Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-06-06
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Professional divers, who remain un-
der water from two to five minutes at
a time, are accustomed before sub
merging themselves, to take deep res
pirations for ten minutes. The object
is said to be to store up oxygen, not in
the lung cells, but in the blood-corpus-
cles. This renders temporary sus-
pension of the breathing possible by
supplying the corpuscles with an extra
quantity of oxygen, to be exchanged
chemically with the carbonic acid, pro-
duced by vital processes, in the blood.
A correspondent of Nature has found
that the spiral horn of wild sheep,
when so placed that the ear is the axis
of the coil, makes the ticking of
watch more audible in one particular
direction. Since the ear of the sheep
is surrounded by the horn he infers
that the latter acts as an ear-trumpet.
not improving the hearing for distant
sounds, but disclosing the direction of
a sound. This would be useful in en-
abling the sheep to ascertain the exact
points from which sounds come when
there is rist or fog covering its feed
ing grounds
At present, when so many efforts are
being made to reach the northern ter
mination of the earth's axis, the geo.
graphical north pole, comparatively
little popular interest is expressed con-
cerning another north pole, quite as
important in many ways, the pole of
magnetism. But scientific men do not
lose their interest in the latter, and
Professor Amundsen intends to spend
three years in the peninsula of Boothia
Felix, the northernmost point of the
mainland of North American, wherein
the north magnetic pole is situated. He
will make his headquarters exactly at
the pole if he can.
NJ. Stazzano has noted several facts
going to show that the aurora borealis
is of terrestrial origin; that it is init
mately connected with phenomena
cIassed as meteorological; and now
shows from statistics that low pres
sures of the barometer are the sign of
the most direct connection, auroras in
creasing in frequency with low press
ures. They act not only to extend the
auroral zone which, in both hemis-
pheres, follows the line of low polar
pressure, but also the period of the
low pressure influences both the dur
nal and the monthly period of the au-
rora.
M. Ducretet, repeating the expert
ments Of BourbouZe made in 1876 has
lately endeavored, with success, to
transmit human speech through ordi-
nary telephones, using the earth as the
only conductor. The results are very
interesting, though difficult to explain.
One thing is certain, says the expert
menter, namely, that earth filters out,
so to say, the continuous current neces-
sary to the operation of the apparatus.
This current is diffused into many oth.
ers capable of actuating certain num-
ber of telephones distributed around
the transmitter, and in the expert
ments cited these diffused currents
were strong enough to operate a relay
with a call-bell.
A substitute for wooden flooring is
being introduced which appears to be
built up with asbestos as basis. Its
special features are noiselessness. du-
rability and heat-resisting qualities.
being absolutely fireproof 1t is laid
down on a cement foundation. The
material is said to lend itself readily
to designs in color and is susceptible
of Il high polish upon surfaces not sub
Ject to abrasion. 1t appears to be de-
signed especially for use in public
buildings libraries, halls, hospitals and
on war vessels. In the case of hospi-
tails 1t forms a very desirable floor.
owing to its noiselessness and its sani-
tary qualities. 1t is readily cleansed,
and when used in combination with n
so-called sanitary base, gradual
curve from floor to Dashboard eliminat-
ing the corner angle, is forms an ideal
flooring for the purpose.
Tho Differing Intelligence of Animals.