The Aurora, 1885 The Aurora
3-1885
The Aurora 13.1
Iowa State Agricultural College
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1±A A .<.L A A A A A A A IO-W-A STATE A A A A AGRICULTURAL IA COI~LEGE. ,A A 'A IA IA, ~ARO::S::, 1885. Al ' Al A l Al A iA IA A America'I! A The Voice of 1 A SCIENTIFIC: A Alcohol and the Nervous Syt- ALUMNI ...... 20 A sem...... 7 ADVER'£ISEMEN:TS...... 21 A The Air We Breathe...... 10 DIRECTORY ...... 22 A Insects in their Winter Quar- A ~:AA~~;:::=~AAAAAAAAAAAAJi ------.------l ]. H. Pickett & Co., Rf) Gf) COOK, DEALERS 'N PHOTOGRAPHE Drugs, Medicines a cl Ohemicals, Uses the lightning process. Groups tal! P erfu ery, Soaps, :>s, Hair in one second. Will compare work and Cloth Brush'd::.,. c and any photographer in the State. ~~:1EtL r~•-i:1cles, Artists Ma AMES, terial, Etc., Etc.
School and Miscellaneous Books, Fine GEO. G.· TILDE Stationery, Etc., Etc. ---DEALER IN--- PRESORIPTIONS A SPEOIALTY. PALACE DRUG STORE. Dry AMES, IOWA.
Bigelow & Huntington, New firm, new stock and low pric1 DEALERS IN Call and see. DRY GOODS, LADIES' AND MISSES' FINE SHOES, & CARPETS. .A.::M:ES, J:OVv CLOTHING A SPECIALTY. AMES, IOWA. J.E. McCORMICJ Specimens for the Museum We ask students, graduates, and all oth er friends of the College to rem/'3:r.bor us in the way of museum specimer,s Merchant i Tailo Fossills, Boci:ks, CCo~Jls, and other similar speciruens of value, If 1 l'l.N:,Jl l: ,JNE OF GC,ODS ALWAYS ON HAN in doubt as to the value n!: ·a spe~i:ruen for our purpose, write to us and inquire. We want, also, Skulls anri Ski.w; o: Quadrupeds and Birds, Eigs, Ovei· G. & P. Hntchinson'sStore Nests, Shells from our Ponas, Insects, Insect work. Correspondence upon insects particularly requested Address, AGRICLTURAL COLLEGE MUSEUM. NOURSE"li! (CARE OF PROF. OSBORN] .A.MES, IA. HEADQUARTERS FOR CHARLES E. HUNT, Oranges, Lemons, Bananii DENTIST, CANDIES, NUTS, ETC., ETC. ROOMS: RESIDENCE, OPP. WEST HOUSE ff" All Goods delivered free of char Wagon leaves store at 3 p. m. every da}j .A..::M:ES, J:OVv.A.. S. A, NOURSE ••sc:CE::t,::!"CE "'vv:CT::S: FB.A.CT:CCE.'1
Vol. XIII.] Iowa State Agricultural College, March, 1885. [No. 1.
AMERICA'S LOST EMPIRE. of ruins, found in Central America and Yucatan, not inferior to those of Mystery is ever charming. On the Egypt, they describeinglowingterms banks of the Ganges, in the valley of the paintings and statuary found and the Nile, under the ashes at Pompeii, award the highest praises to their au in the land of Judea, the scholar seeks thors. The completeness of the ruins for the secrets of the past. For as testifies to their age; but, when we sistance he turns to China, with her learn that the highways of the ancient record of four thousand years. He cities were made of the fragments and searches along the lakes of Switzer pottery left by nations gone before, land and the sands of Arabia only to the mind spemilates in vain as to their find new mysteries at every step. antiquity; we enter an infinity whose The old world teems with buried se limits we can not estimate. How crets. They lie at Herculanaeum, at many nations have perished, how Troy, among the mountains of Eu many languages have ceased to exist, rope, on the plains of Asia, in the how many splendid civilizations have jungles of Africa. But when we crumbled, how many temples and turn from the East to the West, it is towers ha,ve gone to dust in this land as from light to darkness. This is of wonders? It is a question it were veritably a continent of mysteries. fruitless to ask; but the Sixteenth Long before the appearance of that Century found America the abiding great voyager who dared to brave the place of a remarkable and highly de perils of the Atlantic, civilization had veloped civilization. All Europ9 list fl.ourished, fallen, and risen again, on ened greedily to the tales of the ex this side of the sea. The ruins left by tent, power, and riches of the lands in ancient races were already overgrown the new world-lands offering honor by forests and the people forgotten. to the lowly, perils to the adventur Tradition even gives them no place, ous, wealth to the needy, freedom to yet enough remains to attest their the persecuted. Soon arose that pas-. greatness. sion for conquest which was the mov Investigators tell us of the oceans ing spirit of the Sixt~enth Century. •10 -1.! 'l'ifl 1: ''"' .11.,;,,t, 1'1i, 2 LITERARY. To the gratification of this passion from Yucatan to the forests of Cali everything was sacrificed; that the fornia, from the Gulf of Mexico to western continent might be subdued, the Pacific Ocean. all other objects were made subordi The government was an elective nate. At the common altar Kings of monarchy, the king being chosen fered their armies, Nobles their for from the royal family by a vote of the tunes, Priests their lives. The three nobles. Society possessed all the di great forces, Despotism, Feudalism, vision found in Europe at that time; and Catholicism, united in an attempt a royal family, an aristocracy, . a to master the new land of promise. priesthood, a judiciary, and the com They sent across the ocean their sturdy mon people. The people were en soldiers and devoted priests, who ex lightened, industrious, prosperous. plored the mysterious land, built their The magnificence of scenery and forts, planted their emblems, and majesty of the works of nature sur• claimed all as their own. Many rounding them had aided the devel were the nations conquered, many opment of a religion of surprising the lands won. beauty, in many respects approaching To us the subjugation of one peo Christianity, marred only by the rite ple possesses a peculiar interest-the of human sacrifice. conquest of our neighbor to the In the heart of the valley of Mexi south. co nestled the capital city, enriched More than three centuries before with public works, beautiful by na the conquest there had appeared in ture, and adorned by art. Let your the valley of Mexico a wandering fancy paint for you the picture. people from the north-west. They There standing in the centre of her founded their city upon the spot pre dominions is the queen city of the scribed by an oracle. Providence western world. Her defences pro helped them, nature smiled upon vided by nature's hands are broad and them. Established in a country pos deep; her gates secured by bolts and sessed of every variety of soil and cli bars. Within, the long lines of glit mate, of inexhaustible mineral re tering edifices, struck by the rays of sources, and of a scenery beautiful and the setting sun, tremble on the blue picturesque beyond comparison, the waters of the lake like a thing of fairy people flourisbed, the city grew, the creation rather than the work of hu territory increased, the population man hands. Thousands of canoes dot multiplied. From the small begin the broad bosom of the lake, or flit ning by the side of the lake Tezcuco with ghostly swiftness [along the the nation slowly extended, until now canals. The streets, thronged there was one grand Empire number with a thrifty populace re-echo with ing ten million souls and stretching the hum of busy tradesmen. She is LITER.ARY. 3 the centre of the western world. Ev of these the beseiged struggled against erywhere is peace, prosperity, happi fate. Honorable terms of surrender n0ss. they derided, bribes they spurned, Upon the evening breeze there starvation but nerved them to fiercer comes a whisper of strange beings ap battle, to pestilence they y!elded pearing at distant parts of the empire. without a murmur. Babylon fell Then come stories of their powers, from her high estate; Egypt, hoary their deeds, their cruelties. Monte with age, tottered from her throne; zuma, the fierce warrior and crafty Rome drunken with power, reeled statesman, is stupified with dread at and fell; yet these had seen their the approach of this new race. On glory depart. Not so with Mexico. ward come these mighty men; from Here was a nation cut off in her fair: the coast to the highlands, from the est youth, an empire destroyed in the highlands to the mountains. A party zenith of her power. Mexico was no of Spaniards ascend Mount Popocate longer Mexico; there remained only a pelt, up beyond the line of vegetation, heap of ruins lapped by the blue wa and then far in the distance see the ters of the lake. Where in history shining temples and glittering domes do we find a more moving spectacle1 of the city of Mexico. Onward they Oh, for the power of a Homer, that I go and soon reach the capital. There might weave the tale into verse! Oh, they are received with joy. But, like for the inspiration of a Mozart, that I the asp warmed in the bosom of the might chant the bitter woes of this peasant, they repay friendship with fallen nation! treachery. For this the Spainiards From the ruins of Mexico there are expelled from the city. But not rose a European city. The central to be balked thus ~asily of his prey, square was again surrounded by fine Cortez lays seige to the place. Little buildings. But in place of the pyra. by little he tightens the coils which midal temple stood the great cathe are to crush the life from the fair city. dral. And certain it is that neither The battle rages by night and day; under Spanish rule nor under its own closer and closer creeps the destroyer, leaders has the city of Mexico or the until, with one great final effort, the country at large ever risen to its city falls and lies at the feet of the con former degree of wealth, prosperity, querer. And what a fall it if, ! Other civilization, or refinement. nations have been conquered; other A luster diffused by one grand struggles have taken place. Leoni character shines with undiminished das withstood the Persians at Ther splendor throughout the conquest. mopy lae, Tell opposed Gesler, Crom Few among all the names of departed well resisted his King. With a cour princes are entitled to a higher place age and constancy unmatched by any on the roll of fame than tlv1t of the 4 LITERARY. Aztec emperor, Guatemozin. No one dead. That was a wrong that never can refu1e to admire the intrepid can be righted; an act no reasoning spirit which could prolong the defe~se can excuse. of his capital until not one stone was The conquest of the Empire of the left upon another. His career was . Montezumas is one of the most re short but it was glorioalil. Called to markable military achievements re the throne when the monarchy was in corded on the pages of history. There its death throes, when the fierce Eu was a broad and powerful empire sub ropean and the savage nations of An jugated, in a few short months, by a ahauc were thundering at the gates of small band of adventurers. The the city, he justified his calling by his knowledge fills us with astonishment; conduct. He bore to the Spaniards a the story is wilder than any flight of religious hatred. Yet after the fall poet's fancy, the tale too startling for of his country he ever maintained to the annals of :fiction. ward the conquerors a submissive yet The condition of the people, during dignified attitude. Even when ac the contest, strongly enlists our sym e.used of conspiracy and cond~mned pathy: The destruction of their pal to death he preserved the same calm aces and their homes, their hardships and noble bearing, and when brought and sufferings, their loss of kindred to the fatal tree displvyed the daunt and of friends, can not fail to touch less spirit of his better days. Stung the he11rt. The proofs the people by wrongful accusation, smarting un gave of their lov@ and veneration for der his wrongs and the wrongs of his their rulers appear at the same time countrymen, galled by the treachery sublime and pathetic. No logic can of ·cortez, he thus addressed the justify the conquest no sophism vin Spaniards: ''I knew you had d{\stin dicate the conquerors. True the civ ed me to this fate since I did not fall ilization of Mexico was not European, by my own hand when you entered her government was not Republican, my fair city of Mexico. Why do you nor was her religion Christianity; but slay me so unjustly~ God will de these were not reasons for extinction. mand it of you." Thus in the path The glory of Mexico has departed. less wilderness, 30f miles from his Her temples are in• ruins, her princes beloved city, Guatemozin perished in their graves. Let us mourn the as foully murdered as was ever prince wrong that was done her; let us weep or peasant. For this . .aet let Virtue that the empire of the Aztecs fell; let hide her face; let Honor, bruised and us praise Him who is the Giver of all bleeding from a mortal wound, return that the day which will permit such n to the eternal source from whence wrong is almost past. And as time she came; let Justice, justly termed moves swiftly by, as the clock upon the blin~, be buried, for she must be the mantle sings its ceaseless song of LITERARY. 5 birth, death; from the peal which mind, new truths are constantly de rings in the new year to the knell veloped. Lbng ago, the intelligent which tolls for the old, let us work masses recognized the relation be for one great end,-that wars may be tween cause and effect; long· ago the unknown, that conquests, conquerors, dusky negro in the heart of Africa, and conquered may be of the past, and knew that by following a stream in a that in every ]and may be found that certain direction, eventually, he great Triumvirate, Truth, Justice, would arrive at its sources; long ago Liberty. the intelligent philosopher enlarged THE VOICE OF THE AGES. the problem and arrived at this result, a great first Cause must have been the Theories yield to facts. author of this universe; centuries ago In the world of thought fancy may men died for this belief, and the torch, paint, in glowing colors, the imagery lighting the faggots that were to con of an excited brain; romance may lure sume them, kindled a fire in human the mind from logic to the visionary hearts. and extravagant; ambition may form The intellectual strides of the pres ulate theories unreasonable and unnat ent time are continual triumphs for ural; but in the conflict of ideas, the those early martyrs. Every aritrono picture becomes an illusion, the ro mer that with ceaseless vigil nightly mance becomes a dream and the theo sweeps the starry heavens, every ry yields to fact. chemist that discovers the composi Fact is a wall against which the tion of matter, every scientist that re strongest surges of speculation are veals the workings of nature from the powerless; it is an enemy to the vis invisible atom to the mighty worlds ionary and unreal; it confirms and ov that sweep through space, affords ad erthrows theories; it assorts from the ditional evidence to an eternal truth, contused product of the world's mind and adds a jewel to the crown of those the few immortal ideas; it evolves or martyr philosophers. Mind reaches der from chaos, derives truth from the out into every domain of thought and uncertainty of conjecture, and pre grasps the confines of Infinite. serves the just balance of the human Occasionally, there is ushered on mind, while sailing o'er the sea of the stage of life, a genius whose speculative philosophy. transcendent ability startles the world; Men arrive at truth in two ways; new realms of thought, new :fields for they build logically upon a founda investigation and discovery, are un tion of facts or they assume the prob locked by the magic of a single mind; able and adduce the facts in proof. I a new sun is discovered in the intel choose the latter. lectual firmament and the radius of By the evolution of the world's the universe is extended; anon enter 6 LITERARY. the world's arena, chamoters strange, The noblest works of man are eccentric and unnatural; there are doomed to perish. Our mightiest ef freaks of nature and prodigies of in forts are but snow flakes in the ocean tellect; but it was reserved for Nazar of eternity. The world can pause but eth to produce in solitude the most an instant at the career of .Alexander, wonderful anomaly of nature-a char Cresar or Napolean. In the eternity acter, strangely unnatural if not su of existence, the genius of Newton is a pernatural. moment, the flash of a comet as it A skeptic world will not admit he rushes through space. When this or was divine. For centuries all honest der of things shall come to its final hearts have sought an explanation; consummation, and the matter of our for centuries the opposers of truth planet shall again resolve itself into have tried to solve the mystery of his its primitive elements, only a star will birth; for centuries his enemies have go out in the universe; no record will scrutinized every event of his mar be left of man's triumphs; but in the velous life; at every step of the inves eternity to be, heaven's glorious orbs tigation, the clouds of mystery grow will ''go singing as they shine, the thicker and grow darker. hand that made us is divine." O, generation of critics! with your Abstract philosophy has written distorted eyes you can behold the upon the eternal throne, There is a truth; it was he who spoke as never God. Science has deepened the im man spoke; admit that his birth was pression; the career of Christ on earth mirn.culous and the whole mystery is has enlarged it, and the wc.rkings of lighted up; God was his father; for a the universe confirm it. Four differ third of a century he trod the thorny ent telescopes, directed towards the path of truth, not as human, but di heavens, have announced the same re vine. As the Christ he rejected a sult. Four different cameras have re crown of pearls to wear a crown of ceived the same impression. Four thorns. In accordance with the divine different solutions to the problem have will, he bore the taunts and jeers of produced the same answer, and four this world and suffered the agony of different judges have pronounced the the Cross. 0, virtue hide thy face ! same verdict. 0, justice weep for shame ! behold But if that inscription be true, in upon the Cross, above the railing mul Him must Gilead have found a balm titude, below the weeping angels, the and a sin-sick world its physician. Savior of manhood. Without the as Here let us apply the confirmatory sumption of divinity, the physiolo facts and I appeal to the records of gist, the astronomer, the philosopher, time. Standing on the heights of the the whole civilized world must now nineteenth century, I hear them voice and forever write the word-mys tery. their sentiments. In the darkness LITERARY. 7 and gloom of the ages, contrasted hands the forces of nature, who makes with the light and intelligence of to and unmakes worlds, peerless and day; in the cares and disappointments solitary-beyond the boundaries of of life, softened alleviated by simple finite mind-beyond the loftiest flights faith; in the triumphant hope of those of fancy. Faith alone can touch the noble martyrs, who died for an un eternal and invisible-the absolute ttnd demonstrated truth; in the silent but immutable. effectual moral revolution, ever going on in society; in that splendid fabric SCIENTIFIC. -civilization-noiselessly and con ALCOHOL AND THE NERVOUS stantly wrought from the many dis SYSTEM. cordant threads, that enter the loom of time, I hear the assertion, there is a The nervous system stands pre-em balm in Gilead. inent in the mechanism of the human Again I listen, in the sentiment body. It is the highest type of mat that abandoned forever the Coliseum ter yet evolved; most perfectly de at Rome, in that wave of indignation veloped, most wonderfully differen as it swept into eternity the Spanish tiated. Its anatomical elements are Inquisition, in the cry of that German of the highest order and its functions monk, echoing and re-echoing along the most complex. Its co-ordinating the arcades of time, I hear the declar and governing influence over the ani ation, the world its physician. mal functions of man's body, makes In the unswerving faith of a Chris it the greatest factor in his physical tian death, in the readiness with which well-being; while as the medium of all enter that phantom bark, in their all mental manifestations, its superior last triumphant shout as the pale boat development bestows that supremacy man reaches the farther shore, I be in the intellectual world whichis the hold Christ, the balm in Gilead highest aim he recognizes. Let the Christ, the world's physician. mind be what it may, let the war Skeptics! you may cast your net wage between the materialist and the about the universe, you may ponder idealist, the fact remains that health the infinitb problem of creation, you of mind and body depends upon the may soar through space on the wings integrity of the nervous system. of imagination; but when you drag This cannot be preserved by the in the depths of measureless space, when dividual who persistently makes use mind yields to the immensity of the of alcoholic liquors. Other parts of problem, when imagination soars to the body suffer also, but it is upon its lofriest heights-you fail to grasp the nervous system that the most the Infinite. He at whose bidding serious changes are wrought. Alco the universe exists, who holds in his hol is a narcotic poison of the same 8 SOIENTIFIO. class as chloroform and sulphuric a serious symptom. The brain and ether. By its high diffusion power spinal cord are badly effected; the in it readily passes into the blood from tellect becomes feeble and the moral the stomach, and soon reaches the sense dull. All the effects of long brain. We ·suppose it passes into the civilization are swept away and the tissues of that organ, from the fact primitive man is restored in pristine that unchanged alcohol can be recov repulsiveness. At ·this stage the suf ered in comparatively large quanti ferer from chronic alcoholism is a ties from the brains of animals which pitiable sight-trembling muscles, have been fed with it for a long time. dull, blood-shot eyE)s, and face in When a sufficient quantity has been which mental, moral and physical taken to produce drunkenness the weakness are plainly depicted. If nerve centres are paralyzed, the there i&1 a taint of insanity, a tendency mental faculties are stupified, muscu to suicide is developed, or incurable lar co-ordination is lost, and a state dementia follows. The final outcome of coma succeeds. Death occurs at may be some form of paralysis, or this point by paralysis of the nerve apoplectic or epileptiform seizures. centres which preside over the func After death the nerve centres show a tions of circulation and respiration. decided change. The true elements The disease-for such it really is of nervous tissue have been removed which follows prolonged use of alco and their place supplied by fibrous hol is known as ''chronic alcoholism." tissue and granular fat. Effusions The earliest symptoms are dull head of serous fluid into the ventricles and ache; imaginary sounds are heard; arachnold are frequent. When we vision is impaired; flashes of light be remember that these are the changes fore the eyes being a particularly in one set of organs alone, and that serious sympton, for it frequently many other portions of the body are presages the dreadful visual hallu in an abnormal condition w0 no lon cinations of delirium tremens. Mus ger wonder at the mental and'physic cular tremor occurs, followed by al wreck. It is commonly believed mental restlessness, which is mani that the drunkard may overcome the fested by lln inability to sleep. habit by an effort of will. As well Many heavy drinkers fall a prey to expect a man suffering from typhoid various acute diseases which their re fever to free himself of disease in the duced vitality is unable to withstand. same manner. The unnatural condi Others suffer from occasional severe. tion of the body must be removed by alcoholic seizures as acute mania, de proper treatment. The responsible lirum tremens and melancholia. act dates back to early indulgence When sensory paralysis extends to which resulted in disease. Herein the lower extremities it is considered lies the danger of moderate drinking. SOIENTIFIO. 9 Chronic alcoholism is a plant of slow physical debility, mental depre11sion, growth and its early symptoms are or over-exertion, domestic infelicity not strongly marked. Each progres and many diseases are causes too well sive step, though it may not be no understood to require further men- ted, none the less surely confirms the tion. · organicchange,and thus decreases the In view of the grave consequences power to resist appetite. Could this of intemperance, ·the question as to be fully understood and believed by the best methods of reducing its all who offer alcoholic beverages to prevalence arises. Enthusiastic tem their friends, it would have a ten perance workers, nobly striving to dency to check certain social customs overcome the evil that threatens our which are productive of untold evil. young republic, petition for laws, So many deplorable results follow the which though they may be of some use of alcohol that we are apt to con avail, do not yet meet the issue fair sider it the first cause of misfortune. ly. The burden of the law is placed Back of it, however, stands a long on the rumseller, while the consumer list of predisposing agencies, which, of his wares is exempt from any if weU understood, might sometimes heavy forfeit save that demanded by be avoided. There is a decided tenden nature for the violation of her laws. cy among scientific physicians to cen Any attempt to interfere with sure the freedom with which alcohol American independence is liable to is used in practice. However, when defeat. The citizen of this free re carefully prescribed it is an indispen public has an exaggerated notion of sable agent, and has none of the in his right to do as he likes, regardless jurious effects that follows its abuse. of consequences, and views .with sus Indiscriminate family use is exceed picion and resentment whatever tends ingly dangerous. Many a mother to restrict his personal liberty. The administers to her child, for the most problem is a difficult one to solve, trifling ailments, the poison which and since the use of alcohol produces the careful and experienced physician so many diseases, and its phenomena hesitates to prescribe._ are more especially under the obser Bodily discomfort is the most fre vation of medical men, there seems quent pre-disposing cause among the no better way than to turn to them poorer classes. Cheerless homes, for preventative measures. To be improper food and clothing and oth sure we do not find unanimous agree er defective sanitary conditions, drive ment among them, but many of their the wretch to seek the temporary for views as set forth in leading medical getfulness thus afforded. journals are full of some wisdom. Monotonm;is employment, heredita They recognize the following princi ples to be regarded in the treatment ry tendencies, some forms of insanity, of inebriety: 10 SOIEDTIFIO. First, To separate the inebriate This class of drunkards may rightly from the further direct use of alcohol, be considered dangerous, as members or whatever intoxicant he is accus of families or communities, and not tomed to drink. qualified for discharging the duties of Second.· To subject him to such good citizens. Admission should intellectual and moral influences as therefore be a legal process, and au will more fully enlighten his mind in thority be given to detain th,)m unitl regard to the effects of alcohol on the recovery takes place. .This seems· human system, and arouse his moral rather startling inasmuch as it would faculties and conscience, to a more entirely change the system of police active appreciation of his duties and management of drunkenness. Instead responsibilities toward himself, his of repeated arrests, fines and sentenc fellowmen and his God. · es to short imprisonment, which ag Third. To secure for him such gravates the evil, inebriates would be hygenic and medical treatment as the legally committed to asylums for a morbid condition of his mental and term of years, to be cut short by the physical system may need." authorities upon complete recovery In order to apply these principles, of the patient. drunkards should be divided into Much may be done in cities by the three classes: establishment of coffee houses, and First. Moderate drinkers who on the introduction of harmless substi ly need intellectual and moral en tutes for alcohol. Whatever tends to lightenment. promote the comfort of the poorer Second. Those who have become classes will reduce the per cent of addicted to the habit, but yet have inebriety, by removing one cause, much self control and are anxious to and finally, the potent agent which overcome it. may be made to strike at the root of Third. Confirmed drunkards. the evil, is the education of rising For the second class they recom generations to an . exact understand mend institutions which shall furnish ing of the mental, moral, and physic pleasant and comfortable accommo al effects of alcohol. dations, and all the means for intel THE AIR WE BREATHE. lectual, moral, social and medical treatment. Admission should be One often speaks of the air as be voluntary. ing ''depressing," or ''languid," or For the third class the means of ''refrei.hing," without having any treatment should be the same, but definite idea whether these qualities the asylums should be established are due to some peculiarities in the by state or municipal authority, with air itself, or only to incidental cir regular work for all the inmates. cumstances, such as heat, cold and ______S_O_IJ_E_'N-,-T_::_'L_:::__'F_:::_'I.:.:::_O..:._· ______1_1 sunshine. No doubt, exactly the A forest acts like a sponge in ab same air affects our senses very dif sorbing a heavy rainfall and preserv ferently upon a bright breezy day, ino- the water until the air becomes .!:', • • • and upon a gloomy still one, when, dry, when the water 1s agam given before the bursting of a thunder storm, up through evaporation from the Nature seems to be silently gathering leaves. Forest land is a sort of nat her forces for an awe-inspiring dis ural moisture-regulator for the adjoin play of power. ing country, as it prevents sudden Then, too, changes in temperature floods by soaking up the water of a and pres1mre produce marked physiol ramy period and lessens the seveTity ogical effects. But, aside from those of drouths by keeping the air moist. external and comparatively superficial Carbonic acid in the air is much less alterations in the condition of the at variable in amount thap the moisture. mosphere, there are also continual Ten thousand pounds of air contain variations in the chemical compostion from five and one-half to seven and a of the air we breathe, which are more half pounds of carbonic acid, the subtile in character than the former amount being slightly greater in and exercise an important though cities and on mountain tops, less on or little understood influence upon our near the ocean, but, so far as is known, health and well being. ' the variation is without any apprecia The air contains four substances, ble influence upon animals, although oxygen, nitrogen, carbonic acid, and probably of importance to plants. water, all of which are essential to Oxygen constitutes about one-fifth· the support of animal and vegetable of the atmosphere and this proportion life. · Of these com1tituents, the most is always nearly the same. Never variable in amount is water. One theless it does vary somewhat, and a pound of air may contain an ounce of curious connection has been observed water on a warm damp summer day, between this variation and the heighth and only one one-hundreth of an of the barometer. When the barom ounce, or less, on a cold day in win eter is high the proportion of oxygen ter. Without some water in the air, is less, when the baro11teter is low the neither .plantl nor animals can live, oxygen is greater in amount. The and the amount of moisture must be change, although distinct, is within to some extent proportioned to the narrow limits, the smallest percentage temperature. A great many causes of oxygen being about 20. 7, the larg may affect the amount of moisture in est, 21.0. the air, but the most important fac When the pressure of the atmos tor is the extent• of .forests, because phere increases and the barometer this is the only element under human consequently rises, oxygen is more control. abundantly absorbed, or di8solved, by 12 SOIENTIFJO. oceans, lakes, rivers, and by the Some are represented at this sellson moisture of the soil. This of course simply by eggs that have been depos diminishes the proportion of atmos ited in fall to hatch in spring. Others pheric oxygen. Then, when the pres will be found in the larval state, as sure of the air becomes less and the caterpillars, maggots, or grubs; oth barometer sinks the dissolved oxygen ers in the chrysalis state, often 1:mcure escapes into the air again, very much ly protected in dense silken cocoons, as the carbonic acid gas escapes from and still others are found as mature in soda water when the pressure is re dividuals waiting simply forthe open moved by pulling the cork. ing of spring to provide for the com It is impossible to say how far our ing generation, and then take their moods, our happiness, and our very departure. lives, are dependant upon such varia In any of these stages they may be tions in the composition of the air as found in the most diverse locations those described, but it is reasonable and protected in the greatest variety to suppose that a cause· so constantly of ways-in open air, attached to active must, in the long run, be of twigs or branches of trees or bushes, great importance; but of far greater in out-of-the-way crevices or cracks, weight are the artificial alterations of under bark, or in corners of fences or the Mtmosphere, which are under our buildings, under leaves on the ground, control, and are due to bad ventila- · in decaying logs or stumps, in tho tion, or to careless contamination of ground, or other places too numerous the purer air. of land and sea, washed to mention. for us by the rains and :filtered through A knowledge of the various condi forest leaves. tions in which different species hiber Let us only breat~e Nature's air as nate is of greatest importance in de Nature presents it to us, free from vising methods of counteracting the chemical contamination by factory influence of injurious species or assist smoke, and burning gas, free from ing those which are beneficial. Often bacterial poisons of sewage and un they msy be attacked to the greatest clean surro~dings, free from the advantage at this time, when mere _foulness of human effluvia in unven caimal observation may not even dis tilated rooms-and trust Nature for close their presence, while with many the rest! species it would be but a waste of time to attempt to do anything with INSECTS IN THEIR WINTER them. QUARTERS. The eggs of the tree cricket (Ecan The condition in which insects pass thus niveus) wjll b~ found in winter the winter months is as varied as are in the twigs of trees or in the canes of their habits in many other particulars. grapevines, raspberriea, blackberries, S OIEDTIFI0. 13 etc. They are deposited in rows in in different localities as lady bugs, the pith or central portion of the twig, lady birds, etc., which are so very the female being supplied with an useful in their attacks upon plant-lice, ovipositor, with which she pierces potato beetles and other pests, pass through the bark and wood so as to the winter as adults clustered togeth lay the egg within. The twigs or er in sheltered spots, where they canes thus punctured are likely to die, sometimes become the victims of peo but it is easy to destroy the eggs by ple who are ignorant of their virtues. cutting off the twigs containing them, They should rather be fostered with and so prevent their increase the fol the kindest regard. The Colorado lowing season. potato beetle (Doryphora decemline A number of our common grass ata) hibernates underground, beyond hoppers also lay eggs in the fall, the reach of his would-be destroyers. which pass the winter protected by a Most of the wood-boring beetles will thick, gummy covermg, which in be found in winter in the larval stage, cludes the whole mass when under changing to chr_y salids early in the ground, or they may in some species spring. In this respect the "white be laid separately in the stems of grub," as the larva of the May beetle plants or under the portions of the is known, is quite similar. It works, leaves which enclose the stems. however, underground, feeding upon Other very common grasshoppers hi the roots of various plants, sometimes bernate as adults and deposit their causing great destruction. The use eggs in spring. Chinch bugs also hi ful ground beetles (Carabidre) hiber bernate in the adult stage, sheltered nate largely as adults or pupai, and in timber underleaves, inrotten logs, are among the first insects to put in and in cracks and crevices of fences, their appearance upon the opening of etc., wherever they can find suitable spring, seemingly eager to commence protection. Bark-lice and plant-lice upon the important work they have are mostly found in the egg _state, to do. those of the former protected under Honse flies are found during this the dead body or scale of the female; season as adults, and an_· occasional of the latter, attached to bark, in warm day may bring them from their crevices, or under wooly coverings hiding-placelil even in mid-winter. which invest many of the species. Al The various bot-flies which infest though nothing can be done at this horses, cattle, sheep and other animals time to advantage in destroying them, are usually present in hosts as larvai they are open to the attacks of certain during the winter months. The Hes insect enemies, which work quite ex sian fly (Cecidomyia destructor). as tensively. The little red and black sumes what is called the flax seed stage beetles -( Coccinellre) commonly known in early winter and issues as adult in 14 EIJITORJAL. spring. Leafrollers (Tortricidre) pass the winter as chrysalids in a fold of a leaf at or near the surface of the ground, or sometimes protected under PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE the bark of trees. Cut worms are -ii LITERA.RY +SOCIETIES~ usually little more that half grown OF THE when cold weather stops their feed ing. In this condition they await the Iowa State Agricultural College. coming spring to complete their EDITORIAL STAFF. growth. In cultivated fields late ·ANNAL.NICHOLS, '85, Editor-in-Chief. G. F. GOODNO, '85, Literary. plowing may disarrange their winter CLYDE LOCKWOOD, '85, : Scientific. quarters and expose them to different EMMA POLTER, '85, Local. enemies as well as to variations of BOARD OF DIRECTORS. weather. Most ofthe so-called "spin ·1:..YDIA SCHRECKENGAST,'85,Pres. Cliolian ners" (Bombycidre) which spin dense F. B. SCHERH0RN, '86, Sec'y. Crescent. silken cocoons, find excellent protec D. B. COLLIER, '85, 1'reas'r. : Bachelor. C. E UNDHHILL, '85, Solicitor. Philomat'n tion within these for the winter sea son. The tent caterpillar (Clisiocam TERMS: One Year, in advance, $1.00 pa Americana), however, which build Single Copy, .12 the large conspicuous webs or ''tents" THE AURORA will be forwarded to· all on orchard trees in early spring, hatch subscribers until ordered discontinued and from eggs that were laid the fall be all arrearages paid. fore in a cluster surrounding a twig. Book Notices given free of all books sent us by authors.or publishers.l- These clusters are·conspicuous objects Rates of Advertising furnished on appli in winter and early spring before the cation. trees are in leaf and may ealilily be Address all communications to collected and destroyed: The large "THE AURORA," Ames, Iowa. hawk moths or sphinges hibernate as pupre underground. Many of our WITH the opening of the college most common butterfles hibernate as year begins the work of the new ed adults, while others are in the form of itors of the AuiioRA. To the many chrysalids. The winter habits of the friends whom our predecessors have ichneumons, so well known as benefi won for the paper, we extend a cor cial parasites upon other insects, are largely determined by the habits of dial greeting. It is probable that no their nests. Some are found as adults staff of editors has ever yet taken hidden in decaying wood, while oth charge of the AURORA without a vivid ers are still in immature stages with realiaztion of inexperience and m in the bodies ot their nests. Bees, ants and wasps generally hibernate as efficiency. We form no exm,ption to adults, though exceptions may be the general rule, yet we intend to do noted in certain species. our b0st and hope to maintain the EDITORIAL. 15 popularity of our college paper in to many of us a part of the college. such a degree that every student a:o.d Their abaence strikes us with a new alumnus will feel its need. A col force even though we have known of lege paper should be r·ead, not o~ly it for some time. It was with deep in the college where it is printed; it regret that we said ''good-bye," for should be read in every home from perhaps the last time, to the instruc which a student of the institution has tors who left us last fall. We felt been sent; it should be read by every that their places could hardly be :fill graduate who still feels an interest in ed. During our absence the board of his alma mater, and in the literary trustees has done its !work. We be societies which have been so impor lieve the mem_bers of the board are tant a factor in his college education. men who have the interest of the col We are aware-we liluppose most of lege sincerely at heart. We have the students are also aware-that our reason to believe also that they have, path, during the coming year, will be in the present case done their work beset by difficulties perhaps more deliberately and with the earnest en serious than those with which former dtiavor to he just to all. Probably, editors have had to contend. It shall so far as was possible, justice has be our endeavor to make the AURORA been done. It was ·evidently the an honest, just and charitable expo purpose of the board of trustees to -n.ent of matters pertaining to the col affect a reconciliation of the opposing l'ege. We appreciate the difficulty elements which have for some time of pleasing all. Yet, earnestly ask disturbed the harmony of ou faculty. ing your support, we undertake our Whether the plan adopted will prove task, hoping that our efforts on behalf a success remains to be seen. But all of our college paper may be crowned who are really interested in the wel with at least a measure of the success fare of our grand institution will we so fervently• desire for it. We are echo the noble sentiments so well ex grateful for the many exchanges, po pressed by Gen. Geddes, upon his litical and collegiate, that we are return to his position in the college. now receiving at the very beginning Meanwhile the reputation of the of our college year and hope that we school depends largely upon the be may so edit as to merit others. havior of its studerits. Their cordial TRULY ''The old order changeth." support will do much toward making As we come back after our winter va the new administration a succes1. In consideration of these facts we feel cation and mingle once more in the sure that the new president and pro college halls, we realize vividly that fessors, as well as those instructors our institution has undergone a revo who have returned, after an absence, lution. We miss professors, whose to positions in the college, will re familiar faces and forms have seemed ceive a hearty welcome from all of our students. 16 EDITORIAL WHILE the college provides ur. with during recreation hour i• of little religious instruction in the form of benefit. Too often the student re chapel exercises every Sabbath,many turns from such unrefreshed in mind of the students have felt the need of and body. A few moments of active, sometning more. The result of this cheerful exercise would do more to want is the so-called Christian Assoc ward diverting the mind from the iation which for some time has held pressure of study than an hour of regular meetings on Sabbath eve purposeless sauntering through nings and Sabbath school · in the grounds long since grown too famil morning. These meetings are of an iar to awaken much active interest. informal charaeter and are conducted In nearly all of the eastern colleges, exclusively by the students. They where young women are admitted, are characterized by an entire freed regular exercises in calisthenics are om from sectarianism and a cordial prouided for them. Why should it welcome is extended to all. The or not be so in the west1 It is safe to ganization has noble aims and has, no assert that though lack of exercise doubt, been a great benefit to many is not the only evils which affects the of those students who have been con health of students, much improve nected with it. ment might be made by the introduc IT is an undisputable fact that a tion of proper gymnastic exercises large number of the students who for both sexe~. pass through our college leave them lT is probable that few of us enter with health more or less impaired. upon the work of a new college year Parents who have known something without forming some very com of the severe mental strain and l11ck mendable resolutions in regard to the of physical exercise to which students improvement of our time and the are subjected, often hesitate to allow thoroughness of our 'iork. Though their children to enter upon a eourse there are always a few who seem to which may prove a hindrance to fu have no aim other than to "pass," ture usefulness by producing un yet the majority of students really sound health. "Health is the firl!!t d0sire to gain the greatest possible wealth," says Emerson. Physical benefit from their course. But ere training should go hand in hand with we are aware we are being borne mental culture. While a praise along rapidly by a multiplicity of worthy, though to all appearances duties, toward the close of [the term. not a very successful effort has been Now comes the temptation. ·While made to provide a gymnasium for the work presses us on all sides to get young men of the institution, nothing our lessons in shape for a .Passable of the sort has been attempted for the recitation without stopping to assim young women. An aimless walk ulate the knowledge gained. Too LOOA.L. 17 much of our study insures us neither -Ah ! '88, we are pleased to make mental strength nor useful informa · your acquaintance. tion. The temptation to ''cram" is -As usual, the seniors have aban-. domed the cottages. strong and it is one of the most con -We miss many old familiar faces. stant which beset our student life. -Can these new ones take their partly because the student has not places? learned to economize his time, partly -Quite a number of new girls. because he sets too high a value upon Is the new cooking school the at the examination mark, and partly traction? If so, the question now is, because he sometimes has more to do "Who will owe the deepest debt of than he ought to attempt. Cramming gratitude to Mrs. Ewing- Clio's, Crescents or Philo's? often seems almost a necel'lsity. It is -The old students have returned hard to realize during the rush of the with the determination to begin an t'erm's work, that getting a good other year of hard study plainly writ mark is not the end and aim of lifa. ten in their faces. Coul