Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-02-20

of London; but one since has enjoyed a
like honor.
original microscopic work she has also been
made an honorary member of the Michigan
Pharmaceutical Association, although
women are not admitted as members. For
several years she has been president of the
Northwestern Collegiate Association, and
in 1883 was sent as delegate to the inter-
national congress of women.
The name of Mrs. StOwell is also well
known in scientific literature, as she has
for years acted both as editor and con-
of 4 purely scientific character. To her
other attainments she adds that Of be-
ing an artist in crayon, charcoal, and
pen and ink. and illustrates her articles in
a manner at the same time admirably ac-
curate and charmingly artistic. This is
a most valuable accomplishment. as the
microscope is rather elaborate and very
costly.
sidered the dryest and most unattractive
in the whole realm of science. as it was
sharstter e Sea bsd to 6 9aa cbisfS Niab tb In
study of dried roots, barks and herbs.
She managed: however. to invest even
these unpromising subjects with a living.
vital interest, and during this period wrote
a series of articles upon the microscopical
structure of wheat and flour that drew
widespread attention to the brilliant quail
ty of her work.
Mrs. Stowell left the University of Mich
igan to accept a position In the agricultural
department at Washington. She was chos-
en- for the especial purpose of making a
microscopical examination of wheats.
First, OF the same variety growing in diff
ferent localities, and then a comparison of
the different varieties. in order to ascertain
if possible which contained the most gluten,
| and which the greatest amount of nitro
| genous products; the aim of the investi-
cation being to find out which varieties of
wheat We're best adapted to the varying
soils in the different localities of the United
States.
The kernel of wheat had first to be
soaked until it was possible to cut in with
| a very sharp razor into its different sec
lions. The thin outer Shell alone is made
up Of some eight different parts. any one
of which is hardly to be seen by the naked
eye. This careful analysis led to the dis
coyery that the infinitesimal hairy tufts
on the outer shell of the kernel contain
| gas, and that may be the cause-though it
is by no means proved-of the spontaneous
| combustion that occasionally occurs where
Stowell furnished another. proof of the
theory that busy people have the most
leisure. for outside OF special lines she
| has seemed to find the time for undertake
ings of no small moment She has, for in
stance, given much serious study to church
| history. and has delivered several courses
| of lectures upon thai subject at the school
for deaconeSseS in Washington. She is
one of the trustees of the Girls Reform
School of the District of Columbia. to
which office she was appointed by PreSi-
| dent Cleveland.
Just at the present. however, she is de-
voting the largest part of her time to
fulfilling her duties as a member of the
board of trustees of the public schools
! of Washington and as chairman of the
| committee on sanitation for the public.
| schools of the District of Columbia. She
is also engaged in writing a botany.