Trafalgar School - Echoes Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

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molten rock. At that time the mountain was much higher than it is now, but about 4,000 feet were rubbed off its top by a mighty glacier which later covered it. All this is known by studying the rock-forma tions; a great core of igneus rock has been found on the mountain, proving that time and again lava was forced up through the softer crust of the earth, leaving long dykes or cracks where it flowed and hardened. When the glacier disappeared, the sea crept up over the land; and then, as the earth recovered from the pressure of the glacier, the sea began to recede step by step, leaving sea beaches on the slopes of the mountain. In this way were formed the terraces along which Sher- brooke and St. Catherine Streets run. This can also be proved; for sea shells were found in the blue clay where the Physics Building now stands; and the skeletons of whales and seals were found near Bleury Street. Dr. Bancroft brought his delightful talk to a close by saying that though some people might contend that the history of man is most insig ' nificant when compared to the history of the formation of rocks, yet in reality the earth has been preparing during 16,000,000,000 years for the coming of mankind. Jane Howard, Form VI a. Green Cheese The moon, they say, is a silver lamp, hung up in a jewelled sky To light the dusk of the Milky Way where the night winds tiptoe by; And some folks tell of a magic spell that lies in her still, cold flame, The power to grant all the soul can wish of love or money or fame; And hearts have yearned and hearts have burned to capture the moon ' s white fire — To have and to hold the wonderful lamp that carries the heart ' s desire. The moon, they say, is a silver ship that sails on a sapphire sea. And folks have told of a guarded hold locked fast with a magic key. But still, they say, if a mortal may unlock and enter and seek, He ' ll find a chart and the ship shall start swift ' bound for a distant creek. And hearts have sought and hands have wrought to cover the weary miles And take for a trip the enchanted ship to find the Fortunate Isles. Oh ! many there are that cry for the moon down here on the kind, old earth: Who dream and scheme for a far-off gleam of a treasure of untold worth; They watch the sky with a hungry eye for the glimmer silver sweet. And mope and sigh as they stumble by the riches beneath their feet. But if they climb to the dim white stars and steal her away from these They find at last, when they hold her fast, they ' ve nothing but plain green cheese ! Joan Chillas, Form Upper V. [21]

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An Introduction to Geology There rolls the deep where grew the tree. O earth, what changes hast thou seen! There, where the long street roars, hath been The stillness of the central sea. — In Mewomm, Tennyson. HE second of the Ross lectures was given on March i8th, 1925. We were fortunate in having Dr. Bancroft of McGill to speak to us on his own subject. Geology, which proved to be a most fascinating one under his skilful treatment. Dr. Bancroft began his lecture by showing us some beautiful specimens of crystallised rocks — pyrites, more commonly known as ' ' fooFs gold, quartz and feldspar; and also some fine examples of Labradorite and agate, thereby making us realize what beauty in form and colour can be found among minerals. He then told us that there are at least 1,200 different minerals, which may be divided into three classes. The first of these is called igneus, and is composed of the rocks which have been flung out by vol ' canoes. Then, there is the sec imentary class in which come the bedded deposits, and the silt which, washed down by the rivers, is pressed into rock formation by the action of the water. Thirdly, there is the meta morphic class, containing all the rocks which do not fall under either of the other heads; that is, these which have been altered by the contraction of the earth ' s crust. From this more technical part of his talk. Dr. Bancroft passed on to something of even greater interest. He informed us that the everlasting hills and brooks which flow on forever, of which the poets sing, have never existed. The dry land of to-day is not the dry land of a million years ago. The landscape around us is only the smile Nature is wearing at the present time. A million years ago it was different, and a million years from now it will be different again. It may be read in the book of history, written by geology, that many eons ago Canada was covered to the depth of a mile by a mighty glacier. Even before that time, came the carboniferous age, during which the great coal deposits were laid down. There were no land animals in the carboniferous age, but there was abundant sea life. The most com- mon of the sea animals were the brachiapods — small flat-shelled, lowly forms of life. Then there were the trilobites, who were the most highly organized of the creatures during that period; the graceful stone-lily ; and the ancestors of our modern devilfish or octopus, who were the most ter- rible of all the carboniferous animals. Perhaps the most interesting part of Dr. Bancroft ' s lecture was that connected most nearly with Mount Royal. It was quite thrilling to know that long ago Mount Royal had been an active volcano, and had poured forth streams of ejectamenta and [20]

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A Radio Fanatic O you radio fanatic ! Surely you must be erratic iTo love to listen to the static Night after night? Why do you use your precious time Sitting and thinking it ' s sublime? The waste of money — it ' s a crime, Tube after tube. A man in his right mind, Tm sure, Would think it more or less a bore, Yet what do you worship it for Hour after hour? That radio you never leave, If something ' s wrong Oh, how you grieve ! Such mighty sighs you often heave One after another. You should put away that craving. Stop your foolish, childish raving. Do a little honest saving Cent after cent. At your radio you ' re profane. It drives you mad, almost insane; From such language you should refrain Word after word. The squeaking birdies on the wire Seem to fill your soul with fire. How could such noise e ' er inspire Eveni ng after evening? You have already been too long In realizing you must be wrong That distance e ' er improves a song Mile after mile. You seldom go early to bed, Wonder why you feel like lead. Or have lines on your forehead. Wrinkle after wrinkle. It ' s hardly necessary to mention. The radio ' s a great invention, Except when it shatters with tension Nerve after nerve. Leave the radio an hour, or gloom Too soon will send you to your tomb. You are creating your own doom Minute after minute. You are now classed among the freaks Because of the pallor of your cheeks And the love of abhorent squeaks. Noise after noise! Straighten the back that is so curled. Wake up right now and see the world. And you will have, with red flag unfurled. Friend after friend. [22] Ernestine Ellis, Upper VI.