The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-05
HOTEL LOBBY GLEANlNCS
CARL III. EIGENMANN'S HOBBY RE-
CEIvEs HIGH ENDORSEMENT.
Action of American Society for Adj
vancement of Sctence-Hotel Clerks
Have Experiences.

Carl II. Eigenmann, of Bloomington. who
is at the head of the department of zoology
in the State University. was in the city last
night en- route home from Washington,
ID. c., where he has been in attendance at
the meeting of the American Association
for the Advancement of Science. Professor
Eigenmann has a hobby, which was re-
Gently exploited in the Journal, the con-
verting of the Donnelson estate in the
southern part of Lawrence county into
State Reserve for scientific purposes. and
he is especially pleased with the meeting
in Washington because it gave his project
boost by adopting the following resolu-
ton:
1.-The American Society for the Advance
ment of Science heartily indorses the plan
of converting the Donnelson estate, which
has recently become the property of the
State of Indiana, into State Reserve. and
urges upon the Legislature of Indiana the
advisablity of setting aside part of it, at
least, for an experimental farm for the in
vestigation of cave animals and plants by
American naturalists."
The professor was instrumental in secur-
ing the adoption of this resolution and he
has also had the satisfaction of similar in
tons. He hopes to be able to bring suffi-
cient pressure to bear on the Legislature
TO insure the carrying into effect of his
plan.
1.-The estate is not the absolute property
of the State as yet, said the professor last
evening. The case. 1 understand it, is
now in the Supreme Court and a decision
is not to be expected before the last of this
month. Donnelson who was natural
lied Scotchman, died about year ago,
leaving no direct heirs in this country. In
such case the property of a decedent re-
verts TO the State. but some of his heirs in
Scotland have been making a fight for it.
The lower courts have decided in favor of
| the State and the case is now in the Su-
preme Court.
IF the Supreme Court finds for the State
| ii will be necessary that some action be
| taken by the Legislature before the estate
| can be converted into reserve for scien-
| tiic purposes, for the law provides that
property reverting TO the State under such
| circumstances shall go to the school fund
| A bill will have to be passed setting aside
| the tract, or part of IL, and L am hoping
| that this action can be secured this winter
THE Donnelson estate is a rich field for
| scientific workers 1t is covered with a
| primitive forest that is extremely valuable
| to students of forestry, and IL IL underiaid
with number of caves, and drained by
an underground river. that offer the oppor-
tunties for research and discovery i'm which
L am especially interested. There are more
| cave fishes there than any place else in the
world and the cave plants and formations
| are varied and invaluable TO the student
| / hope TO see a field station established
| there for the advancement of science.
abonn In 5hf of
| type, and ii is a natural park. The State
need spend no money on the project-all We
! ask is that the ground be set aside as a
reserve and that the forest be protected
from ruthless destruction, or from CONNER
| cialism.