88 
THE SCIENTIST. 
Drawing may be only copying, but art is 
more; it is cbe result of original ideas, yet 
to become an artist or an arlisan, we must 
first learn to draw, and to accomplish this 
we should begin drawing when we begin to 
write, and as we advance and branch out in 
the one we should do the same in the other; 
then, when our school work is done ,we can 
feel assured that though we are not expert 
draughtsmen, we have at least a good found- 
ation upon which to build, no matter what 
business or profession we may choose to 
follow. To-day, our public school systems 
neglect to build this foundation, not even 
digging the trench. It is true that some of 
the eastern states have made drawing com- 
pulsory in the public schools and art schools 
of design are open free to all. Massa- 
chusetts has made a wonderful stride in the 
study of art during the last decade. The 
leading Colleges and Universities now teach 
drawing in connection with those studies 
that require it; as architecture, mechanical, 
civil and mining engineering, while a few 
teach it in its higher grades. 
As American people, we are the offspring 
of Europeans, possessing the combined in- 
ventive genius of all, and with the Yankee 
knack of applying our knowledge to the 
ends desired, we are destined to excel in 
whatever we undertake. It is to be hoped 
that the state legislatures of this progressive 
Union will pass such laws, as are necessary 
to establish art schools in every city or town 
of anv importance throughout the United 
States, and require drawing taught in all 
public schools, in such a manner that the 
scholars may derive some practical good 
therefron-i. Once started, the beneficial results 
will soon be seen as it was in England from 
1851 to 1837. At the Universal Exhibition 
in 1851 England was next to last in art dis- 
play, the United States being last; in 1S76 
she was one of the foremost. America can 
make even a greater stride than this, if the 
work is only started in the proper way; in 
the schools first, and in the lowest grades 
where writing and drawing should be com- 
bined — drawing from familiar objects, not 
merely copying lints in a book. 
For the Scirntist. 
Popular Superstitions. 
By R. B Trouslot. 
Th2 world is full of thoughtful students. 
The old time dogmas are one by one being 
exploded and, thanks to the careful study 
and patient research of these self-appointe 1 
observers, we are constantly learning some- 
thing new. 
Dr. Strode' s reference, in his article in 
the May Scientist, to the antiquated be- 
lief of an o'd ignoramus, who sti 1 fo idly 
clings to the idea that "vSwallows and Swifts 
hibernate in the mud, at the bottoms of 
rivers daring the winter season, and that 
the Juncos turn into Sparrows in the summer 
and back to Juncos when winter approaches" 
recalls to mind a number of other absurd 
theories that educated people no longer 
countenance. The first is the Joint-snake, 
or, as it i-^ more commonly called. Glass- 
snake, which, after throwing away h s tail, 
is credited with "hitchnig on" to it agiin. 
It is nothing unusual for otherwise well-read 
and intelligent people, to assert with all 
the force of conviction, that these snakes 
will, on beingsaddenly disturbed, throwthem- 
selves into numerous pieces and eventually, 
always after the observer has retired, jump 
back together again. To such an extent 
has this "yara" been circulated, that the 
average school boy repeats it with apparent 
candor. As a matter of fact, the throwing 
oi breaking apart process only occurs when 
frightened, and is caused by a sudden con- 
traction of the muscles of the tail, which 
cause it to break off and usually into several 
pieces as if it were brittle. According to the 
classification of most authorities it is not a 
snake at all, but a lizard. Mr. B. 
W. Drinkard a mniiber of the 
Academy, has one of these handsome little 
fellows in captivity. Some interesting facts 
not generally known concerning the habits of 
this lizard will probably result from the 
forced confinement of this specimen. 
