Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1893-10-13
Bits of Information.


1t may not be known to many that
the points of the compass may be deter
mined with the and of an ordinary watch.
It is simply necessary to bring the watch
ia such a position that the hour hand is
directing toward the sun. The south
then lies midway between whatever hour
it may happen to be and numeral XII
on the dial, Let us suppose, for in
stance, that it Is four o'clock, and that
the time piece is held in the position IN
Dictated. Tue direction of the number
IL will then be the exact south. If it
be 8 O'Clock the numeral X will indicate
the exact southerly point.
Leaves breathe in the carbonic acid
upon which trees and plants subsist
through the thousand of minute mouths
with which the surface of each are
provided. These mouths, which are
oval openings exceedingly minute in
size. vary in number from about 700 to
more than 100000 to the square inch of
leaf surface. The apple tree leaf has
about 2L0O0 mouths to each inch of
surface. which would make about 100000
to the average sized leaf. The hydran-
gea is much better provided for in this
line, having $4,000 to each inch of sur
face, or an average of 100000 in each
leaf.
A member Of the Physiological Soci-
ely of Berlin definitely explains the max
ing sugar sweetor by the addition of
salt. From his experiment he finds that
if to a solution Of water there be added
a slight amount Of salt and water, so
weak that it exaites no saline taste, the
result is extra sUeeteping Of the sugared
water. The weakest of quinine solution
is said also to produce similar results.
The explanation given Of the above SEEM
inc incongruity is that the ever so feeble
salty bitterness imparts an increased
sensibihty to the sensation of taste, by
the simultaneous stimuli, and hence an
appreciation of additional sweetness.
Maria Mitchell, the Vassar professor,
used to spend her vacation at Boston
and Lynn, where many "reminiscences OF
her are told, She was very economical,
in order, as she said, "to buy herself out
Of the drudgery Of teaching" and at the
house whore she boarded in Lynn she
would never allow anyone but herself to
take care of her room Miss Mitchell
was extremely afraid of tightening, IA
strange thing in one SO thoroughly
yersed. in astronomy as she was and so
accustomed to scan the heavens. Tnere
were times, but rare ones, when size
sought to be exclusive, and at Boston
place Of entertainment she was once OBJ
served to pay for two seats at table so
that she could have it to herself.
A Vienna scientist has made series
of interesting experiments with the virus
of such insects as bees and wasps, and
comes to the conclusion that the effec-
tiyeness of the irritating substance de-
ponds largely upon the mood of the in
sect. \ drop of the fluid taken from the
poison bag Of a dead hornet, 'or instance,
produces a slight itching, but nothing
resembling tho inflammation caused by
hornet sting with much smaller guam
tity Of the same virus. This theory is
supported by the curious fact that under
the influence of rage the saliva of all
sorts of otherwise harmless animals can
become yiruIent enough to produce
alarming and even fatal symptoms
Death from blood poisoning has more
than once resulted from the bite of &
wounded squirrel, chipmuk or Gagged
rat.
A fine head Of hair is an lndist ems,
able element of beauty. Ayers Hail
Vigor maintains Youthful freshness anc
/ luxuriance. restores to faded and gray
I L. go. &c Ifs4I, lf,ag q