Alexander Winchell. St 
scientific papers published in the Eutaw journals in 1851-52 and 
1853 were as follows: Yellow Rain, in which he first announced 
the nature of the sulphur-like substance appearing in little pools 
after a spring rain. By chemical analysis and by microscopic 
examination he proved it to be pollen from the pine regions of 
the Gulf border. Other topics were Venomous Serpents; Analy- 
sis of Artesian Water; On the Use of green wood for Fuel; Ex- 
amination of ‘Sandy Land” Soil; The Garpike. 
1853. In 1853 he had the satisfaction of witnessing the veri- 
fication of his first geological opinion, ventured on an economical 
question. Artesian wells were extremely common throughout the 
region south of Eutaw, and it was much desired to have such a 
well in the village. He pronounced against its possibility, basing 
his judgment on the fact that the water-bearing stratum at the 
bottom of the Upper Cretaceous outcropped half a mile south of 
the village, while the Lower Cretaceous was composed chiefly of 
non-porous, argillaceous beds. The authorities, nevertheless, ex- 
pended a thousand dollars in an unsuccessful experiment. 
In July, 1853, he made the acquaintance, at the ‘‘Commence- 
ment” of the University of Alabama, of Prof. M. Tuomey, who 
proved a valuable friend. Here he saw for the first time those 
classical works for the southern geologist, Morton’s Synopsis of 
the Cretaceous system of the United States, and Conrad’s Deserip- 
tion of Tertiary Shells. The former he transcribed for himself, 
and returned to Eutaw with new impulses toward investigation. 
Successful management of a southern female institution of 
learning required, at that time, a large amount of personal solici- 
tation, and much pandering to the southern love of display. To 
this he could not willingly stoop, even had he not determined to 
devote his vacations to scientific work. Partly for this reason, 
and partly for reasons for which he was not responsible, the sem- 
inary did not prove as prosperous as might be desired; and, hay- 
ing been elected president of the ‘‘Masonic University” at Selma, 
Ala., he sold out his affairs at Eutaw, and in July, 1853, entered 
a new field. 
Armed with a ‘Prospectus,’ he started out, with a horse and 
buggy purchased for the purpose, to spread the claims of the 
University before the people of southern Alabama. The unan- 
nounced secret of the expedition, however, was the purpose to 
make it a yeslogical tour. Not neglecting business interests to 
