Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1885-07-31
SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.

Compiled for the wooD RIVER TxEs.l
G. p. Sanderson, superintendent OF
government elephant catching opera
tons in Bengal, asserts that his excep-
tional opportunities for observing the
Asiatic elephant during period of
fifteen years, have convinced him that
there is no animal regarding which
more fallacious impressions exist. The
creatures intelligence, for instance,
has been greatly exaggerated, as it is
really dull and stupid, and quite inca
pable of the feats of reasoning with
which it is so often credited. Much
misconception also exists in regard to
its size. the hight of the Indian ele-
plant having been placed at twelve,
fifteen, and even twenty feet, while,
as matter of fact, ten feet in males
and eight and one-half feet in females
is very rarely attained. The powers
of the elephants trunk have been mis-
apprehended, for, while it is possible,
but doubtful, that the organ is sufi-
ciently delicate to pick up needle,
the animal never attempts to use it
for very heavy work. The untenable
idea, that there Is spot unseen by
man to which elephants retire to die,
is based upon the fact that the re-.
mains Of elephants that have died in
their native haunts are very seldom
found.
From observations extending over
a period Of eighteen years, it appears
that an unusually heavy or late fall of
snow in the northwestern Himalayas
is followed by season of drouth in
northwestern and western India, and
vice versa, dry northwestern land
winds being produced during the
summer months, as an effect Of the
presence of unmelted snow in the
mountains. During the spring Of
1883 it became evident that the cute,
ranges of the Himalayas contained an
unusual quantity of snow, and or
June I'd a warning forecast Of dry
summer was published. This fore
cast is shown to have been justified
by the event, the rainfall in July ano
August over large portion of Indis
having been much below the average
Prof. Lockyer, F. r. A. S.. wht
has just returned to England from I
visit to the observatories of the con
tinent, expresses the belief that in thu
future all astronomical observation
will be made photographically, thu
success of Mr.. Common in photo
graphing the nebula of Orion witt
the aid of his great telescope having
proven that the most minute detail
may be thus pictured. He imagine
the existence, in 100 or 1000 year
hence, of rooms filled with photo
, graphs, accurately showing every par
of the heavens from the north pole t
the south, and he urges that the worl
Of obtaining such complete photo
: graphic chart Of tho celestial bodie
should commence at once.
The Secretary and Treasurer Of tn
new Marine Biological Association o
the United Kingdom have invited
contributions for establishing on tn
t south coast Of England laborator.
similar to the geological station q
y Naples, and the American laboratorie
/, of Newport and Chesapeake, the in
stitution being intended for the US
of naturalists wishing to investigat
marine life, animal and vegetable, an
3 to study the various conditions affect
3 ing the walfare of British food fishe
= and mollusks. 1t is thought tha
e $4,000 will be required to establis
' the laboratory, and that an income c
$1,000 year will be necessary t
'' maintain it.
The sanitary value Of Aowerin,
plants has been shown by DR.. J. N
Anders. who has demonstrated tn
lexha laNion Of ozona from Nhan