Frederick citizen., 1895-02-08
tprspared weekly for the cltlzen.l

there are in each hemisphere one pole
or point, where the dip needle il verIi-
Cal, and two fOci of maximum intensi-
ty. Comparison of early and recent
observations leads to the conclusion
tina, one or both foci of each hemi-
spere must be in motion. The observ-
cd changes, however, cannot BE- ex-
planned by any simple theory of IA rota-
ting or oscillatiug pair of poles; but
they suggest that secular change is due
to waxing aud waning of forces eX-
erted by secondary lines or points of
attraction or repulsion. New facts in-
dictate that the earth is not nIagueti-
hueaces which give rise to secular
change. 1t seems alive with magnetic
forces. Sudden jerks disturbing the
daily sweeps of the magnet at widely
separated places are probably due to
causes outside our globe; but the slower
secular change, of which the small
part observed has taken centuries to
accomplish, is apparently interfered
with by some still slower agency, act
ing within narrow limits.
The apple and the pear grew wild in
Europe and ASIA in prehistoric times.
The lake dwellers used the former so
extensively that 1t Is thought they
may have cultivated the fruit, but the
pear is rarely found among their stores.
The apple was introduced into Rome
about $50 years b. G. The lake dwell
ers seem to have had two varieties; in
the time OF Pliny - were known, and
at the present day about 1000 have
been recorded, of which but few are
actually cultivated. Piuy mentions
81 varieties of pears as being cultivated
at Rome, the number grown in modern
nurseries being probably about 100.
1t appears that aluminium cannot be
coated with ziuc, tin or lead hy the or
diuary processes, these medals sliding
over n cleaned aluminium plate, with
no tendency to alloy with it, NJ. OIL
veI reports that the dithculty-due to
the formation of a film of oxide-may
be overcome by rubbing the plate in
metallic bath with steel brush, when
an even layer of metal adheres.
A new element is believed to have
oeen discovered by DR. Bayer, in the
residual liquors derived from the older
process Of extracting aluminium from
red beauXite. 4 small quantity of the
oxide, exhibiting acid properties, has
been obtained in the form of yellow
crystals, which are soluble in water.
An interesting fact is that this element
IS probably one whose existence had
been previously established by theory
A curious law detected 10y Meudelejeff,
Russian chemist, is that the proper
ties of the chemical elements are peri
Odic functions of their atomic weights,
a groupinSof the elements in the order
OF their atomic weights showing that
nearly the same properties recur at IN
tervals throughout the entire series.
Arranged by this theory the table of
known elements shows gaps, for which
undiscovered ubstances-several of
them since found have been predicted,
and it is supposed that this new dis
phosphorus group.
A question raised by Mr.. J. w. Sla-
ter, is whether the energy which in
warm-blooded animals is expended in
keeping up the temperature of the
body is not in cold-OlOoded forms con-
verted into luminous or electrical or
chemical energy. No species Of fbird or
mammal has the power of emitting
light, as is done by some fishes, many
insects, and marine animalcules. No
bird or mammal can use electric cur
rents for defence or attack, AS is done
by several fishes, by bug, and it is
said, by slug. Numbers of arthro-
poda aud a few mollusca secrete and
emit Silk; and reptiles, anphibis. in
sects and arachnids very generally Sc
crete intense pOisons. Such phenome-
ma are not observed in warm-booded
animals. Beautiful rs are the colors of
many birds, only one true dye or pig
ment-the touracine of the African
piaintain-eater-has been obtained
from them, while dyes abound in cold
Dlo0ded creatures. Odors, too, are
more abundant in cold-blooded forms.
1t appears that in Japan, saws the
Independent, one factor entering into
the problem of the choice of daugh-
er-in-law is her skill in raising silk
worms. The thread spun by the silk
worm is said to be regular and even in
proportion as the worm has been regu-
larry and carefully fed. The prospec-
tive motherin-law carefully and mi
nuteiy examines the evenness of the
silk thread in the material of the gar
menls worn by the young lady before
giving her assent to the betrothal.
1t lie stated that IS English towns
are burning their garbage and solid re-
fuse, usi an average of about 10 fur
na'+s each. Steam is generated, aud
used for electric lighting and other pur-
poses.
The nineteenth century is directly
responsible for marked increase in
functional and nervous disorders, in
the opinion of Prof w. Erb, of Heidel-
berg. The century opened in disorder
and commotion, France having just
passed through bloody revolution,
which was soon to be followed by the
excitement and exhaustion of the stir
ring scenes of Napoleon's career. Then,
after brief calm, came the era OF la
bor-saving inventions. Time and space
were annihilated, wealth increased,
new possibilities Of wolk and pleasure
we're opened up, thirst for change
was aroused, aud the restless rush of
our .jfn de steele days was rapidly de- !
ueloped. With over-work have come |