OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS COLUMN

Otago Witness, Issue 2914, 19 January 1910, Page 93

OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS COLUMN

FOR SENIORS AND JUNIORS. (Conducted by Magistee, to whom all communications must he addressed.) A RAMBLE ON RIVERTON BEACH. Readers will remember that when “ Alpha ” was giving us some notes on his Riverton Beach ramble I suggested that he might extend his talks. lie kindly agreed to do so, and a further instalment is appended:— Turning now from the beach itself, we will strike in landwards towards where the sand hummocks rise to almost the dignity j of little hills And now we shall probably have to pay toll to that bloodthirsty insect the sandfly. On the open beach there is usually enough of a breeze to moderate the attacks -of this little pest, but in the shelter of the sandhills ho has it all his own way, and the only way to escape his attention is to beat a retreat further inland. There auc bore and there little streamlets which wind across the sand tracts, and at last empty themselves on the beach. In these streamlets the larval stage of tho sandfly is passed. Mr Hudson has investigated its life history, and tails us that the larva ts enabled to move about in strongly running streams by means of suckers, which are situated at each end of the body. They live on the minute animalcules found in the water, and breathe through branching air tubes which connect with two spiracles situated on the last segment of the abdomen. The pupa is enclosed in a curious glutinous envelope, with long plant-like breathing filaments. When ready to make the final change, tho pupa forces its way out of the envelope, and the perfect sandfly crawls up the stem of some water plant to dry and expand its wings. As we pass over the more level and her-bage-covered portions of the locality, we may possibly be subjected to some little annoyance from another kind of insect. If it happens to be the season for the nuptial flight of the ants, we shall be covered with these revellers. They will alight on our faces, tangle themselves in our hair, and get into many other unfortunate situations. They do not, however, bite or sting, and so may to a great extent be ignored. Should their attentions become intolerable they can always be escaped by getting on to ' some tract of har-e sand, where they will not follow. The ants, though noticeable only when the kings and queens thus take their wedding flight, are perhaps the most numerous of all the insects that frequent the sand dunes. Wherever vegetation has gained a footing it is almost impossible t-o look down at the earth and not see two or three of them. Their colonies are in every mound, and there is an incessant hurrying to and fro. Some may be | observed hastening along with a seed of i some kind in their mandibles, others stagi ger about burdened with some awkward : load that is almost , too much for their i strength. Sometimes several may unite in j the task of bringing in a dead sandhopper j or the leg of a eranefly. Their combined I efforts, though well meant, are not always applied with discretion. Often differences of opinion appear to exist as to the best route to he followed, and the spectacle presents itself of three or four different individuals, all pulling in as many opposite directions. But though “ main strength and stupidity ” may bulk largely in the ants’ methods it is seldom that a task is undertaken that does not finally yield to | this persistent -effort. It has been said that our native ants do not present such interesting features as those of other parts of the world, but it is probable that many of the most curious life habits of our native forms remain to be discovered. Observations- among the ants of Riverton Beach certainly lead one to think that the slavemaking habit, or at least some form of communism, is indulged in, but the point wants further study Moths are plentiful among the tussock, flax, and other plants. Crambites and Scoparise rise in swarms before our steps, and the beautiful Lythria euolidiata, with the strange-looking plum-6 moth (Pterophor.us innotatalis),. and other ground-fre-quenting species, flutter round our feet. Now and then a Xanthorhse bulbullata. takes wing. This moth is an excellent example of what is known as “ contrast (colouring.” Tho upper wings are dull grey and the underwings bright orangeyellow. When on the wing the yellow oi the under-wings is fully displayed, and the moth becomes a striking object, but 11 pursued it frequently drops into some herbage and closes its wings. This act at once transforms what appeared to be a brilliant yellow insect into an inconspicuous grey one and the ruse is almost always successful in avoiding capture. Of course, colour and habit have not- been developed in order that the moth may escape the not of the entomologist. Insect-eating birds, by hiking off the least-protected individuals, have enabled the species to progress by smw degrees towards a more and more peitect S Hunting about over the sand and threading backwards and forwards through the herbage are many different kinds ot ichneumon flics. They are all on the lookout for some caterpillar or other insect to act as a host for their eggs. One of the most striking is a handsome blue-black, wasp-like creature —probably a salitus. It frequents for tho most part bare stony pi a oe-s and moves about in a furtive and alert manner. It looks as if it could and would sting on the slightest provocation, and its looks do not belie its character, Tho writer was stung twice by the first one he captured before he succeeded in removing it from the net.—(To he continued.) THE BOY SCOUTS Two or three weeks ago I gave a few hints for Boy Scouts, but at the same time gave a note of warning. That tho warning was appreciated is shown by tho following extracts from a letter sent to me by one who takes a great interest in the Volunteer movement, and who is a thorough hoy-lover. Indeed, ho is as big a hoy inyouthful of spirits as ever he was, and a rattling good companion for old and young. In hia letter on educational matters generally he writes: —‘‘I was glad to see your Remarks about the Scout movement. It is being over-done, and all the parading is in danger of sickening the boys. The movement is -not for the glorification of district commanders o-r chief scouts; it is for the good of the boys, ami if we don’t run it on ‘ boy ’ lines we shall not keep them long. As far as piy lot is concerned, the chief thing is want' of cash; but I am not lattin-o. the boys spend any money at pre-

sent. Swimming, shooting, and first aid are my programme at present; knotting and splicing and physical training and the general scout work are going along too. I am not going to attempt working with any battalion; too much of that sort of thing is spoiling the Cadet movement, and noyv tho Scouts are making matters worse. Your protest is made none too soon. This shows the writer is a worker and no more faultfinder. One of our teachers near Dunedin is interesting himself in the movement for tho boys of his district, and hopes next year to inaugurate a series of lessons or lectures or practical demonstrations on such subjects as reading the stars, finding latitude and longitude, bandaging, sprains and dislocations, cuts and broken limbs, camp cooking, boxing, land surveying, the study of birds, the study of plants, darning stockings, and so on. A comprehensive scheme, isn't it? Well, ho already has had a generous response for help from one of the best, men in the Ambulance Corps. Who will help to make the movement a live one by giving practical hints? Hero are three, for instance, from Notes for Boys by Donald Macdonald, and he adds notes to them saying- that these are the sorts of hints that are wanted, and that bushmen must have a fine stock of them. Noyv bushmen are not great writers, so if my readers yvho can handle a pen will interview bushmen, shepherds, and 1 others, and extract these and other notes interesting to Scouts —and others, too, —they will do us all a service. “ BE CAREFUL.” A sporting correspondent, who writes under this signature, sends advice to boys who carry guns. First. —Regard the gun as what it is, an enemy to life; carry it loaded or unloaded with the muzzle vertical to earth or sky. Second. —When loading, after inserting tho cartridges close tho breech by holding the barrels firmly yvith the left, hand pointing to the ground, and raise tho stock of the gun. not the barrel. Third. —Got into tho habit of blowing tho smoko out of the barrels alter firing. You will then notice if a faulty cartridge has loft any pa.rt of a wadding or other obstruction inside, which, boyvever small, is enough to burst the best steel barrel; an atom of snoyv yvill do. it. Fourth.—Never attempt to cross any kind of fence before extracting the cartridges; a, duty I am never guilty of neglecting. Remember it only takes a few seconds to extract and reinsert them, which, if religiously adhered to when the gun is not in actual use, will minimise danger. Fifth. —Discard the careless and dangerous habit of tapping a bush or tussock yvith tho muzzle of your gun. Never by any means allow a loaded gun in a conveyance, nor rest an empty one against it. Many a good gun has be.qn damaged in this -way. It is surprising what great care some shooters take of their silk umbrella, which ■cost, say. S9s; but think any place or position is good enough for their gun that may have cost as many pounds. HOW TO WEAR PUTTIES. Wind the putties before putting them on, beginning from the strings which tie them under the knee. Unroll the coil as you wind it about the leg, beginning, of course, at the ankle and just below the top of the boot. The whole secret of keeping putties firm is to take an occasional half turn on the putty—say every second fold about the leg—and cover this half-turn with the next fold cf the leg. In this way the half-turn is never visible. The same plan is used to keep surgical bandages in position.' You must accommodate the folds so as to finish just under the knee; then the two strings are wound in opposite directions and tied—not too tight. Putties worn fairly tight arc first-rate on a long march, but when you sit down for a rest it is a good thing to take off the putties. It gives free circulation, of the blood, and prevents the legs getting benumbed, which sometimes occurs when you rest. A member of the Light Horse or someone who has had experience in the South African war will be glad to show you how to wear putties in the neat military style. A COOL DRINK. Mr A. Sublet (Hansonville) writes: “ The following way of securing a drink of cool water on a hot day may prove useful to the Boy Scouts and to other campers-out generally; —Fill the lid of a billy can with water, and then place it, inverted, on the top of the billy, which should contain some water. In a few minutes the temperature of the water in the lid will fall several degrees, even if the billy should bo in the sun. Tho reduction of temperature, however, is accelerated by placing it in the shade.” HOW TO MAKE A COMPASS. The Rev. George. Cox, of Nerrim South, thoughtfully offers the following suggestion as to the making of a compass:—“Take an ordinary sewing - needle, and magnetise it by rubbing it on a magnet, using one end only of the latter. When the needle is sufficiently magnetised as to pick up another needle pass it through a small piece of cork, just large enough to enable it to float easily in water, when, it will bo found to spin round until it is pointing exactly north and south. On comparison with an ordinary compass, it can bo ascertained whether the point or the eye of the needle is pointing north (as this will depend on the end of the magnet used), and one© this is found out you have a most reliable compass. This can be used only in still water, and not in an iron' vessel, as in the one case the flow would interfere with its swinging to north ;■ in the other case magnetic influence would draw the needle to the side of the vessel. Our Boy Scouts form a hollow in the crown of their hats, and fill that up with water .on which they float their needles.” SCHOOL CHILDREN’S ANSWERS. Last week I gave t, note or two from an Inspector’s Reminiscences, and one reader wants more. I haven’t the book, unfortunately—it is too dear for my purse, —but I’ll give a few answers—howlers and otherwise—that I have kept by me. Here are some diverting mistakes from the schoolroom ; —• Shakel3pea.ro wrote a play called “ The Winter’s Sale.” The Crusades were a wild and savage people until Peter the Hermit preached to them. The chief crops of England are corns, the chief exports are Liverpool, Southampton, and the River Thames. Shakespeare is indebted to Sir Oliver

Lodge for the plot of “As Yci Like If.” The modern name for Gaul is vinegar. Question —Annotate “Those little cates which the ravens administered to the Tishbite.” Answer—The “cs ” ending in cates has now been contracted to “ s.” A volcano is a hole in the earth's crust which emits lavender and ashes. The battle of Trafalgar was fought on the seas, therefore it is sometimes called the battle of Water-100. “ The Complete Angler ” is another name for Euclid, because he wrote all about angles. President Roosevelt invented shorthand. A roadstead is a roadside cottage or farmhouse. The two races living in the north of Europe are Esquimaux and archangels. The king carried his sepulcher in his hand. The Rhine is bearded by wooden mountains. On the low coast plains of Mexico yellow fever is very popular. In the year 1593 every parish was made responsible for the supply of its own deserving .poor. During the interdict the poor were buried in uncreated ground. Chaucer lived in the year 1300-1400. He was one of the greatest English poets after the Mormons came to England. An unknown hand threw a harrow at Rufus and killed him dead on the spot. Adverbs ending in where are somewhere, nowhere, and earthenware. Stirling was famous for its sovereigns, who used to be crowned there. A sovereign is still called a “ pound Stirling.” A volcano is a burning mountain with a creature in it. . .Subjects have a right to partition the king. Alfred Austin was chosen by the Queen as poet laureate. He said: “If you let ni '° make the songs of the nation I care not who sings them.” The electrical Prince of Bavaria claimed the throne of Spain. During the reformation every clergyman was compelled to receive 39 articles. , Some of the West India islands are sub je-ct to torpedoes. Pho imperfect tense is used (in French) -to express future action in past time which does not take place at all. Backet put on a camel air shirt and his life at once became dangerous. Arabia has many syphoons and very bad ones; it gets into your hair even with your mouth shut. Miss Edith Keyworth, of Boston (Lines), senes the following specimens of “ Howlers which she extracted from examination papers that came under her notice as governess in a private school:— Joan of Arc was the son of a pool' pheasant. Before paper was invented people used to write on some stuff called vermin. George Stephenson lived in a humble pit, and scrambled up from a man to a boy. a}e ! vaS , a r7 evy unpleasant time before Alfred the Great came, for they had no clothes to wear and nothing to eat. One day London caught on fire, and it w c-.g a great disease for the poor people. Lady Jane Grey was taught to sav, n ° -„ d «“i'! Oh, dear! Where is the block. and oft wont her head with ona blow. George Stephenson went to a knigh' school, where he had to be taught to ride a horse and to use ai sword. The English wanted to invade France, so they built tents all round the country, so that the people would die of hunger and thirst. Wordsworth had a school for ncets in the Lake District. Nelson was very kind to 'the English people, but one day ho was killed, ’ because he broke his arm, besides the ship was on fire, but not many of the English were burnt or drowned, but they won the battle of Wellington. Sometimes Alfred the Great, had to ask the pheasants to give him bovd lodgings. Once when he was in pheasant’s house Miss Griff asked him to loaf after some takes that were cocking on the hearth. Definition's.—Blasphemy Sayi’hg they were somebody when they knew they couldn’t be. Jacobite—A short name for James. According to Dr Newshohne, medical officer for Brighton, one boy in the country firmly believes that “ the host way to avoid danger from impure water in the cistern is to have the water from the main sewer in the road in front.” The idcar of several pupils on “first aid” to a person bitten by a mad dog are hardly very helpful. One writes curtly, “ Red-hot poker,” without specifying whether this instrument is to be used on the dog or the huma.n; another says, “ It should be burnt out with cosmetic ” ; while a third —not a young hero, it is to be feared —writes: “ If any parson, is found handy and foolish enough to suck the bite let it be done.” Some delightful “ howlers ” are to be found in the University Correspondent, The student who defined an “emolument” as a “ soothing medicine ” must have had a sense of fun; while what can be more delightfully humorous than the following definition:—“ Political economy is the science which teaches us to get the greatest benefit, with the least possible amount of honest labour?” Among the blunders reported from the schools are the following, some of which may be new; —“Bigamy is when a man tries to serve two masters.” “ The law allowing only one wife is called monotony.” “The liver is an infernal oipan of the body.” “ The bowels are five in number —a. e. i, o. u.” “ The Priest and the Lovite passed on. the other side because the man had been robbed already’.” “Soldiers live in a fort; where their wives live is Grilled a fortress.” “ A buttress is the wife of a .butler.” “ A schoolmaster is called a pedigree.” “ Filio-vi.-means a list of your descendants.” “ The wife of a Prime Minister is called a Primate.” The Archbishop of Canterbury, at the Lord Mayor’s banouet, said the boys at a secondary school had been given a dictation, and one of the words of which they were to give the derivation and moannig was “ rubic.” One boy clinched an initial difficulty by giving it two b’s; then, being puzzled for the rest, wrote: “The word is derived from rubber, and means a religious rule, which ycu can stretch or twist.” POLAR NONSENSE. And hero is some “Polar Nonsense,” taken from American educational papers; The House That Coos Built s

This is the house that Cook built. This is the grub that lay in the house that Cook built. This is the man who gave out on the way and was sent by Cook to the shack to stay and make free use of the grub that lay in the house that Cock built. This rs the sailor all savage and grim who replaced the man with the cripulcd limb and was given a note from Peary that said : “ This man is in charge because Cook is dead,” and gobbled the grub tha( lay in the house that Cook built. This is the sportsman all jaunty and gay who strolled up into the Arctic to play and dropt in at the shack of his friend on the way and encountered a sailor all savage and grim, who replaced the man with a crippled limb and had a note from. Peary which said : “ This man is in charge

because Cook is dead,” and gobbled the grub that lay in the house that Cock built. This is the owner just back from the Pole who called at his house and found it quite droll that his guost, the sportsman so jaunty and gay, who had strolled up into the Arctic to play and hodstopt at the .shack of his friend on the way, should bo slave to a sailor all savage and grim, who replaced the man with a crippled limb, and showed him a note from Peary that said: “This man is in charge because Cook is dead,” and gobbled the _ grub that lay in the house that Cook built. —Springfield Republican. Arctic Experts. Smith said that Cook was surely first To stand upon the Pole. And Brown said Peary was the man Who won the icy goal. Brown added then a few remarks On Smith’s voracity, And Smith responded with a punch On Brown’s anatomy. Nov.', where had Brown gained Arctic lore To give his views such weight? He once within a skating-rink Had cut the figure 8. And where had Smith acquired his fund Of information rare? Some years ago in Central Park He saw a Polar bear. New York Sun. NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. As I am out of town for a fortnight or so correspondents will understand why answers are delayed. All being well, I’ll overtake all arrears immediately on my return, NOTES ON CORRESPONDENCE. The insect case sent by “ Zinnia ” is from the pupa of the Helophylus trilineatus, one of the Diptcra (two-winged). It is pictured on plate YII of Hudson’s “ New Zealand Entomology,” a plate showing a series of flics —and beautiful ones, too, if you can dissociate the discomforts associated with them from their appearance. As another correspondent sends me ono of these rat’s tails, I’ll give a quotarh.ru, from Hudson’s description:— “This fine ispecies occurs abundantly in all damp situations throughout the summer. Its larva may be found in stagnant pools, and is often met with in mud' at the bottom of ditches. Its posterior segments are enormously elongated forming a telescopic breathing apparatus, composed of ■ two tubes, the smaller of which is capable of being more or less extended at the will of the larva, which is thus enabled to adjust the length of its breathing tube, according to the depth of mud or water in which it resides. The peculiarity has given ail these larvie the name of rat-tailed' maggots. The other segments are very stout, each being furnished with a pair of minute' feet, and the head ; s also provided with two small appendages, which am supposed to be the outlets through which tire exhausted air is discharged by the larva. When mature this insect leaves the water, forming a small oval cell in the neighbouring moist earth, in which it lies with its long tail folded along its breast. The skin then gradually hardens, and it is finally transformed into the pupa, on which is seen a conical pair of breathing tubes on the thorax, these being slowly protruded from two haidly-pcrceptible warts, whilst the telescopic apparatus shrinks up, its functions being at an end. A variable time, dependent upon the season, elapses before the perfect insect makes its appearance, hut prior to this occurring a large circular plate, forming the thorax of the pupa, is thrust off. thus assisting the escape of the fly, which immediately ascends a plant or other convenient object, to dry and expand its wings. In the perfect state it delights to hover in the air, darting away with great rapidiy on the approach of any enemies. It also frequently enters houses, where its presence is at once botrared' by a peculiarly shrill noise made win'le flving. The sexes of this insect differ chiefly in size, the female being' about twice as large as her companion.” The largo brown beetle. wings networked in lighter hues, is the Prionus reticularis, described two or three times lately. It is the image of the large fat grub found in rotten logs. I am not sure whether it comes from Kyebuvn Station or from Wniwm-a South. The insect sent by “ A ” (Blenheim) is very common in the North Island, but becomes more uncommon as onp ovb south. This is in answer to “ A’s ” query. I forgot to add this when naming the specimen. “ Pobin ” (Fortrose) sends a note unon the tumbling propensities of the harrier !'<f wk, and his explanation seems to be a verv sensible one. Who can oblige Jessie with the names she asks for? CORRESPONDENCE. Fortrose, December 2.". Dear “ Magister.”—Regarding tumbling hawks, which sportsmen and other correspondents have written about. I felt surprised that such keen observers as “ Ornithologist ” and ‘‘Sportsman.” etc., should have become aware of this trait in the “barrier” hawk. At this season of the year it is a common occurrence, more especially in the vicinity of swamps. On a fine sunny day it is no uncommon occurrence to see several hawks playfully tumbling. Those are old birds, not young ones, as some of your correspondents appear to think. The hawk rises to a. great height by soaring in a circle. The descent is ma.de by a succession of dives, emitting a plaintive cry as he turns on his back and rights himself for the next dive. This continues until the hawk is within a few feet of the ground, when it settles on a. niggerhead or tussock. I once saw two hawks at this tumbling close together. They eventually became foul of one another, and snch a grasp did they have of each other that they kent going round, first one on top and then the other, until they came to the ground with a thud. As I approached tho spot where they fell I expected to find them dead, or at least unable to fly. Think of my surprise: thev still grasped each other. Their talons had apparently never relaxed even when they reached the earth. They were lying defiantly facing each other. However, as I approached they flew away, seeming none the worse. Did any of your readers ever witness a hawk convention? What caused the gathering of hawks I once witnessed on the spit here I have never been able to find out. It is some years ago now, but there were hundreds of them. I should say. sitting on this sand spit, and scores flying from almost every direction to the same rendezvous, and —an unusual thing with hawks, —they were

sitting close together and appeared to bs a happy family. I may say the hour I observed this was about 5 o’clock a.m. Now, had there been carrion about I shouldn’t wonder at seeing, say, many as. a dozen, perhaps, hovering about, but when it { o in os to, say, a hundred or more altogether, it is, as Dominy Sampson would say, “By ordinr.r.” Don’t you think so, Magister ” ? I have asked several if they ever had this experience, and only one has had the same experience, and, strange to say. it was along the coast also, but some 10 miles further south. I heard the long-tailed cuckoo three times last week, just about bedtime. Have you noticed how the starling and the übuiquitous sparrow have acquired a taste’ for the flax honey? It is quite common now to see both these birds with yellow heads, caused by coming in contact with the pollen. I am thinking a warm time awaits those marauders when the tui discovers their encroachment on his preservo. —I um, etc., Robin. Pyramid, December 12. Dear “Magister,”—! am sending you a few lines to "see if you can give the names of a pair of birds I frequently see. They were very fat. lazy birds, with short tails and large wings. Their colours were black and white, and their beaks were thick and red. Their size was a little bigger than a pigeon. Their cry was very pleasant I think that is as near as I can describe them. I shall be glad if you can give me a name for them. —Yours, etc.. Jessie Watt.