The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-22

curator for the museum of the geolog
ical survey of Alabama, which, by law
is part of the state university.
Herbert H Smith is one of the mos
noted natural scientists in the~Unitet
States. His reputation is world wide
His speciality is shells, but his intimate
| knowledge and experience embrace al
| the branches. He is a world authority
on South American history and geolog
| ical' research. He has written a greal
deal and much of his work has been
embraced in some of the best encyclo-
pedias of the day.
Mr.. Smith Talks
| When l called on Curator Smith today |
found him in rear room of the new
! 100000 geological building. His coat was
off, his sleeves rolled up and mis- face
and hands were buried in wild con-
fusion of shells and fossils piled about
| on the floor and packed in boxes. He
and his able assistant, Mrs. H. H. Smith.
| who, by the way, is an able and enthus-
iastic scientist and valuable hepmeet
to her husband, were busy getting the
exhibits in order for the formal opening
of the building which will be held May 80,
Monday of commencement week.
| Mr. Smith was glad to talk about the
museum and the work of his department.
And he talked with an enthusiasm that
compelled the interest of his listener
With the deft touch of imagery he awak-
ened the melodies that lie concealed in
the cold figures of science, the poetry and
| romance of "bugology," geology and the
other 'ologies.
| THE systematic intelligent study of
some branch of the sciences is the most
| healthful and fascinating recreation in
the world" AS he began to speak his
| eyes lit up with a strange CLEAN of men,
| tai enthusiasm.
The Scientific idea
'The two main ideas that the average
man has of the scientific museum are
| false ideas One is Barnums idea--that
is, that the museum is for show, a thing
| for amusement. The other false idea Is
that entertained by the average collector.
That is an unintelligent ambition for the
mere collection of oddities. The greed for
volume seems to be the highest ambition
/ of some eager collectors.
Now this is not the true idea of the
modern scientific collection. The museum
should be the center of scientific infiu-
| ence nursery for science. few we'll
selected and carefully classified speci-
mems OF scientific value are worth more
than acres of specimens jumbled together
for show and without system or intelli-
gent Interpretation
DIR. Eugene Smith, state geologist and
Alabama university, has collected here
one of the finest scientific museums in the
south. 1t compares will in quality with
any In the world. DR.. Smith deserves
great credit for his untiring and unset
fish work in the interest of science In
Alabama. No man In the state ap-
proaches him in the great service he has
accomplished In this respect.
I'VE hope to make of this museum, the
property of the state Ia nroIeuS of
powerful scientific movement, not only
IN Alabama. but for a number of the adj
joining states. The boys in the uni
versity are becoming greatly interested
Active work in the field soon arouses the
interest of any boy. There is a pecu-
liar fascination in scientific work that
| always claims the attention when once
you get into it. No study can develop
the mind more rapidly or with more
beneficial effect.
I made an address before the Sixth
district Agricultural school at Hamilton a
few days ago on natural science, and
was amazed at the deep interest taken
by the students and teachers. I sug-
gested the organization of a practical
science club. The suggestion was accept
ed with enthusiasm by students and
teachers. We hope to interest all the ag-
rioultural schools, then the high schools
and then the laity
Let me illustrate one practical benefit
OF this scientific study to the farm boy
Here are specimens of the boil weeviI
Here is small vial of adult and young
weevils. Here is another of the larvae
and another of the partly developed in
sect. Mr.. Smith exhibited three Walls
or the specimens preserved in alcohol
Another box contained samples of cot
Ton Dolls In various stages that had been
infested and destroyed by the weevil.
IL Not a Fad
"A scientific study of this insect and
Its work should be of practical benefit
10 the farm boy. So 1t is In every other
line of scientific research. There Is some
wholesome end to be accomplished. The
study of bugs is not fad. Delving into
the mysteries of the rock and mineral
formations Is not a matter of mere curt
osity. Such study and research has made
the great mineral development in Ala
bar1a possible. But the scientist has
been forgotten. The inventor of an in.
strument or article of universal value
| hardly ever reaps the financial reward
which is due him. He makes the discov-
| cry and others are prohted. The scientist
is too busy to make money. but his serv-
ices to the world should be appreciated.
| "As an example of this unselfish serv.
ice would like to digress for moment
| and call attention to the great work that
has been done for the state by my supe.
rior, DR.. Eugene Smith. He has aone
more unself1sh work for Alabama than
| any other man living or dead, and vet
he has had or asked for no material
reward. He is still plodding along in his
unsefish way, irving to do all he can
for the development and prosperity OF
| his countrymen.
I'VE have begun a movement looking
to the organization of scientific society
| In Alabama which we hope will reach to
other states. There are now in Alabama
about a dozen men who make a sys-
| tematic study of scientific matters. We
| hope to organize these men as nucleus.
| After the movement Is started It will
| be easy to arouse the interest and active
| cooperation Of others. The state museum
here will naturally be the fountain head
OF the society. Through the colleges
and high schools of the state we hope
to interest the young men.
Gift of #. H. AIdrich
| These shells we arc now classifying
and arranging are the gift of T. H.
| Aldrich of Birmingham, and it Is one