New-York tribune., 1902-01-05
NATURALISTS AND HUMOR
THEY SELDOM ENLIvEN THEIR DISCUS
SIONS OF PROFOUND TOPICS.

Chicago. Jan. (SpeciaD.-Naturalists. close and
persevering students OF the science which pertains
70 the organic forms OF animal and plant life.
differ usually from other individuals in that they
cannot conceive why they should find humor
In their professional specialties They regard with
horror any intimation that there il anything to
arouse rsibilties in the studies they pursuing
the discoveries they are making II by chance
in demonstration before class OF students there
is any levity. II safely be laid OF the
class whose mischief loving nature must find
outlet either in buresquing the mannerisms OF the
learned professor or in slyly playing prank
his more sedate classmates Mirth rarely finds an
opening when mOrphOlOgists psychologists. zoolo-
gists, botansts or other scientific assemble for
business and discuss deep topics. Lawyers and
judges. even when discussing dry. knotty legal
problem. enven their utterances with amusing
anecdotes regarding trials pleas In courts. So.
too. doctors have laughable stories 70 tell about
their experiences in surgical medical cases. and
some technical papers frequently nlumined BY
the recital OF the lighter Incidents. The chemist
may have some curious results mishaps in GER
tain experiments. and he Will tell OF these and
enjoy laughter he provOkes. even II il IS at his
own expense.
Among the eminent scientists attending the
annual convention of the American Naturallsts
Association University of Chicago little dis
position is shown TO enliven the reading and dis
cussion OF papers on profound topics henee tne
gathering has little attraction for persons not
familiar with the sciences.
In the recess following a. morning session one OF
the learned bacteriOOgists indulged in little hght
talk with others OF his class. They were inspecting
an exhibit of Instruments The professor. growing
reminiscent told OF practical Joke he had played
on an esteemed member OF the medical profession
The latter did believe in the germ theory ana
refused TO pursue study in that direction nod
ing thar II was al bosh The more the bacJert0lo-
gist insisted the doubling the doctor becanie-
''DeTe is such ding as germs IN tuDeIcuIoSis.
1 belief it, declared the physician. native
OF the Fatherland.
under the microscope and prove my aSserJons
replied the professor
''Und I'd has head ind tal2' queried the doctor.
Certainly. Come my laboratory and III snow
il YOU said the bactertOlOg1St-
The doctor visited the laboratory ana tne scentlsr
showed him the specimen under the microscope.
peculiar looking WiSglDg object with the mead or
a monster and feathers sticking forth like the war
path headgear OF a savage Indian was presented.
''Mein gracious, Und dot ding is alive?' cried tho
doctor. No wonder the germs can ravage a mans
lungs I shall get a microscope at vonce.
The doctor converted TO the germ theory.
but the wicked bdcteriOOgist failed to reveal to
him that the bacillus shown In the microscope was
, A common flea obtained from the body OF the
scientists pet house dog
Ar instance of humOr almost creeping into a
profoundly serious feature was after Professor
Jacques Loeb, Of the University OF Chicago read
his the artificial propagation or lower
forms OF life by of sodium and other chemicals
gate oysters by the same means which would lessen
their cost and enrich the fisher OF bivalveS. But
he lost his airy demeanOr when another unconscious
humOr1St hinted at gigantic salt trust when pro-
vogue. Both effectually sduelched by the cold
stares and cold looks of the other psychologists,
and the comments Professor LOeb's paper pro
Ceeded on strictly technical lines