POPULAR LECTURES.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 November 1922, Page 1

POPULAR LECTURES.

BY VISITING SCIENTISTS.

! Professor Fowcraker lecturer in bio - 1 o gy at Canterbury College, and Mr S. i l’uge, demonstrator in chemistry at ! the College, arrived here last even- ' j n „ at the invitation of the Progress League, and delivered leeturettes at ■ the Town Hall in the presence of a fair attendance. Both are members „f the Philosophical Institute of Can- | terbury and the public are indebted j to tho organisation for its ready co- ' operation in reference to the invitation , to deliver a short series of lectures on ! the Coast. Mr A. M. Wright, President and Mr G. E. Aiclicy of Cantor burv Museum. a:e ol t‘ie party < Iso.

ibnt last night they spoke at Grej- ■ mouth, and to-night the lecturers will die,me places and Messrs Wright ami A l'clicy will speak here. Professm Fowcraker and Mr Rage arrived hv mail ear last night which wks consulerably delayed owing to a bad slip on the road. While waiting for the lecturers the audience was very agreeably entertained by a display of Dr Teiehelniann’s scenic pictures of Westland which were shown by Revd. A. C. Purehas, who manipulated the lantern in the absence of Dr Tcichclmaiin called awnv to Rcefton.

Professor Fowcraker took for his subject “Forest and Plain” and dealt with the vegetation of Westland fori -ts and Canterbury Plains. He showed how climate governed the growth of vegetation, and the distinctive flora of which it is composed, illustrating results on the Westland side where the rainfall is well over 100 inches per annum to the changing conditions on the Canterbury side where the rainfall is less that a quarter of that record. The various “floors” in forest structure where illustrated with some lieautiful views of Westland bush or forest scenery. There were the forest giant trees with lesser trees filling in the spaces between and below tlie mat of forest undergrowth so useful for the retention of refreshing dampness to sustain the growth of the forest about. (Examples were shown also of the desert plants and the provision of nature for their store of moisture to promote their well-being. The vegetation on plains and river beds was illustrated from its earliest stages and the steady expansion shown in sequence. Ml- Fowcraker who knows the Coast bush well was able to give some fine examples of its wonderful scenery, and he made his subject pleasantly interesting all through.

The subject .Mr S. Page dilated upon vas “Murium Foods” and he made it a -cry interesting one, showing the need or the proper attention to food sup>lics to maintain the health of the inlividual as part of the nr.ti n. He poke of civilisation breaking down by minus of modern invention in the pro uirntioii < f special foods in an attrac-

tive form to the eye. which did not always contain the requisite parts to stimulate growth and sustain health. In that respect he gave the example of the German raider in the war, the crew of which lived on the spoil taken from captured vessels at sea. The best brands tinned foods of all descrip-

tions were consumed, but before very long, 'more than half of the crew were down with serious illness and tho steamer had to enter an American port for medical aid. Under proper feeding wherein the body was supplied with

proteins with which the food consumed at sea, though ample in quantity was short in quality, the patients quickly recovered. The incident demonstrated the point the lecturer

made as to the proper mixtures of food necessary for consumption to sustain a healthy body. Examples of experimental feeding were also given, and illustrations shown of broods of rats fed on various forms of food defi-

cient in certain qualities, which demonstrated very clearly tho point the lecturei made. At the close of the addresses Mr Evans, President of the League, who presided, thanked the audience for their attendance and moved an appreciative vote to the lecturers and Mr Purelins for their contribution to the interesting evening.

To-night the leetnrors will commence at 8 o’clock and the subjects will bo “Animal Flight” and “Microbes and Molecules.”