The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-05-22
ITEMS OF INTEREST.

rule. been university men.
10 South Africa rain frequently falls in
torrents from clear sky.
There are $4,000 species of fishes. one
tenth of which inhabit fresh water.
10 London there is a fur company which
was esta blished during the reign OF Henry
VIII.
The largest railroad-shops in the world
are those of the Big Four at BellefOni aine,
Ohio.
1t is estimated that 100000, OCO oysters
are consumed in the United States an
nually.
In Russia, as in France, Italy and Spain,
titles carry no privileges, either official or
social.
An insurance company in Philadelphia
declines TO insure the lives OF football
players.
An International Whitman Sociaty" is
TO be formed TO perpetuate the writings of
the poet.
Earthenware sleepers have been tried at
ShimbashI station, Japan, with satisfac-
tory results.
The United States has lower percent
age of blind people than any.other country
in the world.
When the pianoforte keys become dis
colored it is because they have been denied
light and air.
The crock cork" mentioned by Pliny and
! other ancient writers is thought TO have
been asbestos.
Vineland. n. j., has a paper bottle fac
tory, which is said TO be the only one in
! the United States.
The Caspian Sea is the lowest body of
water in the world. For several centuries
| it has been gradually sinking.
The MOhammedans teach that Adam and
Eve once lived in tent on what is now
the site of the temple of Mecca.
Professor Tyndall is said to have been
the first man 10 ever attempt to produce
an artificial rainbow, this in 1888.
At one year old the infant alligator is
twelve inches long. lie is 10 before he
doubles that length, and he does not attain
! his maximum development till the age Of
! 80.
! All authorities agree in Stating that the
ancient inhabitants Of Ireland must have
/ accustomed to its use. Native gold appears
/ in geological deposits IN many parts of
! Ireland.
Coed coffee, by means of its marvelously
stimulating Influence on the brain, is the
antidote of alcohol. A Rio JaneIrO. where
| The population numbers $4,000, drunken
ness is almost unknown and coffee is
argely used.
AS 10 where man first appeared it is be-
yond doubt that his earliest home was in
| Southern Europe, or Asia, or North At
RIGA. No earlier traces Of him have been
found than those found in the area that
is now England, France and Spain.
Such has been the growth of popular
opinion in favor of the sudden disposition
of the dead by heat that there are now in
the country eighteen incorporated crema-
ton societies, and during the past ten
years about 5000 cremations have taken
place.
Cooking utensils among the Sioux are
| held in common, passing from hand to
| hand. 1t is point of Indian ct Quette to
| never clean kettle, but to leave adhering
10 IL fragments OF the last meal cooked for
the use of the next family. that gets the
utensil.
The remains of what antiquarians claim
| is the foundation of the house of Philip
! Carteret, the first colonial Governor of
/ New jersey. and where the first Legis la
/ ture CT the State met on May %. 1868, have
been unearthed at Elizabeth by City Sur
veyor Meyer.
There were many expressions of wonder
nv persons who CHANGED to be out In a
rainstorm at PoeatellO, Idaho. The rain
had a peculiar whitenesS and left white
spots on the clothing like mud. They were
| examined and found to be the residuum of
salt waller.
A report from the Belgian consul at
| Nouma states that two-tifths of the total
| area of New Caledonia contains nickel
and One-tenth Of this has been conceded TO
mining companies, about 100 square miles
being already worked. The ore is said to
contain o 10 per cent nickel.
Henry S. Huntington. United States Con.
suIar agent at Castellamare, Italy, reports
TO the State Department that the grape
crop produced in that country during the
past two years has been so enormous that
in many districs in Southern Italy there
were not barrels and demijohns sufficient
| to hold the pressed Juice and cisterns were
emptied and filled with wine.
Though the petrol is swift the frigate
bird is far swifter. Seamen generally be-
lieve that the friGate bird can start at day
break with the trade winds from the coast
| of Africa and roOst the same night upon
| the American shore. Whether this is a
fact has not yet been cOnclusvely deter
| mined. but 1t is certain that This bird is
the swiftest of winged creatures, and is
able to fy. under favorable conditions. 200
miles an hour.