Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-29

A number OF rivers that can be found In
almost any atlas possess remarkable character
istics which entitle them to rank among the
natural curiosities OF the world. In Algeria, for
instance, there is q small stream which the
chemistry OF nature has turned into true ink.
1t is formed by the union of two rivulets one Of
which is very strongly impregnated with iron,
while the other meandering through peat
marsh, imbibes gallic acid. Letters have been
written with this compound Of iron aud gallic
acid which unite to form the little river. In
Colombia there is q river which, by admixture
with sulphuric acid, becomes so sour that it is
approprlateiy named kio De Ninagre, or Vine
large Orange river of South Africa until the
river passes through a rocky region containing
poisonous and TO kin the Ash that venture into
rChina's Sorrow" is the name that has been
given to the great Hoang Ho which rises I'm the
mountains OF Thibet and follows a wonderfully
cfrcuitous channel for $500 miles to the sea-
The waywardness Of this mighty volume OF
water makes the river q constant source of
anxiety and danger, instead OF wealth, to
lI0,oO0,0oo OF people inhabiting the central
changed its course nine times. 1t has moved
its mouth over degrees OF latitude each time,
emptying its vast floods In different directions
scores of villages had stood. 1t has greatly
changed the physical character Of q wide area,
turning fertile regions into q sandy waste OF
grows, and over which nothing can sail.
Whether II is within the power OF western
science to save this great plain from disastrous
overfiows and changes Of the river bed 10 9
question that has been considerably discussed
In England of late years.
Some recent explorers Of Alaska tell US that
the Mi -sissippi can no longer be regarded n
the largest river OF the North American CONT
nent They claim that distinction for the
great Yucon river, which, according to Mr.. Ivau
Petroh, who spent two years In Alaska collect
ing materials for the last census, empties into
Norton sound one-third more water than the
Mississippi pours into the Gulf of Mexico. The
Yukon basin comprises the most OF southern
Alaska, aud Is a mile wide 800 miles from it,
mouth. Many centuries before IL was visited
by white men IL very likely served rs the high
way into the interior of tribes who are be
lieved to have crossed from Asia to this CONT
nent.
A very curious river is the Webbe Shebeyli oi
east Africa, deep and rapid stream, abound
ing in fish and crocodiles. Though it flows fol
hundreds OF miles through fertile lands, the
sea. A little north OF the equator the river
loses itself in q desert region q few miles from
the Indian ocean.
Very few great rivers have ever been thor
oughly explored by going up stream. Travellers
tried for 1000 years 10 find the sources of the
Nile by ascending the river. By the time they
had reached the Difficult: part of the stream
their stores and energy were exhausted and
they could go no further. 1t was only by seek
ing the fountain heads first by overland routes
that Schwatka was able to float down the
Yukon, that Stanley mapped the Congo, and
that Spoke solved the secret of the Nile.