The mouth is called a proboscis and has a structure most peculiar. The proboscis of the elephant is his trunk, but it is the elongation of his nose. In insects their proboscis is a modified mouth, usually a horny tube. In the fly it is bent up under the head when not in use. When the fly settles upon a sweet substance it unbends the tongue-like proboscis and the knob-like end spreads out into two flat muscular leaves with which the fly laps up sweet liquids and so effectually teases us in the heat of summer. The eyes of the fly are no less remarkable. They are fixed firmly in the head; they can not move about as ours do. But to aid the fly in seeing objects in all possible directions, we find by a minute study that the eyes which occupy such prominent positions on the head are really two great bundles of small eyes, so small that they can only be detected with a magnifying glass. It has been estimated that each of these two bundles of eyes is made up of 4,000 simple eyes which radiate from a common centre like the bristles in a paint brush. One might think that with 8,000 eyes much more is seen by a fly than by a man with only two eyes. But it must be true that the eyes of a fly are exceedingly simple in structure and therefore limited in power of vision. Let us next observe the wings of the fly. It has only two wings. But why should we say only two wings? Because we see that nearly all other insects have four wings. This is true of the butterflies and beetles, the dragonflies and bumble-bees. Therefore we should be surprised to find only two wings on the fly. All true flies have but two wings. Nature is so faithful to her "types" of animals and plants, that when we find a typical part wanting, we search for a rudiment or concealed mark of the place where the missing part belonged. Then let us search the fly for the mark of the missing pair of wings. If we remove one wing we will see a light colored membrane protruding from the body of the fly. This might be mistaken for a rudimentary wing; but it is not the part we are searching for, since it does not occupy the right place for the rear wing. Remove this membrane-like appendage (which is greatly developed in the house fly and is called the alulet) and we may see a delicate hair with a whitish knob on the end. This hair is attached to the body of the fly at the point where the rear wing would be if present: another may be seen in the corresponding place on the other side of the fly. Such hairs terminated with knobs are present in other two-winged flies and are more easily seen in the crane fly which we often see walking over our windows, looking like giant mosquitoes. These hairs are called "balancers" or "poisers" or halters, because it is supposed that they aid the flies to poise "on the wing." The common house flies are very common about barns in August and September. The reason for this is that they lay their eggs in horse manure. A single female lays from 120 to 160 eggs. These eggs hatch out in 24 hours. The baby fly is a small white maggot or larva without feet, and lives in the manure where the egg was laid. In about a week it stops eating, gets stiff and remains motionless for another seven days; during this period it is known as the pupa or third stage of the fly's development; then it breaks the thin shell that covers it and comes forth a fly full grown with legs and wings and all its parts just as we are accustomed to see it. This is the fourth stage or imago. When cold weather comes along most of the flies die, but a few find a warm place in the house where they can hide and stay until warm weather comes again in spring. The house fly cannot bite, as many people suppose. There is another fly which does bite that closely resembles the house fly. It occurs occasionally in the house and has a mouth or proboscis formed for piercing. When you find one of this kind examine it closely. It is called the stable fly because it is abundant about the barns; but this is not the horse-fly as some children might assume. There is another fly in our houses in small numbers often thought to be the common fly. It is best recognized in the fall when a fungous disease attacks it, causing it to die on walls and window panes with the abdomen much swollen and white. There is another fly much smaller than the house-fly which many people think is a young fly. We must remember that flies do not grow in size. They are as large when they come from the maggot as they are when they die, and the small fly is therefore a different insect that may be called the small house fly. There are so many kinds of flies that it is very difficult to identify some of them, for they resemble each other closely. We can study some of the other kinds at another time, such as the blow-flies, bot-flies and horse-flies. It is believed that there are in America about 10,000 different kinds of twowinged flies. Teachers will discuss freely the following topics, not necessarily confining themselves to the lesson, but using information obtained from other sources. Write freely on the questions as topics for discussion rather than questions to be answered briefly. Send answers to the Superintendent as soon as completed, and if satisfactory, other lessons will be forwarded at once. In no case will a succeeding lesson be sent until the questions of the previous lesson are answered. 1. Where do flies spend the winter? 2. Name three stages in the life of the fly. 3. How do the eyes of flies differ from the human eye? 4. How does the stable fly differ from the house fly? 5. What is the possible increase from a single fly in four generations? Lessons on the following subjects will be sent to teachers as they are prepared to receive them: 2, the honey bee: 3, the cabbage butterfly; 4, the clothes moth; 5, the spider; 6, green plant lice; 7, the potato beetle; 8, the squash bug; and 9, the tomato worm. The College had in the past year more than thirty-four hundred students enrolled in its Correspondence Courses. Of this number, 456 were taking the regular courses of work, with examinations at the close of each course, as candidates for a certificate. Teachers who wish to take up this work in a regular way should correspond with Prof. Geo. C. Watson, State College, Penna. OFFICIAL DEPARTMENT. Department OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, HARRISBURG, JULY, 1899. THE following circular from Benjamin Pennsylvania,-office, 1420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia-to the School Boards of the State, in reference to the recent act of the Legislature making them Boards of Health in their respective districts, is of special interest to these school officers. To the School Directors of Pennsylvania : Gentlemen: I beg leave to call your attention to the law (published in the June No. of the Penna. School Journal, page 584,) which was passed by the Legislature of this State at the last session, and approved by His Excellency the Governor. In view of the facts, that small-pox at present exists in several sections of the State, that diphtheria is constantly prevalent, and that, with the approach of warm weather, there is a probability of the development of many nuisances of a character prejudicial to the public health, it is in the highest degree desirable that each School Board, outside of cities and boroughs, should at once avail itself of the opportunity thus afforded for the protection of its own community against the ravages of contagious and infectious dis eases. I beg you to note, however, that in order to enable yourselves to assume the additional powers conferred by this law it will be necessary for each Board to make certain formal representations to the court of common pleas or to a law-judge of the county in which the district is located, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3, and to await the approval of such court or judge. Upon receiving information from the Secretary of any School Board that such action has been taken, I shall take pleasure in forwarding copies of such laws and regulations as will need to be enforced, and circulars of information with regard to the prevention of epidemics and abatement of nuisances. Yours very respectfully, BENJAMIN LEE, M. D., Secretary State Board of Health. COLLEGE GRADUATES. THE following State Teachers' Certificates have been issued to College Graduates since last report: 504. Maud Orwig, Lansford, Carbon co., Vassar College, B. A., January 18, 1899. 505. S. Grant Miller, Brownsville, Fayette county, Mount Union College, A. B., January 19, 1899. 506. Edward B. Espenshade, Lancaster, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania State College, B. S., January 19, 1899. 507. F. L. Rose, Clarkesville, Greene county, Waynesburg College, A. B., January 19, 1899. 508. F. W. Robbins. Towanda, Bradford county, Bucknell University, Ph. B., January 19, 1899. 509. Willis H. Grant, McKeesport, Allegheny county, Mount Union College, A. B., January 26, 1899. 510. Elizabeth Lewis, Punxsutawney, Jefferson county, Grove City College, B. S., January 31, 1899. 511. Geo. W. Andrew, Philipsburg, Centre county, Dickinson College, A. B., February 27, 1899. 512. Samuel P. Dietrich, Danville, Montour county, Ursinus College, A. B., March 3, 1899. 513. Geo. W. Gilmore, Connellsville, Fayette County, Bethany College, A. B., March 21, 1899. 514. James H. Dysinger, Mifflintown, Juniata county, Cornell University, A. B., March 21, 1899. 515. J. Edward King, Derry Station, Westmoreland county, Grove City College, Ph. B., March 25, 1899. 516. Robert M. Sherrard, Indiana, Indiana county, Washington and Jefferson College, B. A., April 8, 1899. 517. Anna M. Ealy, Schellsburg, Bedford county, Wilson College, B. A., April 8, 1899. 518. Henry H. Patter, Volante, Lawrence county, Mount Union College, A. B., April 7, 1899. 519. I. C. M. Ellenberger, Tyrone, Blair county, Pennsylvania State College, B. S., April 7, 1899. 520. Samuel S. Endslow, Lewistown, Mifflin county, Dickinson College, Ph. B., April 7, 1899. 521. Chas. Edgar Reber, Collegeville, Montgomery county, Ursinus College, A.B., April 7, 1899. 522. Elizabeth A. Minds, Ramey, Clearfield county, Woman's College of Baltimore, A. B., April 22, 1899. 523. Allen K. Faust, Lancaster, Lancaster county, Franklin and Marshall College, A. B., April 12, 1899. 524. William J. Engle, New Sheffield, Beaver couuty, Geneva College, A. B., April 17, 1899. 525. Ruth Rea Ealy, Schellsburg, Bedford co., Wilson College, B. A., April 17, 1899. 526. Walter S. Hertzog, Beaver Falls, Beaver co., Hiram College, A. B, May 13, 1899. 527. Erastus F. Loucks, Alverton, Westmoreland county, University of Rochester, A. B., May 13, 1899. 528. Harriet Baker, Wesley, Venango co., Grove City College, B. S., May 13, 1899. 529. Mary Yound, Titusville, Crawford co., Wellesley College, A. B., May 15, 1899. 530. Roland G. Kent, Bryn Mawr, Montgomery county, Swarthmore College, A. B., May 22, 1899. 531. Elias F. Faust, Limestoneville, Montour county, Franklin and Marshall College, A. B., May 22, 1899. 532. Chas. W. Beadel, Shamokin, Northumberland county, Syracuse University, Ph. B., May 22, 1899. 533. Geo. F. Longacre, Yerkes, Montgomery co., Ursinus College, A. B., May 22, 1899. 534. Clara K. Hicks, Elmont, Shawnee county, Kansas, Mount Holyoke College, B. S., May 31, 1899. ITEMS FROM REPORTS. ADAMS-Supt. Thoman: All the schools were visited once and a number of them twice. The people of the county in a general way laud our legislative and executive departments for having fixed the minimum school term at seven months. The decrease of the State appropriation, however, meets with marked opposition. BEAVER-Supt. Moore: The schools are all closed. The attendance during the year was very much interfered with by sickness. Notwithstanding this fact, however, the work done throughout the county was in the main very satisfactory. ELK-Supt. Sweeney: Benzinger High School graduated a class of eight bright young people. The commencement was unusually good; from the proceeds of admission fee $75 was added to the library fund. Dagus Mines graded school closed with an entertainment of a very high order. Here also the admission fees swelled the library fund. INDIANA-Supt. Hammers: Our State Normal School is full to overflowing. Ad ditional teachers have been secured and additional class rooms have been fitted up. The graduating class is very large, numbering over one hundred. Under the efficient management of the Principal, Dr. Waller, the school has taken a deservedly high rank among educational institutions, and its graduates have no trouble in securing desirable positions. The public schools or the county are now all closed. We have had a very successful term. LEBANON-Supt. Snoke: Commencement exercises were held in Campbelltown, Annville and Bismarck. Large audiences attended. The exercises reflected much credit on school work, especially upon the efficiency of the teachers. MIFFLIN Supt. Cooper: All the schools are closed with the exception of the Lewistown schools, where the commencement exercises of the High School will be held. The graduating class consists of eleven girls and three boys. Some one recently made the remark that the required qualifications of a County Superintendent should be equal to the most advanced school in the county-a point worthy of consideration on the part of legislators. MONROE-Supt. Serfass: Examinations were held in three schools, of candidates for graduation under the course of study for our mixed schools. They all passed a creditable examination, setting a good example for others to follow. The course of study has proved a strong incentive to both teachers and pupils. NORTHUMBERLAND-Supt. Shipman: The new school building at Dalmatia was dedicated in April. Lieut. Gov. Gobin and other speakers were present. The building is two stories high and modern in every respect. On May 2d, Hon. J. J. Riemensnyder, the first County Superintendent of Northumberland County, died at the age of 86 years and 10 months. Mr. Riemensnyder was a man of culture and refinement; he always took an active part in educational affairs, and for the past six years assisted at the opening exercises of the Teachers' Institute. This report closes my work as County Superintendent. My successor is Prof. Benj. Apple, of Sunbury. He is ambitious, well qualified, and interested in school-work. We predict a successful administration for him, and extend to him our cooperation and best wishes. Albert Lloyd has just been elected Superintendent of Coal Township. He is a good school-man and the interests of the schools will be properly cared for in his hands. Including supply teachers, there are fifty-one teachers in the township. Mr. SNYDER Supt. Bowersox: Selinsgrove high school held very interesting commencement exercises in the Opera House on May 8. Aside from the excellent orations and essays delivered by the members of the class, an excellent programme consisting of fine musical selections and a glowing, eloquent address to the class by Mr. Ira C. Shoch, Secretary of the School Board, was very entertainingly rendered. Active preparations are now afoot throughout the county for the new year. The outlook is very hopeful. Middleburg has signally bestirred herself. The School Board has approved plans and specifications, and awarded the contract to Mr. J. F. Stetler, for the erection of a modern, up-to-date building at a cost of about $7000. Much controversy had been created by those opposed to better school facilities, but when the crucial test came upon the question of allowing the directors to bond the district beyond the amount specified by law, the citizens loyally stood by their directors, and demonstrated their desire for better school buildings, and consequently better schools, with such a degree of unanimity that the bottom of the opposition seems to have been completely knocked out. Thus a question which has long been menacing the welfare of the schools of this district has been finally solved by the satisfactory vote of 107 to 21. It is to be hoped that districts will not resort to the decreasing of wages because of the reduction of the State appropriation and the advent of the seven months' term. Let us progress along all lines, and not retrograde. SOMERSET Supt. Pritts: The schools are all closed. The attendance during the year was very good except in Paint township, where an epidemic of smallpox prevailed during the latter part of the term. Quite a number of Local Normals are in operation in various parts of the county, and from reports recived the attendance of students is large. Many of our teachers also are in attendance at the different State Normals. UNION Supt. Stapleton: This month witnessed the closing of most of our schools. Thirty-five pupils were examined for common school diplomas. As a class we found them well prepared. Many were examined in the higher branches. The Cowan grammar schools and the Kelly township schools held graduating exercises of a very commendable character; eight graduated from the former, and six from the latter schools. The County Superintendent addressed large audiences at each place. The Mifflinburg schools graduated a class of twelve. Under the direction of Prof. C. R. Neff these schools have attained a high standard. As usual the schools of Lewisburg graduated a large class-nineteen well-prepared young ladies and gentlemen of whom the community may well be proud. Prof. B. R. Johnson and his corps of teachers deserve much praise for their excellent work. WAYNE-Supt. Hower: A new schoolhouse is being erected in Lebanon township. Excellent commencement exercises were held at Pleasant Mount Academy. Dr. N. C. Schaeffer delivered one of his characteristic strong addresses. BEAVER FALLS-Supt. Boak: An enter tainment given by the two literary societies yielded $19.80 for the library fund. In all $219 have been raised by the pupils and teachers for our public school libraries during the past year. BRADDOCK-Supt. Keefer: Our graduating class numbered six-three boys and three girls. The graduating exercises were held in Carnegie Hall. Dr. W. J. Holland delivered the address to the class. FOSTER TWP. (Luzerne Co.)-At a recent meeting of the School Board, it was thought best not to elect a superintendent for the ensuing term, because the population of the township has decreased within the last few years, the State appropriation for schools has fallen far from amounts previously received, and the valuation of the township has been very materially lowered." A series of resolutions very complimentary to Supt. Gabrio was unanimously adopted, and also resolutions of congratulation upon his election to the Superintendency of the Hazle Township schools. LOCK HAVEN-Supt. Robb: We have just closed a very successful term of school. The 14th annual commencement was held in the opera house. Seven young ladies and six young men received diplomas of graduation. It was one of the best classes that ever left our high school. NEWPORT TWP. (Luzerne Co.) - Supt. Dewey: Twenty pupils of the high school engaged in a speaking contest' this month. After a preliminary contest the following were chosen: Irwin Belles, Ida Bray, Bertha Griffith, Sarah Dewey, Florence Dewey, Kate Garvey, Alice Jennings, Mary Gallagher, Bessie Turner, and Neva Hagenbaugh. The judges were Prof. R. H. Williams, of Wyoming Seminary, Supt. John W. Griffith, and Rev. Wm. Smith, of Nanticoke. The five prizes were awarded as follows: First, $5 to Mary Gallagher; second, $4 to Alice Jennings; third, $3 to Florence Dewey; fourth, $2 to Kate Garvey; fifth, $1 to Neva Hagenbaugh. The pupils have been greatly benefited. |