Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-14

The Little Plant Tint Paints Arctic
CiHs Red-How Naturasists Have
Been Puzzled by It-Au Interesting
Paper Read Before the Biological So
ciefy.


Paper Read Before the Biological So
ciefy.
IT the meeting of the Biological society
SATURDAY night, Mr.. Romyn Hitchcock, OF
the National Museum, read interesting
paper on 1.-THE Red Snow and exhibited
through the microscope specimens of the
priiiiint minute crimson globules which give
coior 10 the snow, and about whose chaT-
acter there has been considerable difference OF
opinion among naturalists. Mr.. Hitchcock
said that the red snow that attracted much at
tention from scientific gentlemen when it was
brought home from the Arctic regions by Capt.
Ross In the year 1918, was by no means I'M
known before that time. De Saussu re, as early
Us l'6o,observed ton Mount Breve +, in Switzer
land, and since then many others have noticed
u IN the Alps, Pyrenees, and it seems to occur
interest, however, was manifested in the ma.
teriai Drought home by Capt. Ross, and several
Dotahlsts secured speci mems for examination.
DIVERSITY OF OPINION.
Mr.. Hitchcock gave a summary of the litera-
ture OF the subject, and quoted Capt. Ross de-
scription of the Crimson cliffs, not far from
cape FORK, Baffin's bay. The investigation at
That time showed that the snow was penetrated
depth of ten or twelve feet, by the coloring
matter, and that it had the appearance of hav-
Ing oeen long time in that state.
The extent of these cliffs was about eight
miles. DIR. Wolostin at that time regarded the
Ied snow or Its colorins, as of vegetable nature.
IN 1919, compared them to minute fringi of the
germs nredo and gave the plant the name of
suggested that the germs Paimctta might be
modihed to include this wonderful plant.
al a, scottish Flora DESCRIBES the plant
that In his examination of gobules he had
failed to notice any reticulation or granules,
thouSn Such characteristics might possibly be
observable in other stages OF growth.
Baron Wrangei regarded the plant a lichen,
ana gave 1t the name of Leprarin hermesina.
He placed some limestone covered with the
plant In water, and observed number of
glooules OF yellowish color,of which the larger
red ones seemed to be composed. He also OBJ
served the large globules swim about, like in
fusoria, burst, and give exit to smaller ones.
a. In the latest literature of Atae the plant is
OF propagation of this plant is more satisfacto-
rily established, Mr.. Hitchcock thinks it is i'm
possible to NIX Its systematic position. 1t is not
improbable that in it's actively vegetating con-
dltion the plant is green. This is indicated by
the observations OF early discoveries.
SPECIMENS COLLECTED BY DIR. KANE.
A specimen of the red snow collected by Dr.
Kane from the crimson cliffs OF Beverley is in
the National Museum. This specimen was re-
Gently brought to Mr.. Hitchcock's notice by
Mr.. A. Ii. Clark. 1t was in glass-stoppered
one-ounce wide-mouth bottle. The material
was evidently put In with water, but is now
On examination he found an abundance of
the minute cells of red snow in this collection,
a faint tinge OF red remaining.
RED SNOW FROM COLORADO
A specimen was received in January of this
year from Poverty Gulch, Col, sent by Mr.,
Alexander McDousal. From the letter which
accompanied this specimen, Mr.. Hitchcock
sediment OF a small quantity of snow gath
cred in Poverty Gulch, Crested Butte county.
Col, at an altitude of 10000 feet. on the 10Th
OF september, 1884. The snowfall OF 1854
was very unusual, proving great barrier to
mining operations in this district: In the
spring of 1854 the upiands and valleys that
were still covered with snow presented quite a
novel appearance, the red and white blended
together in beautiful harmony. What it was
mlners,and in hopes that you will elucidate the
mystery take the liberty of sending you a
small quantity. The SNOWFALL that yielded
this sediment gathered from snow that
was about six feet in depth. 1t changed its
color to brown, but by wetting a few grains and
rubbing on white paper il is red
APPEARANCE OF THE CELLS.
Mr.. Hitchcock made few observations on
this specimen and attempted to cultivate some
of the cells, but without success. The cells were
OF a bright red color, sometimes apparently
quite naked, but frequently enclosed singly or
three or more together, in a coorless, shrivelled
envelope.
The contents OF perfect and fresh cells appears
to be quite clear and transparent, with occa-
deeper color than the rest. When the endocfl-
rome was pressed out from the cells into the
ol-like masses The surrounding envelope is
quite hard, tough and resisting:
The BensOn.BrOWn Trasedy
THE IDENTITY OF THE BROWN WHO DID THE
sHoOTING-MR. HENSONs CONNECTIONS IN
THIS CITY.
THE STAR of Saturday evening contained an
account telegraphed from San Francisco of the
shooting of Mr.. John A. Benson by c. w Brown.
and Browns subsequent suicide. The Brown
who committed the bloody deed has been sup
posed by persons in this city acquainted with
Mr.. Benson, to be Mr. {. o. Brown, attorney-at-
law OF this city, who was connected in business
with Mr.. Benson and went with him to the
west few weeks ago. Friends of Messrs. Ben
son and Brown in this city say that it was not
Mr.. c. o. Brown.
Mrs. c. o. Brown, when seen by STAR re-
porter at her home on G street to-day, said her
husband was in Arizona, and that she had
received kilograms sent by him from Arizona
so lately as To show that he could not possibly
have been in San Francisco last Friday. Her
husband and Mr. Benson, she said were on the
most friendly terms and had no business dis
putes. The man who shot Mr. Benson, she was
informed, had followed Mr.. Benson to this city
and again to the west, claiming that Mr.. Ben
son owed him money.
Private kilograms from San Francisco state
that Mr.. Bensonis better. He is member OF
the firm of Benson Il McNee vino have tie con-
tract tor dredging the Potomac flats Mr.. C. o.
Brown has acted as attorney for the firm and
Is closely associated with them in business
having his Office in the same apartments on
1oin street. Mr.. Benson ha> no family here
His daughter, who was,married in this city to u
Mr.. Hurd, died a few months ago.
THE STEAMER JOHN w. THOMPSON Not IN
JUltED.-Mr. Samue! Norrnent, OF the Inland
and COasting company, received "A telegram
from QuanticO this morning stating that the
steamer John w. Thompson. which had been
ashore near Coles wharf go miles DOWN since
Thursday night last, had passed that place
Mr.. Norment is informed that she Is not in
Jured. and she will reach her wharf this after
noon.
The DEAD LETTER SALE.-This sale will take
place Tomorrow morning at 10 O'Clock at the
auction rooms of ThOs bowling, 18th street
and Pennsylvania avenue. Intending buyers
should supply themselves with small change
SO as to prevent delay.
RANGE OF THE TyIERMoMETER.-Tle follow
ing were the readings at the signal office to-day
3a.m, 3i.6 Z am, 36.1; l am 81 o; 2 u. m
3S.1. Maximum, 3d. Minimum, 80.
FATALLY SCALDED HERSELF. - Yesterday
afternoon n twO-year-oid colored child, Eta
Brooks, who had been badly scaided about noon
on saturday by pulling over "A Kettle of boiling
water On herself dieu at the residence OF her
parents, il the rear of $50 25;h street.
SALE IN WEST WAsHINGTON.-Attend the
sale, 3O56 NJ street, West Washington-New
York Variety Store, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 10
O'Clock. Clothing, furnishings, guns and pistols,
boots and shoes, &c. Sale positive.
The Courts.