Teaching Children to Read: Herpetology in the Unit Study Book Series

Fig. 1. The Story of Frogs.
Cover. Mary Belle Herring, 1935.

From the mid-1930s through the late 1940s, American Education Press, Columbus, Ohio, best known as publisher of My Weekly Reader (later Weekly Reader) from 1928 to 2012, issued a series of booklets designed to assist elementary school teachers in encouraging children to improve their reading skills while learning interesting facts about the world around them; 80 were listed as available as of 1935. The short booklets were titled Unit Study Books, with each featuring a different topic that covered everything from the Romans to coal, corn, and money. Booklets had orange or blue covers and were non-consecutively numbered. Covers were mostly uniform in design (see Fig. 1), but later reprintings or issues sometimes had different covers from the original format.

The booklets varied in style by author, with some concentrating solely on facts and others conveying information by way of storytelling. They were written specifically for elementary school children, with the 100–600 numbers in the series indicating suitability for grades 1 to 6. The inside cover provides the teacher with an outline of generalizations to be learned and the important elements that the children should grasp after reading the booklet.

Frogs and reptiles are featured in two of the Unit Study Books, but only The Story of Frogs focused entirely on herpetology (Figs. 1–4). The Story of Frogs (Unit Study Book No. 351, published in 1935) consists of 36 pages that tells the story of a tadpole as it hatches and grows from an egg to a tadpole to an adult. The booklet is subdivided into several short stories of a few pages each covering the various stages in a frog’s life, each with a quiz or exercise at the end that children can pencil-in to show they have understood the lesson. The booklet is well-written, accurate, and I suspect would have been entertaining for a young child of that era.

Fig. 2. Inside cover of The Story of Frogs explaining the lessons to be learned (left) and the first story in the booklet, Tiny Tad (right).

 

Fig. 3. From Pollywog to Frog in The Story of Frogs.

The Story of Frogs was written by Mary Belle Herring (2 December 1897–9 April 1987) of Rockingham, North Carolina. Ms. Herring is listed on the booklet as associated with the Elementary Schools of Raleigh. Mary Belle Herring was orphaned early in life, but was educated at Littleton College, a Methodist college for young women in Littleton, North Carolina, where her sister was Treasurer. It appears that she spent her entire career as a teacher and never married; in the early 1950s, she was teaching third grade at L.J. Bell Elementary School in Rockingham. A former student remembered her as loving books and reading—which she highly encouraged—and as a founder of a book club at the school. She used to bring in copies of The Weekly Reader for her students. The Weekly Reader also was published by American Education Press, which perhaps led to her interest in writing The Story of Frogs. Why she chose to write about frogs is unknown, but she did an excellent job of getting her facts correct and presenting them in an entertaining fashion that would appeal to her pupils. She did not write any other titles in the Unit Study Book series.

Fig. 4. A lesson at the end of a frog story. Note the child’s faint writing.

 

The text is supplemented by black and white illustrations and photos of frogs and their ecological interactions, from prey to defense. Some of the photos are credited to L.W. Brownell, a nature photographer known for his books Photography for the Sportsman Naturalist (1904, MacMillan Publishing, New York) and Natural History with a Camera (1942, Photographic Publishing Co., Boston). Brownell also published short articles on natural history, which he illustrated himself (e.g. The Birth of a Butterfly, The Strand Magazine, 1903). The illustrations are uncredited in The Story of Frogs but have a “B” in the corner, perhaps suggesting Brownell provided them as well.

Fig. 5. Protection in Nature. Cover. Gaynelle Davis, 1935.

 

The only other booklet in the Unit Study Book series that mentions herps is No. 352, Protection in Nature, by Gaynelle Davis (Figs. 5–6). Also published in 1935 and with 36 pages, Protection in Nature includes examples of the ways animals and plants protect themselves, but it does not tell a story, instead presenting just the facts, sometimes in a bit disjointed manner as it jumps from example to example throughout the animal and plant kingdoms. It also does not include quizzes or reading exercises, except for a short “Things To Do” section at the end of the booklet. Brief mention is made of poison in snakes (somewhat misleadingly, as there are more than four venomous snakes in the United States), spines on horned lizards, and turtle shells. The presentation is not as imaginative and effective as in The Story of Frogs, and the text comes across as somewhat dull (at least to me!). Gaynelle Davis (7 October 1899–26 May 1992) is listed as a faculty member at Fort Hays State College in Hays, Kansas. In a commencement exercise in 1969, she was listed as an Emeritus faculty member.

Fig. 6.  Rattlesnake illustration and text suggesting that snakes use poison as a weapon in Protection in Nature.

 

For information on and photo of Mary Belle Herring, see:

Smith, Ken. Undated. Rockingham Memories. L. J. Bell Elementary & The Original 1952–1953 Faculty (in collaboration with Dr. David Huneycutt (RHS ’62).             https://rrjoel.wixsite.com/rockinghammemories/copy-of-a-hug-a-tear-a-kiss-a-dance

            [Accessed 14 February 2024]

 

Submitted by: C. Kenneth Dodd, Jr.

Update to: The Exploits of Arvid Blumenthal, Latvia’s “Crocodile Harry” in Australia by C. K. Dodd

 An update to: Dodd, C.K., Jr. 2022. The Exploits of Arvid Blumenthal, Latvia’s “Crocodile Harry” in Australia. Posted 9 March 2022.

In this note, I highlighted the early life of Arvid Blumenthal’s time as a crocodile hunter in Australia as published in several small Latvian booklets. I noted that Rimants Ziedonis, with input from Blumenthal, recounted much of this information in a later book, Nacionālais Dēkainis - Krokodilu Mednieks [National Adventurer – Crocodile Hunter]. This book is extensively updated with information on Blumenthal’s life in Australia (2000, Jumava, Riga, Latvia, 199 p.). In addition to the text, the book contains eight pages of photographs and recounts Blumenthal’s extraordinary life and exploits after leaving the “Deep North” and running an underground (literally) bar and “museum” in Coober Pedy, Australia. Fig. 3 shows the cover of this book, which was unavailable to me until recently. 

Fig. 3. Cover of Nacionālais Dēkainis - Krokodilu Mednieks by Rimants Ziedonis. Author’s collection.

Submitted by: C. Kenneth Dodd, Jr.

 

The Improbable Herpetologist

Helen Thompson Gaige’s passion for frogs, salamanders, lizards and more was unusual for a woman at the turn of the century. She defied gender stereotypes by becoming an expert in zoology and launching herself into globetrotting adventures to collect and study specimens. Her scientific legacy endures in the archive—and beyond. 

By Madeleine Bradford

See the full article by clicking here 

Arthur Loveridge – Comic Book Hero

Arthur Loveridge (1891–1980) is today well-known for his contributions to herpetology. He served as an Associate in Zoology and later as Curator in the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University for 33 years (1924–1957), where his specialty was African herpetology. Loveridge published numerous papers and monographs based on his time as first Curator at the National Museum of Kenya (Nairobi) (1914–1921), his service as Game Warden in Tanganyika (1921–1924), and his later five long expeditions to East Africa over the period 1926 to 1949. Additional information on Loveridge is in Kraig Adler’s Contributions to the History of Herpetology, Volume 1 (1989, SSAR Contributions to Herpetology No. 5, pp. 111–112).

While in Kenya, Loveridge was a member of the East African Mounted Rifles during World War I. During three years of service, he traveled extensively through what was then German East Africa (now Tanzania), naturally collecting amphibians and reptiles throughout his military travels despite the wartime danger.  Loveridge later published a popular book on his adventures in East Africa, Many Happy Days I’ve Squandered (1944, Harper & Brothers, 278 pp.), which was republished in several editions, including an Armed Services Edition published by the U.S. Government for the troops during World War II. It was likely this latter edition that led to Loveridge’s entry into the world of comic books.

It Really Happened was published from 1944 to 1947 by William H. Wise & Company in New York City. The series of 11 issues was printed in comic book format on newsprint quality paper because of the wartime scarcity of better-quality paper. The series featured stories of biography and history, and issues highlighted real war accounts of actual events and acts of heroism and courage. Most of the non-war stories focused on adventure and unusual or interesting people and places. Copies sold for US 10¢.

In 1944, It Really Happened included a story entitled “Savage Safari” focusing on Arthur Loveridge. The artist and story editor are uncredited. The story covers five unpaginated pages (see Figures below) published in Issue 4 (Vol. 2, No. 1, total of 52 pp. in issue, including covers and advertisements). It traces Arthur’s interest in nature, particularly reptiles, through his museum appointment in Kenya and his adventures in the Mounted Rifles and time as Game Warden. Snakes are prominently featured. In “Savage Safari,” Arthur Loveridge may be the only herpetologist to have his story depicted in a widely-circulated comic book. Other comics, such as “Mark Trail” by Ed Dodd (no relation), have featured amphibians and reptiles, but not personalities.

Submitted by C. Kenneth Dodd, Jr.

Figs. 1–5: “Savage Safari” from It Really Happened (Issue 4, 1944). Author’s collection.

 

 

 

 

 

The serpent in advertising – from ancient Greece to the 20th century - Part 2

 Matthias Kuechler

The abuse prevention of the harmful drug alcohol is fairly often advertised with snakes as the symbol of that evil "liquid. (Fig. 13–15). Snakes are generally regarded as dangerous and therefore are an ideal metaphor for the sad results of the abuse of alcohol. But to their rescue of honor now an example of their more positive properties (Fig. 16). Here people think more of cuddling than of killing. Snakes have earned this, even if it goes beyond the time scope of this article. 

Finally, within the field of medicine, there is the infamous snake oil. For this product, snakes are not only the advertising icon but also supply the main ingredient. At least on the bottle label. Snake oil supposedly originate with Chinese immigrant laborers constructing the transcontinental railway during the 1860s. It was shared with their American counterparts, who were more than happy with its pain–relieving effects. And some advertising (Fig. 17–19) certainly helped its success American wide. But the advertised real snake oil contained in most cases everything except snake oil. Here are the results of the laboratory testing of such a mixture mineral oil, 1% fatty oil (assumed to be tallow), capsaicin from chili peppers, turpentine, and camphor. If you survive that cocktail, no other illness can harm you! And there is a strange and rare example where snakes (or better one snake: the Aesculapian Snake – Zamenis longissimus) are used for promoting tourism (Fig. 20–21). 

The small German village Bad Schlangenbad was – and still is – famous for its thermal springs and mild climate. And it is one of the three isolated habitats in Germany where the Aesculapian Snake occurs. Today, it is certain that this snake is an autochthonous relic and has not been introduced by the Romans. And I was not yet able to find additional examples – before the 1950s – of snakes posing for touristic ads. It is not surprising that politicians have jumped on the possibilities serpents offer to them to advertise them as representatives for evil and dangerous opponents. In that context, it does not matter what kind of political belief (left or right) is behind (Fig. 22–24). In 90% of the cases, the snake stands for the opposing party / the villains. The observant reader will have noticed that the artist of the American war poster has added a toad for good measure—the complete herpetology under the boot. To my astonishment, the theme of eroticism was near completely absent. (That changed drastically during the second half of the 20th century. But that's another story.) Apart from some decent ads with snake charmers (Fig. 25–26) in sideshows and circus events, there were no further commercial ads with that background. And finally, two examples for using elegant snake symbols (and the addition of pretty women certainly helps, okay a bit of eroticism creeps in) for advertising a product that leads to severe addiction and, in the end, will cause damage to your body. Tobacco! (Fig. 27–28). Here the serpent functions as a temptress for leading people astray. And that works, as I have experienced myself 50 years ago. But in the market for tobacco products, snakes play only a minor role. Their herp relations – especially frogs and crocodiles/alligators – are featured there more than10 times as often. I hope that this angle of looking at herps in general and here focused on snakes, even if it is not based on serious science, will show an interesting and fascinating aspect of herpetology. I started my research, when I saw a wine label with a nice frog on it during a dinner meeting. I didn't expect to find much more, but I found more than 2,000 herpetological motives for all kind of products and services. And it continues.

Fig. 13. Russian “War Against Alcohol“ campaign poster 1954 - 1958.

Fig. 14.  Cinema poster ( Germany / Berlin ) 1920. At the time the Marmorhaus ( house of marble) was closed down in 2001, it was the oldest movie theater (opened 1913) in Berlin.

Fig. 15. A newspaper ad in the San Francisco 1903. At her time that lady was quite popular.

Fig. 16. Pharmacy sign, Friedberg in Germany, approx. 2005.

Fig. 17.  St. Jacobs Oil was a turpentine-ether-alcohol tincture with 2% of Aconite. Production was started 1845 in the US by the German immigrant August Vogeler and distributed US wide under A. Vogeler & Co., Baltimore. It was used for pain relief.

Fig. 18.  Just one of many “Pure Snake Oil” ointment ads. This one is from Portland, Oregon, approx. 1890.

Fig. 19. Another example of the (in-)famous „Pure Snake Oil“ cure-all patent medicines, early 1900s.

Fig. 20-22. And there is a strange and rare example where snakes ( or better one snake: the Aesulapian Snake - Zamenis longissimus ) are used for promoting tourism. See the 3 postcards from 1903, 1927 and 1950s respectively. The small German village Bad Schlangenbad was - and still is - famous for its thermal springs and mild climate. And it is one of the three isolated habitats in Germany, where the Aesculapian Snake occurs. Today it is quite certain, that this snake is an autochthonous relic and has not been introduced by the Romans.

Fig.23.  “Down with Bolshevism“ propaganda poster ( right wing parties and military ) during the German revolution 1919. The revolution finally led to the abdication of the German emperor.

Fig. 24. American war poster 1942 - 1945. The two snakes are representing Germany and Japan, the toad stands for Italy. Source : UNT Libraries Government Doc. Dept.

Fig. 25. Cartoon published by Harper's Weekly1863. It shows the attack of the Peace Democrats - also called Copperheads - who opposed the war policy of the Union strongly.

Fig. 26. Austrian picture postcard (1898) of Semona, the famous snake charmer also known as “Fire Amazon“.

Fig. 27. Poster ad for the snake charmer Nala Damajanti performing in the famous Folies Bergere ( variety theater ), Paris 1887