Park University - Narva Yearbook (Parkville, MO)

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ousness of ever having added a “fifteenth appendage” to the consti¬ tution. Incited and enervated by this triumph, others of a less lo¬ quacious tho equally invincible type, made bold to sally forth and meet again this same Sophomoric Order in a contest of a scriptum nature. And so dazzling was the charm of the “chivalry” dis¬ played by one as to captivate all ten judges concerned, and to result in an almost utter extinction of the contending Order. As the close of the season drew near, even the most dilatory was found ready to emerge from his shell. And altho the Biblical department was unable to impute to the collection any degree of “proverbial” wisdom, there was, nevertheless, development suffi¬ cient to justify the omission of intervening stages, and to enter di¬ rectly upon the imago stage, had the collection not recognized the fact that the more complete the metamorphosis, the greater the dif¬ ferentiation. Realizing this, without more ado, it passed into the second stage of development, known as the LARVA STAGE. Concerning this period of metamorphosis, little of apparent mo¬ ment can be recorded. It was similar in its history to the larva stage among all creatures where complete metamorphosis is found. There was less of colonial and associate work, and more time given to individual development. In appearance the specimens were light green in color, and exceedingly wise looking, while each was endowed with large mandibles as well as a large mouth, head, and body, designed for the masticating and storing of large quantities of food, both physical and intellectual. And voraciously did the collec¬ tion devour whatever came into its path, even swallow¬ ing great gulps of H2 S04 or HN03, to say nothing of H20. During this period there was more of wandering about over hills and in woods than previously. Two attempts had been made to go out in a body during the egg stage,—one in the fall of 1902; the other in the spring of 1903. But both had been thwarted: the first by inclement weather; the second by inherent discordant tendencies. Evidently, however, there was too much giving way to natural char¬ acteristics on the part of the collection. For after but one journey those under whose supervision they moved, apparently fearful lest disastrous results be entailed, forbaie indulgence upon further for¬ aging or picnicking tours, socalled, which injunction holds for all be¬ low the imago stage even to this day. As the spring of 1904 neared its close, and the time for moulting approached, certain ones of keener instinct detected something pe-

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The Metamorphosis of the Class of 1906. “Ornne vivum ex ovo” was the decree of scientists centuries ago. And the class of 1906, cognizant of established laws, and im¬ bued with the prevailing spirit of the age, would divide its own “life history” into periods the basis for which lies in that very dictum of previous thot. Advisedly, then, does it call this first year of its his¬ tory, characterized as it is by rudimentary development and incip- iency, the EGG STAGE. It was a heterogeneous collection which presented itself to the various departments of the institution in the fall of 1902. All could be placed un¬ der one Order, yet there were numer¬ ous genera and a still greater variety of species. These species were of all sizes, shapes and colors; there was the large McAfee or Stiles type, and the diminutive Bernheim; the semi-spherical Frye and the elongated Phillips; the pale hued Youngman and the very dark Mitchell; while anon appeared a variegated or speckled one. And perhaps it was the variety of characteristics indicated by the divers appearances which enabled the collection in the aggregate to evade, escape, or overcome, as the case might be, sundry injuries which certain ones intent upon investigation or ex¬ periment were wont to perpetrate. These injuries were administered in different ways; now bv invading armies of the Hannibal or Has- drubal type; now by the insidious appearing, tho in reality, compar¬ atively mild, “sythe bearing chariots” of the “well greaved grubs”. At one time the collection was cast into a veritable heap of “logs”; and tho unable to effect an escape for several months, yet none came off the worse for the experiment, despite the fact that it was attended by all manner of “sweeps and slides, bends and falls.” Many of these fellows were exceedingly precocious. Indeed scarcely ere the close of the winter season of 1903, and long before the allotted time for the casting off of shells, did the Myers, War- nick, Zion species break forth, and with premature loquacity, prove to the contending Order of Sophomores in public debates the erro-

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culiar in atmospheric conditions. Now torrid —now almost frigid, breezes were felt in various quarters. Upon investigation it was found that this strangely unnatural, unpleasant atmosphere was due to a certain great glacier which was fast approaching, and wnich arrived upon the campus about tne time of the spring election of Stylus staff. Hence again did it seem necessary to forego entrance upon the im¬ ago stage, despite sufficient development and to insure against any injury occasioned by glacial conditions by entering upon what, for want of a more suitable term, might be called the PUPA STAGE. In the third stage of the development »f these peculiar speci¬ mens several remarkable phenomena are to be noted. In the first place they do not exist in a strict pupa state as is common to most of their order. While it is true they are rather quiet and inactive they do not weave a web about them and lie down to months of sleep; but exist in a stage of arrested development or in a semi-pupa state. It is a period of inactivity to all outward appearances, but vithin great changes are taking place. After this they are to see the world in an altogether differ¬ ent light During this period the coccix or tail of the previous year is entirely lost, and the deep green color is turned to an amber hue. The large jaws or mandibles used in the mastication of Fresh (man) lau¬ rel wreaths, and the devouring of Baker’s Laws of Argumentation, are changed to the thin lips for oratory. During this season one of the Campbell species of remarkable linguistic ability secured the prize in an oratorical contest in which the older species were interested. The brain capacity of these fellows was greatly enlarged over that of the previous year, but despite this fact they recognized their inability to make an X hibition, as was the habit for those in sim¬ ilar stages of development. But as was stated these were a lot of agile specimens, and during the spring season when the weather was best for their upbuilding they developed pedal appendages strong and active, and by these organs were able to win a contest against their enemies, carrying off the fruits of the field meet. In the early summer, when the warm season of June and July came on, the restless natures began to show themselves, and the sac-cloth sheath was thrown off and they took their flight into other climes. But with the return of the fall these family members came back with the heavy sheath changed to a gown of silk.