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central nerve system. The phenomena of motion concerned, temporarily or permanently modify the form of such cells as are interested in the vital physical processes. In order fully to account for these phenomena, the primary physico-chemical facts should be considered, the morphological alteration of the cell being a secondary phenomenon produced by the

MUSHROOM-LIKE FORMS ARTIFICIALLY PRODUCED BY DOCTOR STADELMANN.

former. Besides these bio-physical phenomena, those of a bio-chemical nature should be taken into account-viz., the assimilation and dissimilation due to nutrition and to the exchange of matter; while the third class is that of bio-plastical phenomena.

In all three classes of phenomena characteristic of the life of man, there always occurs a transformation of energy controlled by the same necessities of nature. In connection with bio-plastical phenomena, a transformation of chemical or other energies into the special form of mechanical energy that characterizes organic structures should likewise be taken into account.

The above considerations guided Doc

tor Stadelmann's endeavors to produce by purely physico-chemical motion phenomena some structures analogous to those of organized beings. It had been his intention to demonstrate the possibility of generating, by the aid of simultaneous physical and chemical reactions, the same forms which are characteristic of organisms, thus proving the fact that these forms are controlled by similar phenomena. He therefore obtained the reaction of a radio-active body-uranyl nitrate with a sodium salt, using the aqueous salt solution for the production of an electric current. The glass vessel containing the liquid was exposed to the action of sunlight.

Now, ten to thirty minutes after the beginning of the reaction, some characteristic alteration is seen to occur in the liquid, especially in the neighborhood of the negative electrode, a great variety of forms being there produced-single or multiple veins, spirals some centimeters in length of an intense yellow hue, rings showing a threefold coloration, bodies exhibiting the shape of mushrooms of a yellowish or brownish coloration, or that of shells of a purple color within and pink and yellow outside.

Other forms show striking analogies with algæ, mosses, or other vegetable bodies, while designs resembling those of the skins of reptiles were observed in some cases. After being dried on a glass plate, the liquid shows the most varied forms, some being very much like parts of an animal skeleton.

If the liquid is allowed to stand for some days, it becomes turbid, the growth of the structures being arrested. After filtering, however, it may give birth to another series of somewhat altered formations.

All these formations show a very delicate microscopical structure varying according to the conditions of the case. They are found to possess great stability, some being preserved for one year and a-half. Their growth, which seems to be due, be due, like that of living ganisms, to internal absorption, is greatly reduced by cutting off the sunlight. Such preparations as are obtained in winter are therefore far less satisfactory than those produced in summer. Their size is found to be depend

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ent on the nature of the salt, an addition of sodium chloride exerting a strikingly nutrient effect. An infusion of fresh plants will give rise to artificial vegetations quite similar to those produced with salts. Still another factor influencing the aspect of these formations is the metal used in producing the currents, while the shape of the electrode is found likewise to exert some action of its own.

In order to understand these interesting phenomena, they should be considered as the effects of a movement of electrons, carrying along the smallest chemical particles and separating them at a given place, where these manifold structures are formed. The motion of the electrons is altered by the nature of the electrodes and the possibilities of chemical reaction. The radio-active energy of the uranium salt, altered by the electric current, seems to play a prominent part in the phenomena. One of the most remarkable facts is the succession of a second and a third series of structures after

ARTIFICIAL MUSHROOM PRODUCED BY DR. STADELMANN.

the original forms. Any alteration in the possibilities of reaction is attended by the production of other forms of an altered character, thus illustrating the following principle of evolution, which may be considered as a cosmogonical law:

Whenever the forms of motion determining the production of given structures have been exhausted and other possibilities of reaction are present, another type of structure will be produced.

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WHERE FORMERLY ONLY SAGE BRUSH AND HORNED TOADS GREW AND THRIVED. Transformed through irrigation. A home in Salt River Valley, Arizona.

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By Robert Franklin

UITE the most peculiar state of affairs that has been known in this country for some decades, exists at the present time in north central Nevada, where, with a large and inviting territory newly made available for homesteads, there is a dearth of settlers. Ordinarily, of course, when good lands are offered by the Government free of charge, there is a rush for the scene, every possible patch being eagerly preempted; but in this instance, strangely enough, about a million acres of the finest soil in the world, with a plentiful water supply furnished by irrigation, are going begging.

The lands in question lie to the east of Reno, the county seat being Fallon, and the nearest railroad station Hazen. To reach Fallon, one must go by way of

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Hazen a dusty trip through a bare alkali desert-and, by the time the destination is in sight, one is likely to feel anxious above all things to catch the next stage back. This seems to be the main reason why an extensive area which is destined to be within a few years a blooming garden, remains unoccupied, only a small portion of it having been taken up. Though unpromising to the eye at the present moment, owing to the aridity of the region, it will soon be covered with rich crops, unlimited water having been made available by tapping Lake Tahoe-a magnificent sheet twenty-one miles long by eleven miles in width.

Anybody may obtain from forty to eighty acres of this fruitful territory by writing to the Land Office at Fallonif he does not delay too long. The land will cost not one penny; but the intend

ing settler will be required to go there and live, and to pay at the rate of twenty-six dollars an acre for the water supply. This demand he must liquidate in ten annual instalments; and not until the end of the tenth year will he receive from the Government a patent of ownership -that is to say, a clear title-deed to the property-the object of the law governing such matters being to provide for bona fide home-makers and to shut out speculators.

Not for a quarter of a century has such an opportunity offered itself. For, although there are in various parts of the United States immense areas of unoccupied public lands, they are mostly undesirable for one reason or another-usually for lack of water. Eventually

probably within the next fifty yearsabout 60,000,000 acres of now arid territory will be made available for settlement by irrigation works which the Government is starting in to construct; but this is only a small fraction of the total lands at present untenanted, unfarmed, and unutilized for any purpose whatso

ever.

The free lands open to settlement as

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SELECTED SITE OF GREAT SHOSHONE DAM IN NORTHERN WYOMING.

An immense artificial lake is to be created by putting a dam across the opening seen in middle of picture.

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LOST RIVER, IN SOUTHERN OREGON.

This remarkable stream meanders for sixty miles as if it did not know which way to flow.

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