Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-29
work in the west gathering specimens from

work in the west gathering specimens from
Colorado.
Another party of Cornell men spent the
summer in the Catskills studying the geo
logical formation of that region. They took
along steam launch to use On the noun
tain lakes and obtained much valuable in
formation about the geologic history of
this region.
Though the Pacific coast has been the
scene of greatest activity several expedi-
One OF these was sent out by Johns Hop
kins University to gather biological and
geological specimens about the Island OF
Jamaica. This expedition was rich in
scientific results. but was otherwise tfisas-
trouS The party was attacked with yell
low fever. which carried off Professor
Humphreys and two of the students. This
was the only one of the numerous expedi-
tlons on which there was any loss of life
The explorers worked along the low-lying
swampy shores and cruised along the in
lets picking up specimens of considerable
value. but unfortunately exposed them
selves to the fever malaria which they
We're not so well able to withstand as the
blacks whom they employed 20 nan their
boats and dive for specimens. They were
unable to get out of the low dist -ict before
me fever came upon them and half the
party was Frustrated by it. A similar ex-
Eedlt1on sent TO the West Indies by New
1 orH University was more fortunate They
were in search of zoological specimens and
Prof. AEnssfz In South America.
Frot. Agassiz of Harvard went to South
America early in the summer with a steam
iaunch. and spent the season in cruising
along the Amazon, and has collected many
rare specimens.
This brief review by no means repre-
sents the extent of the scientific research
carried on by the colleges during the period
supposed to be devoted to rest and recrea-
tion Many of the other institutions have
been engaged in researches more local In
their extent than those mentioned Some
of them have had to do with the geological
formations of particular sections others
with the fauna and flora of similar dis
tricts. All this work is important and
valuable. even where ii does not attract
much attention.
The midsummer excursion is a distinctly
modern phase of education. and it is only
of recent years that it has become gen.
eral. Its Importance in the scientific field
Is coming to be thoroughly appreciated by
leading educators. Hitherto most of these
expeditions have been supported by the
contributions of the individual members OF
the parties or by outside subscriptions. but
now some of the universities are beginning
to make appropriations for this purpose.
Prof. Henry r. Osborn of Columbia said
of this method of scientific research: THE
value of these expeditions. especially as
they become more numerous, cannot be
overestimated. 1t brings into general ac-
ceptance new and. to my mind. true con-
ception of the proper field of a university,
which is not only to impart information
but to accumulate scientific knowledge by
practical research. The book of nature
is vast folio. many pages of which have
not as yet been dec:phered. Every line
spelled out by these exploring parties is
so much clear gain from the scientists
point of view. Besides this is the advan-
tage in the way of training that comes
to the younger members of the party. and
that is better by far than mere theoretical
teaching