The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-02-10
PUZZLES IND QUERIES.
Some Problems Which are Really
Worth While Working Out.
Questions. Second Series

(SeCODu SerieS.)
81. What is meant by "dew-point -?
81. How much Of piece of ice floating in
fresh water at freezing point is above the sur
face?
SO. At what temperature does water attain
its maximum density?
81. What is tannin?
35. What is ncotin?
&c. What is ''cony?"
81 What is the difference between wrought
iron, CaSt-iron and steel?
So Why does clover make the best "green
manure"
80. How long does it take light to come
from the nearest fixed star?
40. Why does clear night in the Fall often
presage a frost?
Answers. First Series.)
50. The cause of the equatorial currents
in the ocean as given by the books is the
Trade Winds. But l think both current
and winds are caused largely by the inertia
of matter, both the waters and atmosphere
being left behind, as it were, by the earth in
its daily revolution. Centrifugal force throws
the waters toward the equator; inertia causes
them to be left behind; hence, the westward
currents in open ocean.-A. w. Slayton.
80. The reason that boards warp from the
heart side is that the cells forming the outer
layer of wood having conveyed sap but one
season have the least amount of solid matter
deposited in them, and each successive layer
toward the heart of the tree is more dense
and heavy because older. Hence in drying
out or seasoning the outer cells shrink most,
causing the board to bead or warp Outwardly.
"A. w. SlaytOn.
100 The revolution Of the earth eastward
produces the equatorial currents westward,
causing an accumulation or heaping of water
in the caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, in
turn causing an outflow around Florida, the
Gulf Stream. A similar gathering of waters
east of the Philippine Islands causes the
Japan current; but the current is not as
strong as the Gulf Stream, because part of
the water escapes through between the East
India Islands into the Indian Ocean. If
Central America were out of the way the At
lantic equatorial current would pass on west
ward into the Pacific, the Gulf Stream would
cease, and the climate of western Europe
would become like that Of America in the
same latitude, Norway like Iceland, England
like Labrador, and Spain like New England
Instead of trying to build navy strong
enough to compete with all the powers of
Europe, had we not better dig broad canal
through the Isthmus at sea level, and then if
they act too saucy we can open the locks,
shut off the Gulf Stream and freeze them
out PA. w. Slayton.
The question of how to protect the bypo-
thetical canal without navy would likely
prove an interesting one. In addition to Mr..
A w. SlaytOn's explanation of the causes of
the equatorial currents, it is further noted
that while the crust of the earth at the
equator is travelling eastward with velocity
of %, 900 miles day the crust at all other
points is travelling at less velocity. Water
and air travelling either north or south from
the equator preserve this velocity until it is
lost by friction hence are given an eastward
throw or trend. Similarly, water and air
coming from points on the globe where rota-
ton is less to points where it is greater. e.,
going towards the equator-acquire west
ward trend because tagging behind the move
ment of the crust, as Mr.. A. w. Slayton points