takes an examination, even of the lower grades, to give a dinner to some of his friends. Last winter the writer had the privilege of attending an unforgettable doctor's dinner given by Docent Rind6 to about sixty men in the hall of one of the student clubs. All guests were attired in full evening dress, and several presented the host with flowers. Opponents and candidate drank to each other after witty speeches, and formal thanks were expressed to all who had even in the slightest degree been of assistance during the preparation of the thesis. It has been rumored that some aspiring doctors proffer corruption dinners to their opponents in advance of the examinations. At the formal promotion or graduation ceremony in the spring, formal dress and not the academic cap and gown is worn. Each new doctor is crowned with a laurel wreath. As i t is placed upon his brow, a cannon outside, timed with unerring accuracy, proclaims to the city the advent of a new doctor of philosophy.
UNITED STATES CIVIL-SERVICE EXAMINATION The United States Civil-Service Commission announces an open competitive examination for Assistant Chemist. Applications must be on file with the CivilService Commission a t Washington, D. C., not later than March 6th. The examination is t o fill vacancies in the Departmental Service, Washington, D. C., and in the field. The entrance salary in the District of Columbia is $2600 a year. A probationary period of six months is required: advancement after that depends upon individual efficiency, increased usefulness, and the occurrence of vacancies in higher positions. For appointment outside of Washington, D. C., the salary will he approximately the same. Optional subjects are advanced inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry. Competitors will not be required t o report for examination a t any place, but will be rated on their education, training, and experience, and publication or thesis t o be filed by the applicant. Full information may he obtained from the United States Civil-Service Commission, Washington, D. C., or the secretary of the United States Civil-Service Board of Examiners a t the post office or customhouse in any city.
Copper and Zinc Salts Redeem Florida Muck. Copper is usually thought of as a poison to plants, but used in combination with zinc i t is the salvation of the raw sawgrass soils of the Everglades when these are t o he planted in peanuts, according t o R. V. Allison and J. H. Hunter of the University of Florida Agricultural Experiment Station a t Belle Glade, who recently reported their researches before the American Society of Plant Physiologists. The two experimenters found that copper sulfate alone, which has given considerable success in tanning new, broken Everglades land for other crops, held back the growth of peanut plants, but when a zinc salt was added good effects followed immediately.-
Science Senice
