3/6 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



made of the epidermis, including stomata of leaves of cabbage, 

 corn, lilac, pine, and barberry. Next were studied the root-hairs 

 on seedling clover and the stalked glands of the cup of the cup- 

 plant {Silphium perfoliatum). Internal structure of leaf of stone- 

 crop, lilac, and compass-plant were compared, followed by stem of 

 purslane and maple (one and two years old) ; pine-wood, medul- 

 lary rays ; endogenous stem of asparagus and young corn, crystals ; 

 starch, cork, latex tubes, sieve-cells, and the mucilaginous modifi- 

 cation of cell-walls as seen in the outer coat of the flaxseed. 



This term is followed by another devoted to laboratory work 

 of a more advanced sort, along with a course of lectures upon 

 cryptogamic botany and vegetable physiology. 



The old and, at one time, half-true belief that botany is a 

 simple, useless, frivolous study of blossoms which the simpering 

 girls at fashionable seminaries may be excused for calling a 

 branch of learning, is fast passing away. It is a hopeful sign that 

 even so plain-thinking and practical a class as our best farmers 

 are beginning to realize that it is a pecuniary advantage to know 

 more concerning the structure and habits of their farm-crops. 

 They feel that there are laws which govern the improvement of 

 their grains and fruits as well as of their cattle and sheep. In 

 short, there is a demand for thorough instruction in all that 

 pertains to plant-life, and the question naturally arises in the 

 mind of the teacher. What is the best method of meeting the call 

 made upon him for more light ? Whatever the best way may be, 

 it is hoped that the outline herein given approaches a method, 

 pointing in the right direction — one which stimulates to deeper 

 and more independent thought, and begets a spirit of respect for 

 the minutest thing, and a burning love to know the truth as it is 

 revealed in the endless book of Nature. 



ARCTIC ALASKA. 



By W. L. HOWAED, 

 ensign, united states navy. 



IN 1883 Congress appropriated money to buy presents for the 

 purpose of rewarding the natives of St. Lawrence Bay, 

 northeastern Siberia. These people had been verj'' kind to the 

 officers and men of the United States relief -ship Rodgers, burned 

 in that bay November, 1881, while in search of the ill-fated Jean- 

 nette, having fed and partly clothed them through a severe arctic 

 winter. Lieutenant George M. Stoney, United States Navy, one 

 of the officers of the Rodgers, was detailed to make the presents, 

 and in May, 1883, took passage in the revenue-cutter Cor win with 



