Wells College - Cardinal Yearbook (Aurora, NY)

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T is rather diflicult to explain by the Darwinian theory the existence of a comparatively new organism which has ap- peared in the Wells familia. It is of the species collegia genus Americanus, its particular classification being number 1902. The occurrence of many fossils of the Wells familia strengthens the belief that there never has been any organism exactly like this one, or possessing its peculiar functions. However divided the thinkers of the day may be as to whether it rose from the land, or according to the ancient Greek theory of life, from the Water, they are united on one point,-it is an example of Spon- taneous Generation. They offer as one proof of this the fact that this peculiar type is quite independent, possessing not aped but acquired characteristics. Very early in life it proved itself to be strong and capable of making a struggle for existence against hostile organisms. The law of the Survival of the Fit- test unfortunately cannot be applied as absolute in the case of 1902 since, at the early age of one year it lost many strong organs Which, when regarded from the Utilitarian point of view, Were most valuable. This loss was especially felt in the various class rooms, in music and in basket ball. The study of the com- parative anatomy of this addition to the Wells familia shows that before the loss previously referred to, it consisted of 28 organs, since that disaster, of 15. QNote.-Although this loss necessarily throws more work on the remaining organs, they have been a re- markable illustration of the Law of Adaptation.j As in all other cases of living beings, environment has had great inliuence over the development of this organism in three particulars, Q15 in regard to its early stagesg Q25 in the assimilation of food, Q3j in its later characteristics. I 1. Favorable conditions surrounded it in many instances and the help received was abundantly sufficient to guard it against any light opposition naturally attending its tender youth. . 2. This new member of the familia immediately showed a marked ability to assimilate available food, which it found in fig- trees beyond Jordan,on a Math. bush famous for its strengthen- ing ffrootsfl in supplies generously sent from a little Sabine farm and from other sources, all of which were found to contrib- ute to the perfection of its hygienic condition. 3. While its final development can only as yet be prophesied, the condition of its present environment is especially favorable to growth. No. 1902 drinks from a silver cup, enjoys the lux- uries of spreads and anniversaries at Mrs. Youngs' and adds to 63

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1902. Mo'r'rO : Gradatimf' COLORS : Apple Green and White. FLOWER: White Rose. Officers. Presakient, . . EDITH LYLBURN ISHAM. Vice-President, MAUD MARION CONARLE. Secretary, . . LUELLA GARRETT YOST. T1'eas'u,7'er, . NIARY AMANDA CHAPMAN. Sergeant-at-Arms, . . . GERTRLTDE RUST. I-lonorarg Member. Mns. DEAN AUeUsTUs WALKER. Sophomore Glass. BROOKS, FANNIE FLORENCE, BUXTON, HELEN, CHAPMAN, DIARY AMANDA, CONARLE, MAUD MARION, HENDERSON, FLORENCE, ISHAM, EDITH LYLBURN, MYER, AGNES ADELAIDE, PRESTON, SUZANNE, RICHARDSON, MARGARET PRENTISS, RODGERS, FLORENCE OLIVE, ROOT, FANNY ELIZABETH, RUST, GERTRUDE, SCOFIELD, HELEN, SLOAN, CLARA OLIVE, STEVENS, RUTH BERNICE, YOsT, LUELLA GARRETT, G2 Fairport, N. Y. Warsaw, N. Y. Ogdensburg, N. Y. Warsaw, N. Y. East Cleveland, O. Brainerd, Minn. Auburn, N. Y. Kingston, N. Y. Nashua, N. Y. Toledo, 0. Lake Breeze, O. Minneapolis, Minn Rochester, N. Y. Moline, Ill. Elyria., O. Fayette, N. Y.

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the pleasure of having fun that of sharing it with others in the Sophomore Dramatics and on Float Day. The question of Geographical Distribution will be of more importance a few years later, but regardless of its iinal solution there will always exist a strong co-ordinating intelligence through- out all its organs. The last point to be mentioned is the one of most importance to any organism and is especially so to this particular one-it is that of Variability. This word implies either degeneration or higher development. Only in number of organs can this healthy individual be said to have degenerated, it still has a strong in- ternal perfecting tendency which has the choice of working either of two theories, that of Salutatory Evolution-advancement gained by leaps-or that of Gradual Development. Careful ob- servation in several successful experiments has revealed its method of growth to be gmdatim and discovered the germs of many characteristics whose development will be well worth the notice of scientists. 64