40 



187G there were exhibited three or four clyuamos manufactured by 

 Gramme, of Paris. One of these was purchased for the physical labora- 

 tory of Purdue University and one by Professor Barker for the physical 

 laboratory of the University of Pennsylvania. Professor Barker, doubt- 

 less, got his apparatus itefore Purdue, since it Avas nearby. As soon as the 

 exposition was over the machine Iielonging- to Purdue was sent to Lafay- 

 ette and early in November, 1S7G, the first modern electric light ever seen 

 in Indiana blazed forth from the tower of the Purdue chemical laboratory. 

 It was one of the wonders of the age and was the talk of the newspapers 

 and the town for many weeks. It seems almost incredible to think that 

 twenty-seven years ago one electric light would cause such a commotion 

 in a community. But this fact should fully illustrate to the young people 

 how much more keenly we of advanced age can understand the progress of 

 science in our State. Prof. Joseph Tingley, at Asbury University, had a 

 room 20x30 feet as a lecture room and one 9x12 feet for his store room. At 

 the present time there are four departments of science teaching at De- 

 Pauw. namely, chemistry, physics, botany and zoiilogy. These depart- 

 ments are in charge of Dr. W. M. Blanchnrd, chemistry; Prof. J. P. .May- 

 lor. physics, and Prof. Mel. T. Cook, Inology. Each professor has an 

 assistant and their rooms, taken in the aggregate, amoiuit to moi'e floor 

 space than tlie entire old college 1)uilding of Asbury University. One of 

 the latest acquisitions at DePauw is the Minshall laboratory. 80x130 feet, 

 three stories, constructed of stone, brick and iron, fireproof, and with the 

 most modern appliances for teaching chemistry and physics. Plans are 

 now practically completed for the departments of l)otany and zoology. 



One of the earliest contributions to the material prosperity of Indiana 

 from the sciences was made by geologj'. I have no time here to revieAv 

 the voluminous geological reports whicli have been made from time to 

 time in the history of our State. Tliere are a few salient points, however, 

 in the history of economic geology which may prove of interest. 



I have already made allusions to the services of Dr. R. T. Brown to 

 the geological development of our State. I have now to speak of a period 

 in our geological development of most remarkable significance. I refer to 

 the services of that distinguislied scientist, Prof. E. T. Cox. Trained un- 

 der the Owens, he had imitated their zeal and their industry, and was 

 active in all his habits, both bodily and mental. He pushed with utmost 

 vigor the investigations of a geological nature into tlie extent and cliarac- 

 ter of the coal deposits of the State. He early saw the importance of 



