Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1881-02-17
FACTS FOR THE CURIOUS.

The water OF the sea and rivers con-
tains more animal life than exists on the
land, if we can believe scientists.
Two FROGS put in an earthen jar with
little water by Psychologist who in
tended to use them for experimentation.
were overlooked for nine months, dur
ing which time they were without food.
Yet, when found at last, they were "alive
and kicking"
ACCORDING to DIR. Edward Smith, an
egg contains l51 per cent. of nitrogen.
Another writer estimates that the value
OF one pound of eggs, IS food for sustain
ing the active forces of the body, is to
the value of one pound of lean beef as
1854 20 900. As q fesh producer one
pound OF eggs is about equal to one
pound of beef.
SToBn warnings are distinct branch
OF the forecasts of meteorology. Their
object is to give to seamen notice of an
approaching gale. They have been now
IN operation for more than ten years,
and during that period at least rs per
cent. of the warnings issued have been
justified by the gales or strong winds
which followed.
THE medical department of Queen
Victoria's household comprises three
physicians ordinary, three physicians
extraordinary, one sergeant-surgeon ex-
traordinary, twosergeant-surgeons, three
surgeons extraordinary, one physician
of the household, one surgeon of the
household, one surgeon apothecary. two
chemists Of the establishment in ordi-
nary, one surgeon oculst, one surgeon
dentist in ordinary, AMI one other physi-
clan.
TB simplest postoflice in the world
Is IN Magellan straits, and has been es-
tablished there for some years past.
1t consists of a small cask, which is
chained to the rock of the extreme cape
in the straits, opposite Terra del Fuego.
Each passing ship sends boat to open
the cask and 60 take letters out and
place Others into it. The postoffice is
self-acting therefore; it is under the
protection of the navies of all nations.
and up to the present there is not one
case to report in which any abuse of the
privileges it affords has taken place.
The progress of languages spoken by
different people is said t. be as follows ::
English, which at the commencement of
the century was only spoken by %, 0O0,-
600, is now spoken by 10000 600 ;
Russian by 63, 100000 instead of 30, OO0,-
600: German by 66, 000,0 instead of
$4,000, 600; Spanish by A 100000 in
stead Of 100000; italian by 80, 000,-
600 instead of 10000 600; Portuguese
by $4,000, 1000 instead of 5000, 900.
This is, for England, an increase of 80
per cent. ; for Russia, 10 per cent. :;
for Germany, 20 per cent. for Spain,
36 per cent, etc. In the case of France
the increase has been from "a, 600. 900
to 46,O00,000, or Sc per cent.
MANY Of these productions. SAYS an
English paper, have very curious his
tory, ii it could only be traced. Some
of them probably owe their origin to
names distinguished in our literature, as
Oliver Goldsmith, for Instance. is be-
heved i'll his earlier days to have written
suclt compositions. DR.. E. +. Rimbault
glses us the following particulars as to
some well-known favorites "Sing a
Song of Sixpence" is as old as the six
teenth century. "Three Blind Mice +" is
found in a music book dated 1909. 1.-THE
Frog and the Mouse was licensed in
1880. "Three Children Sliding on the
Ice dates from 1889. "London Bridge
is Broken Down" is of unfathomable
antiquity. Boys and Girls Come Out
to Play " is certainly as old as the reign
OF Charles H., as is also Lucy Locket
Lost Her Pocket" to the tune of which
the American song Of yankee Doodle
was written. Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat,
Where Have You Been ?" is of the age
Of Queen Bess. Little Jack Horner
is older than the seventeenth century.
1.-THE Old Woman Tossed in Blanket"
is of the reign of James H., to which
Monarch it is supposed to allude.