National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-03-08
AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.
An Interesting Lecture Oh National His
tory by Prof. Holman.

tory by Prof. Holman.
A large audience, composed principally Of
the leading scientific people aud educators OF
the city, crowded tho lecture room of tho
High school last evening TO hear the lecture
of Prof ID. S. Holman, of tho Franklin insti-
tute of Pennsylvania, on "Motion and Life rs
seen under the Microscope and on the Screen.
Mr. Eaton, tho commissioner of eduoatior,
introduced Prof. Holman as one Of tho lead
ing scientists and microscopists of tho coun-
try and reviewed his distinguished services
and important inventions in tho cause of
science. Prof Holman opened his lecture
motion and sound and an explana-
tiOn Of the apparatus by which
he was to illustrate his ideas--the microscope,
phoneidoscopc, stereopticon, &c. Tho laws Of
motion and its divisions were illustrated by
interesting experiments, the movement OF
dead matter or mechanical movement being
shown by tho pendulum, the movement of
plant life by tho protoplasm, and the move
ment of animal life by the heart Of q frog,
which was put under the microscope and
stereopticon and shown on the screen, SO that
its pulsations were plainly visible, The cir
culation of the blood was illustrated by q live
salamander, which was so exhibited as to
permit everybody to SEQ the circulation
through tho veins and arteries.
The experiments were given a special in
forest by the great perfection of the appara-
tus and the many inventions and improve
ments of the lecturer. The screen was m ade
to reveal pin mavnifed to the proportions
OF telegraph pole, aud the tiny salamander
was magnifed until il extended around three
walls of the spacious lecture room,
Tho experiments with the phonedoscope
formed the concluding portion Of the exhibit
tion aud were of absorbing interest and
novelty. The motion of sound waves on
soap film being illustrated by the machine
on a large screen, the vibrations of the noise
and of vocal and instrumental music were
made visible with the wonderful effects that
they have upon tho film. causing tho most
intricate forms and brilliant .colors to com
bine and succeed each other rapidly with the
most striking and interesting effect. This
class Of experiments, being almost entirely
new, attracted the greatest interest and
created much curiosity among the scientists
aud microscopists who were present.
The lecture and experiments were received
with repeated applause, and proved very in
structive, as we'll as entertaining.
Tomorrow evening Prof. Holman will de-
liver another lecture at the high school for
the benefit Of the Natural History society of
the school, and taking for his subject motion,
light, and heat as studied by the aid of such
instruments as the hydra radiometer and
phoneidoscope. The experiments will em-
brace tho effects of heat aud light the move.
ments of camphor boats. the movements and
pecuiarites of the forms of animal life not
visible to tho naked eye, &c. This lecture
has attracted much attention In other cities,
and embraces many features which are new
even to the most careful students Of the sub.
jects treated.