The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-07-18
Whirl Of the World.

The question of still further reducing
the time of the journey between London
and Paris is occupying much attention
on both sides Of the channel. The North
ern of France company, which owns the
mail steamers Nord and Pas de Calais,
employed on the Dover-Calais service,
are considering the introduction of
vessel on the turbine principle. This
would revolutionize the cross-channel
passage. A Clyde shipbuilding firm is at
present building a passenger steamer on
the turbine principle, which will be
ready for launching shortly. If this
vessel proves a success it will have
spec dof about 30 knots, enabling the
time Of the passage to be reduced to
about 81 minutes.
-.
1t is rarely that paper nautilus has
been seen in confinement, or, indeed,
alive, but during the past winter So
journers at the island of Santa Canta-
lima, Cal, have had this unique experl-
ence. The island is the only locality in
the United States where the paper nauti-
lus is found. The shells We're all found
on the lee side of the island, in protected
bays, and it is evident that scores come
ashore on the south side and are dashed
to pieces on the rocks.
The nautilus is one of the most inter-
esting of animals. 1t constitutes one Of
the highest forms Of mollusks. and is
closely allied to the octops or devil fish.
The body is covered by mantle,
which has an opening In the anterior
portion. and from this projects the head.
connected by what, especially in tn"
| squids, appears to be a neck.
| The shell is literally as light as a
feather, and resembles crumbled paper,
| very delicate and beautiful in shape.
The habits of the animal are similar :,
those fthe octopus, creeping along the
bottom in search of preysmall crabs,
etc. They are essentially deep-water
| animals, coming to the surface to spawn.
| At Santa Catalina the shells Of the
nautilus are now in active demand as
| curiosities. The pen of the large sQuids
"a really attractive Objects also
| sought for by tourists. also the eyes,
| which have a beautiful, pearly luster
| and resemble pearls.
="
Living mariOnettes are now among the
most opular stage performers in some
of the provincial towns in Germany and
| France, as we'll as in Paris and Berlin
The performance begins with an over
ture. played on monograph, and after
! that tiny actor appears and eithe,
sings or recites In the most approved
fashion. Other actresses and actors fol-
| low, and occasionally an acrobat gives
! an exhibition of his skill. Finally a
! farce or light comedy, interspersed with
dances and songs, is given. and nothing
| could be more natural than the name,
jn which the way little Thespians per-
form their several parts.
| The transportation Of the living actor:
into little creatures not larger than doll:
rs simply the result Of their reflection
! in the mirror. According to the law:
! of optics the reduction of size is proper
| tional to the square of the distance be-
tween the living actors and the mirror
and if, spectators would be able to Sc,
| marionettes even smaller than those nov
exhibited.
A miniature kangaroo has been discov
| cred in the far west. 1t is an exceed
ingly interesting creature. and strides
around like kangaroo. making grea
jumps on it's hind legs. which are lon,
and powerful. It also has surpris
ingly long tail. which adds to it's re
! semblance to the marsupial after which
it is named. &
This curious creature has been fount
in that wierd place called Deaths Val