The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-05-04
RARE SCIENTIFIC FIND
TwoSpecimens { I Japyx Ameri-
cana From North Bend.
ONLY ONE OTHER IN AMERICA.
Successful Expedition From the state
University-T-Square Club Ready
for Lectures.

The scientific expedition Of the Univer-
sity OF Washington over the Seattle, Lake
Shore & Eastern sas proved very success
fai, notwithstanding the fact that the
weather was stormy during the entire time
devoted to the trip The most remarkable
result OF the expedition was the finding Of
TWO specimens of one OF the rarest repre-
sent4uyes Of the animal kingdom namely.
Japyx Americana This genus comprises
thirteen species. distributed AT intervals
around the globe near the forty-ffth pa
ralie4 OF latitude. Up TO three years ago
only Two representatives were known on
the American continent, one found in
Mexico and described in 1865 by Humbart
OF England. as Jspyx saussarii ami Tie
other found in the Mammoth Cave OF
kentucky and described in is74 by Prof. A.
. Packard. OF Harvard, as Japyx subter-
raneus- Three years ago Trevor kincaid
then a boy in Olympia, and now a student
IN the university, found another species
new 10 science. II was described in 1854
ey Alexander d. Maegilyray, OF Cornell as
Japyx Americana Only one species vas
ever found. and it was carefully deposited
Tor safe-keeping al Cornell university
iouhg hincaid has diligently searched for
another specimen for the past three years.
and upon his return from the recent expe-
dition he was asked If the trip had been a
success, he held up a bottle and exciaim-
cd would walk from here to Snooual-
ME falls any day for that fellow" He
had round another one Of the new Japyx
ana John Jackol had also found one, max
ing three specimens OF this species now
known. one in Cornell and two in the Uni
versity OF Washington. This animal oc-
cupies a position in the center of a rasfiat-
Ing descent II is the landmark between
the true insects and the cenfipedes or
myropods. Scientists everywhere will he
oeIghted that another of these most in
teresting forms OF life has been found
Tho greatest need just now in certain
departments OF the University of Wash
inston. said member OF the party lis
natural history material. Probably no
other state IN the Union has such a varied
climate; such Isolated plains, mountains
ana gorges, and such paieont illogical for
nations as Washington. We naturally
expect, therefore. to find the fauna and
the nora correspondlngly complex Every
Nahey, every mountain and every stream
mas It's peculiar animal and vegetable life
ana It's unexplored geological formations
iho Scientlhc world is aware of this and
specialists from the Atlantic coast find il
pFohtaole even to cross the continent In
order TO study the phenomena of nature
That are manifest upon our lands and ia
our seas. II is gratifying to reflect that
our university has taken the initiative in
this interesting work
on arriving at North Bend the party
divided into chronological. geological and
botanical workers. Mount 81, the upper
ana lower Snoqualmie falls and the sur
rounding country were explored as thor
oughly as the three days stay would per-
NIT. Owing to the continuous rainfall the
entomologists Of the expedition were I'M
able 10 make use of their nets, and were
compelled 10 seek for insects under bark.
beneath logs and among stones on the
gravel bars. where the principal finds were
beetles, myriopods and spiders. Even I'M
der these conditions, a considerable collec-
ton was secured. numbering about 200 dis
tinct species. and although most of these
were well known forms, all were valuable
as adding to our knowledge of their geo
graphical distribution"
In the line of botany the greatest finds
were in the line OF NOSES which were OBJ
tained in most luxuriant growths and with
ripened fruits. About forty species were
obtained, though it will take weeks OF
careful study TO determine them all 1t
was too early for the Towering plants. 4
fine specimen of Abies amabliis was OBJ
tanned. This tree. called the Lovely fir"
is common In the mountains. but is rarely
found so low down as this specimen, which
IS estimated az about 500 feet above the
sea level. fine little spruce was also
found, but its identity is not yet deter
mined.
In geology 1t was found that the rocks
were mostly volcanic. Coal specimens
were obtained from the Snoqualmie coal
mine. and ores were secured from Mount
ST.
The personnel OF the party was as fol-
lows; Prof. Charles Hill. Prof Henry
l.andes, who is also state geoiogist; Cura-
tor Henry II. Hindshaw, Miss Ina l. Pratt
Miss Ruth Harrington. Trevor Kincaid
Nathaniel l.. Gardner. John Jackol, w NJ
karshner Charles de Q. Whittle, John c.
DICKSON, sylvester Bethel
The members OF the party feel particu-
larly grateful 10 the Seattle Lake Shore Il
Eastern Railway Company and Or f. H.
Coz the company's surgeon. for the many
courtesies received and also Mr.. Weeks, OF
the Hotel Cascade, at North BEND, who
never wearied in his attentions TO The
scientific tramps." Other similar trips
viii probably be planned for this spring
and summer, and by continuing this work
the natural history of Washington will
speedily become better known Other rail-
way companies and officials. II is urged.
could AFFORD to assist in this undertaking