in the summer and gathered their food in the harvest." The next time a reader travels across the plains and sees these mounds may 214 THE GUIDE TO NATURE he be tempted to stop and enquire into the life of these very small members of the animal world and he will truly find that they are rightfully named "Wes- tern Harvesting Ants." (Dr. McCook calls them the accident .ants.— E.F.B.) The Vigilance of a Digger Wasp. BY S. P. AARON, SECANE, PA. During the past summer I ran across an old acquaintance, the big digger wasp with the golden thorax. I have been quite unable to determine the GOLDEN BACK WASP ATTACKING A SMALL TRESPASSING BUMBLE BEE. specific name of this was]). It is a fine, large species and very handsome. The female is as long in body as the largest, long-waisted Ammophila and as heavy as a paper nest hornet, with an abdo- men lacking the long petiole. I do not know the male, although the spe- cies is not uncommon in the South. It is most closely allied to Pompilius and Pepsis. Almost as large as the sand- hill hornet, (Sphecius speciosus) and even more striking in appearance it seems strange that her biography ami picture are not given in the books, for such is the case. So we shall call her the golden backed digger and trust that students may know or discover her name, possibly among the rarities. The digging habit of the golden back is not unlike that of the Western tor- nado wasp (Pompilus quinquenotatu's) of which the Peckhams wrote so fully and interestingly. She goes at her work like a sizable whirlwind, throwing the sand and gravel behind her in almost a steady stream, enough to make one's finger nails ache in sympathy, and it is small wonder that her claws do not wear out long before the large hole, easily three-fourths of an inch in di- ameter, is completed. It was in the sandy stretches of Southern New Jer- sey that I watched her at work, within a spot more than a yard in extent and bare of vegetation except a few dwarf daisy fieabane plants. When the burrow was completed and she had entered it and backed out more than a dozen times without carrying a mite of dirt she made a bee-line for some chosen hunt- ing ground and in a few minutes re- turned carrying something in her strong jaws, something not large ana that had legs drawn up closely in death, but try as I would I was not able to ascertain the nature of this cap- ture, although I half believe it was a spider. I had hoped something better of her than this; a creature of such furious energy and formidable propor- tions should have captured something like a powerful katydid, a giant horse- ilv, a big hairy-legged lycosid spider or at least shown herself something of a St. Georgiana and overcome a spiny dragon-like caterpillar whereon to feed her baby wasps. However, she did not lack courage as events proved. After having made this first capture, which may have been a mere tidbit for her offspring, she rested awhile and care- fully groomed herself, passing her legs over the entire surface of wings and bodv and comically cocking her head at all angles during the operation of clean- ins" her antennae. Then she began a careful inspection of the immediate premises within two or three feet of her digging and examined ever)7 bit of gravel, every plant stalk and every inequality of ground, going through this undertaking with the utmost dis- patch and hurrying back to the hole every few seconds, using her wings in part to add speed to her long legs. Now and then she dived into the bur- row and backed out again, sometimes two or three times in quick succession as if quite undecided that everything was all right. The motive for all this is what? Evidently Nature's evolu- tionary method of teaching her race to spy out and guard against the per- sistent and numerous parasitic enemies, such as Chrysis, Chalcis, Trypoxilon, species of Bombex and perhaps Ich- neumon and Braconid flies that will seek to enter the nest during her ab- sence and deposit an egg therein that will hatch before her own and destroy the maggot-like baby golden backs. THE INTEREST IN INSECTS 21 THE GOLDEN HACK WASP AT THE MOU HKR BURROW. OF This was pretty clearly illustrated by an incident witnessed just before I caught my train. A bumble bee, (Bombus fervidus) was very busy gathering honev from the small How- ers. Innocent of purpose and quite unguarded it flew direct]}- to a spray that branched above the wasp's bur- row and the golden back, nut having a concise knowledge of entomology or the habits of her own near cousins. darted upon the bee forthwith, bring- ing it to the ground, where a short and terrific struggle took place. Jt was difficult to follow the methods oi attack and defense practised by both contes- tants. The}- used both jaws and stings. the latter evidently of little avail against the hard chitinous armor of which all the adult Hymenoptera arc possessed, but evidently the jaws did some damage for the bee struggled loose and with a wing much torn flew clumsily away to a plant near, where it rested. Its body was perhaps other- wise considerably bruised and battered. The wasp was as lively as before and had sustained no injur}- ; its activities quite overmatched the heavy bumble- bee. I left it still patrolling the region of its burrow, evidently from its late encounter determined to be more vigi- lant than ever. I wonder if it ever relaxed its watchfulness against real and supposed enemies long enough to go upon another foray for its chosen victims. "The year is dying, and the trees let fall W ith gentle lapse their faded leaves ; Sheeting the ground as with a funeral pali. Sombre and sad." Their First Experience With Bees. When Mr. Schoonhoven, the well- known biologist of Brooklyn, made his visit to Arcadia, about which he wrote the extended appreciation that was published in the September number of The Guide to Nature, he was accom- panied by his wife and son, both of whom manifested great interest in the apiary. It appears that both of them, in common with most other people, possess an abnormal fear of honeybees. Now it is true and not true that there is reason for this fear, as previously ex- plained. Bees can make a serious at- tack upon persons, horses and various other forms of animal life, but not un- like human beings the}' usually give us what we give them. If one is kind and gentle, they reciprocate in the same spirit ; if one is harsh and shows fight, they are usually ready to fight and they come out as winners. The accompany- ing illustration shows Mrs. Schoon- hoven and her son having their first experience in getting acquainted with honeybees. Observe that they used neither veil or gloves. I am inclined to think that a kindly feeling towards these insects is a bet- ter protection than gloves or veil, and yet I am perfectly willing to admit that AIRS. T. T. SCHOONHOVEN AND SON. GEORGE o. SCHOONHOVEN. there are times when the kindly feeling is of no avail. Just as with people, kindness and good wdl bring back the equivalent — except sometimes ! 2l6 THE GUIDE TO NATURE X> What is Dust? I was busy at work in the laboratory. Needing something from my bedroom in the residence near by, I went over to get it, and found Airs. Bigelow and the maid "putting tilings to rights," by sweeping and dusting. "It is surprising," said Mrs. Bigelow, "how soon these tiny white rolls will accumulate. I wonder where they come from and what they are." Here was a suggestion. I gathered a few of the rolls, and took them to the laboratory. Upon examining them under a compound microscope I found that they were composed of compara- tively long and slender white fibers. Very few, if any, dark fibers could be found. It appears that these are cotton fibers and are probably mostly from the sheets of the bed, though I cannot believe they come wholly from them. Some appeared to be from dark colored clothing, but they had become whitened by wear in the same sense that the weather-beaten fibers of a dark fence rail or board becomes whitened as they arp roughed up and beaten from the wood. In a few cases I found fibers that were dark in color hut, as is familiar to everyone, the lit- tle rolls of dust that accumulate in the nooks and corners of the room are in- variably white. It makes no difference what are the colors of the clothes within the room, these fibers beaten off from those clothes show the white mark of age so common not only with human beings but with aged fence rails. In order to examine these dust fibers under the microscope I had occasion- to take a glass slip that was lying by the miscroscope on a shelf under the- window. 1 started to wipe off that slip with a bit of cloth, after having breathed on it so that the dust fibers- might adhere to the condensed mois- ture. Then it occurred to me that perhaps the dust on that slip might be as interesting as the rolls that had been taken from the bouse. Placing it under the miscroscope, T was surprised to find that with strong reflected light, it had the appearance of a bed of cinders, and such it reallv was, although the A PHOTOMICROGRAPH OF A FUZZY ROLL FROM THE FLOOR UNDER A BED. THE CAMERA 217 HOW THE CAMERA SHOWS THAT RAILROAD DUST IS TINY CINDERS. cinders were microscopic. Tins accu- mulation of dust came from the rail- road about forty rods away and was formed in the winter, when the win- dows on that side of the laboratory are closed. The dust was fine enough to float in the air and to work itself into the room with the currents of air that were working- in through the spaces around the windows. If the air forty rods from the railroad is thus filled with microscopic cinders, it makes one wonder what must be the condition of the air in the railroad station, and also how far from the track the cinder dust may be carried. This would be an interesting" field for investigation by one who has time to make a study of such accumulated dust at various dis- tances from a railroad. At any rate, I found by careful examination under the microscope that as is here shown in the photomicrograph the structure ot the microscopic cinders was prac- tically the same as the structure of such cinders as would be delivered by the wag-on load for making walks or for grading. These investigations suggested one more trial. I went to the book shelves in another room and there searched for a volume that had been the longest un- used. I coated a glass slip with a very thin layer of mucilage and touched this against the dusty edge of the book. Placing it under the microscope I found that the deposit was composed of characteristic white fibers similar to those from the bedroom, but not so long and evidently to a large extent of the fibers of wood. It seems that the floor must wear away under con- stant use and the tramping of many feet, and that the tiny particles of wood thus rasped oft* are much the same as those pulled from old fence rails by hornets for paper making. These short fibers of wood from the floor float in the air and settle wherever they find a lodging place. Mingled with these, are occasionally the fibers of cloth, but basis is made up mostly of very fine soil. This seems to be ordinary soil that has been brought in on the shoes, and pulverized so fine on the floor that the unseen and unnoticed currents of air carry it in all directions. When one sees a ray of light in a darkened room, he is astonished be- cause the air contains such myriads of floating particles, but the light that they reflect shows them plainly and the microscope applied to the accu- mulated dust in that room will reveal the character of the material there floating and deposited. Nature has evidently realized this condition of things, and in the structure of our nos- trils by the mucous coating and by the sieve of hairs at the entrance, has made an effort to prevent at least a portion of these irritating- and possibly patho- genic particles from getting into our lungs. Here certainly is a valid argu- ment for the perfect cleanliness of a room, and for wiping the floor with a wet cloth or with some of the commer- 218 THE GUIDE TO NATURE cial preparations, rather than depend- ing too much on the broom. The more one thinks of our aerial enemies, which are always present in innumerable forms of both organic and of inorganic matter, and the more one realizes the dangers of an exposure, for even a brief period, to cultural material on which bacteria may be advancing toward a protuse harvest, the more con- with heavy foliage, in late autumn, with bare limbs, and in winter with those boughs clothed in snow or sleet. Pictures never lose their interest, but always satisfy, and the owner is truly and deservedly proud to exhibit them, unconsciously and naturally giving them the best and most prominent position on the walls or in the album where they bring back, whenever look- , *&*&*■ ¥ -%. ■* *" . , vw DUST ON A LONG UNUSED VOLUME FROM THE BOOK SHELVES. fident may one feel that good old mother nature has done her best to prepare us all with sufficient energy and with the proper facilities for con- tending against these enemies. We may come off conquerors over most of these invisible foes, if we cultivate sufficiently our natural power of ob- servation by study and by experiment, and have energy and perseverance to practice what we learn. Mother na- ture may be a somewhat subtle per- sonage, but she will help us to help ourselves if we will allow her to do so. ed at, no matter how many years after, happy recollections and fond remem- brances. An Interesting Bat. Mr. J. Willis Young, of Greenwich Avenue, Stamford Connecticut, re- cently contributed to Arcadia a live bat of extremely interesting appear- ance with unusually well-shaped mouth and ears. It is not the common red bat found almost everywhere, but is the so-called silver haired bat, L,asionycteris noctivagans. Good Words for Photographers. BY W. D. KVLE, FORT WAYNE, INDIANA. They are little things to amuse, or interest or mystify one's friends. The supreme or fundamental object should be, or, rather, the result wall be, a close study and close approach to "Nature in all her glorious moods." A true nature lover never tires of studying and talking pictures, at different sea- sons of the year, of even the same scene, some favorite view, a bit of river, a cozy alcove or bayou in a wood sur- rounded lake perhaps in the spring with leaves half out, again in summer LITERARY NOTES 219 IlTERARY BIOGRAPHICAL Agriculture in The Public Schools. By Les- ter S. Ivins, M. S. 208-212 Wright Ave- nue, Lebanon, Ohio: March Brothers. This is an interesting handbook especially adapted to the schools of Ohio, but sugges- tive and helpful, in many respects, in other places wherever the interests of the farm are taught to the young people. The price is thirty-five cents. tions, can easily be performed wtih simple apparatus. House-Flies and How Tliey Spread Disease. By C. G. Hewitt, D. Sc. New York City: G. P. Putnam's Sons. Here is a convenient little handbook on the well-known insect pest. We had sup- posed that the general public could appre- <4 P*\ IfS^ TURRET OF LYCOSA CAROLINENSIS. From "The Spider Book." The Evolution of Worlds. By Percival Lowell, A. B., LL. D. New York: The Macmillan Company. This is a collection of university courses of lectures before the Massachusetts Institute of Technology but it contains a vast amount of interest for the general reader. Clark's Laboratory Manual in General Science. By Bertha M. Clark, Ph. D. Head of Science Department, William Penn High School for Girls, Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania. New York and Chi- cago : American Book Company. In this Manual eighty-nine experiments are presented, which are designed to make the pupil familiar with some of the facts and theories of general science. The experi- ments, which are accompanied by full direc- ciate entomology from the economic and uti- litarian point of view, even if not from that of pure science, but the author tells in his preface that he had troubles of his own in investigating the subject. He says: "The educational work necessary is not easy; it is often discouraging. Early in my work the editor of a well-known London weekly journal recommended my incarcera- tion in a lunatic asylum, and another eminent medical man suggested that had I pro- pounded such doctrines a few years ago a commission might have been appointed to inquire into the state of my mind. But it is ever so, and that stage in the history of this doctrine is past. The hostile period is practically over; the indifferent and apathe- tic period is waning. People can avoid hypo- theses but they cannot escape facts." 220 THE GUIDE TO NATURE The Book of Grasses. By Mary Evans Francis. Garden City, New York: Doubleday Page & Company. This is the first book written for the ama- teur which takes up in a simple yet com- prehensive way the common and rare species of grass. The work is thoroughly scientific in its treatment without being forbidding or dull. The author has a vast amount of most interesting matter and the layman is aston- ished in reading Miss Francis's volume to discover a wealth of beauty and variety in what is oftentimes regarded as a rather un- attractive side of nature. By John Henry Comstock. New York: Doubleday Tlie Spider Book. Garden City, Page & Company. The Spider Book, by John Henry Comstock, now Senior Professor in Cornell University, is a scientific work, but it is written with the clarity and simplicity of style that has made his "Manual" a classic in the literature of insect life. The reader is, at the outset, relieved of the old, widespread, false notion that spiders are venomous and detestable creatures. On the contrary, as, family by family, they are described and named, their wonderful habits hold the interest, and send the reader out to watch the doings of these industrious, skilful, beautiful creatures. This in the first comprehensive book on the habits and classification of a vast natural group and it is a notable contribution to the litera- ture of science. This book is one of the best, mechanically, that has been issued in the Nature Library. High class, heavy weight, coated paper is used and there are over seven hundred il- lustrations. It is a book in subject and style of treatment that literally fills a long felt want. There have been previously written a very small handbook by Emerton, and a very elaborate book by Dr. McCook, selling for some $50.00. This new book by Profes- sor Comstock will meet the needs of a great number of students. In writing to the pub- lishers, as I am sure a large number of our readers will wish to do, please refer to "The Guide to Nature." WEB OF METARGIOPE TRIFASC1ATA. From "The Spider Book." AT. &r, ••* Ar. •t* dp, EDWARD F. BIGELOW, Managing Editor PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION, Arcadia: Sound Beach, Conn. Subscription, $1.00 a Year; Single Copy, 10c r{ Entered as Second-Class Matter June 12, 1909, at Sound Beach Post Office, under Act of March 3, 1879 *••* Gray Brothers Manufacturers of Improved Soda AND Mineral Waters " Established 1882 Vichy, Seltzer, Car- bonic Sarsaparilla, XXX Ginger Ale & Lemon Soda : : : Deep Rock Artesian Well Water Used THE PUREST AND BEST Mail Orders receive prompt attention NEW CANAAN, CT. P. 0. Box 794 Telephone Call 120 or inquire of your grocer Guaranteed under the Food and Drug Act, June 30, 1906 Serial No. 4755 GREENWICH, CONN. Did it ever occur to you how accessible (with fast electric trains) we are to N. Y. and that you could buy or rent to advantage and enjoy living here on the water or among the hills to the utmost satisfaction ? I have for Sale Elegant Country Estates, Shore and Inland Residences, Farms, Acreage, Cottages and Building Sites. Also a number of selected Furnished Residences and Cottages to Rent in all locations. Would be pleased to hare you call or write Laurence Timmons Opposite Depot Tel. 456 Greenwich, Conn. BEST NURSERY STOCK EVER GROWN We carry a general line of Nursery Stock, such as; Evergreens, Ornamental Shade trees, weeping trees, all kinds of flowering shrubs, privet, berberry and other hedge plants, trailing and climbing vines, hardy Herb, plants, fruit trees, berry bushes, grape vines, etc. Our stock is grown far apart in Nursery rows, so that each plant gets the full benefit of rain, sunshine, nourishment, etc. Our soil is excellent for growing nur- sery stock and is under high cultivation. We thus insure plants with excellent fibrous roots, strong and healthy, which transplant and grow with ease when properly treated. We shall be glad to show intending purchasers through our nursery, as we think it the proper way to see the stock in nursery rows. Our nursery is located on North Street near the Greenwich Country Club. We have made a specialty of laying out new places and remodeling old ones, as our records from both sides of the Atlantic will show. Training and long experience have taught us to do this work in the most artistic and effective way. Trees, shrubs, flowers and specimens in lawns must be placed so that they will harmonize, give shade where wanted, hiding unsightly places, but leaving vistas and making display of flowers and foliage and other worthy objects. We may here mention our connection with the World's Columbian Exposition, the Brooklyn Park Department, the Arnold Arboretum, Boston, and many private parks in and around Greenwich. GREENWICH NURSERIES DEHN & BERTOLF Props. LANDSCAPE GARDENERS AND NURSERYMEN GREENWICH, CONN. ?mQ To make space for wandering is it that the world was made so wide. — Goethe, "Wilhelm Meister." «• f^%i I love sometimes to have a day alone — a riotous day. Sometimes I do not care to see even my best friends: but I give myself up to the full enjoyment of the world around me. I go out of my door in the morning — preferably a sunny morning, though any morning will do well enough — and walk straight out into the world. I take with me the burden of no duty or responsibility. I draw in the fresh air, odour-laden from orchard and wood. (Ml IMM % %' X\ S-Hiior I look about me as if everything were new — and behold everything IS new. My barn, my oaks, my fences — I declare I never saw them before. I have no preconceived impres- sions, or beliefs, or opinions. My lane fence is the end of the known earth. I am a discoverer of new fields among old ones. I see, feel, hear, smell, taste all these wonderful things for the first time. I have no idea what discoveries I shall make. — David Grayson in "Adventures in Friendship." 222 THE GUIDE TO NATURE o H i— i & U H S« U w w I" £ w O < W < 55 o K < W w u w fit £ w u Q < 55 O en P HOMES NEAR TO NATURE 223 lume DECEMBER, 1912 Number 8 A Woodland Home Made of Packing Boxes. BY EDWARD F. BIGELOW, Arcadia: Sound Beach, Conn. NATURE is primitive, and she is never artificial. If one is to meet her with advantage, and to become intimately acquainted with her, naturalness and simplicity are the traits that the visitor should possess. A life- long training has given to Mr. William Judson Delap of Stamford, Connecti- cut, preeminently these characteristics. To him anything incongruous, any- thing that does not fit well with the surroundings would be jarring and in- harmonious. He likes to have all things suburbs. He is a tree lover. To him every tree on the premises is sacred. He was unwilling to part with a single one, yet he did not want to build the modern, conventional bungalow, nor a country cottage. He solved the pro- blem by building a home in the woods so simple, so incomplex that it is even less complex than a log cabin. It was, therefore, not a matter of economy in lumber, but to carry out an idea, that he constructed a house entirely of packing boxes from his extensive cloth- ing and gentlemen's furnishing store. He did not haul these in one great load after their accumulation in the in perfect accord. When he goes to — * -—" ^v-umuiaLiun nature, he goes in the best, most primi- back yard, but he took a few at a time; tive and natural of methods. For many years he has been fond of seeking na- ture from a local home in the form of a tent or cabin. As he is a busy man, with a multiplicity of cares, extended trips to distant woods or to the Adi- rondacks consume too much time. Then, too, he is a lover of wild nature ~~-^ ^..v* ^wCliU iiC ^a^n at all seasons of the year. He does not boxes, which made him feel that he believe in limiting his communion with owned not only this section of 1111- nature to a week or two in midsummer, changed nature, but that the house Since he could not bring the Adiron- itself is really his own, the result of his dack woods to Stamford, nor spare own personal handiwork. There is a the time to make extended journeys charm in a thing that you make your- at every season of the year, he solved se,f- the problem by building a permanent Contrary to what might be expected, home that he calls "Denhurst" in the tIie buildings are not in appearance wildest spot of the woods that he could poverty stricken shanties, but are well he ran up into the woods with his auto- mobile, and tacked on a few of the boards and thus gave himself a sort of excuse for frequently visiting this wildness of nature for an hour or two when he could spare the time from the store. Almost unaided he put on board after board from the packing find within a few miles of Stamford. He purchased several acres of wild woodland on the well-known Den Road, which, for primitiveness, would and substantially built, in good propor- tion, and with harmonious and appro- priate architectural lines. Here Mr. Delap and the members of take hrst premium in competition with his family frequently resort for rest, any other part of the Stamford recreation and the study of nature. He Copyright 1912 by The Agassiz Association, Arcadia: Sound Beach, Conn. 224 THE GUIDE TO NATURE "HE TOOK A FEW AT A TIME: HE RAN UP INTO THE WOODS WITH HIS AUTOMOBILE. is especially fond of the trees, he knows the plants, and with his young daugh- ter he often sits on the stone wall and studies the birds. When I visited this ■delightful spot, where one may com- mune with nature, one of the first things that he said was, "I want to show you a remarkable boulder that reminds me of the figure-of-four traps of our boyhood. Nature has brought this stone, weighing many tons, from some distant place, and has propped it up by a small boulder under one side, as if 1 might pull it out by this hoe "WITH HIS YOUNG DAUGHTER HE OFTEN SITS ON THE STONE WALL AND STUDIES THE BIRDS." HOMES NEAR TO NATURE 225 and let the huge boulder fall as do the well-known stone traps." At no other home near to nature that I have visited, is there a better exam- ple than at this, of the meeting- of the extremes of civilization, which here seem to come together and form a circle. Here is the wildest of primitive regions, but short daily visits to it would not be possible without the aid of that most modern of man's inven- tions— the automobile. The automo- bile has been working wonders and is still working" wonders in thus making it possible to have frequent communion with nature. Not many years ago a nearness to nature was possible to the business man for only a short time dur- ing his short vacation, or perhaps a hunting trip in midwinter, or a mid- summer fishing excursion to some re- mote part of Maine. But the automo- bile annihilated the distance between the busy centers of trade and the tangled thickets. Can one imagine a more perfect form of recreation or more literally a place in which to re- create, or a more successful antidote UNDER SOME CONDITIONS A MAX MAY TAKE HIS BUSINESS WITH HIM AND YET HAVE A VACATION! "AS IF I MIGHT PULL IT OUT BY THIS HOE." But he couldn't nor could the combined strength of several men. 226 THE GUIDE TO NATURE THE PACKING BOX HOME WITH MODERN STONE WALL DECORATION. for the rush and strain of modern civ- ilization and the intense competition of business than to slip away to this spot for a few hours of relief from re- sponsibility, to enjoy this intimate acquaintance with the rocks, the trees, the birds, the sunshine and the invig- orating air? That is the right kind ■of approach to nature. It inflicts no cruelty upon any form of life. Mr. Delap has been a successful hunter in years past, but I note that he is becoming more and more dis- posed to lay the gun aside, and to go to nature for rest, refreshment and observation. What he has done hun- dreds of others are doing and will con- tinue to do. The more frequently such methods are repeated and practised, the longer will be the life and the greater the happiness of our business men. Nature for the recluse only is a thing of past ages, but nature for the modern business man is not only a new method for preventing nervous exhaustion and collapse, but it is suc- cessful. It is proving to be salvation from the evils of nerve strain. It works. It is successful Mr. Delap is himself a proof of it . He apparently AX AIR OF REST AND CONTENTMENT. HOMES NEAR TO NATURE 227 "THE AUTOMOBILE ANNIHILATED THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BUSY CENTERS OF TRADE AND THE TANGLED THICKETS." has no nerves. Those who visit his and a word of good cheer. I know store well know his never failing' gen- where he gets and how he retains his iality and wit. He always has a smile vitality. The purpose of this article 'FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW" WHO LIKES TO HAVE HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTER WITH HIM TO TELL THEM HOW MUCH HE ENJOYS SOLITUDE (WITH THEM) IN THE WOODS! 228 THE GUIDE TO NATURE is to reveal the secret that others may go and do likewise. Ever notice what a difference there is between one store and another? How tense and strained is the tone that one finds in some, where everything is keyed up to concert pitch like the strings of a violin, while in others there is a cordial pleasant- ness, a geniality as soothing as the melodious tones of an organ. Per- haps the kind of geniality found in Mr. Delap's store may be susceptible of a musical explanation. I think the secret may be found in the songs of the birds, the murmur of the winds through the trees over that packing- box house, and the rippling laughter of the water in the ravine at the foot of the hill. Soon after my arrival T went to the ravine at the suggestion of the host. "There," he said, "is a beautiful place and I know you will enjoy the brook." That brook laughs not only there but in Mr. Delan's store. It sings in the charming hospitality of his home, in the kind greeting of his wife, an attractive and affable hostess, and not least in eyes and on the lips of his young daughter, the joy of the household, a veritable nymph of the woods, the fairy of the packing-box home, of the beautiful trees, the mighty boulders, the singing birds and the humming insects of Den Road. The Love of Nature. BY GEORGE W. CARVER, DIRECTOR, DEPART- MENT OE RESEARCH, EXPERIMENT STA- TI0N\ AND CONSULTING CHEMIST, TUS- KEGEE NORMAL AND INDUSTRIAL IN- STITUTE, TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE, ALA- BAMA. To me Nature in its varied forms is the little windows through which God permits me to commune with Him, and to see much of His glory, by simply lifting the curtain and looking in. I love to think of Nature as wireless telegraph stations through which God speaks to us every day, every hour, and every moment of our lives. No true lover of Nature can "behold the lilies of the field" or "look unto the hills" or study even the microscopic wonders of a stagnant pool of water, and honestly declare himself to be an atheist or an infidel. The study of Nature is both enter- taining and instructive, and is the only true method that leads up to a clear understanding of the great natural principles which surround every branch of business in which we may engage. Aside from this, it encourages personal investigation, stimulates originality, awakens higher and nobler ideals. Language fails to adequately express my thoughts regarding the joy of my soul ; so, therefore, I send you the above crude paragraphs, hoping that you may find at least one worthy of a place in your splendid magazine. A Song1 for Autumn Days. By Mrs. Miriam B. Jacobs, Greenwich, Conn. So soon, ah! so soon the summer is over! The rose on its stalk hangs dead; The bird on the bough And the bee in the clover Their farewell have said, For the summer is over. So quickly, alas! the bright hours are over, The fragrance and sunshine fled; Now, home for the wand'rer, And work for the rover, For the roses are dead And the rest-time is over. So quickly, alas! the reaping is over, The grapes to the winepress fed. In forest and field The lone flocks seek cover, Ere the frost-pall is spread — For the mild moor-life's over. So soon, ah! so soon, our dreaming is over, In rose-paths no longer led; But to the heart Of the undaunted lover, No summer is dead, Though its splendor is over. It lives, aye! it lives in the soul that remem- bers The song and the rose so red. New faith shall be kindled From well-guarded embers, New love-light be shed In the soul that remembers. —Reprinted from "The Boston Transcript."" THE OUTDOOR WORLD 229 jr OUTDOOR WORLD BMSfe The Camp Fire Girls. The best thing in the handbook of the Camp Fire Girls is almost its shortest paragraph under the heading, "Object:" "Its object is to add the power of organization and charm of romance to work, health and play." I particularly like that expression, "the power of organization and charm of romance," for most of the pleas- ures of life are in the mental anticipa- tion and in our ideals. There is no greater incentive to well doing than our association with others. Long ago Thomas Hood sang" of the pleasures of a home, and a home is merely an organized body. The joy of having a home is the joy of working in co- operation with others. All other organizations are largely on the same principle. That "power of organiza- tion" is one of the great incentives in working for nature through The Agassiz Association. When the ideals of any commendable organization are realized what a "charm of romance" there is about it. Take, for example. Masonry, one of the oldest of organized brotherhoods. Is there anything pret- tier in it than the compass that ex- tends around the lives of all the mem- bers that are "on the square?" The square and comoass in themselves are only matter-of-fact tools used by the carpenter and the mason, but when they become emblems what a "charm of romance" they have. To hang on the wall a pennant of green baize bearing the letters A A in gold, is per- haps no more decorative than the pen- nant of a foot-ball team, but when one stops to consider the "charm of ro- mance" in the fact that those golden letters represent the oldest and largest organization in the world for the study of nature — the golden sun on the green fields — there is the "charm of ro- mance" woven about the whole world. The Camp Fire Girls have started aright. Their commendable purpose is ideally expressed, with one possible exception. We could wish that they had mentioned a rather more definite purpose for their outdoor interests. Yet that is perhaps comprised in the words, "health and play." The qualifications for Guardian are well expressed and of importance : "It is important that she have the out-of-door spirit and be somewhat familiar with the out-of-door life and activities ; and that she understand the meaning of the home and the opportu- nities for doing important things in the home in an interesting way. She should be a woman wdio wants to be with girls because she enjoys it, rather than because she merely thinks it her duty. The work requires real devotion and enterprise on the part of the Guar- dian and the greater her enthusiasm and health, the better; the more na- tural her leadership, the better." An important point of view in any organization is well expressed in the 0 ualifi cations required for membership. The candidate must first of all become a wood gatherer. She does not find the cam]) fire ready burning, but she starts at the beginning and goes into the thicket to find fuel. She is re- quired to do that herself — no one goes with her and she uses her own common sense in finding that bit of fuel. Then she, with others, takes it to a common center and makes the fire. O, you members of The Agassiz Association, and those who have inquired about membership, hark ye to this. How 230 THE GUIDE TO NATURE THE GIRLS STAND AROUND THE FIRE AND REPEAT THE FIRE INVOCATION. frequently do we have inquiries read- ing- like this, "If we become a member of the AA what will we get for our membership?" The thing, my friend, to worry you is not what you get, but what you give. The getting will come right when you do your part in giving. That lesson is impressed upon the Camj) Fire Girls at the start. You have not come to us as to a bargain counter to get more for your money or for your time than yon have re- ceived elsewhere, bnt an ideal opportu- nity has been given you to contribute something for the good of others. From all points of the compass in the woods come in the fagot gatherers to make the fire. Occasionally we have a member who seems so filled with the modern com- mercial spirit, the desire for marked down prices, that he first survevs the field to ascertain what he is "going to get for his money" — a trifling fifty cents a year for membershio. Our association would never have existed if some one had not come forward, and unselfishly aided others for years of strenuous endeavor. Snnpose our first President, Mr. Harland TT. Ballard, had taken a oencil at the beginning of the A A, and had tried to figure out what he would ^et by starting such an organization. But he did not. No, he saw the opportunity to help voung peoole, and he urgred and inspired them to be gatherers of observations for the common good. Bnt to return to the Camp Fire Girls. When each girl has gathered her bit of fuel she is animated by this desire: "Seek beauty, Give service, Pursue knowledge, Be trustworthy. Hold on to the health. Glorify work, Be happy." And after she has brought in wood for three months with other gatherers she repeats this each time the fire is made : :'The Fire Maker's Desire. As fuel is brought to the fire So I purpose to bring My strength. My ambition, My heart's desire, My joy And my sorrow To the fire Of humankind ; For I will tend As my fathers have tended, And my father's fathers, Since time began, The fire that is called The love of man for man, The love of man for God." I have heard it urged by wav of criticism that the Camn Fire Girls, and the Boy Scouts, and the Audubon Societies, and the humane societies, and the AA Chanters, have as an incen- tive sonic scheme to get something. There are even those who seem to think that the preacher has only his salary in view. The wavs and means of life must be provided for, bnt there are many in every department of en- deavor that are working' unselfishly, and are sacrificing themselves for the THE OUTDOOR WORLD 231 good of others. That spirit is incul- cated in the Wohelo ceremony. As each member lights a candle she says : "Wohelo means work. We glorify work because through work we are free. We work to win, to conquer, to be masters. We work for the joy of the work- ing and because we are free. Wohelo means work." Read that again. It is worth careful consideration. It does not state that we work for pay, but "we work for the joy of the working and because we are free." What a pretty cere- mony that is in which the girls in their Indian costume stand in a ring- around the fire, hold their hands aloft and re- peat in concert : "Burn, fire, burn ! Flicker, flicker, flame ! Whose hand above this blaze is lifted Shall be with gifted magic To warm the mortals Who stand without their portals. The torch shall draw them to the fire touch en- hearts of lonely open Higher, higher By desire. Whoso shall stand by this heart!*, stone, Flame-fanned, Shall never, never stand alone; Whose house is dark and bare and cold, Whose house is cold, This is his own. Flicker, flicker, flicker, flame ; Burn, fire, burn !" It is all good, every bit of it ; it recog- nizes the primitiveness of mankind by the Indian costume. The hands are held aloft in recognition of the Ruler of the Universe, known even to the humblest of His children. Fire you have known all your life, but is there anything more miraculous than fire? No wonder the Indians were touched with the spirit of wor- ship around the fire, and rightly do these Camp Fire Leaders impress the minds and hearts of these young girls with the wonder of the commonplace. Those who have compiled the hand- book of the Camp Fire Girls possessed an abundance of common sense, and the spirit of poetical enthusiasm. It was a happy day for us when the A COMPANY OF CAMP FIRE GIRLS AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE AGASSIZ HOME, ARCADIA: SOUND BEACH. 232 THE GUIDE TO NATURE Camp Fire Girls took possession of Arcadia, and made every department and every building cheery with their voices, and then gathered around the fire in Arcadia's grove. We commend their example to The Agassiz Associa- tion, to the Audubon Society, to the humane societies, yes, even to the churches. Realize that work is worth doing in itself, and that the more you bring the more benefit you will be able to take home. What if you do not take home any personal benefit? If you have aided a fellow being, isn't that joy enough for one day? ***** The Elective Honors or the real work of the Camp Fire Girls comprise a long list of Health Craft — swimming, boating, bicycling, horseback riding, mountain climbing, tramping, automo- biling1, dancing. Under Home Craft there is much of cooking, marketing, washing, house- keeping, entertaining, caring for the baby. Camp Craft tells us how to care for the camp, how to build a fire, cook, follow the trail. Patriotism tells of our principal na- tional holidays, and the history of our country; it includes attendance at church, and the giving account of reli- gious leaders, missionaries, great wom- en and others. It is a good idea to nut that under the heading of patriotism, for what is love of countrv but love of God ! There is much of Hand Craft and Business, but perhans we like best of all the list of Nature Lore, which con- sists in identifying birds, making note- books of observations of trees, birds, habits of animals. There is a long list of work to be done in the garden, including much of exoerimental and some of technical scientific interest. Stars have a prominent place, and at least seven constellations and other stars must be learned. Under the heading: of Birds there is the identifica- tion of wild birds, the erection of bird boxes, caring" for the birds, keening notes of observations and managing a lunch counter. Under the heading" of flowers, the members are renuired to identify twen- ty-five wild flowers. With bees one is to do all the work on a successful hive of bees for a season, and to know the habits of honeybees. If that means to know all the habits there is no need of going any farther. A lifetime will be required for that alone. In the study of animals there is much of heredity and environment, and it is especially commendable that the common animals are taken as, for example, chickens and dogs. We say Godspeed to the Camp Fire Girls. We shall be glad to give them aid, encouragement and co-operation. They have much common sense. They believe in taking the things that come first at hand. They believe not only in studying, but doing, and not only in receiving but giving. That is their best point. Science Stimulates Wonder and Rever- ence. With such wonderful facts facing us on every side it is madness to assert that the progress of Science means the destruction of the spirit of reverence and of wonder. ***** Indeed, owing to the advances of Science, how much more wonderful a world we live in than that of Milton or Shakespeare? How dwarfed the mental vision of all who lived only a few hundred years ago appears to us now. Where our predecessors saw but gleams of light and shade, we see bil- lions of ethereal vibrations flashing- swifter than eye or brain can follow. AYhere they saw grev walls and gentle breezes, we see myriads of atoms and all the wonders of the atomic universe streaming and flaring about us. Truly, every fresh advance of science makes us only more forcibly realise the truth of Minshull's words: "Land, Sea, and Sky! What mystery and what wonder Lie hidden in the old familiar sound! From surging wave and roll of mighty thunder To the white daisy nestling on the ground." — Geoffrey Martin in "Triumphs and Wonders of Modern Chemistry." Fond of Flowers. 'Are you fond of flowers?" 'I iust love the'^." '\\ nat are your favorites?" 'Those that are out of season." — Ex. THE HEAVENS FOR JANUARY 233 The Heavens in January. BY PROE. ERIC DOOUTTLK 01- THE UNI- VERSITY OE PENNSYLVANIA. The first month of the new year be- gins with an evening sky which is full of interest to those who study the heavens. Besides the brilliant midwin- ter stars that now fill the sky with to different portions of the great cloud of stars around us, we will again wit- ness the constant and ever-interesting transformation of the appearance of our evening sky. The magnificent Orion and the two brilliant Dog Stars, now so high in the south, with the beautiful winter groups surrounding them, will HQKTI-. SOOTH Figure 1. The Constellations at 9 P. M., January 1. (If facing south, hold the map upright. If facing west, hold "West" below. If facing east, hold "East" below. If facing north, hold the map inverted. beautiful constellations in the south, the bright Venus and Saturn also shine out high in the evening sky, and these worlds are in many respects the most interesting of all the planets. As the months of the new year go on, and our earth in its journey around the sun finds its dark side turned successively not finally reach the western border of our evening heavens until May; at this time the striking summer group of the Scorpion will be seen just entering our evening heavens in the east and the great, reddish Arcturus will shine out high in the south, almost on the meri- dian. 234 THE GUIDE TO NATURE THE MOTION OF THE PLANETS DURING i9x3- The reader cannot have failed to notice how for the past many weeks the most brilliant Venus has been rap- idly climbing upward in the southwes- tern part of the heavens. Throughout the first months of the year it will mount even higher and grow brighter until it will become by far the most ■conspicuous object in the sky. On Februaiy 22 it will reach its greatest distance east of the sun, when it will 5ATURN VENUS Tigure 2. Present appearance of Saturn and Venus in a very small telescope. The two planets now appear almost exactly the same size. The con- trast in tint between the ball and the rings of Saturn is very striking. set four hours after sunset. It will not attain its greatest brightness, however, until March 24, at which time it will set three hours after sunset. It will then rapidly sink in the west, passing the sun and entering the morning sky on April 24. From this time until the end of the year it will remain a morn- ing star. The planet Saturn is so far distant from the sun and moves so very slowly among the stars that its motion pre- sents a striking contrast to that of Venus. We now see the outer world just below the Pleiades ; in the course of the year it will reach a point only a little to the left and above the bright star Aldebaran, in the group of the Bull. Consequently, as this constella- tion gradually withdraws from the evening sky, Saturn will disappear also. During April and May the planet will "be to near the sun to be observed; it will enter the morning sky on May 29. "but toward the close of the year, when the winter stars again become visible, the planet will again be seen among them, shining in the evening sky. Thus, for the first three months of the year, both Venus and Saturn will "be with us. Then for a period of about two months we will see no bright planets at all, until (on about June first J, Jupiter will enter the evening sky in the east. This planet will remain visible until December, when it will have drawn too near the sun to be observed. The motions of Mars throughout the year will be of special interest. This planet is now very near Jupiter in the summer group of stars known as Ophiuchus, or the Serpent Holder. When, early in June, the slow trans- formation of the heavens has brought this group into our evening sky, we will see the larger planet shining- out with its steady, golden radiance, but Mars will not then be visible. This is because the Red Planet is itself mov- ing very rapidly eastward over the face of the heavens. Its eastward mo- tion is so rapid that by March 6 it will have moved entirely across the summer groups of the Serpent Holder, the Archer and the Water Bearer, and will have passed the Vernal Equinox, at V, Figure 1. By the end of the year it will have moved well across the win- ter sky, attaining a position a little to the right of the bright star Pollux, at B, Figure 1. When Mars has thus reached the highest point of its path it will be in remarkably favorable po- sition for observation, for its place will then be three degrees higher in the sky than that attained by the sun in midsummer, and on the early morning of January 1. 1914. it will have drawn to its least distance from the earth. Doubtless this most interesting world wrill be attentively studied during the last few months of the year. OTHER PHENOMENA OF THE NEW YEAR. The observer who is not possessed of a telescope will find that the ever changing position of the planets fur- nishes one of the most interesting of all the features of the heavens for his study. Several times during the pres- ent year two planets will be seen to apparently approach very close to one another, and our own moon in its rapid journey around the sky will necessarily be seen to pass each one of the planets at least once during every month. On some occasions the latter approaches will be very close ones, but unfortun- ately at no time will our satellite pass directly in front of a planet and so hide it from our view. Many brighter stars will, however, be occulted, and during every month of the year the moon will THE HEAVENS FOR JANUARY A35 move over the little group of the Pleiades, although observers in the eastern part of the United States will not first witness this most interesting occurrence until next September. Qf the five eclipses of the present year there will be three of the sun, which will be wholly invisible to us, and two interesting total eclipses of the moon. The latter to observers in the eastern part of our country will be seen to begin about sunrise, just as the full moon is setting. They will, however, be wholly visible throughout the west- ern part of the United States. It is also of interest to notice the re- markably early occurence of Easter during the present year. The time of this festival has been fixed as the Sun- 1862. This body was known to be pur- suing a great, closed path around the sun, making a complete revolution in the course of 13 years. At its present return to the vicinity of the earth it was at no time bright, and it has now moved into the southern sky and is wholly invisible to observers in north- ern latitudes. On November 2 a third faint comet was discovered in the constellation Hercules. This body was seen to be moving' very rapidly eastward and southward among the stars, its ex- tremely rapid apparent motion being due to the fact that it and the earth when nearest together were moving in almost exactly opposite directions. On Tanuarv 1. it will be found low in the DEC. I NOV. 14°^ 2l>* Path cf Earth's Oncrr . Figure 3. Showirg the path of the third comet of 1912 about the sun. day following that full moon which first occurs after the passage of the center of the sun across the ecpiator, at the point V, Figure I. It happens that this year the center of the sun reaches this point at 18 minutes past midnight on the morning of Friday, March 21, and that a full moon occurs but one day later, — at 7 o'clock on the follow- ing Saturday. Consequently the fol- lowing clay is Easter. Had the fu'b moon occurred a day and a half earlier, our Easter of this year would have oc- curred about a month later than it does. THE NEW COMETS. Nearly nine months of the year 1912 had passed before the first comet of the year was discovered. This is a faint, telescopic object, now moving northward through the constellation of the Dragon, and rapidly receding from the earth. The second comet to be discovered has now been found to be identical with a periodic comet first seen in the year southwestern sky, almost exactly one hour to the west of the star C, Figure 1, but at this time it will probably be invisible even in the telescope, on ac- count of its great distance from the earth. One of the most interesting of all the comets is the comparatively small object known as Encke's Comet. The motion of this body was long ago so disturbed by the planet Jupiter that the comet was thereafter added to the bodies of our solar system, and forced to revolve about the sun in a path so small that an entire revolution about the orbit is performed in only three and one-third years. This is by far the shortest period of any known comet ; as the orbit is a much flattened curve whose nearest vertex is within the orbit of the planet Mercury and whose farthest vertex is but four hundred mil- lions of miles from the sun, it follows that during much of the time the comet is near enough to the earth to be seen bv us. 236 THE GUIDE TO NATURE Greatness and the Missionary Spirit. In an experience of some twenty- two years of editing scientific maga- zines I have been more and more impressed by the fact, that the greater the man, the more will- ing he is to help those who are not so great. I have found that when I want to know the answer to even the simplest question, it is best to send that question to the biggest expert in that particular line of thought that there is in the country or perhaps in the world. Then I am sure to get not only an authoritative, but a kindly and prompt answer. Several times I have thought when a question comes to my desk, one, for example, pertaining to dentistry, that I would send it to a local dentist, or a legal query to a local lawyer, or perhaps some point in natural science to a local teacher who should have access to main- books. But such an action almost invariably proves to be a mistake. Several times a letter has been re- turned unanswered, but using my stamped and self-addressed envelope. Several times has come the reply, "I am too busy in my work to answer your questions." And not infrequently has come a reply, 'This question is too simple for me to take time to an- swer it. You ought to send it to some one more interested in elementary work than I am." But not once in this almost a quar- ter of a century of experience have I been refused, or repulsed or delayed by any really great authority. I now send such questions, simple as they may be, to the most learned men or women in the land or to the most ac- complished specialists. Take a man like President David Starr Jordan, of the Leland Stanford Junior University. There is not a busier man in all this country than he, nor one better versed in the science of ichthyology, yet he will send promptly a full, interesting, kindly answer to a barefoot boy's in- quiry about something that he has ob- served while fishing, or about some strange fish that he has caught. Make the experiment just once if you doubt. If, for example, some friend asks you an astronomical question that seems simple, and you send it to the teacher of astronomy in a high school, the chances are that you will be told that, "This subject is fully explained in all the elementary text-books on astron- omy." Send it to the Yerkes Obser- vatory or to the Naval Observatory at Washington, and you get a reply that treats the whole subject as if it were a matter previously unknown ; they will convey the impression that they have investigated it at your re- quest, and are happy to give you the result in simple language. Surely the missionary spirit goes with greatness, and it accompanies profound learning. Profound learning is always ready to impart, and to do so in the simplest and plainest language. The expert knows that he knows what he knows, and that is Confucius's definition of knowledge. The man who befogs the subject in a cloud of words, is virtually concealing himself behind his own ignorance, as the cuttlefish retreats under a cloud of EDITORIAL AND GENERAL 237 its own ink. The well-informed man is sure, and speaks accordingly. The man that refers me to an elementary text-hook has himself need of further information. He thinks he knows, but he does not know that he knows. lie is uncertain, and therefore afraid to answer, and too weak to say "1 do not know." He retreats behind the cloud of his own inky ignorance. In company with such ignorance you will find selfishness. A wealthy man was asked for a contribution for the public library. "Let the public buy their own books," he said. "I buy mine." Answer your own questions, I answer mine. Profound learning and the mission- ary spirit walk hand in hand. Ignor- ance, pride and selfishness are triplets, born of the same mother at one birth. As a member of The Agassiz Asso- John W. Spencer. Thousands of persons, children in age or in spirit, from toddlers up to white haired men and women, will grieve when they learn that "Uncle" John W. Spencer is dead. He was a much esteemed mem- ber of The Agassiz Association, and on page 184 of our number for August, 1909, we published an extended article in regard to his work. He was, indeed, "Uncle John" to everyone who has the faith and purity of childhood left in his heart. This earnest and kindly man did a remarkable work especially among farmers and farmers' children, and was a great aid and encouragement to lovers of nature and of the outdoor world every- where, and yet, "Uncle John" in some of the early days of his work was much misunderstood. He had the rare talent of being able to raise money to carry on his work, and was so good a politician that he could get from the legislature the appropriations that were necessary. These were at first misunderstood. It was stated that he was after help to build up a paying business, but "Uncle John" plod- ded and worked on, and lived long enough to he generally appreciated. After a time everybody saw that he was gen- uine at heart and was merely making it his life mission to get people of all ages and both sexes acquainted with nature He thoroughly believed that what hu- manity needs is a closer relation with Mother Earth, and no one worked more faithfully to that end. ciation we always valued his many kind words. He appreciated our work and gave it hearty encouragement. His own work in establishing organizations known as Junior Naturalists was patterned on the methods of our much older AA, and UNCLE JOHN W. SPENCER HAS ATTENDED THE LAST "'HARVEST HOME" OF GOOD FARMERS AND GOOD LOVERS OF NATURE. yet we were glad to see him go ahead along those lines and make effective similar work under a different name. He always had the kindest feelings for the AA, of which he was a member. He was born in Cherry Valley, New York, June 12, 1843. Five years ago, at the age of sixty-five, he retired from his active work, but continued to the last his interest in agricultural improvement, and in his later years was a field agent in the Cornell University Extension work. "Uncle John's" work was worth doing and he did it well. The world is better because he lived and did his work. 1 know the world must be very old, because ever since I can remember it's been a good while. -238 THE GUIDE TO NATURE His Rambler's Lease has Expired. For many years he held it and en- deared himself to ramblers everywhere. Bradford Torrey, the author of "A BRADFORD TORRE V. Rambler's Lease," recently died at his home at The Upham, Santa Barbara, California. He had the spirit of a true naturalist, and recognized that every dweller in this world may, in a certain sense, possess the entire world. In the pre- face to his much loved book he says : "His private opinion is that the world belongs to those who enjoy it; and taking this view of the matter, he cannot help thinking that some of his more prosperous neighbors would do well, in legal phrase, to perfect their titles. He would gladly be of service to them in this regard." Then again he has given a word ol encouragement to those who meet with obstacles of which there are many in the pursuit of natural science. He says : "It is good, once in a while, to take advantage of a disadvantage to show what we can do. "On the same principle we are glad to find ourselves, if only not too often, in unpropitious circumstances. Other wise how should we ever make proof of our philosophy?" He was born in the same year as "Uncle John" Spencer, whose death we note in this issue. He was a devoted discipie of Henry David Thoreau, and edited an edition of his journal. He was alson an editor on "The Youth's Companion." He is the author of a long list of books pertaining to nature, published by Houghton Mifflin & Com- pany, Boston. THE RAMBLER. THE "TOWN PATH." CORRESPONDENCE AND GENERAL 239 fORRESPONDENCE ,v-' ^f^ and Inform / Information or The Cat and Bird Problem. Secane, Pa., To the Editor : You have recently and I think very properly published something' on the cat and bird problem, rightly giv- ing both sides a chance at it but it is at least amusing to read some of the opinions expressed. That old fault in reasoning is always too often apparent, whereby the declaration of anothei fault seems to excuse or diminish the fault mainly considered. As a matter of fact so indisputably proven as to be quite beyond contradiction the cat as well as the small boy and rifle, the pot hunter and the so-called sportsman are all of them just as destructive to birds as they well can be, only those small species escaping them that nest in re- mote regions as the migrants and shyer inhabitants of deeper forests. These latter are benefited by the hunter and trapper destroying so many of their wild enemies and I have never before observed so many migrants during this last spring* and fall. The ground-nesting species and those that nest upon the larger limbs of trees to which cats can readily gain access are the main sufferers from Felis domesticus. A well fed house cat not usually able to take adult wild birds will break up nest after nest of the young or setting birds and what observer has not known this to occur many times. But nesting birds pay small attention to the presence of a cat in any locality for the reason that it is within their hereditary experience when selecting the nest to ignore weasels, minks, raccoons, opossums, wildcats, snakes, red squirrels, etc., as once known in the wild state, though often a prey to these creatures. Birds will continue to exist in spite of the domestic cat just as they did when their wild enemies were common. It is the combination of destructive agen- cies that are lessening the numbers of many species of birds that nest in more or less well inhabited sections. There have never been so few house wrens, bluebirds, thrushes, robins, na- tive sparrows and other similar species as now, for which the cat, the boy and the air rirle are chiefly responsible. It is very true that the English spar- row is a large factor in lessening the number of box building birds in many localities. This may be easily over- come by bird lovers. The wren box entrance may be made too small for the sparrows, the bluebird box and crested flycatcher box may be fastened to trees in the woods or orchard and so low down as to not be attractive to spar- rows ; and pole boxes in which martins and bluebirds may nest may be kept free of the sparrows by violently shak- ing the pole just after dark when the sparrows are roosting or beginning to nest within and before the martins have appeared or the bluebirds selected their nesting sites. S. F. Aaron. To Prevent Neglect of Cats. Oradell, New Jersey. To the Editor : The cat evil is due to two circum- stances— one, as you say, being that most pernicious habit that some per- sons have of turning their pet cats loose to forage for themselves when they go away for the season (or for good) ; the other is the owning of male and female cats by irresponsible per- sons. My suggestion is that licenses shall be issued for the keeping of neu- ter or altered male cats (special licenses being issued by breeders, who shall keep their cats in restraint,) with the stipulation that they shall provide food and shelter for them, or forfeit the li- cense. These cats should wrear collars with tags bearing owners' name and license number. You would then need a "cat catcher," controlled in such a way that he could not with impunity remove collars from cats in order to in- crease his income unfairly, as I have 240 THE GUIDE TO NATURE known dog catchers to do. As to cats confiscated, my suggestion would be to destroy all unhealthy cats, females, and young kittens, but to have the health} males "altered" and disposed of at low prices to help defray expenses. WE LAX NOT AFFORD TO EXTERMINATE The cat. He is of great practical value to the housekeeper, the farmer, the busi- ness man whose warerooms are subject to the depredations of rats and mice ; when cared for his beauty is as great as that of any other of nature's children ; and no person who is not a cat lover can form any idea of how companion- able a cat is, or what an excellent pet it makes for those who cannot properly exercise or take care of a dog. 1 write without prejudice, as a lover of all animals, including the birds. Sincerely yours, Jane R. Cathcart. A Rattlesnake on a Ledge. Singer's Glen, Virginia. To the Editor : I am sending you two pictures of a rattlesnake, in the hope that they may interest you and, if you use them in The Guide to Nature, may interest your readers. The picture of the snake on the ledge was taken while the snake was appar- ently asleep, as it showed no signs of life until it was aroused by being hit with small gravelstones. It rattled continually, but showed no disposition to fight or coil, but tried to escape among the rocks when struck the second time. The second picture (of the flat stone) was taken after the snake's back had been broken just behind its lgth was three feet and It had seven rattles and Harry S taffy. head. Its length was three feet and two inches a button. A Suggestion as to the Bluebirds* Curious Flight. Secane, Pennsylvania. To the Editor : Your note in the August Thf Guide To Nature entitled "Astonishing Perfor- mance of a Bluebird" records that which by no means is astonishing, ex- cept to you at the moment, no doubt; it was merely coincidental. A very similar occurrence not many years ago was witnessed by myself, the bird be- ing a crested flycatcher. 1 was going- through the woods with a friend for whom I was identifying the birds one June day and from a low limb the raucous yet not altogether disuleasing note of the big flycatcher was given. We looked up and I had no sooner given the name of the species than with a swoop the bird descended straight at my companion as if it quite intended hitting him in the face ; indeed it almost did this, coming within a couple of feet of him and then darting to one side and away. At the same instant 1 heard the snap of its bill and recognized the cause of this seemingly strange action. We had observed the bird only and not the swift-winged, perhaps small insect that it was pur- suing, probably a gnat or muscid tly. !n the bird's eagerness it disregarded the fear of man or, relying on the power of its wings, meant to get that ..... «.. t- ~*r^ „t^-v/..-.? •■ . - *J*»K /^flJ^e iMfeffv J« TWO PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIES OF THE RATTLESNAKE. CORRESPONDENCE AND GENERAL 241 the real life has begun ; only a change bug anyhow. So with your bluebird, Only a circle of gold typifying never these fellows being not indifferent fly ending union of two lives in never end- catchers. It was not hypnotically at- ing love; only a few drops of water and tracted by your finger any more than was the great-crested tyrant possessed of sudden animosity toward my friend as the latter certainly imagined. Both were hungrily attracted by winged tid- bits and with your bluebird an un- seen specimen of insectine character happened to make a bee line past the bird's perch straight for you and be- neath your table. No other explana- tion will suffice. S. F. Aaron. Doubted. The bluebird, from the distance and straight line of flight, was seli-evidently not in pursuit of an in- sect. I am also inclined to think that the "snap" of your flycatcher's bill was an attack on your friend. — E. F. B. A Heart From the Earth. Dudley, Massachusetts. To the Editor : I am sending you a heart-shaped po- tato raised by one of our Dudley far- mers, and exhibited at our Grange Har- vest Festival. Something should be done by camera and literature, possi- bly the latter in poetry, to extol this find in the humble earth and in the humble potato. It is as if Mother Earth, whose bosom is the burial place of so much that we love had relented as to the secrets within her breast this once, and had sent to us, out of the mold of centuries, her heart bidding us hold to the love that nurtured us, and that all is well for us and for her! It needs a stronger pen than mine. I know you are the one to receive this curious and kindly message from our common soil. Cordially your friend. Samuel Morris Con ant. The potato, coming in this form, has, in both Mr. Conant and myself, awak- ened thoughts too deep for expression. Ever sincerely, (Mrs. S. M.) Nellie F. Conant. Only an emblem of a heart — only a commonplace notato. But life's great- est ioys and sorrows are expressed in emblems of commonplace material. Yet, are not emblems and the ideals for which thev stand, nil that makes life worth living — and even death worth the dying-? THE "HEART" POTATO. of form and a handful of dust, "earth to earth," — Ideals and their emblems are everything; they are the reality, and if the daisy shall bring thoughts too deep for tears, so shall the heart buried in Mother Earth, returning in one of her commonplace products, rightly "awaken thoughts too deep for expression." "HEART'S LOVE REMAINS." By Charles H. Crandall, Idylland, Stamford, Connecticut. We buried a Heart in the mother mold, A Heart that was silent, still and cold, And we went about in our saddened round, Trying to smile as we tilled the ground, Dropping the seed in the fruitful earth, Praying, with faith, for the timely birth Of flower and fruitage to greet our eyes — But Oh, that Heart we buried with sighs! Of the flower and harvest we feel so sure! But what of that Heart? Shall it endure? Blade and leaf and blossom have come, Frost the garden will soon benumb, Faith is faltering, promises weak; But still the earth has a word to speak, As out of the soil we lift this sign — Life, like all life, ever divine — Lowly type of immortal kind, Bringing the promise again to mind: "Hearts may be dust, hearts' loves remain; Hearts' love shall greet us yet again." 242 THE GUIDE TO NATURE Tribute to a Lover of Naturt. Louisville, Kentucky. To the Editor : I am sending you herewith a tribute from one friend to another, both lovers of nature. The writer, Reverend J. W. Lynch, now resides in Athens, Georgia, but formerly lived in Danville, Ken- tucky. Mr. Sandifer was a resident of Danville, and one beautiful day last month was spending the day alone on the river, where he died suddenly of apo- plexy. Mr. Lynch's beautiful tribute to him seems to me worthy of preservation, and I am sure will be appreciated by every true lover of nature. I send it to you and hope you may be pleased to publish it. Very respectfully, Dr. L .S. McMurty. He died in Nature's lap. All his life he loved her as a mother, ano in death they were not divided. He went to sleep on his play ground, like a tired child in the midst of its toys. I know the spot and love it — more now than ever. The plash of gentle waters; the glint and glory of Autumnal tints; the balm of rural solitudes; the unsullied breath of maize and meadow, Kentucky's little orchestras — all these he loved and were the favored witnesses of his translation. I am glad I was not with him, friend and lover though I was and am. My presence would have been a profanation. Nature was jealous of her son, and wanted him all to herself in the sacred moment of death. I could wish, however, to have seen his entrance into the Happy Hunting Grounds. He was not long alone. Faithful churchman, high Mason, courtly gentleman, true sports- man, appreciative listener to all high things, Good Bye ! Comrades of the rod, our lines are black today, and Kentucky's beau- tiful streams are brackish with the salt of human tears. J. W. LYNCH. Athens, Ga., Oct. 16th, 1912. Yellow Columbines. Cheney, Washington. To the Editor : In The Guide to Nature (August, 1912) Mr. John A. Davis of Baltimore, Maryland, mentions two yellow colum- bines that are in his possession. He asks if you have seen a yellow colum- bine. Does he mean yon. the editor, or me, the reader? If he means me, I am pleased to tell him that we have two species, both western, that have yellow flowers. In seedmen's catalo- gues he will find Aquilegia chrysantha, the golden columbine, or Arizona col- umbine as I have heard it called. Coulter's Manual of Rocky Mountain Botany gives the locality of these snecies as "Colorado and southward." The same authority gives Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, as the home of the other yellow species, Aquilegia fla- vescens. I have not seen this, but the Arizona columbine has long been a favorite. I have produced some interesting hybrids by crossing different species. One of my hybrids has blue sepals tipped with yellow, and yellow petals. The long spurs are blue. I had noticed that columbines were red and yellow or blue and white, and was therefore much pleased when my first efforts at hybridizing produced a flower differing in color from any that I had ever heard of or seen. Have you ever seen a blue and yellow colum- bine? Another hybrid, having A. chrysantha for one parent and a red and yellow columbine for the other, has large, bright, copper-red sepals, and butter- CORRESPONDENCE AND GENERAL 243. cup-yellow petals. I think this is the most "showy" columbine I have ever seen, as the flowers are large, spurs long, and both sepals and petals thicker than in A. chrysantha. Seedlings from this hybrid have not bloomed yet, so I cannot say if it will come true. From the first mentioned hybrid I have plants with blue and yellow flowers, but the yellow is much lighter than in the original hybrid, which I regret to say was lost after blooming twice. Susan Tucker, Corresponding Member 2,047 have probably been not a few illustra- tions of the principle, the human race itself being apparently one illustration of it.— H. W. C. A Bird Bungalow. Los Angeles. California. To the Editor : For years I have studied the wild birds of southern California and have done what I could to educate the pub- Regarding the Sympodial Growth. Dr. "Ward's "Pure Sociology" (re- ferred to in Airs. Cape's article page 205 of our number for December) is published by the Macmillan Company. New York City. His "Applied Sociology/' a very in- teresting exposition of the subject, is published by Ginn & Company, Bos- ton. (suggestions by our associates.) Sympodial growth is not an unusual phenomenon but has probably not been considered of enough importance to be discussed frequently in botanical maga- zines. Wiesner, in his Biologie der Pflanzen, cites as examples of sympo- dial growth the elm, linden, hornbeam, red beech, buckthorn, locust and honey locust ; Pax, in his Morphologie der Pflanzen, gives eel grass (Zostera), anthurium, sedge sp. (Carex), pickerel weed (Pontederia) rush (Juncus), some of the Solanaceae (the tomato is an example), Cyperaceae, Cruciferae and Selaginellas. In addition to the grapevine, mentioned by the writer of this article, several of the Ampelideae show this type of growth, and some of the Passifloras. It is frequently seen in rootstocks as in Solomon's seal (Polygonatum). Kerner and Oliver, in their Natural History of Plants, describe the type of growth of the staghorn sumach (Rhus typhina), although the term svmnodial is not employed. I think- that the writer lays an undue emphasis on the importance of svmpodial growth and I see no reason for correlating it with evolution, however she deserves credit for her good powers of obser- vation and keen interest. — J. B. P. In the evolution of animals there THE BIRD BUNGALOW. lie in regard to their value, by giving informal talks about them before school children, women's clubs and various other organizations. In many cases I have used colored stereopticon slides. I have become so well known in the community on account of this work, that injured birds are often brought to me, and in the spring many nest- lings, although I try to teach the chil- dren to leave a young bird near the place where it has been found so that the parent can feed it. Because I had no suitable olace in which to keep such birds, I had the lit- tle bungalow made. It is about two^ feet wide by three long. For years I have kept food in my garden for the wild birds which are abundant there. I have one shelf outside a window, but because I wanted another feeding- place, I built a porch on the front of my bungalow and there also food is keot for the wild birds. We have sev- eral large pepper trees, and many shrubs and vines in the back garden which draw many species to the grounds. I also have a bird pool in the yard. Win- ter and summer the yard is full of birds. We have no English snarrows 244 THE GUIDE TO NATURE to drive them out. There are a few in this locality but an effort is being made to get rid of them. We hope that they will never get a hold in the southern part of the state. Harriet Williams Myers. Nest of Burrowing Owl. Denver, Colorado. To the Editor : The comical little burrowing owl se- lects the deserted burrow of a prairie dog in which he spends his life. This THE NEST OF THE BURROWING OWL. he carefully lines with dry, pulverized manure, and far down in the earth on this soft lining the female owl lays from eight to twelve white eggs. Figure i shows a nest of this bird from which the surrounding ground has been removed. This little mother incubated her eggs fully four feet be- low the surface of the ground, and more than five feet from the entrance of the crooked burrow. It is an interesting fact that with few exceptions, the eggs that are laid in holes in the ground or in holes in trees, where there is a little or no light, are pure white. Robert B. Rockwell. A Boulder Monument. A few years ago, while on a tramp through the North Woods, I came out through the forests of North Elba, to the old "John Brown Farm". Here John Brown lived for many years, and here he tried to establish a colonv of freed slaves in the pure air of the moun- tains. Here, too, his family remained through the stirring times when he took part in the bloody struggles that made and kept Kansas free. The little old brown farmhouse stands on the edge of the great woods, a few miles to the north of the highest peaks of the Adirondacks. There is nothing unusual about the house. You will find a dozen such in a few hours' walk almost anywhere in the mountain parts of New England or New York. It stands on a little hill, "in a sightly place," as they say in that region, with no shelter of trees around it. At the foot of the hill in a broad curve flows the River An Sable, small and clear and cold, and full of trout. It is not far above that the stream takes its rise in the dark Indian Pass, the only place in these mountains where the ice of the winter lasts all summer long. The same ice on the one side sends forth the Au Sable, and on the other feeds the fountain head of the infant Hudson River. In the little dooryard in front of the farmhouse is the historic spot where Tohn Brown's body still lies mouldering. There is not even a grave of his own. His bones lie with those of his father, and the short record of his life and death is crowded on the foot of his father s tombstone. Near by, in the little yard, lies a huge, wandering boul- der, torn off years ago by the glaciers from the granite hills that hem the Indian Pass. The boulder is ten feet or more in diameter, large enough to make the farmhouse behind it seem small in comparison. On its upper sur- face, in letters two feet long, which can be read plainly for a mile away, is cut the simple name JOHN BROWN. This is John Brown's grave, and the place, the boulder, and the inscription are alike fitting to the man he was. Dust to dust; ashes to ashes; granite to granite ; the last of the Puritans ! — The Last of the Puritans, by Prcs. David Starr Jordan. THE CAMERA 245 An Interesting Study of Bats. BY H. E. RANSIER, MANLIUS, NEW YORK. They were on a leafy twig when I first saw them — a bat and her three young bats. A boy had picked them up from the ground under the maple trees in one of the village streets. They had been thrown down by a strong wind. The bat was not injured, and appeared not to be afraid for she allowed us to handle the twig to inspect the young ones that were entirely naked, and with their eyes still closed. They looked more like young mice than anything else with which I am familiar. Occasionally one would poke I proceeded to take the little family's picture by arc light. I first suspended them on a line, but they swayed so constantly that I tried a yard stick. The bat hung on, usually with one hind foot, sometimes using both hind feet, and sometimes even both hooks on her wings. The five claws on each hind foot are hook-like, about equal in length, and enable the bat to remain sus- pended without the least apparent mus- cular effort. I exposed a number of plates but did not get a single satisfactory negative. The bat soon became restless and con- TWO ACROBATIC POSES OF YOUTHFUL BATS. his head out from under her wing, which she tried to keep folded closely over them, and sometimes they succeeded in crawling outside. This was on June 18th, and the weather had been cool. It was about dark when they first came to my attention, and 1 was unable to give them any of my time till after the evening's business had been completed. When the doors were closed, eluding to take some exercise, away she flew, circling the room many times be- fore alighting. I took a position at the strongly lighted end and when she made the turn, I could see the two young bats (one of the three having died) dangling beneath her body, and looking like the feet of some web- footed bird when in flight. When she alighted to rest on one of the electric light wires close to the 246 THE GUIDE TO NATURE YOUTH IN BAT LAND. ceiling, one of the little ones left her care and swung out on the wire. I coaxed the little one to cling to a penholder and took it back to the yardstick for a portrait of which I made several, some life-size and some even larger. Meanwhile the mother was on the wing again and when she alighted, it was on a towel. I returned the little one to her, and she made every effort to coax it back beneath her wings, using the 'thumb" hook in aiding it. A little later she was again in flight, and I found that she had left both little ones clinging to the towel. She would fly systematically behind a counter, through the main aisle, and behind the other counter, flying low and apparently seeking a way of escape. It was so late that I could not remain longer, and trusting to her ability to get back to the little ones when she chose to do so, I went home. Next morning I found the little ones just where they had been the night be- fore, and though I searched faithfully I could find no trace of her, and concluded that she had willfully deserted them, till I found her two days later, weak and unable to fly. She evidently had not been able to get back to them. I chloroformed her, as I had the little ones earlier. I measured the spread of her wings and found it was twelve inches, and noting how light she seemed, I placed her on the scales and found she weighed but an even half ounce. It did not occur to me to weigh the little ones till long after- terwards. A man weighing one hundred and sixty-five pounds, if he had wings in proportion to those of the bats, would have a wing expanse of fully a mile ! I had no means of identifying the bat, but I noticed that the hair was surpris- ingly light colored, in shades of tan, and there appeared to be a sort of "ruf- fle" of longer hair about the neck. THE FAITHFUL MOTHER BAT. THE CAMERA 247 Cats and Cereus Photographs. Stamford, Connecticut. To the Editor : Herewith please find two prints that will possibly be of interest to the readers of the "Camera" department, one show- ing two kittens at play, the other the blos- som of a night-blooming Cereus, neither of which can be considered easy for the young camerist. First we will take the cats. They were about three months old and just full of fun, a fact of which I took advantage. Having first gained their confidence ( a most important part of the proceeding), for although cats are nervous they are intelligent and soon recognize their friends and foes, then begin to play with them. But do not make the mistake of putting them where you want them ; get them there, yes, but do not put them there as that excites their suspicion, and seeing the camera, a strange object to them, prise upon her, a squeak or a peculiar noise with the mouth will do. When she turns her head press the bulb and you have got pussy — perhaps. At any rate that is how I did it. The cats were the property of Mrs. Valley of Main Street, Stamford, who is a great lover of ani- mals. The night blooming Cereus, from which this bloom was taken, is about twelve years old and is the property of Mrs. Robert Bunten, a nature lover if ever there was one, of Mill River Street, Stam- ford. It bore nine blossoms this year, and this particular one kept all her friends excited for several nights as it threatened to bloom but did not. At last our pa- tience was rewarded, and Mrs. Bunten telephoned that the longed looked for event was taking place. We hurried over and saw one of nature's strangest floral mysteries — a flower that blossoms for a few hours only at night, and then withers away. Although it was so beau- A REMARKABLY GOOD PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDY OF CATS. they simply jump down. Get everything ready first, focus the table or other sup- port on which you are going to place them, the pattern of the table cloth will enable you to see just where the focus is. put in the plate holder, draw the slide, and you are ready. Now you must get pussy where you want her. A small piece of paper on a string will be all that you need. Put a chair by the table so that she can jump from one to the other, draw the paper over the chair and pussy will jump on the chair ; draw it on to the table and pussy will follow. It may be neces- sary to do this two or three times then when she is on the table let her capture the paper, then spring some sort of a sur- tiful there was something sad about it, for it seems strange that such a magni- ficent flower should fade in so unaccoun- table a way. As Mrs. Bunten was kind enough to give the flower to my wife, we hurried back to the studio and set to work to get a negative of it before it be- gan to fade, which, of course, as it was one o'clock in the morning, had to be made by flash light. The chief difficulty to overcome was the characteristic harshness of all flash light pictures of white subjects. This was done by using a proschlite flash lamp which has a storage chamber with a capa- city of one hundred grains of magnesium, so that any exposure up to ten seconds 248 THE GUIDE TO NATURE can be given. I fixed the flower to a gray Deer are common in Connecticut at mounting board and with the camera present and can be seen on almost any racked out to the full extent, about thirty day along the country roads. Tie inches, exposed for the full ten seconds, and to avoid harsh shadows held the lamp v fl ^^^n ^55 j^k Jk -~*^jfck iWi_. m m w m Mr fai HI 'j f^m F^H PlM THE NIGHT-BLOOMING CEREUS. for two seconds on the right hand side of the camera and eight on the left side, also moving it sideways and up and down, thus producing the soft shadows shown in the picture. The lens used was a Carl Ziess Protar stopped down to almost a pin hole. Development was with metol hydrochinone and good old pyro. With a still life subject like the Cereus the speed of the lens does not matter, but it must have depth of focus. With the cats it was different ; there the lens could not be too quick. The picture was made with an open lens, though one would hardly think so if he judged by the amount of detail seen in the picture, and the same developer was used. G. B. Windsor. Deer Impaled on a Fence. Stamford, C< mnecticut. To the Editor : On October 9, a fidl grown doe dashed through the streets of Noroton, and tried to jump an iron picket fence seven feet high. It missed the lea1) by a few inches and iirmaled itself on the fence, a picket piercing its heart. The deer died after giving a shrill piercing crv which was heard throughout the village. Tt weighed about 250 lbs. game law will not be out on deer till 19 1 7. The report rapidly spread that a "Bull Moose" had been caught, and hundreds of people came in automo- TIIE TRAGEDY OF THE DEER. biles to see the body still hanging on the fence. Brown & Dawson The accompanying illustration is from a copyrighted photograph sup- plied to The Guide to Nature by Brown & Dawson of Stamford. — Ed. THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION 249 i. But it didn't. He found a successor and that successor has worked hard. I am convinced that this world will not let stop any work that is really worth while. It constant- ly weeds out the unfit and when I sec an organization like the AA doing good work for thirty-six years and in- creasing as these years go by I am not at all worried about its continuance. One thing has been accomplished by the present administration. An of- ficial magazine has been established. Previouslv the AA had a department in various magazines subject to the whims of the editor or changes in the management. Now it has its own magazine, an important factor in the continuance of the Association. In the past it has from time to time gone out of various periodicals for various reasons but never for any fault of the AA. It has several times changed its office in the last few years, but now it has at least the nucleus of a permanent home on its own ground in its own buildings. I believe that these are es- sential elements that foretell continued existence. I accepted the invitation of the for- mer President to take the office and I then accepted the offer of the owner of the old Arcadia because I hoped to build an Institution that will live long after the persons now connected with it shall be dead. But let us look at the other side for a moment. Suppose the whole thing ceases to exist at the death of the present manager. There have been contributed in the past four years not quite four thousand dollars. The management of any organization in existence has cost as much as that in salary to its chief worker for that same period of time, but the chief worker of the AA gets nothing. The AA has been zvorth all it has cost while it has existed, and if several thousand dollars should be contributed every year in the indefinite future, the AA will pay as it goes a hundredfold more than any other investment for the benefit of humanity. In the thirty-six years of the AA's existence there has been invested for the entire management, home and everything else, an average of less than a thousand dollars a year. Why is that we have had so much less than has been given to the humane societies, Audubon societies and other organiza- tions of widespread, effiective work? Echo answers, why. And sometimes that is a mighty discouraging answer. Not long ago I visited a large city in which there was a huge, dial-shaped indicator at the head of the main street to announce the amount of money that 250 THE GUIDE TO NATURE was being contributed day by day for a Young Men's Christian Association. More than one hundred and fifty thou- sand dollars had been contributed in a few days. This was regarded as a good investment and it was a good investment to benefit the young men in one city. It was worth while but think for a moment what an equal sum invested in the AA would do to benefit not the young men and boys of a single city but thousands of peo- ple of all ages and both sexes through- out the world. It does pay to give one hundred thousand dollars to a Y. M. C. A. to keep a few boys off the streets and it would pay even a higher rate to invest that same amount of money in the AA to keep a hundred thousand boys off the streets. According to the rate at which money has been used in the AA during the past thirty-six years, and according to the work that has been accomplished with so little, one hundred thousand dollars would help effectively in keeping one hundred thousand people interested in Mother Nature, whose influence is and can be only good. It is said that within the town of Greenwich, in which Arcadia is located, there are fifty-one millionaires and that many more are in the town of Stam- ford near by. We have on our books and we reach, directly and indirectly, probably more than twice that num- ber in other places, all of whom with- out exception recognize the good work of the AA. But regarding it merely as a local affair what a simple matter it would be for each of the fifty-one millionaires to give the AA say five thousand dol- lars for equipment and endowment. Has any one the slightest doubt of the continuance of the AA for all time if it were endowed with a quarter mil- lion dollars? Does any one doubt that the Audubon societies will continue with their quarter million or more? There can not be the slightest doubt. There are constantly advancing to bet- ter and larger things and are calling for another million dollars which are worth while in the realm of birds alone. The AA takes an interest in all nature and teaches love and kindness for all forms of life, the lowest at the bottom of the scale, as well as the human at the top. What the AA needs is not only to do more effective work during the present presidency but to continue the work after he is dead. We need to increase our capacity for work, and that means a complete plant and money with which to accomplish effectively that work and to employ assistance. More than ten thousand people are fully awake to the good work of the AA. How effective it would be if each one of these ten thousand would give at least ten dollars a year. Think what could be accomplished by five thousand dollars a year, which is the salary re- ceived by scientific workers in some other organizations of allied nature. If that much could be devoted directly to the work in view of the gratuitous labors of the workers here at Arcadia we could move the world. So let this question of worry regarding the death of the AA at the death of the AA Presi- dent be forever set at rest. Even if it should go down immediately upon his death, at least ten thousand dollars per year could as long as he lives be used to good advantage in direct application to the work. But with ten thousand dollars a year or more or even less there would not be the slightest doubt of the AA's continuance upon the event of the President's death. The AA is exerting every nerve and muscle to get to the top of the hill or on smoother ground where better speed can be made. Won't you please push a little on one of the wheels? Once upon a time a ship stuck fast on the ways, and the yard master was at his wits' end, for he could furnish no more power. He was beginning to despair when a shrill voice beside him piped up, "Say, Mister, I can push a pound." "All right, sonny ; push." The boy pushed his pound, and the ship leaped grandly to the embrace of the waiting river. Hacc fabula docet that while a pound is no great matter, it may work won- ders. A little more than two years ago we were pushing our best, assisted by the same faithful and devoted workers that are pushing to-day. We were nearing the top of the hill with a part of the load — namely, the establishment of a magazine, but the greater part of the burden, that of establishing a Home, was still far down the declivity. Then came the offer of assistance. We THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION 251 hailed it with joy. But the joy was premature, for, without warning-, the assistance suddenly ceased. But now, thanks to the tugging" and pushing of many friends, we are back on the main road, though far from the top of the hill. What is up there at the top for the AA? It is to travel ef- fectively over a good road and to draw the burden well and to reach at last a permanent, effective Institution, well equipped for doing good work in all its various branches. The cause is worth the expenditure of much time and of many dollars. Nature Near at Hand. BY FREEMAN FOSTER BURR, WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK. There is one thing in connection with nature study that can never be made too emphatic ; indeed, it has never been sufficiently emphasized. This is that nature is not necessarily a matter of distant fields and unknown forests ; of expense either in time or in money; of fine equipment, or of profound learn- ing. The great special value of nature study as a factor in education lies in the fact that Nature, yes, spelt with a capital of the largest size, is here at our door in a multitude of interesting forms. There are far more wonderful things in a single back yard than you and I will ever discover. Not that I would say anything to discourage those that have time to spare, or money to spend, in exploring the world that lies beyond, for they will in some measure take care of them- selves. I would apply my text to the majority of people, who do not under- stand that the world inclosed within their narrow circle is a teeming world, and who consequently never look nor listen. These need to be taught that the study of nature is not a question of extended travel and long leisure, but of those things with which God has en- dowed us all, eyes to see, ears to hear, and minds to comprehend. On my way to the train, early this spring, I happened to remark to an acquaint- ance that the red maple buds were swelling beautifully. His answer was characteristic, "I hadn't noticed." Not that there was nothing there to see, but that the eyes were not used. If I were not at the present moment writing to people already interested in nature, this would be an appropriate place in which to stop, and to argue the matter of outdoor observation as a factor of value in the life of anybody, and every- body. You and I are in accord, how- ever, on this point, and no such argu- ment is needed. With regard to the other matter, there is always plenty to be said, and the time is always ripe for saying it. Every day I catch myself longing for new fields, wishing that I could go where nature has something really interesting to show me. How full would I fill my mind with things worth thinking about, and how my pen would fly in the effort to share my wonderful thoughts. I suppose there have been few nature teachers that have not, for a good part of the time, felt in the same way. Such feelings are sure to be reflected in our teaching, and I think most of us will have to con- fess that it has been at the expense of a mental struggle, if we have suc- ceeded in teaching what I, for one, have always most earnestly desired to teach ; namely, that one need not go beyond his own doorstep to find more natural history than he will ever suc- ceed in comprehending with all the books and teachers in the world to help him. There have, of course, been teachers to whom this was a prime working prin- ciple— Gilbert White of Selborne, for instance, but he hardly knew that he was teaching; and Louis Agassiz, who certainly knew how to lay his hands at any moment upon something incalcu- lably worth while. It seems to me, how- ever, that most of us, pardon the im- modesty of including myself in a com- parison with these men, are far too prone to lay the emphasis upon the other thing, and thus miss the one great point that should make the teach- ing of observation, through our schools and our publications, a matter of pre- eminent worth. The majority of everyday people will never get beyond a circumference of exceedingly small radius. A large majority of this majority have not the slightest notion that, within the nar- row limits of their daily movements, there is a single thing worth the cost of a moment's attention. And it is to reach the thousands of such people in existence that the nature study teacher's efforts may most profitably 252 THE GUIDE TO NATURE be spent. Book after book, teacher after teacher, suggests fields and woods, freely flowing streams and broad skies, as the necessary settings for nature. It is only the occasional teacher that finds nature everywhere, and succeeds in bringing home to the city bound and the work trammeled, the real use and value of the seeing eye and the hearing ear. What an enormous amount of in- terest may be found in the simplest, commonest things imaginable by one who has learned that the effort is worth while. Charles Darwin wrote a book on the earthworm, the common angle- worm, of every small boy that has had the good fortune to live away from city pavements. But Darwin came so far from exhausting his subject, that any small boy on any day could add an interesting bit to the book. The com- mon slug that I almost steoped on the other day is a creature dull enough in appearance, but learned men have spent much time in trying to ascer- tain how it walks, and have considered the time well spent, yet they do not know so much about it even now that they have drained the subject dry of in- terest for you and me. The busy corner of Fifth Avenue and Forty-second Street in New York City is not exactly the place that the average person would select for a natural his- tory ramble, unless, nerchance, he were interested in the ornithology of mil- linery, vet the starling that alights on the gilded eagle that tons the Libra rv flag Dole, and the little hawk that I saw hovering above the tall buildings across the street, are as full of interest- ing habits as any of their cousins along the country roads, but the number of peoole who took any note of either was probably less than the number of fin- ders on anv one of my hands, and I have the normal number of such digits. The fields and the hills, the trees and the running brooks, all are wonderful- ly good, and I would not give them up for all that a great city has to offer, but I would have it taught that nature holds the fair leaves of her book wide open to those who live in the city streets, as well as to those whose lives are "far from the madding: crowd," "exempt from public haunt," and that the one really great object of the teach- ing of nature study, wherever that teaching is pursued, is to lead people, through intelligent use of sight, hear- ing, taste, touch, smell, and whatever other senses there may be, to find "good in everything." Nature Study and Elementary Agri- culture. BY ANNA B0TSF0RD COMSTOCK, ITHACA, NEW YORK. [Reprinted from "Nature-Study Review."] (To those who have loved and studied nature for her own sake, and have labored to inculcate a real appre- ciation of nature, it has been discour- aging to note the "shop" phases, and in some of our states, the play to the taxpayer's gallery. It is nature that should be kept in mind, not agriculture. Love and known nature in as many phases as possible, and there will be no trouble in keeping the young folks on the farm. After all, love is the greatest thing in the world — far greater than dollars and blue ribbons— even if that love expresses itself in corn and cat- tle, potatoes and pigs. Read the fol- lowing carefully then reread it. — Ed.) In looking over the literature, includ- ing text-books, outlines for study and leaflets on elementary agriculture, we are forced to the conclusion that a comparatively limited amount of sub- ject-matter may be thus taught. The writers of these books and leaflets find themselves restricted to lessons on the care of poultry, the uses and treatment of cattle and other stock, and methods of raising a few of the common field crops. In fact, there is a great dif- ference in the amount of agriculture which may be taught as such, in the elementary schools and that which may be taught in the high schools. The country teacher finds that when she has had a corn show, a potato show, or perhaps a show of some lead- ing garden crop, she must repeat the same next year, and too often the in terest wanes after a year or two of this competition. It is rare indeed when a country school offers exhibits of this kind, for three consecutive years. It is natural for the children to get tired of doing the same thing over and over unless the premiums are so great as to overcome this natural disinclination. It is with no thought of belittling the THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION 253 work of elementary agriculture that this statement is made. The writer be- lieves that the corn shows and poultry shows and all such work in our coun- try schools is of inestimable service to the pupils and to agriculture. It is, instead, with an intent to strengthen the weakest point in the teaching of elementary agriculture that the follow- ing suggestions are given : If the teacher learns to base her agri- cultural work upon nature-study she can, to a large extent, overcome the above mentioned difficulty. Thus when the boys are growing corn, she can give them a series of experiments to show the nature of the corn plant; and when they are working out their stock problems, she can give them some lessons which will help them to a better understanding of domesticated animals, and put the work on a more interest- ing basis. Then she may lead the pu- pils to study carefully the little four- legged tenants of the farm to learn whether they are paying rent or not; and encourage likewise a study of the birds and insects to discover what they are actually doing to help or injure the farmer; and if she leads the pupils to examine their fence, corners and road- sides to find what the weed squatters are doing, she will find there an almost unlimited amount of subject-matter, all bearing directly upon the farm ; and at the same time she will be broadening the interests, knowledge, intelligence and powers of observation of her pupils. It is safe to assert that there is not on the farm a plant, tree, bird, animal, or insect that is not doing something, in its own small way, to that farm. And, if elementary agriculture be thus correlated with nature-study, the les- sons may be of quite as fundamental importance and at the same time of never-failing interest. There is no danger that this use of nature-study will narrow the child's ideas, because it covers such a wide range of subjects that it will result in the young farmer becoming a field naturalist as well as a more practical agriculturist. Life is not all for the pocketbook and stomach. On the farms there are heads and hearts of human being's. A Plea for Physiophily. BY FREDERICK EEROY SARGENT, CAM- BRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS. It is not unfair that while lovers Oi books have the convenient name of bib- liophil, lovers of nature have to go nameless for lack of such a word? It cannot be truly said that we may get along well enough with the words al- ready in our language. Neither "na- turalist" nor "nature-lover" really answers the purpose. The former does not belong to a person whose interest in natural phenomena is not scientific yet who nevertheless may be ardently devoted to the enjoyment of out door nature. To such a person "nature- lover" does apply to be sure; but this expression is rather a phrase than a word, and does not yield a good set of derivatives. As matters stand the language provides us with only more or less unwieldy phrases for use when referring to our love of natural things as we find them out-of-doors, to our joy in being with them and watching them, and to the wholesome delight we derive from them irrespective of artistic or scientific considerations. I suggest that the word physiophily and it is obvious derivatives would serve a useful purpose in our speech. Its meaning would be evident to any one recalling the words physiography and bibliophily. That the word physiophily did not get into our dictionaries long ago is doubtless due to the late development of the separate interest for which it stands. Only recently has there grown up a physiophilic literature, of which this magazine is a typical example. Now that the interest represented by this body of writing has come to such a clear consciousness of itself it surely deserves to have a name comparable to those which distinguish the love of books and the scientific study of natural phenomena in general. I reckon as among the most profit- able years of my life one spent in the country because of ill health which yet permitted my being much out-of- doors. In the autumn I watched nature's ways of preparing for winter, looked into buds to see how they were packed, and into various fruits to see how their seeds might be scattered. Through the winter I en- 254 THE GUIDE TO NATURE joyed the pranks that ice and snow played by the roadside and afield, and in these found more curious, exquisite effects than I had dreamed were possible. I searched many a stone wall and cliff, fence rail and tree trunk for lichens and mosses which offer special attractions in winter. While thus occupied I exchanged many a greeting- of comradeship with winter birds searching as intently as myself in similar places. The wall stones and various outcrops of rock with their re- markable components, and evident carv- ings and crumplings in times remotee, led me to reflect upon the stupendous forces which must have worked upon them. In spring and summer the in- terests were almost bewilderingly num- erous. A hand magnifier, always with me, revealed new worlds of delight in tiny creatures everywhere. At various seasons a habit of watching the sky was rewarded by seeing a sundog, a lunar rainbow, and wonderful displays of northern lights, as well as by deeper enjoyment of the more familiar pag- eantry of cloud and constellation. Pursued incidentally to my special lines of work, I have found physiophily an inexhaustible source of joy and life- enrichment, notably as bringing me in- to wider sympathy with the work of specialists in other fields than mine, and thereby helping me to feel more truly the relations of nature to human needs. I am sure that good standing in the world-wide fraternity of physi- ophils must yield innumerable benefits to any seeker for truth in whatever realm. on the mountain or moor, without see- ing or hearing someching worth going for, and I shall never regret having taken up the fascinating work of bird- hunting with a camera — Oliver G. Pike, F. R. P. S., F. Z. S., in "Farther Afield in Bird land." The information possessed by a country boy, gained by intelligent ob- servation of the birds or plants of his neighborhood, is viewed by the so- called educated community as insigni- ficant in comparison with that of the college boy who can relate stories from classical history of persons who never existed and events that never occurred. — Professor Joseph Leidy. Bird Hunting With the Camera. No matter which branch of Nature photography the worker takes up, he or she will always find it fascinating work. It is better, I think, to specialise in one branch than to turn your at- tention to many different subjects. The chief charm of Nature photog- raphy is that it takes you into the open air, amongst the flowers and the songs of birds ; and it does not much matter what time of the year you go into the fields or the woods, there is al- ways something fresh to be seen, and Nature shows us something new when- ever we visit her. I have never yet been out in the meadows or woods, or Farther Afield in Birdlnnd. By Oliver G. Pike, F. R. P. S„ P. Z. S. New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company. This book by an English author has the genuine spirit of the naturalist as evinced by so many of our English students of na- ture. It is beautifully illustrated and the text is very readable. We cordially commend it to our students and readers. American Annual of Photography 1913. By a large number of contributing photo- graphers. 57 East Ninth Street, New- York: George Murphy, Inc., Sole Sales Agent. Price: paper, 75c; cloth, $1.25. This standard Annual, in the 1913 edition, fully equals and excels former years. It contains much valuable material in text and has many beautiful illustrations. Every pho- tographer and every one who loves beautiful pictures should have a copy. The Spring- of the Year. The Fall of the Year. Winter. By Dallas Lore Sharp. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. These are good reading and good natural history, well adapted for regular text-books, or supplementary work in the schools. They also are good for the general reader, old as well as young. The author is a genuine naturalist and a skilled user of the English language. He has a vast storehouse of na- ture interests and information and he knows how to set forth these things in attractive form. Literary Note. "Bird-Lore" for December, a 160-page num- ber with three colored plates, is filled with matter of interest to bird-lovers, including the annual report of the National Association of Audubon Societies. The income of this association for the year reached $60,000, and the detailed account of what was accom- plished with this fund in enforcing the bird laws, guarding bird reservations, and in giving instruction in bird-study to nearly 30,000 children was particularly encourag- ing. IP III :i: eiiissiii: :i: ill =3 THEG TO NATUR Vol. V. JANUARY, 1913 No. 9 THE YUCCA AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE AA HOME A Living Plant from the Hands of Louis Agassiz. See page 273 :i: :i: :•: :ii=sii: :i: :i: EDWARD F. BIGELOW, Managing Editor PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION, Arcadia: Sound Beach, Conn. Subscription, $1.00 a Year; Single Copy, 10c Entered as Second-Class Matter June 12, 1909, at Sound Beach Post Office, under Act of March 3, 1879 ban— — -si aiissiii— — i=iisJ Gray Brothers Manufacturers of Improved Soda AND Mineral Waters Established 1882 Vichy, Seltzer, Car- bonic Sarsaparilla, XXX Ginger Ale & Lemon Soda : : : Deep Rock Artesian Well Water Used THE PUREST AND BEST Mail Orders receive prompt attention NEW CANAAN, CT. P. O. Box 794 Telephone Call 120 or inquire of your grocer Guaranteed under the Food and Drug Act, June 30, 1906 Serial No. 4755 GREENWICH, CONN. Did it ever occur to you how accessible (with fast electric trains) we are to N. Y. and thai you could buy or rent to advantage and enjo> living here on the water or among the hills ti- the utmost satisfaction? I have for Sale Elegant Country Estates, Shore and Inland Residences, Farms, Acreage, Cottages and Building Sites. Also a number of selected Furnished Residences and Cottages to Reni in all locations. Would be pleased to have you call or write Laurence Timmons Opposite Depot Tel. 456 Greenwich, Conn. BEST NURSERY STOCK EVER GROWN We carry a general line of Nursery Stock, such as; Evergreens, Ornamental Shade trees, weeping trees, all kinds of flowering shrubs, privet, berberry and other hedge plants, trailing and climbing vines, hardy Herb, plants, fruit trees, berry bushes, grape vines, etc. Our stock is grown far apart in Nursery rows, so that each plant gets the full benefit of rain, sunshine, nourishment, etc. Our soil is excellent for growing nur- sery stock and is under high cultivation. We thus insure plants with excellent fibrous roots, strong and healthy, which transplant and grow with ease when properly treated We shall be glad to show intending purchasers through our nursery, as we think It the proper way to see the stock in nursery rows. Our nursery is located on North Street near the Greenwich Country Club. We have made a specialty of laying out new places and remodeling old ones, aB our records from both sides of the Atlantic will show. Training and long experience have taught us to do this work in the most artistic and effective way. Trees, shrubs, flowers and specimens in lawns must be placed so that they will harmonize, give shade where wanted, hiding unsightly places, but leaving vistas and making display of flowers and foliage and other worthy objects. We may here mention our connection with the World's Columbian Exposition, the Brooklyn Park Department, the Arnold Arboretum. Boston, and many private parks Id and around Greenwich. GREENWICH NURSERIES LL.iN & BERTOLF Props. LANDSCAPE GARDENERS AND NURSERYMEN GREENWICH, CONN. a STAMFORD ADVERTISEMENTS Capital, $200,000 Surplus Profits, $230,512 THE STAMFORD TRUST CO- Of Stamford, Conn. Facilities Offered to Depositors DEPOSITS — We accept deposits subject to check. We issue Certificates of Deposit pay- able on demand, at the expiration of a speci- fied time. INTEREST — Funds awaiting investment re- ceived upon advantageous terms. CURRENCY— We have on hand at all times clean notes, which will be furnished to pa- trons in such denominations as desired. TRUST DEPARTMENT— This Company is au- thorized by its charter to act as Executor of Wills, and Administrator of Estates, and as Guardian. SAFETY— The Statutes of the State of Con- necticut have for some years required the Trust Companies to keep a reserve equal to that required by the Federal Government of National Banks. The Connecticut Legislature by an act passed in its session of 1907 required Trust Companies to in- vest deposits under the act regulating the invest- ment of such funds by Savings Banks, and allowed five years for such conversion of investments as might be necessary. This Company through its past conservatism was enabled immediately to conform to the pro- visions of the act and its deposits are now as secure- ly safeguarded as those of any Savings Bank. Especial attention given to Household and Private Accounts of Women. NOW IS THE TIME TO EXAMINE OUR STOCK OF FURNITURE -AND- ART GOODS IN LARGE ASSORTMENT GOOD QUALITY AND REASONABLE PRICES LYMAN HOYT'S SON & COMPANY STAMFORD CONN. Citizens Savings Bank OF STAMFORD, CONN. Assets $4,300,000.00 A Savings Account is the best investment tor your Money To foster the Habit of Saving We make Small Deposits a Specialty. A Dollar or more will Start You and give you a small bank for home savings. WILLIAM D. SMITH, - President CHARLES D. LOCKWOOD, Vice President WALTER G. HOUGHTON, Secy and Treas. She Wanted To Make His Acquain- tance. About two miles from Staunton, Vir- ginia, on the state road, is a quaint old lady who keeps a tollhouse. These houses are located at intervals of about live miles, and a small fee is received from those who use the road. Most people have regular accounts, and it is only necessary to call out their names, when she checks the charges o i her list. A number of people in Staunton keep their automobiles at the Beverly Gar- age, and the toll charges are made through the garage, so that as each rider passes the tollhouse he needs only to call out, "Beverly Garage." A few months after the old lady receiv- ed her appointment, she noticed that there was a long list of charges to Beverly Garage — more than under any other name. She frequently remarked to her friends, "Law me! That Mr. Beverly Garage must be a very wealthy man, with a lot of automobiles, and a large number of members in his family to go riding. I would like to make his acquaintance." VI THE GUIDE TO NATURE THE-C-O-MILLER-CO- DEPARTMENT STORE Largest assortments in all departments will be found here — Four Floors — Electric Elevator and Cash System — Automobile Delivery — We are ready to give your needs our best attention. RELIABLE MERCHANDISE AT REASONABLE PRICES ESTABLISHED 44 YEARS "The -trolley - brings -you - to - our - door" ATLANTIC SQUARE, STAMFORD THERE ARE HARMONY, FITNESS AND ADAPTATION IN NATURE JUST AS THERE ARE IN STEIN-BLOCH CLOTHES AT THE STORE OF THE HARTWELL-DELAP COMPANY 406-408 MAIN STREET -:- -:- -:- -:- STAMFORD, CONN. GOING TO TAKE A WALK? OUR SHOES MAKE EASY ROADS Voska & Otto Tailors Suits and Overcoats to Order from Twenty-Five dollars up. We mean of the better kinds. 45-47 Bank Street Stamford Connecticut # Most of the travellers I see from my field are like the people I commonly meet — so intent upon their destination that they take no joy of the road they travel. They do not even see me here in the fields ; and if they did, they would probably think me a slow and unprofitable person. I have nothing that they can carry away and store up in barns, or reduce to percentages, or calculate as profit and loss; they do not perceive what a wonderful place this is ; they do not know that here, too, we gather a crop of content- ment. I had eyes, but I did not see — and ears, but I heard not. It may be, it MAY be, that the Future Life of which we have had such confusing but wistful prophecies is only the reliving with a full understanding of this marvellous .^*J] Life that we now know. To a full understanding this day, this moment even — here in this quiet room — would con- tain enough to crowd an eternity. Oh, we are children yet — playing with things much too large for us — much too full of meaning. — David Grayson, in "Adventures in Friendship." THE GUIDE TO NATURE A Local Department of Observations and Suggestions, with the "wisdom," not of an owl but of a frog. The Needless Repression of Little Children. I had occasion recently to visit a factory in the southern part of Stam- ford. This with other factories is lo- cated in a district where the homes are mostly those of working- men. Return- ing from that factory, I missed the trol- ley car, but found, as a convenient wait- ing place, a drug store on the corner. While I was sitting fhere the door opened and in came an intelligent, mid- dle-aged woman. She had a shawl over her head, and carried a baby in her arms. A little tot of a girl, about four years of age, had been dancing along on the sidewalk in front of her, as I had seen through the window. The little one was in great glee, but I ob- served that the mother seized her by the shoulder two or three times within a few rods, and gave her a shake. But the little one seemed to be irrepressible, and again gleefully danced on ahead. As the little one rushed in the door, she called delightedly, "O Mama, see : there they are ; that's just what 1 want." The mother, instead of taking delight in the child's joy, looked like a thunder-cloud, grabbed the little one by the shoulder, and said angrily, "Now, Estelle, behave yourself. If you don't keep still I will never take you with me again. Why don't you learn to behave yourself?" But the little one, evidently accustomed to that kind of conversation, unless the su- preme joy of seeing some blissful penny attraction had made her oblivious to everything else, danced up so delight- edly to the show case as to make the druggist and myself laugh with sym- pathetic joy. It was a delightful ex- emplification of youthful glee. Even the baby clapped her hands, and cooed at the present prospects. But the mother's face grew darker, and even more angrily she gave the child another shake, with the admonition to, "Hush, keep still now," so strong this time that it threw a damper over the druggist's and my own joy and delight, and brought tears to the little girl's eyes. After she had made the purchase, and the child had resumed her liveliness under the first taste of an all-day suck- er, the mother began to apologize for the little girl's noise, explaining that she dreaded to take her out because she made so much trouble. Here is a puzzle, and here is a little child that needed an attorney. So I ventured, "Beg pardon, madam, but will you please tell me why you do not wish Estelle to express her delight with her penny specialty?" "Why-why-why," she exclaimed, "I- I-I don't want her to be disturbing everybody." "But on the contrary, madam, if you will permit me to say so, you are the only one who has disturbed anybody. You have put a damper upon our de- light in seeing your little girl's happi- ness it Why, sir," she said, "I don't want to get the reputation of having dis- orderly children, and I try to make them behave themselves." I explained that I had failed to find anything in the child's conduct that was not to be encouraged. She had been indulging in real childish joy that should make any adult, except a fos- silized one, delighted to see. I think that the mother failed to relish the little sermon that I preached on that text, but I felt that some emphatic words should be spoken in behalf of that happy little girl, who, by this time, was dancing sidewise on the cross walk. The child was pretty, and IN AND AROUND STAMFORD XI had she been in a wealthy and cultured home, she would have had a governess, whose duty would not be to repress, but rather to develop her joyous and childlike qualities. "Can you," I said to the druggist, "from your acquaintance with people of that class, especially those who are uncultured, tell why they so constantly shake their little children, and try to repress them?" "I don't know," he said. "I have always wondered at it myself, and now that you call up the matter, I wonder more than ever. But I recall that in my own home I had several brothers and sisters, and my father being a working man, we had difficulty in getting along. My mother was constantly shaking- up someone, and telling him to keep still, especially when in the presence of strangers. And," he continued thoughtfully, "I guess, now that you question the mat- ter, it is a sort of embarrassment, a feeling of shame at their position in life. They are not able to obtain clothes for themselves or their children, as good as those that others have, 01 the education that they covet, and when they come into the presence of those who are better dressed, and better taught, they are embarrassed and become self- conscious. They feel as if they must vent their spite upon some one, and that one is usually a child." "No," I said ; "I think you are wrong. It is a lack of a correct understanding of what good behaviour is. Such moth- ers have yet to learn that a child is well behaved when it is perfectly nat- ural, and that giving expression to a joyous nature is not being vicious nor ill behaved. Every time we see a fath- er or a mother, no matter in what sta- tion in life, trying to repress a little child's natural joyousness, I believe it is our duty to tell those adults that they are doing wrong. The harmless, in- nocent joy of no person in this world should be repressed by anyone. At the best, there are not too many happy moments in life, and every bit of spon- taneous, enthusiastic joy should be en- couraged, regardless of its cause, whether a five thousand dollar limou- sine or a penny all-day sucker. There are many commendable efforts made nowadays for better education, better clothing, better sanitary regulations, better playgrounds, for all children, yet one more thing is needed, and the need is apparent to any one who will take the slightest notice of his surroundings, and that is the need of inducing fathers and mothers to stop repressing the de- lightful, harmless, spontaneous expres- sions of the little children's joy. A Photographic Study of a Bridge. Stamford, Connecticut. To the Editor : I am sending herewith a photograph of the bridge at the old wire mills at THE BRIDGE AT THE OLD WIRE MILLS. Turn-of-the-River, taken by my wife, Mrs. Jennie W. Sackett, on October 13. 1912. I think the picture is especially good. The subject should be of interest to all who love our dear old Stamford. Cordially yours, Frederick H. Sackett. We are Children of Nature. It was good, I thought, to see so many people out-of-doors. Most of them had employment in the shops, probably, and on grounds of simple economy, so called, would have been wiser to have stuck to their lasts. But man, after all that civilization has done for him (and against him,) remains at heart a child of nature. His ancestors may have been shoemakers for fifty generations, but none the less he feels an impulse now and then to quit his bench and go hunting, though it be only for a mess of clams. — Bradford Torrey. Xll THE GUIDE TO NATURE Vacation at the Maplewood. The Maplewood Museum of Natural Science and The Maplewood Biologi- cal Laboratory, of Stamford, Connecti- cut, have issued the following notice: "Owing to a necessary absence of the owners and managers of the museum and laboratory, in South America, both establishments will close until the last week in April, 1913, when we will again be ready to carry on our former business and correspondence." We congratulate Paul Griswold Howes, the General Manager, and Ar- thur Gordon Howes, Manager of Shops, upon this very enjoyable op- portunity of adding to their collections and their scientific knowledge. We hope to be able in a few months to report some of their experiences dur- ing their scientific excursions to South America, which we hope will not only be interesting but profitable. A Doe in the Center of a City. Stamford, a short time ago. had an exciting chase after a doe that had wandered into the city from the country, probably from the vicinity of Long Ridge. The doe was first seen at the freight yards in the southern part of the city, and then started on a wild rush up town. At a cigar store she made a dash through a pane of glass. Then men from the telephone office started in pursuit and finally cap- tured her with considerable difficulty. It took several strong men to hold her. RELEASING THE DOE IN NORTHERN STAMFORD. She was put in a wagon, and taken to the northern part of Stamford where, just beyond the Roxbury Bridge, she was carried into the open meadows, the ropes were untied and, almost exhausted by her struggles, she was set free. She stood in the middle of the river for some time drinking and enjoying the cold water, and then went slowly into the bushes beyond. CAPTURING THE DOE IN STAMFORD. Photographs (copyright) by Brown & Dawson IN AND AROUND STAMFORD Xlll An Enthusiastic Bee-Keeper. A recent number of "Gleanings in Bee Culture," published at Medina, Ohio, a town which, by the way, is often spoken of as the home of the honeybees, has, as its front cover, an illustration of Mr. E. Vanderwerken's apiary at Stamford, with two other illustrations which are here reproduced. It is apparent from "Gleanings in Bee Culture" that Mr. Vanderwerken has been remarkably successful with his bees. It states that Mr. Hutchinson of Michigan always advocated, "Keep ern hives protecting boxes, with pack- ing between the sides of the box and the sides of the hive. Mr. Vanderwer- ken has so strong an affection for the bees, and has so carefully experiment- ed, and gleaned from the experience of others, and has put so much thought and labor into his apiary, that he has brought it to a very high efficiency. The accompanying photographs show the somewhat rough appearance of a row of his hives, but this appear- ance is only external because, under those tar paper roofs and within the MR. VANDERWERKEN HANDLING "FRAMES" WITH BEES. more bees;" but that Mr. Vanderwer- rough packing boxes, are the best mod- ken says, "Take better care of those ern hives, with thoroughly up-to-date you have. Keep them warm and they frames, equipped with the best breeds will work." The method of keeping of carefully selected Italian bees, that them warm is to place around the mod- are not only beautiful in appearance,. XIV THE GUIDE TO NATURE but are thoroughly efficient workers, that form this apiary are in perfect con- The method followed in this apiary dition the whole year round, and the is to keep the bees constantly busy, products are consequently and corres- as well as to have them carefully pro- ponding-ly good. MR. VANDERWERKEN AND HIS APIARY ON HIGHLAND ROAD. tected. It is well-known to all students of nature that the flow of nectar is somewhat intermittent. Bees rush to the fields when there is plenty of nec- tar, and then sometimes for days, or even weeks loaf around the hive with nothing to do. In this apiary the feed- ing process supplements the natural flow from the fields, and it seems that this is not only good in theory but just as good in practice. It keeps the bees built up to a strong and workable condition, so that when the flow is coming in from the fields, all their en- ergies may be centered upon the stor- age of honey. The feeding is discon- tinued when the supers containing the sections or extracting frames are put upon the body part of the hives. This is the right idea. The wonder is that some one has not previously put it so effectively into practice. By this method of feeding when necessary and by constant protection, the colonies "The Occasional Enthusiasm." What would life be worth without its occasional enthusiasm, laughable in the retrospect, perhaps, but in itself pleasurable almost to the point of pain- fulness? — Bradford Torrey. Six Pronged Cabbage. Mr. Elbrey M. Purdy has supplied Arcadia with an interesting form of cabbage in which there are six prongs and six cabbage heads on one stem. This is an excellent example of a cab- bage manifesting the branching ten- dency which has been largely diverted by cultivation, but which, like the corn, as we have previously explained, occa- sionally reverts. The corn then grows its kernels in the tassel, and our cab- bage has not devoted all its energies to the terminal bud, but has developed branches — a curious compromise be- tween the formation of the terminal bud into a cabbage head and the side buds into Brussels sprouts. IN AND AROUND STAMFORD xv THE SIX HEADS AND SIX-PRONGED STUMP OF CABBAGE. Why Hens' Eggs are in Demand! When a cluck lays an egg" she just waddles off as if nothing had happened. When a hen lays an egg there's a whale of a noise. The hen advertises. Hence the de- mand for hens' eggs instead of ducks' eggs.— Bx. Beautiful Stamford. Halloween Park is a surprise to those who have known it only by passing it on the trolley car to Shippan Point. Then it looks like a long barren waste of sand, but that under the transforming guidance of Contractor Arthur with his efficient equipment and force of work- men will, in a few months, be only a memory. Just beyond the ball grounds there are some charming bits of nature that would do credit to any of the parks in our larger cities. Those who have- not been there for a walk, or a rest on the inviting settees, have not seen one of the charms of Stamford. The editor of this magazine firmly believes thai the name Halloween should be retained because its greatest charm was and ever will be, not a view of the Sound, but a view of itself. Therefore it seenib that Sound View is ill fitting. It surely lacks the suggestive and pleasing quali- ty of Halloween, though that name was given to it under rather unusual cir- on the trolley cars, from references in newspapers and in current conversa- tion, that Halloween is the favored name. That pleases us. It is an unique name, but it is an unique park. The name is surprising, and so is the park in its charm and its great variety of associations. The accompanying pic- tures show a few of the most attractive spots as they appeared to the editor with his camera on a recent day of our Indian summer. Sometime we intend to show the reader the view of the Sound from the park. But the places from which one cannot see the Sound are the best of any within the park, and from the nature lover's point of view always will remain so. There are seclusion, retirement and picturesque- ness about these winding roads and rocky ledges and wooded hillsides, with which no amount of monotonous glassy water can ever vie. Our successois will wonder why any one ever objected to the developing of such a charming bit of natural scenery, and they will also be surprised, as we are nowadays, that such territory was reserved for modern development. In the craze for residences near the beach, it seems strange that this entire territory was not sold for building lots decades ago, but fortunately it was not, and now we are to have, with proper time for de- velopment, one of the best of seaside XVI THE GUIDE TO NATURE AN ATTRACTIVE ROAD AND BEAUTIFUL VISTA. VIEWS IN HALLOWE'EN PARK XVII GRACEFUL AND INVITING CURVES IN HALLOWEEN PAKE. XV111 THE GUIDE TO NATURE SOME SCENES IN HALLOWEEN PARK. EDITORIAL AND GENERAL Volume V JANUARY, 1913 Number 9 The Luther Burbank Society. This association organized at Santa Rosa, California, is Chartered by the state and is to do its work under the motto: "Not for profit." It will aid in the dissemination of popular Bur- bank methods. Mr. Burbank has done great and good work not only in im- proving some of nature's products from the horticultural point of view, but of setting a standard of real interest in nature. Among his principal achieve- ments are cited the Burbank potato, the walnut tree, the spineless cactus, and a long list of other products of mother earth as, for example, the prune, toma- to, asparagus, squash, rhubarb, cherry, blackberry. Here is an important statement. "The Carnegie Institution at Wash- ington, recognizing the universal value of Luther Burbank's records, made an appropriation of one hundred thousand dollars in 1905 for the purpose of com- piling them for scientific purposes ex- clusively." But such publication of Burbank's works would not accomplish the great- est good. Here is what the Society proposes to do : "But the scientific part of Mr. Bur- bank's work, important and interesting as it is, is not what the farmer needs. "What the farmer needs is practical results — and definite instructions on how to apply them." That is exactly where we are in per- fect sympathy with this new society as it explains. "It is the difference between mathe- matics and accounting — between the patent office drawings of an invention and working blue-prints for manufac- turing— between theory and practice." We thoroughly agree that what is needed in disseminating nature infor- mation is not so much what shall reach the exclusive few, as what shall benefit and influence the masses. Isn't it a curious fact that where millions are Copyright 1913 by The Agassiz Association, Arcadia: Sound Beach, Conn. 256 THE GUIDE TO NATURE given to explore some technical point appreciated by only comparatively few people, only a small amount of money has ever been given to carry the know- ledge of nature to the majority? If you ask what is the greatest puzzle in all the work of nature in relation to mankind, I should say that it is this strange fact, here is a good example of it. A few private individuals with a limited a- mount of money are doing vastly more important work than the Carnegie In- stitution backed by thousands and thousands of dollars, attempted to do with Luther Burbank's discoveries. So we say again, success to the Luther Burbank Society. It stands for the people, the homes, and not the tomes of exclusive libraries. It stands for farmers and their wives, the boys and girls and students and lovers of nature everywhere. Air. Scott had rare and admirable traits. He was a serious, forceful, urbane, cultivated gentleman, wise in counsel, with a well-poised and cheer- ful philosophy which did not yield to the weight of business cares. He had a noteworthy dignity of bearing, but even late in life this retained a youthful Frank Hall Scott. The Late President of the Century Company. The readers of a magazine cannot be expected to be aware of all the in- fluences and qualities that go to make it what it is. Sometimes these in- fluences are clue to active and asrpres- sive personal initiative in one depart- ment or another ; but, particularly in large matters, such as traditional pol- icies, says an editorial in the January "Century," they could not persist were it not for the sympathetic cooperation of many; and in a well-organized busi- ness these influences do not cease with the death of any one person. The loss of such a man as Frank H. Scott, our late president, cannot be a matter of indifference to our readers when it is known that Mr. Scott was intimately associated with the management of this business from the publication of the first number of the magazine, under the former style of "Scribner's Monthly," until the day of his death. Noevmber 25, 1912. From the time that the house entered upon the publication of "St. Nicholas" and of books his respon- sibilities grew until they became those of the first order. He was thus an in- tegral part of the entire history of this enterprise, and to those of us who have been by his side for many years his death is a poignant bereavement. FRANK HALL SCOTT. and buoyant spirit. Intimate friends who knew the fertility of his fancy, held, from some early stories that he wrote, that he would have succeeded as a writer of fiction. But all who came in contact with him were im- pressed, chiefly with the judicial char- acter of his mind, in which regard especially he stood high in the estimate of the publishing fraternity. His main purpose was to be just to all. He had hospitality toward various points of view, power of accurate perception and exact weighing of facts — clear intellect- ual processes which inspired confidence in his judgments and would have made him an ideal judge on the bench. He was, moreover, a man of active kind- ness— a stanch and responsive friend, and faultless in all the relations of life. Inadequate as is this record, his associ- ates take pride in paying this tribute to a man who inspired their deep af- EDITORIAL AND GENERAL - D/ fection, and the respect and regard of all who knew him. — "The Century Magazine" for January. In Memory of Frank Hall Scott. President of The Century Company, New York City. (From the "St. Nicholas" Magazine, ex- pressive of the high esteem in which he was held by all who knew him.) It is possible to condense into a tew sentences the chief events of any life, but the things that count most are not to be enumerated in "brief biogra- phies." And no summary of Mr. Scott's career can give more than the merest hint of those rare qualities of mind and heart that endeared him to his fellow- Avorkers. With a gentleness and dig- nity that were seldom even ruffled, he combined a winning speech and man- ner that made every one he met a friend and every intimate friend a lasting comrade. Fair-mindedness was one of his strongest traits. His love of jus- tice insured to each and all a patient hearing and thoughtful consideration. He was always and in all circumstan- ces the kindly, cultivated gentleman. For his associates, and those who knew him well, his own character and all that he achieved are his best mem- orial. He believed, with Emerson, "that the reward of a thing well done is to have done it." His own successes were uniformly the outcome of unas- suming faithfulness and quiet mastery. Rut "St. Nicholas" owes him a debt of gratitude ; and even if gratitude could be kept from flowing out upon the page, it is due alike to him and to cur readers that we should here re- cord how largely this magazine en- tered into his lifework and shared the benefits of his practical activities. He had a special pride in "St. Nicholas"- a real love for it — which made him a tireless helper in every measure for its success and betterment. It is one of the best rewards of a life such as he lived that it leavens all other lives that are in close touch with it or fortunately brought within its in- fluence, and lifts their thoughts to higher levels. For American boys there is abundant inspiration in the history of Mr. Scott's progress by his own en- deavor to a position of commanding in- fluence and distinction in the publish- ing world. And the benignant wisdom, sweetness, and serenity of his daily 1 are at once a beautiful memory and a lasting inspiration to all those who worked with and under him, to whom he was always corteous. kindly, friendly, just, and by whom he was so well beloved. The New-Old Independent. It was founded in 1848, this maga- zine known the world over as "The Independent" of New York City. Re- cently there has been a change of own- ership and Mr. Hamilton Holt, who has long been connected with the mag- azine, has taken complete ownership. It comes out, the first of 1913, as the luckiest year it has ever had, literally turning over a new leaf, a new style of paper for the cover and new dress throughout. It is readable and very attractive and this old magazine has now become as new and enthusiastic as if it had really taken an entirely new lease of life. We note with especial pleasure that it is to take an active interest in all outdoor and nature in- terests, and as an opening door along the line of greater extended scope in nature we find an interesting article and attractive illustration regarding the kingbird by Ernest Ingersoll, the well-known naturalist. \Ye are hoping to see something in the magazine every month regarding nature. We are sure that, under the new management in a more attractive form, the scope of its influence will be greatly extended. "The Independent" has always taken an active interest in educational work and makes private schools an impor- tant feature of its advertising pages. Quite naturally it will, in accord with these plans, take very active interest in all things pertaining to education, from university to kindergarten. It aims also to make itself indispensable to clubs and associations engaged in the study of science, art and literature. 1 have known farmers who, in travel- ling, saw only plows and butter-tubs and corn-cribs, and preachers who, looking across such autumn fields as these would carry away only a musty text or two. I pity some of those who expect to go to heaven : the}- will find so little to surprise them in the golden streets. — David Grayson in "Adven- tures in Friendship." 258 THE GUIDE TO NATURE What is Nature Study? Although I have been editing, for a- bout a quarter of a century, magazines that I supposed were devoted to nature study, and have been a contributor, to various periodicals, of articles that seemed to me to be devoted to the study of nature, yet more and more am I puzzled to know what is meant by the term as used by most persons. I recently submitted some photographs to "The Garden Magazine," published by Doubleday, Page & Company, whom I have always supposed to be preeminent in nature study publica- tions. Imagine my astonishment, not at the rejection of the photographs, bu: at this statement from the editor : "We are not interested in nature study of any sort, our magazine being devoted to practical gardening." Will some one please explain what is gardening, practical or otherwise, it it is not an effort to study certain of nature's products, and to induce old Mother Nature to yield us her best? A few years ago, nature study was popular throughout all sections of the middle west, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa. Now we hear that the term has been discarded and agriculture sub- stituted, yet the teachers are giving instructions in regard to birds, trees, plants, insects, soil and rocks. What is this but the study of nature? When nature study becomes intense and en- thusiastic, and is applied to the pro- ducing of plants in garden or field, is it no longer nature study? Is astronomy nature study when one gazes aloft with opera glass or the unaided eyes? Is it no longer nature study if an almanac is produced with the help of the same science? We have many friends who urge nature study in seeing things with a pocket lens, but the minute we ad- vocate the making of that seeing per- manent by the aid of a camera, they allege that that is no longer nature. It appears to be, in the estimation of certain persons, nature study when they take a pail, a net and a strainer, and go to a pond for micro-organisms, but the moment that a magazine de- scribes a hardware store that deals in all these supplies, some one is sure to say, "Why, that is nothing but com- mercialism." There is one thing I espe- cially like about Professor Schmucker's definition of nature study. He says in the first sentence of his text-book, "Na- ture study is the study of nature." Can anything be simpler than that? it seems to me that digging with a hoe, or punching the ground in the garden with a dibble is nature study unless the one that does it is only a brainless machine. It seems to me that telling the boys and girls in farming districts about raising corn and potatoes and cabbage, and about the insects that prey on them, is plain and simple na- ture study. It seems to me that to go to a scientific house and get a micro- scope, or a collecting case, or a net, is the implemental stage of real nature, and likewise it seems to me that one has exactly the same motive when he goes to a hardware store for pails, hoes or shovels. The whole trouble in the popular estimation of nature study, as this mag- azine has so often reiterated, is that we put a little mental shell around it, and peisist in regarding the naturalist as in a little, isolated, queer class by him- self, that he is an impractical fanatic, and that his uncanny and musty col- lections should be rigidly circumscrib- ed. Away with such nonsense ; let us come back to the simple, fundamen- tal basis, "Nature study is the study of nature," and it makes no difference how you do it. Do it in your own way, but do it with heart and head, whether you are pressing a plant or trying to grow a better one ; whether you are temporarily seeing a thing, or trying to get its image on to a permanent plate ; whether you are germinating a few grains of corn between sheets of moist blotting paper, or holding the plow behind a fine pair of horses in a ten acre field. Let us clear away those restricted, antiquated fence lines. O you editor of "The Garden Maga- zine," practical gardening is nothing under the sun but applied nature study, and it is not always even applied, but still it is nature study even if only in the realm of the theoretical. To pro- duce a more gorgeous chrysanthemum requires more real study of nature and her principles, than to pin a grasshop- per to a sheet of cork. O you agri- cultural educators of the middle west, do not forget that to use even a hoe to CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION 259 advantage, considerable cardiac and cerebral enthusiasm is required in the study of nature. Nature, the study of it, God's works, utilitarian objects, development of mentality, are good for all people at all times in all ages, in this world and whatever else may follow. Nature is the mother of us all, and we are only children in her kindergarten, still studying and for the profit of mind and body still trying to apply what we have learned. fORRESPONDENCE >- ^r^ and Inform; and Information^ A Quotation From "Migdal Oz." Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. To the Editor : Much has been said and written of late years showing a love of nature and the simple life, but perhaps few of your readers have read "Migdal Oz," and I think that the descnptioci of Shallum's secluded retreat amid the mountains, as contrasted with the per- ils and turmoils of courts, is one of the finest passages in the poem. "Migdal Oz" is a Hebrew drama, the existence of which is, indeed, little known even to scholars, and it is to those of Germany that we are indebted for its having been saved from com- plete oblivion. The author, Moses Ben Jacob Luz- zato, was born at Padua in 1710, and died while on a pilgrimage to Jeru- salem. Versed alike in the sciences of the West and the traditions of the East, he is universally admitted to have been the founder of a new style of Hebrew poetry, departing from the orientalism of that of ancient days, and partaking of the classic taste of Greece and Rome, whose rythmical forms it adopted. His play is designed to illustrate the diffi- culties attendant on the pursuit of di- vine knowledge and its characters are therefore to be regarded as allegorical. "Migdal Oz," was published in Ger- many in 1737, but did not succeed in keeping its place before the public eye. We only know it through the medium of a Latin translation executed about the beginning of the last century, by Francis Delisch, who added a prelim- inary dissertation on the few scattered efforts of the Hebrew dramatic muse from the day of Josephus downwards. Shallum (the hero) awaits an answer from the Princess Shilomith, his love, his bright gazelle, etc. The imagery might seem hackneyed, but as a specimen of modern Hebrew sentiment and philosophy, it will have much of the zest of novelty, and the piquancy of contrast. Trustmg you may deem this worthy of publishing in The Guide To Nature," believe me, Yours sincerely, Ed. D. Marshall. Ye everlasting hills; beneath whose shade Sleep deeply hidden vales, where gentle peace Loves still alone to dwell — how dear to me The privilege, amid your leafy groves, To doff the burden of unwelcome greatness, From cities far — from palaces remote: For there lurks suffering in its bitterest forms, And gilded treachery, spreading still her net For the unwary foot, nor taking rest Until her victim fall. How different all Here in this peaceful haven; Wars alarms, The din of tongues, laws janglings, bloody strife, Are things undreamt of in our happy sphere. Even the despairing wretch, on whom the world Hath done its worst, in this its loneliest nook, No sooner folds his weary wing, than lo: The soothing whisper of the murmuring boughs, Stirred by soft winds, attunes his soul once more To joy, and lulls his sorrows in oblivion: Are not these verdant, flower-enamelled meads, A goodly heritage — a second Eden? Yet free to every dweller in the land, Who neath the fig's deep shade, from mid- day heat, Careless reposing, stretches him at ease. Lord of himself— from thoughts of evil far; 260 THE GUIDE TO NATURE What to such liberty are stores of gold, Or pomp, or kingdoms, judgment-seats, or thrones? Alas; men's treasuries are only prisons To lock the owners' souls in, while their bodies Seem free to go or come, to sleep or wake; Then what is power? and what are diadems? Worse than the serf's forced labour — since the load Of thousand provinces, not welcome night Lifts off the weary shoulders of a king. A Granite Boulder. Fostoria, Ohio. To the Editor : In sending' to you and other nature lovers a picture of nature's art (take which my good farmer friend replied, "Well, you may call it whatcher please, hut we just call it a big nigger-head roun' here, and bein's it's in the way of the plow, we are goin to put it out o' sight." "Well," I said, "as a speci- men of a granite boulder, I should call it 'out o' sight' now. What will you take for it, and deliver it just as it is at the front door of my house?" What- cher want it there fur?" my friend asked. "( >, just to put my name on k, as a doorplate," I answered. Agree- ment was made on price of delivery, and the stone now rests on my front THE GRANITE BOULDER. note, I call it nature's art), which she "has formed in her workshop in the min- eral kingdom, I also explain how it reached its present resting place on the lawn in front of my house. Several years ago I saw, about ten miles north of this city, two men dig- ging a hole beside the large stone which this cut represents. Taking a little glance at the stone, as I noted a pecu- liarity in its composition, and also in its general contour, I remarked to one of the men, "It looks like a genuine boulder of the granite variety." To lawn, a rich specimen of nature's synthet- ical work from her laboratory in the mineral kingdom, and it is pleasing to no'te an occasional passer-by, one whose eye can be atracted by the in- teresting and the beautiful, who will stop, its composition to inspect, and its conformation to admire. On one occasion while I was finish- ing the regrading of my lawn, I over- heard the remark, "Well ! there is an old friend of mine," and turned to see who it was to whom I had once been a friend. A stranger stood beside CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION 261 the boulder, explaining to two ladies the latest theory of its early formation, its history, and its migration to this country from some unknown land, making its journey during immeasur- able ages of the past, by a ride on a glacier's back. Whereupon I asked, "Did I under- stand you to say that that stone is an old friend of yours?" "Yes," he said, "it reminds me of some of the glacial specimens of the kind which we have on the campus where I live." "You are a university man?" I asked. "Yes, professor of geology in my southern home university." "Well, Professor," I said, "you are the very person for whom I've been wishing, that I might, if possible, glean some new or late intelligence as to whence out of chaos it came." And the professor, with a twinkle glancing from one corner of his eye. stood silent for a moment, and smiled. I think it was Henry Ward Beecher who said, "The flowers are the greatest work of God's creation into which he did not breathe a soul." But this glist- ening granite boulder's surface upon which from the sun The warm genial rays come smilingly down, And gleefully dancing While silently trancing O'er sparkling felspar, from grey to the brown ;" is to me as Beecher's flowers were to him, one of the sweetmeats for mental feasts when the mind is relaxed from the prosaics of life's necessities, and I ask. Whence out of Chaos came it? Reverend James McCash, LL. D., Professor of Logic and Metaphysics in the Queen's University of Ireland, in his admirable work entitled "Typical Forms, and Their Special Ends in Cre- ation," has beautifully traced man's composition through the kingdom of the plant creation, and how the plant kingdom has risen from the mineral and solid rocks. This hypothesis granted, I ofttimes wonder if the brightly illuminated soul of man which we sometimes see shining out from a- long his life's walks, may really have had its origin fostered by these beauti- ful floral granites with their shining and mirrored felspar from the mineral kingdom, and granting that this could possibly be so, I yet reverently ask, AYhence out of Chaos came it? (Dr.)W. R. Kxowi.ks. Sympodial Growth. BY CHARLES C. PUTT, BALTIMORE, MARY- LAND. Just why sympodial growth should not have been given more attention by botanists, perhaps never will be satis- factorily explained. One would think, that, as an easy means for additional ob- servation work, would alone have en- titled it to a little more consideration than it generally receives in most of our botanical text-books. Even the terms sympodial and monopodial, when this subject is discussed at all, are quite frequently not used at all, and the dis- cussion takes place under the caption, "Definite and Indefinite Annual Growth." Sometimes one might almost get the impression that these terms were no longer good and acceptable botanical ones. For the benefit of those readers of The Glide to Nature, who perhans never have given this subject any considera- tion, the following is presented. It is not at all exhaustive, nor does it go into all phases of the subject. * To do this, would take up much more time than the subject warrants. It is possible, as will be shown later, that some little importance may be attached to this matter, in the study of our trees and shrubs (towards their determina- tion) during the winter; aside from this, no doubt, the greatest satisfac- tion will be the deciding for one's self whether a growth is monopodial or sympodial, just as one is pleased to study the phyllotaxy of any plant, and just as it matters very little whether it is of the 2-5 or the 3-8 arrangement, so, too, it matters really very little whether a branch is a sympode or a monopode. We will start with Dr. Gray's defini- tions of a sympodium — "a stem made up of a series of superposed branches, in a way to imitate a simple axis." and of a monopodium — "a stem of a single and continuous axis, formed by the continual development of a terminal bud." In other words, as long as a plant retains a terminal bud, capable of continuing the axis, a monopodium will be the result, but a sympodium, when 262 THE GUIDE TO NATURE such is not the case. If we examine terminal part of the stem. The growth the suma.ch(Rhus glabra, R. typhina or of such a stem is now continued by the R. copallina) we will find that upon the lateral bud highest up the stem ; this approach of winter, the terminal portion lateral bud functions as a terminal bud, of any stem and, of course, its terminal and frequently has the appearance of bud are neatly sloughed and cast oft, one. Atkinson in his "Botany for just as are the leaves, and, like them, High Schools" calls this bud an "axil- leaves a neat scar. If there is to be lary terminal bud." (I must say, any further growth, it must be the re- though, that I rather prefer the term suit of the development of an axillary pseudo-terminal bud, literally false ter- bud; in other words a bud which ordi- minal bud.) We thus have a bud narily should produce a branch is called which ordinarily would have produced upon to continue the axis, the result a branch, continuing the stem ; the re- being a stem formed of superposed suiting growth will, therefore, consist branches. The reason for this behavior of superposed branches — in other of the sumach is explained in this way : words, a sympodium. In some cases There are certain perennials that ai- this pseudo-terminal bud is on tissue, ways produce a definite annual growth, still not sufficiently lignified to with- and there are others (like the sumach) stand our winters (seen well in the that have an indefinite annual growth, sumachs, equally well in ailanthus), with the result that the terminal poi- and is winterkilled, with the result tion dies back some distance during that the new growth will come from the winter, and easily falls away, a bud some distance back from the tip. From this, we at once surmise that Such sympodial growths are, of course, plants with definite annual growth give easiest of all to make out. rise to monopodial growth, and those After reading Miss Patton's fine ar- with indefinite annual growth to tide in the December number of the The sympodial growth, and this is Guide; To Nature and thinking that it true, as far as it goes, but is only one would be of interest, I have looked up phase of the subject; sympodial growth a few of the authors one is most likely may result in other ways. For a good to have at hand, to see what examples exposition of how sympodial growth of sympodial growth they might give, may be brought about, the reader is with the following result : referred to Strasburger (Text-book) or Asa Gray, as long ago as 1879 (Struc- to Bessey. tural Botany), gives the following ex- A.« sympodial giowths of the sumach amples — grapevine, Virginia creeper, type are possibly most easily observed, lilac, elm, rose, raspberry, sumach, hon- we will hold ourselves (for the most ey locust, most perennial herbs, root- part, at least) to them. From the stocks of Polygonatum and of Diphyl- above, it seems that those perennials leia. that make a more or less definite annual Andrews, in his "Botany All the growth are found upon the approach Year Round," discusses the subject un- ci: winter, provided with terminal buds, der "Definite and Indefinite Growth;'' at the end of strongly lignified stems he, too, uses the term, pseudo-terminal which can withstand the winter, and, bud. He gives as examples of indefi- upon the approach of spring, this ter- nite annual growth the following — rose, minal bud develops, continues the axis, honey locust, sumach, mulberry, and, as and a monopodium results. On the examples of plants with pseudo-term- other hand, those that do not make inal buds — elm, beech, such definite growths (and these may Bower, in his "Practical Botany," possibly be in the majority), having gives two examples of sympodial their terminal buds at the ends of growth — Marchantia and Fucus. They stems, with terminal portions not suf- are sympodia of the dichotomous ficiently lignified to withstand winter, branch system (for discussion ot have these not sufficiently lignified which, see Strasburger). parts regularly cast off. This casting Atkinson discusses the subject under off in some, possibly most cases is "Definite and Indefinite Growth ;" he done so neatly that a little scar is all makes use of the term axillary terminal that is seen of where was once the bud. He gives the following examples CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION 263 — spice bush, lilac, elm, sumach, willow. Vines, in his "Students' Text-book of Botany," discusses sympodial growth, but gives Polygonatiim, only, as an example. Bailey, in his "Botany," mentions the grapevine and Virginia creeper. Strasburger mentions the lime (lin- den), the beech, Polygonatiim, willow, most rhizomes, most of the Lycopodiac- eac and the Selagincllae. The following- list is taken from Blakeslee & Jarvis' "New England Trees in Winter," a careful reading of which will be found worth while. The authors never once make use of the term, sympodial, but they discuss most clearly the absence or presence of the terminal bud. Here is what they say, "The presence or absence of the term- inal bud is a very valuable point of distinction, and is used throughout in the keys. Unfortunately it is not al- ways possible at a cursory glance to say whether the terminal bud is present or absent, and a hand-lens must gen- erally be used for an accurate determin- ation of this point." A sympodium is bound to result when the terminal bud is absent and we can therefore list the following— sycamore, plum, Cladrastis, mulberry, linden, chestnut, redbud, birch, hornbeam, elm, ailanthus, su- mach, Celtis, quince, Kentucky coffee- tree, honey locust, catalpa. Following is a list of those that I have personally observed — grapevine, linden, sumach, elm, beech, Paulownia, sycamore, locust, persimmon (?), ai- lanthus, Kentucky coffee-tree, Virginia creeper, hazel, willow, Smilacina, Poly- gonatiim. _ Let us summarize all these observa- tions (those given by Miss Patton in The Guide to Nature for December are included), and we will have the follow- ing list of plants of sympodial growth, but let us not lose sight of the fact that the story is not half told. Anthurium Linden Ailanthus Locust ^?ec.Q Lycopodiaseae °1TC°- ,_ Marchantia Buckthorn Mulberry Carex. sp. Paulownia catalpa Persimmon (?) Celtis Plum Chestnut Polygonatum Cladrastis Pontederia Cruciferae Quince Cyperaceae Raspberry Diphylleia Eel Grass Elm Fucus Grapevine Hazel Honey Locust Hornbeam Kentucky Coffee-tree Lilac Redbud Rose Rush Selaginellae Smilacina Solanaceae sp. Spice Bush Sumach Sycamore Virginia creeper Willow Points of View. That evening, when I got back to the hotel, and after dinner, I stood on the balcony, lost in admiration at the glo- rious sunset effect on the mountains. While I waited there, watching the long shadows creep slowly up the hill- sides, many of the guests staying in the hotel passed out also, and I was inter- ested in their remarks as they came face to face with that great scene; for anyone with half a soul must have stopped and looked and thought. First there came two elderly ladies with a young girl. "Oh! isn't it just heaven- ly!" the latter exclaimed, as she gazed out over the mountains, and she clasped her hands almost as if she wanted to worship the sunset glory. :'Yes,^yes, my dear," one of the ladies said ; "it's very pretty, but come along." They moved on, hardly glancing at the scene, and beckoned to" the girl, who was still gazing out on it. The next to pass through the folding doors were two men. Their expression was just "Gorgeous," and they wandered on. More came and went, but all stopped and most admired the view. Then last came the wealthy man of the world. He sauntered through the doors, stood still on the steps, with his feet wide apart and his hands thrust into his pockets, and between his lips there was a large cigan For just a moment he looked at the hills and mountains, more glorious than ever, and then grunted, "H'rn, not bad for ten shillings a day!" Oliver G. Pike, F. R. P. S., F. Z. S., in "Farther Afield in Birdland." No Reason Why You Should Not Know Him. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead ; so that they are without excuse. — Romans 1 :2o. 264 THE GUIDE TO NATURE The Heavens in February. BY PROF. ERIC DOOUTTLE OF THE UNI- VERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. It is on the early evenings of Febru- ary that we see the wonderful winter sky in its greatest brilliancy. The mag- nificent Orion, the great Taurus, the bright Twin stars, and the very bril- liant Dog Stars are all high in the south, and these, together with the bright Capella overhead, and the group Leo, which has now mounted high in the east, unite to make the February evening heavens the brightest of the entire year. With the aid of Figure 1, the observer will have no difficulty in tracing out these brighter groups of the sky, and having found these he may next become familiar with the many remaining groups, which though so much fainter are no less interesting. THE FEBRUARY STARS. This is the most favorable time of the 3'ear in which to examine the two little groups, Lepus and Colnmba, which both lie directly below the bright Orion. The former has been known as the Hare from the earliest times, and the reason why so timid an animal should have been placed at the feet of the mighty Hunter has been much discussed. But as the Hare has been associated with the moon from the very earliest times, — possibly because the dimly outlined figure on the nearly full moon strongly resembles this ani- mal.— and as the Hunter was a solar type, their close association hi :he -k-\ was to have been expected. A short distance to the left of Lepus there al- ways follows the brilliant Dog Star, which "Behind him ever speeds as in pursuit, and rises after, And eyes him as he sets." Below Lepus is the pretty little group of Columba, or Noah's Dove, — a modern constellation, — and to the left of this are the numerous faint, stars which form the constellation of the Larger Dog. Of these Sirius, that great sun four times as large as our own sun, is of course by far the largest and is the only one familiar to most observers. Yet there is much else of interest in the constellation. At the point C, almost midway between the stars A and B, there is a magnificent cluster of stars just visible to the naked eye, while all of the stars marked D are double stars which are readily visible in a small telescope. The star at A was known to the Arabians as the Announcer, be- cause its rising foretold the appearance of the far brighter Sirius. In the group Lepus, the possessor of a small telescope should examine the stars at F, which are interesting, doubles, and also the remarkable red star at E, a short distance to the right of N, which is the reddest star of the heavens. At K, forming a nearly equal sided triangle with the stars L and N there is also an interesting cluster, which in a small telescope appears merely as a fai/illy saining nebuloiVs cloud. To the left of the Greater Dog we may see a few of the uppermost stars of the great constellation Argo, which covers a large space in the southern heavens. In this constellation is a wonderful variable star, noted as one of the most striking obje.cts in the heavens even among the very earliest people from whom records have come down to us. This remarkable object varies from the first to the seventh magnitudes in a very irregular manner. Its light is now slowly increasing. Here too is the wonderfully bright Canopus, which by many observers is thought to equal or even to exceed Sirius in brilliancy. And it is a most remarkable fact that the wonderful brightness of this star is not caused by its nearness to us. The most refined observations fail to show any displace- ment of its position in the heavens due to our own motion around the sun, and THE HEAVENS IN FEBRUARY 265 thus we know that although it appears to us to about equal our near neighbor, Sirius, it must in reality be almost in- conceivably brighter. Unfortunately, this beautiful object lies so far below the celestial Equator that it cannot be seen from points on the earth of a higher north latitude than thirty seven degrees. By obser- vers in this latitude it will be seen to just rise above the south horizon at nine o'clock in the evening of February 6 .while throughout Texas. Lower, Cali- Venus has been mounting upward in the southwest and how it has contin- ually increased in brightness until now; it is more than seven times brighter than even the Dog Star itself. The very favorable position of this beautiful ob- ject is, in fact, the most striking char- acteristic of the present month. We will have to wait until September, 1914, before we will again see our sister world shine so brightly as an evening star. Venus will reach its farthest distance NDH" .soi_i-r^ Figure 1 — The Constellations. February 1, 9 P. M. (If facing south hold the map upright. If facing East below; if facing west, hold West below. If facing north hold the map upright.) fornia. Arizona, and the Gulf states it will this month be a conspicuous object. Above Argo there will be seen the Lesser Dog, the Crab, with its remark- able cluster at P, the Lynx, and the Giraffe, all of which interesting faint groups may be well traced out during the early evenings of the present month. THE PLANETS IN FECRIWRY. No one who during the past month has looked at the sky at all. can have failed to notice how the very brilliant east of the sun on February 12, at which time it will appear exactly half full if viewed in a small telescope. From this time it will begin to draw apparently nearer the sun and will rap- idly assume the crescent shape, but as it is also moving rapidly northward among the stars its time of setting will be but very little altered. Throughout the entire month it will remain visible each evening until nearly four hours after sunset, and the study of its beau- tiful disc as it grows rapidly larger with 266 THE GUIDE TO NATURE Figure 3 — View showing the general form of ap- pearance of the Zodiacal Light. its diminishing distance from us, and as it changed first to a half circle and afterwards to a narrow crescent, pro- vides one of the most interesting of all observations for the possessor of a small telescope. On February 10, at 7 A. M., the moon will pass between the earth and Venus, hiding the planet from view. This most interesting sight will be visible to many observers in the southern hemis- phere, but unfortunately the earth is so large that those who are above the equator will look over the upper edge of the moon and hence see the planet every month of this year we will not be able to witness it for the first time until September 20. Mercury enters the evening sky on February 12, and though it does not reach its greatest elongation until next month, it may nevertheless during the last evenings of February be clearly seen. It will be found low in the twi- light glow, a little south of the west point, for about one and three fourths hours after sunset. Saturn is still in excellent position for obssrvation, as it shines out just below the Pleiades in the southwest. The rings now show nearly their maxi- mum width and the whole wonderful system forms a most beautiful object for study with a small telescope. The other bright planets are now all morning stars. THF, ZODIACAL LIGHT. During the moonless evenings which occur at the end of this month and the beginning of March, the observer should not fail to look for this faint but most interesting object. He should go out of doors on any clear evening, away from all sources of artificial light, as soon after sunset as the sky has become dark, and face directly toward the west. He will then readily detect the light, which will appear as a great, faint pyramid, whose widest part rests upon the horizon and whose apex may ex- tend nearly to the Pleiades, or even C TgATBEia •POTSTIOM OF u&^r Figure 2 — Cross seition of the Zodiacal Light showing the supposed portion of this great circular cloud. apparently above our satellite. Even were this not the case, the occultation occurs at such an hour that both ob- jects will long since have set to all ob- servers in the United States. It may be added that the moon will pass over the Pleiades on February 12 at 10 A. M., and on March 13 at 4 P. M., both of which will be invisible to us for simi- lar reasons. Though the occultation of this little group of stars will occur farther. The center of the widest part of the base is at the point at which the sun set, the light is here brightest, and it grows rapidly fainter as its borders are approached. There can be but little doubt that this strange light is caused by a great, fiattened swarm of little particles which surrounds the sun and extends some- what beyond the orbit of the earth, the form of its cross section being very ap- THE HEAVENS IN FEBRUARY 267 proximately that shown in Figure 2. But what the physical condition of the cloud is is still largely a matter of con- jecture, though we are certain that its average density must be almost incon- ceivably small. One of the most interesting of recent mathematical investigations has shown that if the densest part of this cloud is only so much as one fifty millionth part that of our air, the pull of the mass iipon the inner planets will be just suf- ficient to cause the hitherto unexplain- ed disturbances of their motions. It may be remembered that in order to explain these disturbances the assump- tion was made many years ago that there existed an unseen planet moving inside of the orbit of Mercury, and to this supposed planet there was given the name of Vulcan. It has long been regarded as nearly certain that Vulcan has no existence. Now that it has been shown how the pulls of the exceedingly tenuous mass of the Zodiacal Liqiit upon the inner planets are sufficient to explain their deviations from their predicted courses, the assumption of the existence of unseen bodies in the solar system becomes unnecessary. An Open Mouth as an Expression of Intelligence. We have previously noticed an in- teresting book, "Wild Animals and the Camera." by W. P. Dando, F. Z. S.. published in London by Jarrold & Sons, and in New York by the Fred- erick A. Stokes Company. The photographs are especially good portrayals of the animals of the Lon- don Zoological Garden. Perhaps the most sensational is that of the hippopot- amus. "Guv Fawkes." The author makes the novel suggestion that the wide open- ing of the mouth at the word of com- mand is an indication of intelligence. 1 wish one could say the same thing of other forms of life because there are some examples, not unknown to most people, where a too wide, or a too fre- quent or a too vociferous opening of the mouth has not been regarded as an in- dication of the highest intelligence. But should we expect a rule to be of universal application? Perhaps this manner of manifesting intelligence is not more applicable to four-footed ani- mals than to mankind, and no more invariably applicable than certain bio- logical principles that certain scien- tists have been persistently telling us are of universal application. The au- thor says : "The hippo has never been a great favourite with the public which is prov- ed by the fact that very little of the A REMARKABLE EXPRESSION. food given to the animals by the visi- tors, which amounts to many tons a year, ever found its way to 'Guy Fawkes,' who, although by nature herbivorous, was as fond as an elephant of a bun, and would open her enormous mouth at the word of command, which to my mind proves she was not so wanting in intelligence as some people would make out." Birds and Bird Music. Mr. Henry Oldys of Silver Spring, Maryland, a most efficient lecturer on birds and bird music, is to make a tour of New England in the spring of 1913. In the course of his study of bird music, he has discovered many evidences of close relationship between bird music and the human voice. These discoveries have been presented before various scientific societies and in popular magazine articles. We be- speak for him a cordial reception in every place that he may visit in his New England tour. 268 THE GUIDE TO NATURE HERE is a right as well as a wrong" way — in the mat- ter of the photography of snakes — just as there is in doing anything else in this world worth the while. Living snakes may be photographed for the mere sake of photographing them, and with no other end in view than such satis- faction as the photographer may gain through the experience, and through the pleasure he derives from getting such pictures for his album. Pur- suits of this nature are all well enough in their way, but the best use of the results are often defeated. The prac- tice is usually more or less selfish, and there is rarely any incentive to scien- FIO. 1. A WATER SNAKE AT HOME. lific or even to competitive achieve- ment. As in the case of all other biological material, living or otherwise, snakes are photographed by the scientific or zoo- logical photographer to meet the var- ious aims of science and of education. There are many points, then, to be taken into consideration, when we come to make a practically useful and scientific photograph of a living snake, and to accomplish this, requires the application of a certain technique on the part of one who is familiar, in all particulars, with the natural history oi ophidians. Up to the present time, snakes have been classified in science by the char- acter of their scales, especially by those on the head ; by the presence or absence of certain structures of the eye, tongue, and other parts; by the form of the head, and the development of certain appendages, as horns, and rattles on the end of the tail ; by preorbital nits ; by color, size, habits, geographical dis- tribution, etc. So then, when we come to make a photograph of a living snake, which is to be of any use to the zoolo- gist, or to the teacher of biology, we must have it in mind to exhibit in the photograph as many of these instruc- tive features as possible. There is a fairly abundant species of snake found in the woods about the city of Washington, generally known as the water snake and to the zoologist as Matrix faciata sipedon, — rather a long name, but not a difficult one to pro- nounce, or even to remember. I have frequently met with this well-known reptile in the low, swampy lands to the north of the city. On one occasion I got an excellent photograph of one in its very haunts, and this picture is here reproduced in Fig. i of this article. This photograph not only gives an excellent idea as to how this particular snake appears in its natural environ- THE CAMERA 269 FIG. 2 A BLOTCHED ICING SNAKE. Designed to show the difference in the scales of the upper and under parts. tnent ; but it conveys to tbe mind the probable size of the creature, for I was -careful to include in the picture, by way of comparison, common plants and toadstools with which everyone is fam- iliar. By the aid of an ordinary lens, wt can easily study the peculiar carinated scales, as well as count the scales upon the upper and lower jaws, which are a- mong the characters employed in class- ifying" this species. We can see there is no "pit" a short distance in front of the eye ; therefore it is not a "pit viper," and consequently, being a North Temperate American snake, we know it is an innocuous one and per- fectly harmless. Of course, it is un- fortunate that we can tell nothing about the color of this reptile from the reproduction of its photograph ; but this is something that we have so often de- plored that it would be idle to touch again upon it here. Sometimes it is advantageous to so pose a snake that, in the resulting pho- tograph, the student may get a view of the pattern of the scales on the under- pays. This I have accomplished in the •case of the blotched king snake (Lam- pro'peltis rhomb omaculatus,) here repro- duced in Fig. 2. This picture I took in my study at home, where I used a clean, white sheet for a background, and I encouraged the reptile to slide very gradually down on a limb, which I had firmly screwed into a little hand- vise, fastened to the top of an extra tripod. It was a short exposure, as one will appreciate by regarding the fore- part of the animal, which is poised in the air and shows no movement what- ever. The difference in the character of the scales in the upper and lower part of this king snake are here well exhibit- ed, as well as the nature of the smooth, unkeeled scutes of the dorsal surface. However, this picture has no special scientific value, whatever its worth may be from an educational point of view. Personally, I have never particularly cared for it. for the reason that it savors too much of the unnatural. Still, it does exhibit the character and arrange- ment of some of the scales on the under side of the body, and that is something; for we cannot very well get those in the case of a snake, unless we make a hand- drawing of them. This is strictly the case with respect to the terrestrial snakes, which, when photographed in their native haunts, rarely show any of their under-parts. An example of this is seen in Fig.3 illustrating this article. It is the re- production of a photograph of a pretty little Garter Snake, which I obtained in Northern Virginia several years ago It is really a good zoological cut, cap- able of being used in any scientific work on the subject, and that to de- cided advantage. It shows the species — Thamnophis sirtalis — in a place when, one would be very likely to meet with it in nature. It is also about life-size, and has assumed a perfectly natural pose — in fact, one in which it is just about to make off for a place of greater safety. By the use of an ordinary hand-lens, one can discern the complete arrange- ment of the scales on the top and sides of the head, as well as the distribution of those on the body. Further, one can plainly see the round pupil of the eye, and the absence of the "pit" between the latter and the nostril of the same side. The entire form of the reptile is 270 THE GUIDE TO NATURE likewise given in complete detail; in short, were the colors of this snake known to the examining- herpetologist, in any part of the world, he could, by the use of the aforesaid hand-lens, quickly identify the species, and so give its geographical distribution and life- history. Or, even were the colors not known to him, it would be quite pos- sible for him to name the species. This brings me to the discussion of a class of pictures which belong in the distinctly scientific category, and which are of positive educational value. these young snakes, and they belong to three very distinct genera, — two of them being innocuous forms, and one of them very venomous. In Fig. 4, we have the young of the common milk snake (Lampropcltis do- liatus triangulus,) and in Fig. 5, a young "spreading" or "blowing viper" (Heter- oden platyrhinus.) Both of these species are entirely harmless, and, as a matter of fact, very beautiful and gentle little creatures. On the other hand, the two views of a snake shown in Figs. 6 and 7, represent a species of FIG. 3. A GOOD ZOOLOGICAL CUT OF THE COMMON CARTER SNAKE. Of such I present four examples (Figs. 4-7,) all very recently taken. They are specimens of young snakes, none of them being over three months old, — and I may say that they often make the most difficult subjects for the cam- era. In the first place it will be observed that, in all four of the cuts of these young snakes, each and every one of them have been completely shorn of all their surroundings, or of what some are pleased to call the "accessories." This, of course, is accomplished by pho- tographing them on a plain, white sur- face, and, in the vast majority of cases, indoors. There are three different species of an entirely different kind, for it is the young of the very venomous and wide- ly known copperhead snake (Ancistro- don contortrix). These specimens were all taken near Washington, during the summer of 1912, and photographed by me in my study, or in one of the rooms where I do my photography of live animals These pictures are all taken exactly life-size, and each exhibits the char- acteristic pose of its kind. For ex- ample, note the "meek and lowly" car- riage of the head in the case of the harmless and gentle little milk snake, as it starts to make its escape (Fig. 4), compared with the self-reliant and saucy pose of the venomous young THE CAMERA 271 FIG. 4. A YOUNG MILK SNAKE. Life size seen on lateral view. copperhead, as he makes a similar at- tempt to get away (Fig. 6). Their respective traits are equally well shown when taken upon a vertical view; for there is a lack of anything resembling a "coil" in the innocuous young Heterodon, seen in Fig. 5, as compared with the very threatening pose assumed by the aforesaid young copperhead reproduced in Fig. 7, — it being the same specimen as shown in Fig. 6. It will be noticed that two of these pictures are taken upon a direct lateral view (Figs 4 and 6), and two upon di- rect upper or vertical view (Figs. 5 and 7). By the aid of a hand-lens the minutest character can be readily made out in any one of them. If one chances to be very fortunate, the photographing of one of these young snakes, in the manner shown in Figs. 4 to 7, may be accomplished in a moment — or, perhaps, in a few mo- ments— while it sometimes requires a very much longer time. For example, the one shown in Fig.7 I obtained in about a minute ; Fig. 5 in twenty min- utes, and in the case of those shown in Figs. 4 and 6, each took about two hours. These little snakes are very restless, incomprehensive and erratic, and con- sequently make very trying subjects, notwithstanding the fact that one has them perfectly at one's mercy and in- doors. To obtain results like those shown in Figs. 5 and 7 is not so very difficult. With them, I used a 5x8 gallery camera with a high-class lens. The white background is heavy, perfectly clean, non-glossy cardboard. You first focus on some object of the same size as the snake, and get it sharp on the groundglass of the camera, where it will make the picture in the middle of the plate. Next, remove the "dummy ;" place your snake in exactly the same place, and cover it with the lid of a small, circular box, under which it can rest with perfect comfort. Allow things to rest for several minutes, until you are sure that the imprisoned snake is perfectly quiet. In the meantime, put in the camera a quick plate of the best make (isochromatic;) set for the small- est stop, and use a rapid shutter. When everything is ready, uncover the snake. Do this, not by a slow, cautious movement, but rather by a very rapid and dexterous one. If he chances to be in a pose to suit you, the exposure may be made at once; if not, move him into position with some light object, such as a lead pencil. If he gets nervous and moves off, the only thing to do is to go through the whole performance again until you succeed. To obtain the side views of these FIG. 5. A YOUNG BLOWING VIPER. Life size: seen directly from above. snakes, I use a similar piece of white cardboard, curved to an arc of the circle, and held in position by any suit- able device. (Screw-clamps, etc.). Then I proceed by the same methods used in obtaining the vertical views. 2/2 THE GUIDE TO NATURE FIG. 6. A YOUNG COPPERHEAD. Life size; seen from above. The resulting pictures, however, are very unsatisfactory and equally un- scientific if the exposure is made when the little snake is all drawn up into a coil, as it will be when the cover is re- moved. To be seen to the best advan- tage, it should be taken when moving away ; but this is what takes skill and patience on the part of the zoological photographer. If he be lacking in those qualities, he can never make such pictures as are here reproduced in Figs. 4 and 5, — mark my word when I say so. The young milk snake shown in Fig. 4, is undergoing the operation of shed- ding,— probably for the first time, — and the delicate bits of skin are plainly seen along the line of its body. My young copperhead, as well as the milk snake have both been con- signed to alcohol ; ere long they will figure in the collection of some mu- seum, which I think is a better dis- position to make of them, than simply to kill them and toss them out of the window. When irritated, the adult blowing viper flattens out the fore part of his body in a most ferocious-appearing style, at the same time giving vent to a series of very aggressive hisses. This is accompanied by his coiling and un- coiling the end of his tail. These habits have cost many a one its life, the slayer— if a man and uninformed — invariably boasting of having killed a specimen of the most venomous reptile known, where- as the species is a perfectly harmless one. Be this as it may, the very young of this snake have also the above describ- ed habits, and it is very prettily shown in Fig. 5 of this article. We note the tail just about to coil. up, while the little reptile's head and neck are both flat- tened out, — and that with the hope of frightening me away ! The young copperhead also coils it? tail when irritated ; but instead of flat- tening out its head and neck, as in the case of the young blowing viper, it seems to reduce the caliber of its neck, and thus make the individualization of the head of its venomous little self all the more apparent. Note how beautifully these young snakes are marked, and how different the pattern is in the case of each. For scientific illustrations, they are just wdiat the naturalist needs ; and were they properly colored, they would be far ahead of anything that could be accomplished by brush or pencil. It is only by means of the photographic camera that we can get the arrange- ment of the skin pattern, the number and disposition of the scales and other characters so perfectly. FIG. 7. A YOUNG COPPERHEAD SNAKE. Life size seen on lateral view. THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION 27S AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION' Kwtublished 1*7") Incorporated. Massachusetts. IS!)? Incorporated, Connecticut, 1910 The Agassiz Yucca at Arcadia. In November, 1908, a Washington, D. C, friend of The Agassiz Associa- tion sent to the home office a clipping from a Washington newspaper giving an extended account of the annual flower show of the Florists' Club of that city, at which the attendance, it was stated, was nearly 35,000. Our attention was particularly requested to the following paragraph : "A novel plant, which was exhibited, but which escaped the notice of a great many persons, is the 'Resurrection' plant, or scientifically known as the Agassiz Yucca, from Brazil. The first plant of this variety was brought from Brazil in 1866 by Prof. Agassiz and his wife, who made an immense collec- tion of specimens for the Harvard mu- seum. William Falconer, then curator of the botanic garden at Cambridge, secured several sprouts from the plant, one of which he brought to this city. The plant which was exhibited at the show, is the property of Mrs. Walcott, wife of the secretary of the Smithson- ian Institution." Inquiry was at once made to the Smithsonian Institution for further particulars. That letter was referred to the United States Botanic Garden. The Superintendent, Mr. W. R. Smith, under date of February 1st, 1909, wrote as follows : "The Agassiz Yucca or Resurrection plant is a provisional name, it being an unknown species. The Yucca was brought from Brazil, by Professor Agassiz, in 1866. After being appar- ently dead for two years, it was placed in a damp place, and commenced to grow; hence the name Resurrection plant. Both Mr. Falconer and myself obtained some shoots from this plant, and propagated them. I should be pleased to present one to your friend, on hearing further from von." Under date of April 23, 1909, the fol- lowing letter from the Superintendent was received : "Yesterday we shipped a box by mail to you containing one Yucca Agassai, as promised, and trust you will receive same in good condition." The plant has since been in good condition at the entrance door of the Agassiz Home at Arcadia, and examin- ed and touched by hundreds of visitors. A direct bit of life from the hands of Louis Agassiz should enliven any one's interest in nature. Among Our Chapters. RK-ORGANIZVTION OF MANOR SCHOOL CHAPTER (NO. IOqi ), STAMFORD, CONN. Officers: President, Alwyn G. Levy; Vice-President, Lathrop F. Berry; Sec- retary, Welles H. Newlands ; Curator, Daniel Moore ; Treasurer, Oliver K. Church. The total membership of this chapter is forty-two. The interests consist chiefly of walks, talks and original ob- servations, especially in the care oi aquaria. Some of the members have made good original studies of various kinds of fungi. Others have valuable studies on insects, especially of the Hymenoptera family. The president is especially expert in electricity and pho- tography. We are hoping for specific, detailed reports later. K. F. B. The Wendell Phillips High School (Chicago) Chapter. The Chapter, under two most able officers, the president and vice-presi- dent, has made a good start this year. A contest is going on for the best col- lection of natural specimens. All of the individual members are making col- lections and as prizes are soon to be awarded everyone is striving to do his 274 THE GUIDE TO NATURE best. Besides this the ever generous Mr. Hand has offered to give the Chap- ter all the shells which its members are able to correctly name out of his own immense assortment of fresh- and salt- water bi- and univalves. These, to- gether with the aforementioned, praise- worthy collections, will greatly add to the Chapter's museum. The day after Thanksgiving Day, there being no school, the Agassiz Chapter, together with the Camera and Walking Clubs, also of the Wendell Phillips High School, took a trip into the country. They started about nine in the morning, took a car to the city limits and then walked eleven miles along a country road till they came to a thick woods just the other side of Willow Springs. Including one of the girl's mother, there were twenty-two of us. We built a fire amidst the woods and roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes, turkey, "wenies," apples, etc., which to- gether with the hearty lunch which the girls had brought, and coffee which we made over the fire, was a regular second Thanksgiving dinner. We then played games around the fire and con- tributed one to another our knowledge of the woods and its creatures. About four-thirty we started home and a jolly time we had. All except six, four of whom were boys, walked all the way back to the city, making somewhat over twenty-five miles the day's walk. The adventure was so widely pro- nounced a success that it is to be re- peated with slight variations sometime during the Christmas vacation. Robert P. Vanderpoel. I remembered to have done in my life, and, as I reckoned, about nine hours; for when I awaked it was just daylight. I attempted to rise, but was not able to stir; for, as I happened to lie on my back, I found my arms and legs were Great Gulliver Bound by a Lilliputian. It will be recalled that when Gulliver visited the land of the Lilliputians he took a nap, and when he awoke he found himself bound by tiny "liga- tures" put on by little human creatures about six inches high. He tells us of the condition in which he found him- self: "I was extremely tired ; and with that, and the heat of the weather, and about a half a pint of brandy that I drank as I left the ship, I found myself much inclined to sleep. I lay down on the grass, which was very short and soft, where I slept sounder than ever THE GRASSHOPPER IN THE SPIDER'S MESH. strongly fastened on each side to the ground; and my hair, which was long and thick, tied down in the same man- ner. I likewise felt several slender ligatures across my body, from my arm-pits to my thighs. I could only look upwards; the sun began to grow hot, and the light offended my eyes. I heard a confused noise about me, but, in the posture I lay, could see nothing except the sky." It is possible that Dean Swift in writing his wonderful satire on the human race must have taken the notion of ^ the binding of Gulliver from the spider and the grasshopper. At any rate there is a close parallel. In the grounds of Arcadia this year we have seen many a Gulliver grasshopper firmly bound by a Lilliputian spider. But unlike the original Lilliputians these do not need to wait till their vic- tim is asleep; they can start even the slightest of gossamer threads despite the active movements of the grasshop- per. What a strange world ! And the more we study it the more remarkable it becomes. Into a spider's web flies a big grasshopper. From this he could probably free himself by his own strug- gles if not attacked by the spider. But the spider does attack, and the struggle becomes worth watching. The spider THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION 275 seems to know that the grasshopper's legs are the principal point. Note in the accompanying illustration how the slender threads are lashed alongside of the body to prevent the straightening out of the leg. It is good to study this picture. It tells us of the spider's in- genuity, but far better will it be for you, O reader, if you can have the pleasure of watching the entire process. If, perchance, a grasshopper does not happen to jump into the web just as you pass by then make the experiment. Catch a grasshopper, toss it into the web, and notice how greedily and fiercely the inhabitant thereof will greet your co-operation. The Foundation's Mute Appeal. Without a cover, except a mantle of snow, lies the foundation wall of the Assemblv Hall at Arcadia. From this sire to see the many and various at- tractions of the place. We are glad to show these things to every one, but we lack proper facilities. As we are now situated, we cannot do justice to our friends, ourselves, nor the objects that are so attractive, and at the same time carry on the work in the office. We want our office and our laboratory work to go on undisturbed, and we want to be able to show these pleasing things in the realm of nature, not to one person at a time, but to an entire group. Are Ave unreasonable when we appeal for so good and altruistic a Cause? We ask for only $2,000 for the build- ing and its equipment, not half the cost of one of the automobiles that go whiz- zing by at about the rate of ten a min- ute on roads not far from Arcadia. In a hall we could and would effectively take our visitors to the realms of na- THE FOUNDATION COVERED WITH SNOW. Beautiful but not Efficient! cover that nature has spread over them, the stones make their mute appeal to every passer-by. They, and the man- agement and members of The Agassiz Association, ask for a building in which may be done more and better work for every interested person, and for the general public. Long before the end of this new year, we hope to have thai; building. Every day brings visitors to Arcadia, visitors prompted by their de- ture. Our restrictions are so great that at the present time we cannot do this, but we want to do it. Please do not lose sigtit of the fact that all scientific presentation within this hall is to be free to the public. You are cordially invited to come and to come soon. There is a special interest at the pres- ent time. Non-members will please come during visiting hours on Wednes- days and Saturdays from 3.00 to 5.00 276 THE GUIDE TO NATURE P. M., or make an appointment by tel- ephone. Members with their friends are wel- come at any time on any day. The Agassiz Association, Inc., Edward F. Bigelow, President. Telephone 1597-4. Contributions to Agassiz Assembly Hall. Balance from Building Fund of New Arcadia $14-59 Mr. J. Langeloth, Riverside _ 50.00 Mr. Wesley H. Finney, Sound Beach 1.00 Mrs. E. Dimon Bird, Green- wich 2.00 "Homedale," Greenwich 2.00 Miss Alice L. Armistead, Stamford 1.00 Mrs. Charles M. Joslyn, Hart- ford, Conn. 1.00 Miss Belle W. Ferris, Sound Beach 1.25 Mrs. P. D. Adams, Sound Beach 2.00 Miss J. Pinkham, Sound Beach 1.00 A friend, Stamford 25.00 Mr. William H. Judd, Stam- ford 25.00 Mr. C. H. Knapp, Sound Beach 10.00 Mr. Samuel P. Avery, Hart- ford, Conn. 25.00 Miss Helen W. Smith, Stam- ford 10.00 Mrs. C. O. Miller, Stamford _ 10.00 Mr. James W. Brice, Sound Beach 10.00 Mr. George A. King, Arling- ton, N. J. 2.00 Mr. Robert Stewart, Sound Beach 5.00 A Friend 5-°° Mr. Warren H. Taylor, Stam- ford 10.00 Mrs. G. H. Bladworth, Sound Beach 10.00 Mr. Allen F. Kitchel, Sound Beach 2.00 Mr. W. J. Delap, Stamford __ 10.00 Dr. S. Elizabeth Finch, Sound Beach 10.00 A Friend, Sound Beach 5.00 Mr. Wells McMaster, Sound Beach 5-°° Honorable D. O. Wickham, Cleveland, Ohio 5.00 Mrs. Mortimer B. Foster, Sound Beach Miss Lot a A. Mix, Stamford Dr. Merwin-Marie Snell, Sound Beach A Friend, Sound Beach F. Schavoir, M. D., Stamford Mrs. Robert McGinnis, Sound Beach Mr. L. S. Miller, Sound Beach 5.00 2.00 55 .00 3.00 2.00 10.00 5.00 $341.84 Actual Occurrences, Not Prophecies. The weekly newspapers are published in the latter part of the week, most of them on Friday, many of them on Sat- urday, just in time for the readers to get an account of the events of the week. The daily morning papers professedly give, early that morning, the news of the previous day. They do not attempt to chronicle the news for the day on which they are dated. The papers that do this are, of course, published in the evening, or as late in the day as is possible in order to cover the complete news of the previous twenty-four hours. But when we come to the mag'azines what a strange anomaly we have ! Most of them are inconsistently published two or three weeks before the month for which they are dated. What possible reason can there be for dating any pub- lication several weeks after it is pub- lished ? The Guide to Nature publishes a resume of what has taken place in the realm of nature for that month, and thereby becomes a guide for the following month. It tells of things done, not of things predicted, nor, least of all, of vis- ions and dreams that may happen but probably never will. Yet, strange to say, when we publish a magazine at the very time when it should be published, the last of the month, some people think that we are inconsistent. But it is not we that are incongruous. Here is the last of the month, and our magazine goes to the post office for the month on which it is dated, and at the same time there come to my desk magazines dealing with events in outdoor life and with allied topics that are to occur during the following month. How do the editors know that such a month will ever come, or if it does, how do they know that a catastrophe will not destroy all nature? Inconsistent? Our correspondents must look elsewhere for that. LITERARY NOTES XXV Literary BIOGRAPHICAL The Birds' Convention. By Harriet Williams Myers. Los Angeles, California : West- ern Publishing Company. This book is beautifully printed on tinted, soft finish paper. The photographic illus- trations are good from the naturalist's point of view, and the conversation at the con- vention contains much of ornithological in- terest. The reviewer is not pleased when birds and quadrupeds talk like human be- ings, nor when human beings talk like the lower animals, but he knows that many students of nature take delight in all such artistic fiction. To them this beautiful book will be welcome. The final chapter pays a well-deserved tribute from the birds to the Audubon Society, in grateful recognition of the Society's protection. Woodland Idyls. By W. S. Blatchley. In- dianapolis: The Nature Publishing Company. This is an amplification of the author's motto, "Be ye satisfied with little things." He believes that this precept should be set before the eyes of every one who in the woods seeks fancies for his brain, content- ment for his soul. The author has recorded the thoughts that have come to him as he has walked in nature's realms. The book is in the form of a diary and describes his rambles at various times of the year. It contains few of those philosophical remarks about nature that so endeared his previous books to hosts of naturalists. He seems to think that, as in some of Whitman's poems, a catalogue of observation may em- body a philosophy. He allows the objects of nature to speak for themselves, as they do effectively. The Mechanistic Conception of Life. Bio- logical Essays by Jacques Loeb, M.D., Ph.D., Sc.D. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. The reader will probably recall the fact that the author has achieved no little scien- tific distinction, and almost as much news- paper notoriety, for his experiments on the artificial fertilization of the egg of the sea urchin and of other forms of marine life. This book, as its title implies, explains the mechanical point of view of life dealt with wholly as a physico-chemical affair. It is a popular presentation, in a series of read- able essays, of the results of the author's in- vestigations. He does not assert that any life phenomenon has yet found a physico- chemical explanation. He thinks that the veil that covers the proof of this hypothesis may sometime be lifted, and that we shall then be surprised because "we did not guess from the first what was behind it." Principles of Economic Zoology. By L. S. Daugherty, M. S., Ph. D., and M. C. Daugherty. With 301 illustrations. Phil- adelphia; W. B. Saunders Company. Cloth, $2.00 net. Not only are the salient facts of structural zoology and the development of the various branches of animals here given, but also such facts of natural history — or the life and habits of animals — as show the inter- relations of structure, habit and evironment. The authors have laid much stress upon principles and their application. The book is a useful adjunct to the "Field and Labora- tory Guide." The Book of Grasses. By Mary Evans Fran- cis. Garden City: Doubleday, Page & Company. Previous books on the grasses have refer- red to their economic importance, their value to the farmer as a part of his agricul- tural work, or have been technical treatises for the scientific man. This is a welcome book intended for the student, and has long been needed. It is accurate, and not too scientific to be appreciated by the general reader. With its descriptions are combined illustrations that effectively show the beauty of the grasses. The grasses are the most decorative of our plants, and the study of them should appeal to every one interested in nature. We are glad that so convenient a book is made available. It should stimu- late a deeper interest in this fascinating fam- ily of plants. A Popular Guide to Minerals. By L. P. Grata- cap, A.M., American Museum of Natural History. With Chapters on the Bement Collection of Minerals in the American Museum of Natural History, and The De- velopment of Mineralogy; for use of visitors to public cabinets of minerals and for elementary teaching in miner- alogy. With 400 Text Illustrations, and 74 Photographic Plates. New York: D. Van Nostrand Company. This guide, while primarily intended for the use of visitors to collections of minerals, contains much matter of general interest on some of the scientific aspects of mineralogy in relation to crystallography, optics, chem- istry and geology. Much of the book is readable aside from its use as a guide to a collection, and undoubtedly will greatly stimulate readers to a more careful inspec- tion of public collections of minerals. One of the most interesting features of the book is the extensive map which gives a "bird's- eye" view of the principal locations of min- erals throughout the United States. XXVI THE GUIDE TO NATURE Pitre's The Swallow Book. By Dr. Giuseppe Pitre. Translated from the Italian by Ada Walker Camehl. Cloth, 12mo, 158 pages, 60 ilustrations. Price 35 .cents. New York; American Book Company. This supplementary reader for the upper grammar grades consists of an introductory chapter describing the swallow, followed by a collection of interesting myths, legends, fables, folk-songs, proverbs, and supersti- tions of many lands, about the swallow. Heredity and Eugenics. A course of lectures summarizing recent advances in know- ledge in varition, heredity, and evolution and its relation to plant, animal, and human improvement and welfare. By William Ernest Castle, John Merle Coult- er, Charles Benedict Davenport, Edward Murray East, William Lawrence Tower. Chicago; The University of Chicago Press. The lectures which constitute this book were not intended exclusively for those train- ed in biology, but for a general university audience, interested in the progress of ge- netics as a matter of information rather than for study. Consequently a much larger audi- ence than the one originally addressed will be interested in this summary of results in one of the important and most recently cultivated fields of biology. Field and Laboratory Guide... Part 1. Prin- ciples of Economic Zoology. By L. S. Daugherty, M. S. Ph. D., and M. C. Daugh- erty. Philadelphia; W. B. Saunders Company. Cloth, $1.25 net. Part 1 is designed to bring the student into contact with the animal world in its manifold relations, and contains many valu- able and practical suggestions. It is, of course, self-evident that things that the stu- dent cannot get from the animal in the laboratory, he should get from the study of the animal in the field. The two parts con- stitute an admirable method of obtaining material ana arriving at the principles per- taining thereto. Everyday Birds. By Bradford Torrey. Bos- ton: Houghton Mifflin Company. This is an elementary treatment of a few of our common birds. It speaks in a manner as simple as that of a teacher in a primary school. The descriptions and the anecdotes are from original observa- tions by the famous author, whose charm- ing descriptions and philosophies regard- ing nature in "A Rambler's Lease," and "The Clerk of the Woods," have endeared him to thousands of students and lovers of nature. The illustrations are in colors. Practical, if not Poetic. The popular supposition that all authors are, by nature, unpractical is disproved by the story of the unpoetic novelist that Mr. W. D. Howells tells in the Washington Star. McMasters was walking with a beautiful girl in a wild New England wood. "What is your favorite flower, Mr. McMas- ters?" the girl asked, softly. McMasters thought a moment, then cleared his throat and answered: "Well, I believe I like the whole wheat best." — Youth's Companion. The Genuine and the Counterfeit. We have none too many books per- taining to nature. Indeed, could the habit of reading them be more gener- ally induced that publisher who would offer extra inducements for their writ- ing would be a philanthropist, for that way lies health and medicine of spirit and much needed relief from life's fret- ful fever. Nature, in this sense, is the great mother of us all, and happy is he who does not wander too far away to sometimes relish in a homecoming. Those who produce nature litera- ture are of two kinds — the genuine and the counterfeit. The latter is one who with a pale, reflected knowledge of na- ture, uses it as a peg on which to hang fine writing. The former has his un- mistakable traits, and is known of ail his brethren. If he is permeated to the core with love of the all-mother; if in his communion with her visible forms she really sneaks to him a varied lan- guage; if, under her spell thoughts are liberated and inspiration gleams, then the fact will out, no matter what the style of expression. — The Indianapolis News. Do You Love Birds? The Bluebird House Place Bird Houses about your grounds and have birds for your neighbors every year. I have studied birds for years and have learned to make just the kind of homes that attract them. Bluebird House (4 compartments) $5.00 Wren House (4 compartments) $5.00 Martin House — a three-story and attic home of 26 rooms for these sociable little fellows — $12.00 Illustrated Folder on request . Write to The Martin House JOS. H. DODSON {A Director of the Illinois Audubon Sxiety) 911 Association Bldg. CHICAGO, ILL. r :i: iinsstiiis ;i: =0 TO NATURE Vol. V. FEBRUARY, 1913 THE REVELRY OF THE CHICKADEES The trees and shrubs of Arcadia now abound in many of these cheery little birds feeding on the liberal supplies of suet. May all our readers enjoy nature in the winter time as much as they. Lsh EDWARD F. BIGELOW, Managing Editor PUBLISHED MONTHLY1 BY THE AGASS1Z ASSOCIATION, Arcadia: Sound Beach, Conn. Subscription, $1.00 a Year; Single Copy, 10c Entered as Second-Class Matter June 12, 1909, at Sound Beach Post Office, under Act of March 3, 1879 SSSSISSSSSSIIISSIIISSSSSISSSSS ili&'l Gray Brothers Manufacturers of Improved Soda AND Mineral Waters Established 1882 Vichy, Seltzer, Car- bonic Sarsaparilla, XXX Ginger Ale & Lemon Soda : : : Deep Rock Artesian Well Water Used THE PUREST AND BEST Mail Orders receive prompt attention NEW CANAAN, CT. P. O. Box 794 Telephone Call 120 or inquire of your grocer Guaranteed under the Food and Drug Act, June 30, 1906 Serial No. 4755 GREENWICH, CONN. Did it ever occur to you how accessible (with fast electric trains) we are to N. Y. and that you could buy or rent to advantage and enjoy living here on the water or among the hills to the utmost satisfaction ? I have for Sale Elegant Country Estates, Shore and Inland Residences, Farms, Acreage, Cottages and Building Sites. Also a number of selected Furnished Residences and Cottages to Rent in all locations. Would be pleased to have you call or write Laurence Timmons Opposite Depot Tel. 456 Greenwich, Conn. BEST NURSERY STOCK EVER GROWN We carry a general line of Nursery Stock, such as; Evergreens, Ornamental Shade trees, weeping trees, all kinds of flowering shrubs, privet, berberry and other hedge plants, trailing and climbing vines, hardy Herb, plants, fruit trees, berry bushes, grape rines, etc. Our stock is grown far apart in Nursery rows, so that each plant gets the full benefit of rain, sunshine, nourishment, etc. Our soil is excellent for growing nur- sery stock and is under high cultivation. We thus insure plants with excellent fibrous roots, strong and healthy, which transplant and grow with ease when properly treated. We shall be glad to show intending purchasers through our nursery, as we think it the proper way to see the stock in nursery rows. Our nursery is located on North Street near the Greenwich Country Club. We have made a specialty of laying out new places and remodeling old ones, as our records from both sides of the Atlantic will show. Training and long experience have taught us to do this work in the most artistic and effective way. Trees, shrubs, flowers and specimens in lawns must be placed so that they will harmonize, give shade where wanted, hiding unsightly places, but leaving vistas and making display of flowers and foliage and other worthy objects. We may here mention our connection with the World's Columbian Exposition, the Brooklyn Park Department, the Arnold Arboretum, Boston, and many private parks in and around Greenwich. GREENWICH NURSERIES DEHN & BERTOLF Props. LANDSCAPE GARDENERS AND NURSERYMEN GREENWICH, CONN. STAMFORD ADVERTISEMENTS vn HENRY LOCKWOOD FRANK W. PALMER LOCKWOOD & PALMER AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS CARRIAGES, WAGONS, HARNESS, HARDWARE, HOUSEFURNISHING GOODS PAINTS, OILS, ETC. STOVES, RANGES, 92 PARK PLACE (Cor. Summer Street) STAMFORD - CONN. TELEPHONE CONNECTIONS Where and Why Dr. Givens' Sanitarium at Stamford, Conn. (50 minutes from New York City) offers exceptional opportunity for the treatment of NERVOUS and MILD MENTAL Diseases, and has separate detached cottages for persons who desire perfect privacy and pleasant surround- ings; and who are addicted to the use of STIMULANTS or DRUGS. The Sanitarium is on a hill overlooking Long Island Sound. Try this invigorating climate of New England when you desire special treatment. Write or wire DR. GIVENS* SANITARIUM Stamford, Connecticut The Camera "Before I took up photography I scarcely knew the difference between an oak and an elm tree. I had no idea what a lot of different forms of clouds one can see." Expressions of this kind are common among photo- graphers. In other words, the camera is a powerful educational apparatus, leading its user both to observe and to think. It not only opens out new win- dows in Nature's vast mansion, but brings into activity various faculties present but dormant in us all. Primi- tive man's first lessons of life were connected with his seeking food from plants and animals and shelter from his enemies of all kinds. He was a naturalist by necessity. The last few thousands of years of easier conditions of existence have not eradicated his deeper-planted instinct, but merely al- lowed them to lie dormant. All young folks show interest in living things. — The Photographic Times." Vlll THE GUIDE TO NATURE ESTABLISHED 1853 THE QETMAN & JUDD CO. Lumber and Timber of all Kinds SPECIALTY: High Grade HARDWOOD FLOORING thoroughly KilnDried and stored in Steam heated build- ing until delivered to our customers. Uur steadily in- creasing trade in this -specialty proves the fact that the country home is not complete until fitted out with this beautiful and sanitary furnishing. Old residences may be greatly improved by laying thin floors over the old ones. CANAL DOCKS, STAMFORD, CONN. Telephone 36. Homes Near to Nature Should be so constructed as to give lasting satisfaction. Our method of manufacturing dependable Interior and Exterior house trim from thoroughly kiln dried materia' by skilled mechanics insures such satisfaction. THE 5T. JOHN WOODWORKING CO. Canal Docks, Stamford. Conn. Telephone 781 DIRECTORS WALTER FERGUSON, Pres. W. W. HEROY, W. D. DASKAM, Vice Pres. F. H. HOYT, W. H. JUDD, Sec. and Treas. F. VV. BOGARDUS. J. G. WIGG. Gfnkrai. Manager. THE United States Government Standardizes SATINA In addiiion to the use of Satina Interior Wall Finish on some of the highest class Business and Office Buildings. Banks, Schools, Churches Hospitals and Homes, comes the order from the Government SPECIFYING THE USE OF SATINA INTERIOR WALL FINISH ON ALL BUILDINGS UNDER ITS JURISDIC. HON. The B >ards of Education of New York and many other cities specify that Satina be used on their buildings. Reasons why.iw should use Satina ; color cards and literature gladly sent. The Chas. H. Brown Paint Co. 188 Montague St., Brooklyn, N. Y. THE STAMFORD LUMBER CO. LUMBER Sash, Doors, Blinds and Window-Frames WHOLESALE AND RETAIL OFFICE AND YARD, 297 PACIFIC STREET. STAMFORD. CONN. A LOCAL DEPARTMENT IX Fire Escapes on Connecticut School- Houses. The most surprising' part, and per- haps the only surprising part of the bill to be presented in our Connecticut State Legislature by Senator Hanford S. Weed of New Canaan, is the fact that such a law is not already on our books. Every school in the land should be supplied with a fire escape. Our people will never forget that awful catastrophe in Collinwood, Ohio, only a few years ago, where a schoolhouse was burned, and one hundred and sixty-five children met their death. Language is not strong enough to ex- press all that should be stated in re- gard to any school board who will pen up children in any schoolhouse from which they could not readily es- cape in case of fire. It is said that for every school day in the year a school- house burns somewhere in the United States. If that is true, then certainly the laws regarding fire escapes cannot be too strenuous, nor too rigidly en- forced. If on our law books in Con- necticut, there is no statute providing for this, then we cannot comprehend why any legislature should vote against Senator Weed's bill, or a revision of it, if that may be necessary. By all means let us have a law and have that law enforced, that shall make it impossible for any school officials, by the laws of compulsory education, to expose the children to the danger of being burned alive. An Invitation to Arcadia. You are cordially invited to call soon at Arcadia. There is a special interest at the present time. Non-members will please come during visiting hours, or make an appointment by telephone in accepting this, invitation. Furnishing Homes Near to Nature. It is a pretty little compliment to one's guests to have posted on the walls that, "The ornaments of a home are the guests who frequent it." Undoubt- edly there is good literary, even class- ical authority for the statement. Such a motto looks well when engraved on a bronze tablet or cut in rustic letters in a stone of the fireplace. It adds to the happiness of the guests . and pro- duces in the host a feeling that he has said the proper thing in a picturesque way at the proper time. "What," says Emerson, "is the end of all this appar- atus of living — what but to get a num- ber of persons who shall be happy in each other's society, and be seated at the same table?" But like most similar statements that may be true, it is only in part true, and in this particular case only a very small part. The ornaments of a home are the furnishings, good, substantial, attractive furniture. Those who come to appreciate and enjoy these furnish- ings, as well as the hosts' hospitality, are the real guests. What homes in- numerable along the Connecticut coast, and in other perhaps distant places, bear record to the good taste of those that have secured the furniture and the pictures from the long existent store of Lyman Hoyt's Son & Company, of Stamford Connecticut. No longer does Mr. Hoyt or his son preside. Years ago they passed into the unknown, but the work continues, increasing- and im- proving under the skilled management of the brothers, Charles H. and Wil- liam H. Martin. Their success has been largely due to their understanding of the fact that the first essentials to- ward making a home or a store attract- ive, are geniality and cordiality and a general spirit of good will, united with quiet, refined, dignified taste. These THE GUIDE TO NATURE qualities shine in every nook and cor- Jier of this capacious store, and are practiced not only by the proprietors but by their efficient assistants. None of our Stamford readers needs to be told in The Guide to Nature that tins is the elite furniture store and so ac- knowledged by the trade of the best families for decades. Hut the tact, well-known to the long time resident •of Stamford, should be put in printed words for the benefit of the newcomers to our rapidly growing city and sur- rounding territory. It should also be definitely stated to those who have not been accustomed to trade at this store, that the prices are as low as can be found in any other store of similar ex- cellence. The house does not carry worthless, cheap-John goods, but it does carry a large supply of moderate priced, thoroughly substantial g~oods that are neither gaudy nor showy, but in refined, quiet, cultured taste. 1 do not know a store better equipped., nor one more willing to give fair and hon- est return for dollars whether few or many, and I do not know a store more 'completely pervaded by a homelike spirit. The show windows are gen- erally recognized as the art galleries of Stamford. Before these large, plate glass alcoves may often be seen crowds of admiring people gazing upon the art treasures there displayed. People who have gone into the suburbs to build bungalows or log cabins near to nature have placed their orders for the furniture with this store. The result of the increasing interest of those whose homes are near to nature is manifested in stock especially adapted to broad, capacious verandas in attract- ive nearness to the woods. This stock has been steadily increasing vear after year. The Undertaking Department. And now let us say a word of com- mendation for their undertaking de- partment. One who thoroughly loves old Mother Nature and is on intimate terms with her realizes more and more that she never betrays the heart that loves her, nor is harsh in her dealings. Affectionate acquaintance with her dis- pels superstition ; yes, even the fear of death, for she teaches that nothing is more natural nor more friendlv. It is but the open door to another home still" nearer to the bosom of Mother Nature. Those who thoroughly love nature are freed from any hatred of death because they recognize it as but one of nature's many kindly manifesta- tions of appreciation of her own. As George Eliot has very exactly express- ed it, "Those only can thoroughly feel the meaning of death who know what is perfect love." Those who look upon death as a manifestation of love of a friend will recognize the fitness of a word of praise for those who in kindly, dignified manner care for the enter- tainment of this friend. Bacon has said, "Death is a friend of ours ; and he that is not ready to entertain him is not at home." It is generally recognized as fitting that praise should be given to all who care for the living and inspire them to higher planes of thought or action, and yet when death enters a home, who stops to commend the one who helps us entertain that friend? The world praises an efficient teacher whether that teaching is in the school-room or by books. There is praise for the efficient physician or surgeon; there is praise of the highest kind for the one who can inspire to a holy life; but why limit our praises to those who minister to life? Yet while we shower words of praise upon almost everybody wno serves the living, we have few for those who serve the dead. There are many in this world who can get along with- out a lawyer or doctor, teacher or preacher, or even a naturalist, but no one can long postpone the call of. the undertaker. Let him come in for his share of commendation. If it is meri- torious to provide even a temporary home for a living friend, it is even more praiseworthy to provide a permanent home for that friend when he leaves us. Prominent in service of this kind are the Messrs. Martin. Hundreds have expressed their appreciation with tears and hearty hand grasp in the pri- vacy of stricken homes. Then why not let us put it on record in public print that none the less than those to help us to live well is one who cares for us after what we call living? Should not a home near to nature through endless ages be as much ap- preciated as a home near to nature for a few decades? A LOCAL DEPARTMENT XI Y< O '■J o ■r. y. O u < H W u < H H < Xll THE GUIDE TO NATURE A LOCAL DEPARTMENT xm XIV STAMFORD ADVERTISEMENT STAMFORD ADVERTISEMENT xv A Mausoleum in Woodland Cemetery On the opposite page is shown an illustration of the mausoleum to be erected in Woodland Cemetery by the Eastern Mausoleum Company, which has offices at Ellicott Square, Buffalo, New York, and 452 Fifth Avenue, New York City. This company owns the patent rights necessary for the con- struction of a sanitary mausoleum and operates in various states. The men at the head of this organization and its board of directors are well-known in the commercial world and have been in close touch with the ever increasing public demand for above ground entombment. This elaborate building will undoubtedly be a great improvement to Woodland Cemetery. Those of our readers who wish to obtain full particulars regarding it may do so by calling on or corresponding with Lyman Hoyt's Son & Company, Stamford, Connecticut. Some Suggestions To those who object to being placed in the earth after life departs; to those who desire a permanent home for the bodies of their loved ones, and to all who are interested in the most recent developments toward sanitary burial and insurance against desecration, this information will be much appreciated. The idea of above-ground entombment is not new. The people of today, in adopting the mausoleum method of disposing of the dead, are reviving a practice as old as history itself. All nations, during their most advanced stages of civilization, have erected tombs or hewn vaults out of solid rock for the final resting places of their loved ones. The abhorrence of the ground as a burial place has always been common among most enlightened peoples Earth burial is a custom which has been inherited from the middle ages. During the last decade public sentiment has been demanding the abolition of this practice. Only the more wealthy have been able to satisfy themselves in this respect, as they alone conld afford the expense of constructing mauso- leums. Recently the inventive genius of man has devised a method of entomb- ment to satisfy the demands of the public. Modern construction and sanita- tion have made possible the erection of beautiful buildings for the dead, where every man can provide for himself and family, that which heretofore only the few have been able to provide. Endowment Fund A very important feature one must consider in weighing the merits oi mausoleum entombment, is the endowment fund. Every building constructed by this company is provided with a fund amply sufficient to guarantee its upkeep for all time. This fund is placed in the hands of trustees, acceptable to the compartment owners, and is invested in approved securities. The original cost of compartments embodies this endowment feature, and there is 110 future assessment. Earth burial is merely temporary. Cemeteries come and go with the passing generations. Hamlets grow into towns, and towns into cities. The once revered burial spot passes in the growth, and is enveloped by the onward march of the city. Had our forefathers forseen the future, they would have hesitated about burying their loved ones in the lots adjoining their homes and churches. But that was impossible. Today we can profit by the experiences "I" the past. Future generations cannot obliterate these above-ground resting places of our dead. Today the traveler visits ancient tombs which have with- stood the ravages of many centuries, but he is unable to locate many cemeter- ies which were in existence not more that 100 years ago. XVI ADVERTISEMENTS To Grow Plants with Sachs Tablets. The accompanying illustration showb two points of view in the germination of seeds. At the left is a lamp chimney in which has been placed a roll of Cot- ton, some black dress lining being wrapped around it and the whole kept moist by a solution of the Sachs tab- lets. The cotton is to retain the mois- ture and take it up by capillary attrac- tion, and also to make an elastic pack- ing that will "give" so as to supply the PLANTS GROWN IX LAMP CHIMNEY AND OX rUMBLER BY AID OF THE TABLET SOLUTION. proper room between the roll and the glass. Black dress lining is used be- cause the black sets off the white roots to good advantage, and it is so firm, and hard that the tiny roots cannot get among the fibers of the cloth, and thus become knotted and gnarled as they will when the cloth is rough or fuzzy. Seeds thus grown in a lamp chimney may be used to exemplify the Dar- winian principle of the struggle for ex- istence and the survival of the fittest, and yet this principle is not wholly ap- plicable. As with people so with plants, here is applicable the Shakespearean teaching that "There is a tide in the affairs of man which taken at its flood leads on to fortune." Some of the seeds that are far down the chimney will be more successful than those near the top, because chance has placed a clear way in front of them. At the right, in the illustration, is shown a tumbler filled with the tablet solution over which has been tied some mosquito netting. On this flax seeds were sown and are growing luxuri- antly. These nut ient tablets are supplied by The Agassiz Association, Arcadia : Sound Beach, Connecticut, at the fol- lowing prices : Box containing 30 tablets mailed postpaid with full directions for 10c. Prices in bulk as follows: 500 Tablets, $1.25; 1,000 Tablets, $2.00; 2,000 Tablets, $3.50; additional 1,000, $1.25. Less than 500 tablets not supplied in bulk. NATURE AND CULTURE is an illustrated monthly devoted to NATURE-STUDY and BIRD PRO- TECTION. *I It stands at the head of its class. ^ Subscription price one dollar ($1.00) a year, twelve numbers. ^ Send ten cents (stamps) for a sam- ple copy. ADDRESS: NATURE and CULTURE 4 W. Seventh Ave., Cincinnati, O. ML Feed the Winter Bird ./ Good Arcadian Suggestion. From a Postal Curd Issued by Mr. Neil Morrow Ladd, Greenwich, Conn. Fasten a piece of suet to a tree five feet above the ground, or make a lunch-counter shelf and attract the birds about your house. Chickadees, Nuthatches, Downy Woodpeckers, Brown Creepers, Bluebirds, Starlings and perhaps Blue Jays and Robins will accept your hospitality and reward you by their tameness, confidence and cheer- fulness. Bird seed, crumbs, sunflower seed scattered on bare ground will attract Song Sparrows, Juncos and a few other birds. Help feed our winter visitors that some may be persuaded to build about your house in the spring. Self-appointed Guardian of our disappearing song birds. AN APPRECIATIVE WHITE BREASTED NUTHATCH. M. * CHICKADEE AT LUNCH COUNTER. 278 THE GUIDE TO NATURE %& ^ *m*v$K THE CHICKADEES IX WINTER. THE OUTDOOR WORLD 279 I! US OUTDOOR WORLD