Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1891-09-12
"HALF-1MMoRrAL FLOWERS"

A beautiful souvenir of summer wander
ings in the woods, by mountain brooks, OF
along quiet, fern-fringed country lanes, is
a window transparency, of which the flow
ers gathered in these rambles and carefully
pressed form the ornamentation. The flow
ers best adapted for pressing and which
may be used most effectively are those of
delicate and silky texture and high color,
with ferns and small leaves of frond-like
structure. Cases with paper prepared ex-
pressly for botanical specimens are very
convenient, but old newspapers answer all
purposes. At first the flowers can only be
placed as smoothly as possible with the
fingers between the layers of paper,
but after twenty-four hours they become
so softened by willing that by the aid of a
camel's-hair brush every petal, leaf and
tendril may be perfectly smoothed. Sew
eral layers of papers should be placed be-
tween the specimens and board with
heavy weights laid on top. The papers
should be changed every day to avoid the
moulding from natural dampness, the
flowers being always gently lifted and dis
posed in as natural positions as possible.
When they are perfectly dried arrange
them as gracefully as possible, with an eye
to harmonious grouping, upon sheet OF
paper, and transfer this design, bit
by bit, to a glass panel. A
little gum tragacanth dissolved in
warm water will form a strong and trans
parent paste for the purpose. Cover the
panel with another of the same size, and
bind the edges together with paper or have
them framed with a very narrow mould
ing. Ground glass panels are preferable to
those of clear glass for these window pic
lures, as they give them dewy and frosty
look that adds to their delicacy.
Such transparency with the winter
sunlight striking through it shall call up
delightful "reminiscences of summer days,
and if you would know how much of
cheer and pleasure such gift would bring
to friend read that poem of Whittier's,
SO beautiful and thoughtful, tThe Pressed
Gentian."
ENOUGH TO vEX THE SHADE OF NOAH.
The amusing mistakes of school chill
dren in descriptions and definitions have
been abundantly set forth in newspaper
and magazine articles, and even a small
but very entertaining volume has been
prepared from authentic specimens of
these blunders. Concerning the mistakes
of teachers, however, but little is said. To
turn the laugh little, the following sam
pies taken from list of errors made by q
class of teachers examined for certificates
of qualification by California school
board, is offered. In remoteness from &C
curacy, and in the evident judging of
sense from sound, these mistakes of teach
ers fully equal those of children, and are
much more amazing.
Obesity was variously defined as "a
bow" Courtesy" and Improper Ian
guage"; billingsgate, as "water in the bot
tom of a ship; mercensry, "the place
where medicine is kept" and mendicant,
as Zone who deals in medicines" Pharma-
cists may object to these two definitions,
but it is not thought that they were in
tended to be satirical. According to these
aspiring teachers cursory means "that
which is a CURSE; arabic, "that which may
be read"; benignant, ''uncivilized"; ur-
banity, profanity" and indigenous mot
dignifed." Effervesce signifies "respect, u
hypothesis ''the longest side of triangle, u
and vitiate, "to make VITAL" or according
to another candidate, Certain rules per.
son must go through to become member
of society" Humidity must be much less
Objectionable in California than in Connec
ticut since it was described as peaceful, ,
"calm." A guerdon became ''that which
girds," nocturnal, ''every three months,
erratic, Irrational" prestige, ga rohe," and
1t was perhaps some gentle humorist who
defined hypothecate as "to make ridicu
lous," and celibacy as ''unsoundness oi
mind" but utter confusion in thought and
expression was shown by those who de
scribed reciprocity as "that which ii
brought before the head" and compen
dium as reference to writing"
Now, after smiling over the absurdity
of these, why should it not be well fol
some of us to take pencil and paper and
attempt to define these, or other words
in ordinary use, in brief, comprehensive
adequate sentences? 1t will be found
more difficult than we think, but the
exercise will be beneficial one as we
shall be surprised by our own failures, and
taught to be patient with childish blum
derers. while our respect for the scholar
ship, industry, and literary skill of the
photographers will be greatly augmented
HILARY.