Despite the proximity of the date of the Harvard-Columbia race, the composition of the Columbia university crew is in as unsettled a condition as that of the Harvard eight. Coach Rice has had his crew squad rowing since early in February, but the work on the water has been hampered to a large degree by inclement weather. Nevertheless, the practice of the three eights on the Columbia squad has been gradually made harder and harder as the season has progressed, and last week the coach started to "quicken up" his university crew in preparation for the race with Harvard.

On Friday last, the Columbia eight covered about three miles in short stretches on the Harlem river; and on Saturday the men were given a long four-mile pull. Friday the eight started out from their boathouse on Waterman's Creek and rowed downstream for the first mile at a slow stroke, about 24 to the minute. Then they increased the speed for the last half-mile downstream, and on the trip back to the boathouse had seven racing starts against their second crew. With the slow stroke the eight did not row well together; their boat rocked continually; and the power did not appear to be applied simultaneously throughout the crew. On the other hand, when the stroke was fast--especially in three of the brushes with the second crew--the men rowed together remarkably well and their boat spaced as much as could have been expected. Sev- eral of the men, however, "sliced" their blades into the water at the catch; and there was considerable tendency for them to start their bodies forward on the recovery before they shot their hands away or got their oar blades out of the water.

Physically, the Columbia crew is sturdy. As a rule, the men are well built oarsmen. Their height is well graded in the arrangement of the boat, but their weights vary. The crew averages about 165 pounds.

Last week G. McKenzie, the regular number 6, was laid up with a cold and his place was taken by Gillies, who is a candidate for number 4, the most doubtful place in the boat. Cerussi, the regular stroke, rowed 4, because he was slightly out of condition, and his place at 8 was filled by J. McKenzie. By May 11, the date of the race on the Charles, Columbia will probably have a strong combination in the best condition to row a short race.

The order Stroke, Cerussi; 7, Helmerick; 6, McKenzie; 5, Boyle, captain; 4, Gillies; 3, Robinson; 2, Jordan; bow, Braun; cox., Durant