Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-12-24
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A member of the French Academy of
Sciences has discovered by series OF
experiments that the violet rays of the
spectrum are an infallible test of the
qualities of many of the precious
stones. When used on diamonds and
rubies, for example, they give a fiuor-
escence that affords jewelers. an easy
means of selecting the finest and best
stones. In the case of rubies experts
| are sometimes unable to tell those that
come from Burmah from those that
come from Siam, and as the former are
rated higher it is matter of impor.
tance to distinguish them. The violet
rays, 1t is said, make this easily possi.
BILE.
Since the Krakatoa eruption of 1888
when the enormous mass of dust
thrown into the air was noticed to fall
over a radius of more than 100 miles.
increasing attention has been given to
falls of dust. From a study of the
great dust storm of March to ~, 1901,
Professors Hellmann and Meinardus
have concluded that the fine sand was
swept by the gale from the desert re-
gion of Southern Algeria, and fell in
succession in Algiers, Tunis, Sicily.
Italy, the Alps, Austro-Hungary. Ger
many Denmark and European Russia.
In Sicily and Italy the dry dust was
transported by the wind, and that two
thirds of it fell to the south of the Alps.
| A horticulturist mentions plant
Of the primrose family, Primula obcon-
| lea, as the only one that can be had in
! flower all the year round. A large pot
of this plant has flowered continuously
for five years. The flowers are abund-
ant, and were originally of pale lilac.
but have been recently improved not
only in size but in variety of color,
white and many shades of lilac and
pink to deep rose being now obtainable.
The cut flowers are pleasing for house
decoration, while keeping fresh for a
long time in water. The plant thrives
out of doors in summer, but requires
hot-house protection in winter. The
one Objectionable quality is that both
flowers and leaves poison the skin Of
some individuals.
A noted medical authority, in speak
ing Of the effect of fruit on the human
body, says that it does not exert iii.
rect medical influence in relieving dis.
eased conditions, but encourages the
natural processes by which the relief is
brought about He makes an interest
ing summary Of the medicinal effects
Of certain fruits: Oranges, figs, tama-
rinds, prunes mulberries, dates, necta-
rines and plums are laxative; pome-
granates, cranberries, blackberries,
dewberries, raspberries, barberries.
ounces, pears wild cherries and med
lars are astringent; grapes, peaches,
straw berries, whortleberries and black
currants are diuretic, and lemons, lines
and apples are sedative for the stom-
ach. Apples will relieve seasickness in
many cases, and the nausea from
smoking Immediately.
Two French observers have lately
published the results of their investi-
cations upon the question of tactile
sensibility dependent upon the prefer
ence of hairs on the skin. The regional
sensibility is not here in question, nat
urally. The subjects experimental
upon had their eyes bandaged the part
of the body touched was fixed in posi-.
tion and all precautions We're taken to
avoid error. The stimuli were given
by needles of different weight touching
definitely marked regions of the skin.
The experiments prove that there is an
special tactile sensibility dependent
upon the hairs of the human body,
such as is generally assumed without
proof. 1t is interesting to remark that
the meteorological conditions Of the at
mosphere, especially in relation to the
moisture, have great influence on the
sensibility Of the hairy envelope.
Surra, an animal disease of the Phil
ippines, is pointed out by DR.. C. w.
Stiles as matter of great military I'M
portance. 1t seems to have been quite
recently introduced from India, and is
due to microscopic parasite. which
lives in the blood and is probably trans
mitted by biting flies. 1t is n wet.
weather disease, reported to be invaria.
bly, fatal to horses and mules. 1t oc.
ours also in camels elephants, dogs and
cats. and more rarely in rumnants.
but is not yet known in birds. 1t is
closely allied to the tsetse-fy disease of
Africa, and to dreaded maladies of Eu-
rope and South America. The chief
symptoms are intermittent or relapsing
fever, eruption, anemia. emaciation.
ravenous appetite, great thirst and
more or less paralysis. The introduc.
ton of the disease into new localities
is to be guarded against as serious
calamity.
An Economical Bride.