OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS COLUMN

Otago Witness, Issue 3031, 17 April 1912, Page 80

OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS COLUMN

FOR SENIORS AND JUNIORS. (Conducted by Maoistee, to whom a!l communications must he addressed.) [Maoisjeh ..ill bo glad to receive Nature notes, marked papers containing educational articles, diagrams, details of experiments, etc., of scholastic interest to teacher." and pupils. Correspondents must use ONI/* one side of tho paper, and whether using a, pen name or not, must send both name and ADDBEsa.] A WORM'S ORGANS—II. In front of the mouth is the prcstomium, "a little projection (lobe or lip, as il lias been variously culled), which is used for prehension." The mouth is u-cd as a i.ucker, and from it is ejected a saliva upon its food which is by this juic.* partly digested before it is swallowed: the food then passes into the oesophagus, into which calcitcrous glands eject a lime solution to neutralise the acid in the vegetable matter swallowed. After passing through the crop the food come* into the gizzard; and here let me say, in pawing, the digestion of the food is aided by the mechanical grinding action of small stones, just as fowls swallow stoaes and hits of china for the same purpose. The digested or semi-digested matter the.i passes through the long intestine, and emerges as castings, so often seen anti so good for youny plant life. • A WORM'S SENSES Eyes it has not, jet it can recognise different intensities of light; it has no cars, yet it can perceive vibrations —perhaps through touch; it has no nose, yet it finds out quickly enough where an onion or u horse-radish is, and it shows a similar preference for other loods where taste rather than smell would ho the guide. If it had no eyes, no ears, no smell, no taste, how dees it manago to rub along? By intelligence? I should have said, too, t'.:at it has no breathing organs—no gills, no lungs; it simply breathes through its skin. A NEW HEAD OR A NEW TAIL—OR BOTH. A worm can do a wonderful thing. Cut oil its head and it grows another one—provided you do not take off more than about 12 segments. Cut off its tail, and' the result is the tame. Wero it not cr.ael I should say experiment and see how long it takes to grow a new head, or a new tail, and how much of its latter end can be cut off and be reproduced—a half? Two-thirds? Three-quarter.?? Again, supi>osing its head wore cut off and it grew a new one, could the other part be cut off and be reproduced? If so, we should have a now worm. If WE could only do thatl But then we haven't a tail to reproduce. 1 wonder if the head of one would grow into the tail of another? If wo wero to halve two worms could we, as the result of a surgical operation, have the two tails joined to grow as one worm? Could we have la worm with two heads — one where its tail ought to be? The growing of a new part for'ard and a new part aft opens up great possibilities. ITS BURROW. This is a definite cylindrical tube up to sft or more in length and plastered with voided earth, which is put into the walls in little soft viscid pellets and spread evenly on all sides as the worm crawls up and down. " The lining thus formed becomes very compact and smooth when dry, and closely fits the worm's body. The minute reflexed bristles which project in rows on all sides from the body thus have exoellent points of support; and the burrow is rendered well adapted for the rapid movement of the animal. Tho lining appears also to strengthen the walls, and perhaps saves the worm's body from being scratched. I think so because several burrows which pass through a layer of sifted coal cinders, spread over turf to a thiokness of l£in, had been thus lined to an unusual thickness. In this case the worms, judging from tho castings, had pushed the cinders away on all sides, and had not swallowed any of them." The last sentence —the quotation is from Darwin -refers to the fact that when the worm is burrowing and cannot wedge itself through it simply eats up the earth and passes it through its body as it burrows along. I suppose that swallowing cinders would givo the worn: peritonitis ! It would be interesting to watch a few burrows, also to dig some up. How long are they? Have they one opening, or aro they U shape and have two Are the openings hidden by stones or castings? Aro some so aristocratic as to have a living room and also a breeding room in addition to the tunnel? You might make experiments and let mo know results. And while you pj?o. experimenting you might try, too, to find out if some estivate (spend the summer in a state of torpor), and if others hibernate —spend the winter in a similar manner. (To be continued.) AN ANNUAL PEACE HOLIDAY. What do you think of this? The idea is a good one, and if the British Empire and the United States made an offensive and defensive alliance against the rest of the world, there is no doubt' that war against tho two nations would be almost an impossibility. I had heard of the movement, but how far it has progressed I do not know. I wrote for particulars, and obtained what I imagine to bo a circular sent far and wide, and from it I have made the following extracts: 147 Kent street, St. Paul, Minnesota. Dear Sir. —Wo are rapidly approaching the completion of a century of peace between Great Britain and the United States, and it is earnest!) hoped to have your sympathy and support in bringing about the establishment of an annual peace holiday to commemorate it. The Empire has not, so far as I know, any day on which everyone tries to keep in mind the memory of the heroes on land and sea who gave their lives for it. It would be an inspiring thought to see Great Britain, the United States, Canada. Australia, New Zealand, India, the Cape, and the smaller colonies of both Powers united in one annual peace holiday, a day that would unquestionably have a powerful influence on world peace, and tho curtailment of excessive expenditures on | armies and navies, especially in Europe. " While we have made wonderful proI gress towards drawing our nation*, toI gethier, so much so that at London, Ottawa, j and Washington statesmen think the time is ripe to consider a permanent arbitration treaty between Great Britain and the

United States, something which even a few years ago would have been impossible, do you not think that an annual peace holiday will be one step further, and aro you not willing to have a share in bringing it about ? > '" I do not claim that such a day would absolutely prevent war, but I do feel that with every observance of it (especially when adopted by other nations as well) war would be rendered just that much more difficult. "In tho United States, the mast numerous branch of the Anglo-Saxon race, we have Decoration Day, largely in memory of the soldier day ol the great rebellion, but this day has lost much of its significauce, and has degenerated in a great many oases to little more than a holiday. *' 1 have been in correspondence with a number of the loading men of this country about a plan to induce the general wearing by young and old on Decoration Day (May 30) - a special button, or a sprig of evergreen, which everyone can get, and which is the idea we wish to keep in mind --tvergreen memories; a flower, or a littlo piece of red, white and blue silk ribbon, so that all observers will know that the wearers thereof have in mind the memories of the soldier and sailor dead of this country for tlie last 300 year 3 This is rapidly being adopted, and will become general in a few years. "The united power of the Anglo-Saxon nations is so overwhelmingly great that such a day would not fail to give a power fully beneficent effect upon the rest of tho world. World peace sentiment grows stronger, and it is the hope that.such a holiday would in time bring into the celebration many nations with and between whom war is practically impossible, with the result of an increasing pressure upon the balance of the nations to curtail war expenses. "As to tho day of the year. In the United States we have observed Decoration Day, May 30, for 40 years, and what greater compliment can ttie Empire pay tho Great Republic than by changing Empire Day, which has only been celebrated for a dozen years, to May 30 But tho day is a minor consideration. Having received very favourable replies from a number of the leading men of this country, Canada, and Great Britain. I hope to have yours also, and I trust you will be good enough to give me your views as to how this plan can be carried to a successful end. In the United States tho matter >s now in tho hands of a Special Peace Centenary Committee of the Lake Mohonk Arbitration Conference, the chairman of which is United States Senator Burton, of Ohio. " It is my hope that the plan will appeal to you, so that you will give it your support, but if you feel that you are too busy I should ba under many obligations to you if in your reply you would kindly give me the names of any patriotic associations, or men, who would be interested in taking this up. Awaiting your reply, I am, faithfully yours, " J. W. Hamilton, " Seoretary Anglo-Saxon Annual Peace " Holiday Plan." THE MISSISSIPPI INUNDATION. I intended to make up a note upon the Mississippi, but must let it stand over. If, however, any reader has Huxley's Physiography he or she will find some interesting notes there. The river drains about nine times the area of New Zealand. " No river has been more carefully examined than the Mississippi, and it has been determined that the average proportion of sediment in this great stream is one-one thousand five hundredth by weight, or one-two thousand nine hundredth by volume; so that the weight of mud actually carried to sea, in tho course of a year, reaches the enormous amount of 812,500,000- OOOib." This works out to nearly a million tons of solids a day, in addition to solids held in solution ; and as the weight is 1500 times that amount we have 1500 millions of tons of water, on an average, falling daily into the Caribbean Sea. What is the amount discharged when tho river is in flood? A look at the map will show how the delta is being projected into the sea, and as a delta Ls level the streams networking it become sluggish. To confine them, levels are built, and these dykes sometimes give way and cause destruction of life and property. NATURE-STUDY BOOKS. In a paragraph in the Notes and Correspondence a teacher asks for names of books on insect lifo in New Zealand, and I have named the best I know. There is room here for a good text-book or two, and I think the compiling should be done b> tho Government because this class of book wants plenty of good illustrations, coloured to nature for preference. The cost of production stands in the way of private enterprise, for no sale that can leasonably be anticipated justifies tho outlay. Tho only other book I know of covering New Zealand ground is " Nature Study in New Zealand," to which may bo added "Nature Study in Australia,'' both published by Whitcombe and Tombs. Cassell's "Eyes and No Eyes" series, six in number, 6d each, are worth having, though not all confined to insect life. The " Look-about-you " series, about same number and price, published by T. C. and E. C. Jack, i 3 a delightful set. Macmillan's Nature series, at 2s 6d each, contain " Hie Origin and Metamorphosis of Insects," and •• Flowers, Fruits, and Leaves," by Lord Avebury, better known as Sir John Lubbock; and "On the Colours of Flowers," by Grant Allen. " The Fairyland of Living Things," published at Is 6d by Cassell's and written and illustrated by tho wellknown Kearton brothers, is a delightful little volume. As small text-books tho "Young Collector Series," published _ at ls each by Swan Sonneschein, are capital little volumes I have most oi them, and can recommend " Ants, Bees, Wasps, and Dragon Flies," " Butterflies, Moths, and Beetles," " Crustaceans and Spiders," "Fungi and Lichens," "Pond-life: Insects,"' and "Pond-life: Alga}, Diatoms, etc." I have a score or two of others, but theso will do to commence with. I may give another list next week. NOTES AND CORRESPONDENCE. I recently published some information sent in by Mr Ironside on tho pests infectin<T the Fire Brigade Station and other places. Mr Ironside's notes came in two instalments, and in inserting in the first part the name of the species " Tyroglyphus longior", I forgot to delete ;; sentence further on, which- stated that Mr A. If. Cockayne did not know what it was.

" Aoardina " should also have appeared, and not " Acaridna." Further, in a note covering the second part Mr Ironside said that possibly he might have used " insects " inadvertently, and that, if so, I should correct it, and made it clear that these mites were not insects. The word not somehow *yas omitted. It is only fair to Mr Ironside to make the corrections. I hope Mr Ironside will furnish us with some more of bis notes, and that other teachers will follow suit. D Taylor's specimen is a oentipede. imported either from Europe or the South Centipedes have any number of segments, from 15 to 100 or more, and each segment carries a pair of legs. It is.curious that the pairs a.re never even in number. XX- kcSf ' that in our Bovs' nigh School an undue influence is used to force boys to p i ay « Rugby," though many Of the boys going- there have been playing fcocoer In the public schools. I should suggest that "Soccer" bring the matter before the association or the rector. I have heard one of our leading Rugbv lights say that if he had a son playing football , Sh ?. u A d ins ' st ?P°n h» being allowed to Play fecccer for two reasons: There is lees danger to life and limb, and a Soccer player makes a better Rugby player in after years. n P ' r K u ats - Railway School) sends the following -note .—"Dear Magister,"—l am sending you some sort of insect, the name of which Ido not know. It cau hop 18 inches. It has six legs, the two back legs being thicker than the others, and it has feelers about three inches ong. I found it in a hut up the railway Una Will you please identify it? I am enclosing it in a little match box. Is it a grasshopper?"— It is a small female weta, as is shown by the curved ovipositor at the end of the abdomen. It is now sometime since I described one, so perhaps after I have given the notes promised on Worms and Beetles—taking the Prionus reticularis to represent the latter—l may give some on this fearsome looking creaturo though a small specimen does not show it to be so. " Country School Teacher," who by her letter shows she is willing to go to any reasonable amount of trouble to get information, among other questions asks: What are the two prongs ' near '.he end of the abdomen in Aphides? I'll take a run dowii to the museum as soon ai I ran and see if I can get the information. In dragon-flies, wetas, etc., these " elaspers" are found in the males and are used for holding (he '"ornate when breeding-*t least, I think that is the explanation. Another query I have no clue to, is this: "I found flies with three thin attachments on the extreme end of the abdomen: what aro these?" Can any reader give an answer? "Amba" two or three weeks ago wanted the names of books containing coloured illustrations of New Zealand flora, urd I mentioned two —Featon's and Hetley's. " Rata " writes mentioning these and also " The Student's Flora on Now '•'c-alan-J and Outlying Isle*;/' and " Plant? of New Zealand " (Whitcombe and Tombs). These, however, have illustrations only iu black and white. The following ; s a p*rt of "Rata's" letter:—"Dear Magister,— ' Amba' wants a book on New Zealand plants, but containing coloured illustrations. I have ' The Art Album of New Zealand Flora.* It contains 40 plates and £2 illustrations. The plates are very fine, really beautiful, and very natural. It is a i;reat pity that the other books have not been published. As it is now the work is only half finished. This book cost £4 4s when it came out. The cost of printing the plates made the book expensive, so much so, that it did not sell well enough to allow the other two books to be brought out. Mr and Mrs Featon had gone to some trouble over the work. It was printed and published bv Messrs Bock and Cousins, Wellington Mrs Hetley's book I have not seen. A short time ago some one asked how to press flowers to keep the colour. I have pressed numbers of flowers, ferns, grasses, and seaweeds, but find it difficult to get the flowers to retain their colour. I saw directions for pressing flowers in a book, and to retain the colour they should be pressed between sheets of zinc but I have not tried it. I used blotting paper and put them in dry paper every two or three days for or so. If they aro pressed for a day or two and than put between dry paper and ironed with a fairlv hot iron it will dry them more quickly. When put between the blotting paper thev want a good weight on top of them.—Rata." "Back Block Teacher" wants names of books on insect life in New Zealand. The best I can recommend are' Manual ot New Zealand Entomology," "New Zealand Neuroptera," and " New Zealand Moths and Butterflies"—all by Hudson, but they are expensve. If my correspondent is a member of the Otago Educational Institute she can get the first two posted free to her to make notes from, by applying to the secretary, Mr Phillipps, Of the Albany Street School; and if she usks the Committee of Management to procure the last-named, perhaps it will get it, for members' use now that Nature study has become so prominent. To "M. J- A. —Thank you for your letter • -a Meteorological Notes have come to hand as usual but I should like more of them. Wairoa and Ranfurly are good contrasts, but I should like notes from Auckland Peninsula and from the Bluff also. The season lias been an exceptionally backward one, and I am sure that many schools have some interesting observations that would be largely read by others—observations which would be useful for comparison with future years. Wairoa, March 28. Dear " Magister,"—Did I omit to send vou are February records? If so I much regret the omission, caused by stress of work and Rainfall.—For February, 1912. 4.97 in on 13 days; total for 1912 to February 29, 7 92in on 21 days. For comparison.: February 1907, 3.76 in; February. 1908, 2.87 in; February, 1909,5.55 in; February, 1910, 4.30 in; February. 1911, 7.76 in; February, 1912, 4.97 in. Temperature: Maximum, 84de'g on 7th February; minimum, 45deg on sth; average of minima, 75.0; average of minima. 57.6; average at 9 a.m., 62.4; average at 1 p.m., 69.8. Barometer: Minimum. 29.65 on 19th; maximum, 30.3 on 12th and 26th.—I om. etc.. John BOWIE, B.A. Head Master.

Croydon. April 2. Dfar " Majrister,"—-The rainfall for the month was 612 poinfs on 19 days, Highest rainfall, 90 points on the 7th. The averago maximum temperature was 62deg;

maximum 70deg on sfch and 6th. Th« average minimum temperature was 47deg; minimum 42deg on 17th, 18th and 19thl The average temperature at 9. SO a.m. was 66deg. Month generally wefe Bad harvest weather.—Yours faithfully, Elsie Pope. Ranfurly, April 3. Dear " Magister,"—The following are the meteorological records for the month ot March:—Maximum temperature in screen, 76 degrees on the sth; minimum temperature in screen, 27 degrees on the Bthi; minimum temperature on ground, 24 degrees on the 19th; average minimum in screen, SUHU degrees; average minimum in screen 37.tt> degrees; average minimum on ground, 00.45 degrees. Rainfall: 317 points on 13 days; maximum 63 points on the 6th. Total rainfall since January to date, 577 points on 3 days. Frost ocourred on eight nights in the screen and 10 on the ground.—Yours truly, A. W. RobebtS.