GEOGRAPHY AS IT IS LEARNED. 1 55 



and that the value of the plant has been enhanced there- 

 by. Pollen is produced in abundance, the wind is ever 

 waiting to distribute it and thus to favor cross-fertilization; 

 and insects also lend their aid to the same end. Parts 

 which were not essential to the well-being of the family 

 have been one after another disposed of, and thus more of 

 energ}' has been conserv^ed towards the secretion of nutri- 

 tive elements in the plant as a whole and the dev^elopment 

 and protection of the precious seed. The stamens and pis- 

 til have undergone some remarkable and beautiful chang- 

 es. The anthers are hung by the middle on slender fila- 

 ments and vibrate in every passing breeze. The two stig- 

 mas are variously shaped in different genera and are ex- 

 quisitely feathered. Under the lens the flower, when at 

 its best, is a thing of rare beauty. 



Geography As It Is Learned. 



BY WILLIAM H. HUSE. 



A recent set of test questions given to a geography class 

 brought forth these gems along with a much larger num- 

 ber of answers more prosaic and more in accord with the 

 findings of science. 



Among the proofs given of the rotundit}- of the earth were 

 these, by two pupils: 



" When Columbus first set sail if an object could have 

 left the sky and have gone 25000 a day towards the earth 

 and when Columbus landed it would still be many miles 

 away from the earth. " 



" When Columbus set sail he declared that the was 

 round and he told the people if the wanted a proof to take 

 and egg and tr}- to make it stand on end. They found that 

 they could not unless they broke the end and so they gave 

 in to Columbus that the earth must be round." 



