in conversational style. A far superior method has, however, been elaborated in the Natural History Camp.

Thus men who lead out door lives obtain, in the course of their amusements or occupations, a considerable, though incomplete and unsystematized, acquaintance with natural objects Local associations for the study of any and processes. An interesting problem now branch of art, literature, or science are of insuggests itself to the mind of the educator, calculable benefit to any community. Comviz: How can such knowledge be conveyed posed principally of young and enthusiastic to the minds of town bred lads in such a man- people, they develop exact observation, elevaner as to arouse and maintain their interest and tion of thought, health of mind, and, perhaps, at the same time in accordance with the spirit of body. For more than a generation there of scientific classification and principles? An has existed in the city of Worcester, Mass., a imperfect attempt in this direction is to lead a Natural History ociety. Its members were class of boys outside the city at convenient young persons having a fondness for such times, direct attention to the objects met with studies, and who occupied their leisure in colin their walk, and communicate information lecting specimens, preparing oral and written

cases.

reports upon them and storing them up in In this manner was gradually brought together a respectable museum. The aim of the society has been not so much to train pro fessed naturalists as to interest large numbers of those whose regular occupations allowed but a limited time for other pursuits. Winter courses of lectures have been given by prominent men, and since 1880 free classes in botany, mineralogy, microscopy, and other branches have been maintained with an ag gregate membership of hundreds of students. In order to extend this work, to render it at once interesting and instructive to youth, the president of the society, Dr. W. H. Raymen

ton conceived the happy idea of establishing a summer camp in which the boys of the city might pass their holiday season with equal pleasure and profit. A tract of land, forty acres in extent, was generously donated for the purpose by Hon Joseph H. Walker.

The camp is situated but a short distance from the city, on the west shore of Lake Quinsigamond, and was first occupied in 1885. The boys are lodged in tents of the army-wall pattern, with substantial wood floors and water proof fly. Each tent will accom. modate four persons. A variety of bodily and mental occupations is pursued, under the supervision of competent instructors.

A phy

sician goes the round of the camp every day, and the accommodations, sanitary arrangements, and food are subject to his approval. No serious illness has ever been contracted at the camp. Fire-arms are not allowed. The boys are formed into companies, and the slight amount of daily drill and light military dis cipline have proved very acceptable. Fifteen minutes per day are given to gymnastics, which are thoroughly enjoyed by all. The pupils are taught to swim and to manage rowboats. A large, well-appointed, and lighted workshop is on the grounds, supplied with turning-lathe, tools, and all conveniences for work. A practical boat-builder uses the shop

during the summer, and explains the manner of building as the labor proceeds. Separate rooms are fitted up for biological work, taxidermy, and general natural-history work. The boys are taught the haunts and babits of game and fish, how to make a camp fire, pitch a tent, handle an axe, cut wood, build log-camps, etc. Bird-notes, the chirping of insects, and the habits of birds and insects will be taught as much as is possible by actual observation in the woods and fields. Out-door sketching is a special feature of camp-life. Practical lessons in photography are given by competent teachers. Out-door evening lessons in astronomy, by the aid of the telescope, are given

THE "SALT LAKES" NEAR TARPON SPRINGS (ANCIENT BUCCANEER RESORT).

during the season. In the field excursions the teacher is simply a leader, whose suggestions or remarks are dropped incidentally or called forth by questions from individual pupils. Specimens found are exhibited on the spot or passed from hand to hand; cómments are made on them by the teacher, and thus the lads learn without effort many things they will long remember, and are stimulated to further observation and reflection. Two evenings in each week are devoted to camp fire stories, when the campers listen to the personal experiences of hunter, soldier, ornithologist, or woodman in the wilds. Base-ball, tennis, foot-ball, and athletic contests are encouraged. Lessons in fencing are a part of the course.

Boat races are also held, and suitable prizes bestowed upon the winners. Illuminations and fire-works occasionally add to the general interest. It is desired that the whole current of life shall be free and buoyant, and every effort is made to give each one a good time, to which he will look back as long as he lives. Many boys, in fact, have returned to the camp each succeeding year until they are too old to be accepted. Pupils are admitted from the age of 10 to 18 years. Scientific lectures are delivered by teachers eminent in their specialties. Specimens, drawings, the microscope, telescope, and stereopticon are all used in demonstration and illustration. Each boy is expected to attend one full set of lectures, the

selection to be made by himself, and, in fact, it is found that most of them become interested in more than one of the subjects. The corps of instructors and lecturers is composed of teachers in the general or technical schools of Worcester, Amherst, Harvard, Yale, and other colleges. The camp has grown in numbers, efficiency, and resources year by year. The camp has acquired a national reputation, and has been visited by many prominent people, representing different departments of education at home and abroad. A weekly journal, called "Camp and Lake," containing sketches, incidents, and historical notes relative to the

different branches of natural history and to athletics, is published by the society. The list of scholars contains names from nearly every State in the Union. A more admirable and praiseworthy scheme it would be difficult to devise. The time is so apportioned that each waking hour is filled with work or play. The routine, however, is not too rigid, and monotony is avoided.

In 1889, Thomas H. Dodge, Esq., the steady friend of the enterprise, gave to the society the use of a piece of land on the opposite side of the lake, upon which a similar camp has been established for the benefit of

the girls. A lady superintendent and matron | To physicians the project is doubly important, are constantly upon the grounds, and parties of friends are usually accompanied by an older relative to act as a chaperon. Could such a summer outing become a general custom for young girls, the frail physique of our women would cease to be a reproach to American civilization.

Camp life invigorates both mind and body. The training will be permanently useful to every pupil, whatever may be his avocation in later life. Doubtless in many a mind a love of science will be awakened, and many a youth be led to make it the study of his life.

not only as an excellent means of promoting health, but also because the study of natural science is the most fitting preparation for that of medicine. How often has botany or zoology served as the introduction to medicine, while, conversely, how many physicians have, either wholly or in part, devoted themselves to biological researches !

The scope of successful undertakings inevitably broadens. Each year increasing numbers have sought this camp. Each year the corps of instructors has grown, the friends of the enterprise have increased. The advantages

fed by one of those subterraneous rivers which | two miles in length with those of Clearwater course through the cavernous limestone form ing the basis of the peninsula. On gaining the surface it spreads out into a beautiful lake which covers several acres. The water contains sulphur and iron. It is well adapted for rowing, fishing, and bathing. The waters of the spring communicate by means of a baycu

Bay, an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico. The surrounding country is the highest along the Gulf coast. The ground is rolling and thickly wooded. The soil is a sandy loam, very productive under the influence of water. Oranges, lemons, limes, olives, fgs, walnuts, Japanese plums, chestnuts, pine-apples, custard-apples,

.

alligator pears, peaches, guavas, and bananas | ble, and the same habits of observation which are among the productions of the locality. have given the boys some insight of the flora Irish- and sweet potatoes, peas, tomatoes, beans, and Indian corn grow-properly cultivated and irrigated-in profusion. The principal trees are the pine and red cedar, whose exhalations render the air fragrant. The atmosphere is purified upon the one side by balsamic exhalations, and on the other by currents blowing over the great Gulf.

To those who have just fled from the harsh climate of our Northern sea board or the rigidity of the interior, Tarpon Springs seems an earthly Paradise. The pure, balmy, and scented air, the blue skies, the brilliant sunshine, sparkling waters, noble forests, and lovely climate inspire one with a pure and buoyant sense of physical enjoyment. Cold weather is almost unknown. The average winter temperature is between 65 and 70 degress. A fire is seldom needed, except for purposes of cookery. The atmosphere is comparatively dry, a fact demonstrated by the records of the United States Signal Station at Punta Rassa. Meat has been exposed for days and weeks without the occurrence of putrefaction.

and fauna of the North will give them a basis for forming some conception of the luxuriance of life in sub-tropical America. The transfer from rugged New England to the Land of Flowers cannot fail to have a broadening effect upon youthful minds, by acquainting them with the diversified products and interests of their native country.

Not the least of the many advantages of the study of external nature is the fact that it encourages an active, out-of-door life. This alone is of inestimable importance to adolescents. Lads of quick intelligence are apt, if left to themselves at this critical period, to linger over books, acquiring sedentary habits and losing an opportunity which can never be regained for the development of bone and muscle. The education of the body should, in each sex, be preferred to intellectual training during the formative period of life. It is possible, however, to gain a considerable acquaintance with nature, and at the same time strengthen the body and lay the foundation of sound physical health. Any defect which may result to academic training can readily be overcome in more mature years. To stimulate the native faculties of a youth, to teach him to observe closely, to describe exactly, to compare, to deduce conclusions, and to make inductions is education, the drawing out of his powers, in the proper sense of the word. So that the mind is trained, it is, in a sense, of less importance upon what subjects it has been exercised. A well-educated mind can be applied as an instrument to any subject which taste or circumstances may provide, whether it be commerce, literature, science, or a profession.

The woods, water, and air teem with life. The opossum, raccoon, ground-hog, landotter, bat, deer, rabbit, and squirrel abound. Many species of fish are to be found in the lake and bayou, while the bay contains mullet, the grouper, sea-trout, Spanish mackerel, tarpon, blue-fish, pompano or pumpkin-fish, and red snapper. Specimens for examination can be obtained of the Jew-fish. The shark, octopus, and giant green turtle inhabit the gulf, and the manatee or sea cow the inland waters. Florida is celebrated for the number and variety of its birds. The king-vulture, a bird of prey second only in size to the condor, smaller species of vultures, eagles, hawks, Another valuable feature of knowledge gained kites, and owls can be observed. The scar- in early youth and in the course, as it were, of let ibis, flamingo, herons, cranes, and other amusement is, that it is so essentially a part of waders haunt the waters. Teal and brant the mental furniture that it can never be forducks, wild turkey, grouse, snipe, wood-gotten. In this respect it presents a striking cock, rail- and reed- birds are abundant. The contrast to knowledge laboriously acquired. smaller birds are remarkable for their brilliant plumage. The mocking-bird and other feathered songsters render the woods melodious.

Tarpon Springs, therefore, affords admirable advantages for the study of nature under favorable conditions. The mild, healthful, and invigorating winter climate permits an open-air life, numerous specimens are readily obtaina

OBSTINATE HICCOUGH.

Dr. H. M. Shallenberger, of Rochester, Pa., recommends fluid extract of physostigma in doses of 4 to 8 drops, pushed to the point of causing toxic symptoms.-Med. Record.