The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-25

or land TO every mile OF coast. Asia has
576 square miles and Africa $50 square
miles to each mile of coast. The low or
der of culture still prevailing on the Dark
Continent, though its history is as old as
that of any other portion of the world is
almost indisputable evidence of the cor
rectness Of this theory.
1t is commonly believed that the sap
phire is known only as a gem of a rich
velvety blue in color. AS a matter of fact
the sapphire occure in various hues. In
Ceylon, where the finest specimens of this
gem are found, it ranges from the soft,
velvety blue to the peacock blue, gradual
ed in the latter to an almost faultless
white. 1t also occurs in whites, greens
and yellows, the latter shade being known
as the oriental topaz, and the green the
Oriental emerald. The white sapphires
are often found clouded or streaked with
blue, so that many specimens are cut
which are white when looked at trans
versely, but having a bit of fine blue tint
on the under point. Then there is the red
sapphire or Ceylon ruby. 1t is valued as
highly as the finest Burmese rubies
Those most highly priced are of rich
pigeon blood or rose-red color.
If ever there was anything in the world
that went by contraries, it is the Chinese
flag. 1t will be recalled that it is one of
the gayest of national standards. The
body of the banner is of a pale yellow.
In the upper left-hand corner is a small
dragon. About 1000 years ago, so the
story runs, the Chinese made war upon
the Japanese. They prepared for great
invasion. AS a prophecy of victory they
adopted a standard which is that of the
present time. They took the sun of Japan
and made it very small. This they put in
front of the dragons mouth to express
the idea that the Chinese dragon would
devour the Japanese. 1t happened how
ever, that the Chinese fleet, conveying an
army of 100000 men, was wrecked on its
way to Japan by a great storm, and all
but three of the 100000 persisted. The re-
suit of the recent war has not been any
more convincing than the first affair, that
the Chinese flag has been correctly con-
ceived.
Since 1880 Kalamazoo celery has had
first place in the market and the small
Michigan town has built up a national
reputation for itself on the strength of its
celery-growing, says the Chicago Record.
The excellence of Kalamazoo celery is
said to be due to a small area of mead
ows or bottom lands, where the soil con-
sists of a peculiar form of black muck,
the result of vegetable decomposition, es-
pecially favorable to the celery's needs.
These meadows are largely covered by
crops a wear are raised. The work is
principally monopolized by Hollanders, &C.
cupying the frame dwellings on their
small holdings. 1t is estimated that the
Kalamazoo celery beds produce from $780,
600 to 1900, 900 dozen punches per annum,
netting the town at least 100000. The
carpenters of the town supply the wooden
boxes in which the celery is packed. The
largest celery farm under one manage
ment in the country is said to be that
at Greentown, o., where 100 acres are COW
cred with celery beds.
While Park Guard Joseph Stanley was
talking with a visitor in his cozy watch
house on the Wissahickon drive yester-
day afternoon, says the Philadelphia Rec
ord, large water snake crawled through
a hole in the corner of the floor and be-
gan to curl itself up beneath the stove
Don't touch my pet" exclaimed Stanley
as the visitors cane was raised to crush
the reptile That's the first time I've seen
Jakey since last fall, when cold weather
set in. l wouldn't have him harmed for
anything. He's got a mate and last sum-
mer they had a number of young ones
that got quite familiar and would come
here every day for food. Why, when first
came here the place was overrun with
mice and rats. If my dinner basket was
left on the bench yonder half the contents
would be eaten. One day / saw Jakey
catch a big rat and in a short time swal-
low il whole. 1 took care of the snakes,
and in a short time they rid the place
of all the rats and mice" When the Wis
itor left Stanley was fondling Jakey as
a young fellow would his first sweetheart
The Raleigh News and Observer says.
There was a man here Thursday who
has not taken drink of water in thirty
two years. His name is william w. NJ.
Hunter His home is in Kinston. He is
eX-sheriff of Wayne county. Mr.. Hunter
does not refuse to drink water because
he drinks something else; indeed, he never
takes liquid refreshments of any kind.
He does not drink for the simple reason
that he doesn't want to. Yet he is as
strong, hearty and healthy as are other
people 1t was in 1865 that he quit drink
ing water. He was in prison at Fort
Fisher. The water there seemed to be
good, but the food was scarce and bad.
The result was that hundreds died of
stomach troubles, brought on, the physi-
clans said, by the poor food and the
water. Mr.. Hunters trouble became
chronic and the water grew distasteful,
SC he discontinued its use. He soon re-
covered, and never to this day has he had
any desire for drink of water. Some
times, he says, he grows thirsty. but it
is not water that he Graves, but some-
thing juicy and slightly acid, like an APP
pie or orange. He very seldom drinks
coffee, tea. milk or beer
An English statisticlan, according to
the New York Times. says there is not
much of a psychological mystery in the
fact that so many more people commit
suicide in summer than in winter, and he
does not think that the difference is in
any large measure due TO the direct effect
of cold upon human minds and bodies II
must he borne In memory, he says. that
drowning is the commonest method OF
self-destructlon. and resort to It is diff
cult or impossible when rivers and ponds
are covered with ice. This accounts for
part of the decrease. Another part is
explained by the circumstance that in
cold weather people live more In associa-
ton, and there is thus less opportunity
for committing suicide. He does not think
however, that It is possible to explain the
matter wholly without reference to the
depressing effects of cold on the nervous
system. and the exciting effects Of heat.
II requires some energy and determina-
ton 10 commit suicide and this is lack
ing In person suffering from extreme
cold. All these considerations working to-