350, Los Angeles, Cal. The children never tire of going to the beach, and a trip to the mountains is another favorite excursion. Our cabinets grow, and I sometimes fear we shall get crowded out of the house by the "trash" that is accumulating!—Mrs. M. F. Bradshaw, Sec.
366, Webster Groves, Mo. We have thirteen workers, all active.
We have a collection of 510 specimens, mostly minerals and fossils of our own State; a library of 123 volumes; a microscope; and a chemical laboratory. We intend to hold an encampment this summer. How do you think it would work to have a "Midsummer Night's Dream," on some summer evening?—we might have the telescope-man come out from the city, do some star-gazing, and have an open-air magic lantern entertainment? (It would work "to a charm"!)—Edwin R. Allan, Sec.
400, Fargo, Dakota. We gave an oyster supper a few weeks ago, and cleared $15. Our rooms are in the Masonic Block, and the Masons kindly let us use their dishes for the occasion. We have one of the finest rooms for this class of work in the Northwest. Our members are taking hold in earnest, and it will be a success. We have a fine teacher in Judge Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell will be glad to aid any of the western Chapters, if they wish. I think for my part there could be more chapters formed in Dakota, if the boys and girls would volunteer work earnestly. How many of the Dakota Chapters would like to organize the Dakota Assembly of the A. A.? Those in favor will please correspond with me.—Frank Brown, Sec.
The Fifth Century.
403, Newark, N. J. We have begun to study the mounting of plants and leaves. We are going to admit some lady friends to our Chapter, which we think will be a great benefit to us.—Chas. Barrows, Sec. Wm. Earle, Pres.
404, Baraboo, Wis. We are still working, and our collection is steadily growing. One of our boys caught a common painted turtle, I put it into a tub with another of the same kind. They soon became so tame that they took food from my hand quite readily. One day I fed them as usual, but before they finished their meal I emptied the water from the tub, when one of them that had a worm in its mouth began to choke and could not swallow. I gave the other one, too, but he only took the end of it in his mouth. But as soon as I put water enough in for them to cover their heads, they swallowed as easily as ever. I tried this several times with the same result. We gave an entertainment and cleared $25.—Marie McKennan, Sec.
409, Sag Harbor, N. Y. This year has been marked by greater progress than any other since our organization. In April, 1885, a valuable addition was made to our cabinet by the finding of a shrew—genus sorex. This little animal, the least of the mammals, measured not quite two inches in length, excluding the tail. During May and June we organized for summer work, on a new plan,—the President appointing committees to collect in special departments. In July and August we spent numerous "field-days" in the woods and on the shore. We found a rare specimen of trap-rock. The skeleton of a bottle-fish excited a great deal of curiosity. One of our members who had caught a live one identified it.
In November, we commenced a series of discussions: "Which is of more value to mankind—cotton or wool?" (Decided in favor of wool.) "What is the most useful mammal?" (Four members voted for cow and four for sheep.) "What insect is most valuable in promoting human happiness?" (Decided for honey-bee.) "What is the most valuable fish?" (Cod.) Many other questions were debated. We have received many curious specimens: sea-horse, porcupine-fish, key-hole shells, etc. We intend to collect sea-weed and mosses this summer.—Cornelius R. Sleight, Sec.
423, Perth Amboy, N. J. Our thirty members have manifested great interest in collecting and examining specimens from the different divisions of the animal kingdom. Much attention has been given to articulates, including insects of the sea. At present we are engaged in a very interesting course of observation in mineralogy. We have the highest appreciation of the assistance we have derived from the A. A., in learning to observe and love nature.—Bertha M. Mitchell, Cor. Sec.