The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1901-12-11

With only one exception the gla-
ciers of Switzerland are diminishing
steadily. Since 1876 the Rhone glacier
has decreased in length at the rate of
over 81 yards a year.
The italian government has estab-
lished laboratories of micrography and
bacteriology and chemistry as depen-
denotes of the sanitary bureau of the
| minister of the interior. A depart
ment of the meteorological laboratory
is to be devoted to the preparation and
control of serums and similar products.
Whatever may be the cause Of the
aurora borealis its height does not
appear to be limited by the atmos-
phere. The rays sometimes touch the
earth In Scandinavia, coming between
the observer and elevated places, but
Flogel 30 years ago, obtained data
showing that a large aurora seen in
northern Germany must have had a
height of 60 miles, and that the rays
often rise to 45O miles, their points
glowing with red light.
Petrolan, says Parfumeur, Is q min
eral soap, the active principle of which
is an ichthyol-like compound. 1t oc-
ours in bituminous rock In the Cau-
casus, is of dark color and of the
consistence of an ointment, soluble in
ether, and does not turn rancid. II
finds application in the treatment of
diseases of the skin, such as eczema,
acne. psoriasis. etc. II acts as an anti
septic and drying agent without pro-
ducing irritation of the skin.
The bird fauna of Iceland is credit
ed by Henry H. Slater with 1903 species.
or these three are residents, 27 sum-
mer migrants, 21 occasional visitors
and Is rare stragglers. The land birds
are few including only seven residents
and five that come in summer to breed,
but the most interesting birds
now probably are the northern wren,
the great northern diver and the Ice
land falcon. Singing birds are few.
There are 16 species of ducks and
geese and seven birds of prey. but the
rock ptarmigan is the only game bird.
Ever since the 18th century It has
been observed that the sea near Jus
saro, Finland acted on the needles OF
ships compasses in a very peculiar
manner. These erratic movements of
the needle were long suspected to be
due to deposit of iron ore under the
oceans bed. Until recently this was
mere conjecture. Recently, however.
experts have drilled at the point of
greatest disturbance, and they have
been rewarded by striking deposit
OF pure iron ore at a depth of about as
feet. A company is being organized
to work the deposits, as 1t is believed
they are very extensive, as compass
needles behave in an erratic manner
at several other points in the immedi-
ate vicinity.
Prof. Becquerel carried In his waist
coat pocket for several periods,
amounting to about six hours in all, a
cardboard box enclosing a sealed glass
tube containing few grains of radio
active barium chloride In 10 days
time red mark corresponding to the
tube was apparent on the skin. Inflam-
nation followed, the skin peeled off
and left suppurati1g sore which did
not heal for month. On the second
occasion similar experience resulted
from carrying tube of the same sort.
Other experimenters have had similar
experiences. 1t is to be remembered
that the energy of these radioactive
emanations, whatever they are, is CIV
en- continuously and so far as we now
know, eternally, without any corre-
spending increment of energy from any
known source. The perpetual motion
seems to be realized in a novel form.
The most interesting problem of sci
ence, at the present time. is to discover
what is the source of the emitted rays,
and the exact nature of the emana-