Page:LA2-NSRW-2-0031.jpg

DES MOINES the ordinary forms. The plant-body consists of a single cell which is always composed of two similar halves, usually separated from one another by a deep constriction. The desmids occur in a great variety of forms, and their walls are often ornamented by delicate markings. The markings and patterns of these peculiar bright green cells make them favorite objects under the microscope.

 Des Moines, the capital and largest city of Iowa, is on the site of Fort Des Moines, which was a United States garrison in 1832 and at that time the farthest west of the northwest forts. At present this fort has new and modern equipment, making it one of the finest posts in the United States. It is situated in a lovely valley of the corn and blue-grass belt, surrounded by sloping hills, and is rich in coal-mines and deposits of clay and shale. Among its products are wire-fencing, carriages, pork and cotton and woolen goods, brick, sewer-pipe, etc. The output of 25 or more brick and clay-product factories exceeds 1,500 carloads annually. It is one of the leading railroad-centers of the country, haying nine trunk-lines, which operate 19 distinct roads in and out of the city, besides electric-car service. Des Moines is the home of 44 insurance companies, has 94 churches, several colleges and technical schools, 47 public-school buildings, 19 banks, 4 daily papers, etc., and has a large jobbing trade. Population, 86,368.  De Soto, Fernando, was born at Estremadura, Spain, about 1498, of a good but poor family. He proceeded under other captains on a voyage to Darien in 1519 and on an expedition to Nicaragua in 1527. He helped Pizarro to conquer Peru, and returned to Spain with a fortune. Charles V now gave him permission to conquer Florida at his own expense, and made him governor of Cuba. In 1538 he sailed with 600 men, 20 officers and 24 priests. The little fleet anchored in the bay of Espiritu Santo (now Tampa Bay), on the 25th of May, 1539. The ships were sent back to Cuba, and the long search for gold was begun. For three years, harassed by Indians, lured onward by reports of wealth that lay beyond, the ever-lessening company kept up their wearisome march over a route that cannot now be clearly traced.

In 1541 the Mississippi was reached and crossed, and the third winter was spent on Washita River. Returning to the Mississippi in the spring, De Soto, worn out by disappointments, died of a fever on its banks in June, 1542. In order that his death might be hidden from the Indians his body, wrapped in a cloak, was lowered at midnight into the waters of the great stream he had discovered. In the following year about half the number of the companions with whom he had set out sailed down the river in seven frail boats, and at last reached Panuco in Mexico.  Detaille, Jean Baptiste Edouard, a French painter, was born in 1848, and is distinguished for his treatment of military subjects. The Passing Regiment is one of his best pictures. It is in Corcoran Gallery, Washington, D. C.  Detroit, the largest city and metropolis of Michigan, is situated on the Detroit River, which connects Lakes Erie and St. Clair, and is the outlet of the upper Great Lakes. The city is 18 miles from Lake Erie, 7 miles from Lake St. Clair and 284 miles from Chicago. The river at this point runs nearly east and west, so that Detroit lies on the north side of the river, facing the Canadian village of Windsor. It has an area of 35 square miles. From the public square known as Campus Martius the main avenues of the city radiate. Here is the center of the business-district, solidly built, with wide, clean streets and many tall, imposing buildings. Woodward Avenue, the main artery of the city, runs north from the river, extending into the country and dividing the city into two nearly equal parts. On the lower end of this avenue and on adjoining streets is the shopping-district, while farther out, this and adjoining avenues are marked by magnificent churches and the fine residential district. Among the notable structures are the Soldiers' Monument, the County Building, which cost some two million dollars, City Hall, the Elks Temple and the Detroit Opera House. Grand Boulevard, a macadamized thoroughfare 150 feet wide and 11 miles long, encircles the business portion of the city. Belle Isle, a beautiful island of about 700 acres, is connected with the mainland by a magnificent bridge and constitutes the main park of the city. It is an island of great natural beauty and has been improved at a cost of over two million dollars. This magnificent park, so beautifully situated and improved, together with the smaller parks which dot the city, and its broad avenues lined with trees combine to make the City of the Straits one of the handsomest cities in the country.

The growth of Detroit has been steady and substantial, resting upon the increased