The new age. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1896-1905, 1906-01-13
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qultoes have been described, and it Is
estimated that two hundred more ex-
ist Giles recognizes only thirty-six
species in the whole of North America,
but Florida alone claims twenty-five
species.
Poisoning from gas inhalation is now
added to the recognized dangers of bal
looming. The hydrogen-itself nom
poisonous-is often contaminated with
arsenic, selenium and anthony, and
fourteen cases of i'll effects have been
reported to the French Academy Of
Medicine. In one of the two forms of
poisoning death results in two or three
days.
Blowing wells, sometimes known as
breathing wells, are now being inves-
tgated by the United States Geological
Survey. The best known examples Of
this type Of well are found throughout
Nebraska. The force of the air cur
rent in one of the Louisiana wells Is
sufficient to keep a mans hat suspend
ed above it. Such phenomena are main
ly due to changes in atmosphere press
ure.
Some anxiety is being caused in Ger
many by the decline of the birth rate.
In 1904 the birth rate was 30.5 in each
1000 inhabitants, against 300 in 1908,
32.1 in 1902, 1874 in 1901, and 1871 in
1900. The decrease, therefore, is con-
tinuous. Lung disease, not only in
towns but in the country as well, Is
decreasing. 1t is claimed that this
result Is owing to the systematic and
scientific war which the authorities are
conducting against this scourge
The prosperity of Japan depends
very largely upon the sea. A thousand
varieties Of fish-including the shark
are eaten by the inhabitants, the an
nual yield Of the fisheries being three
million tons, or three times the con-
sumption in the United States. The
value of this product is $3O,O0O,OO0.
The coasts also supply an edible alga
known as laver, and other sea weeds
from which food gelatine is extracted,
together with large quantities of salt.
From Japan, moreover, comes a large
quantity of the worlds coral and
pearls.
Luther Burbank, of California, who
has probably produced more new varie-
ties of fruits, flowers and plants than
any other living man. said recently
to a friend that he was accustomed,
when selecting for color among newly
created flowers, to submit the choice to
lady of his acquaintance noted for
her exquisite taste. Mr.. Burbank's
own Judgment, however, in the matter
of color and form is highly trained, and
is exercised with surprising quickness
and sureness of decision. Among his
latest productions is a daisy, In which
he has striven especially to obtain
graceful carriage Of the stem and
flower.
Postal authorities in Milan, Italy. use
an automobile wagon in which to col
lect part of the mail. The car runs be-
tween the central postofice and the
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ferent districts of the city. The auto
mobile is Of large size, on the style Of
an omnibus, and is fitted out so that
the mail can be sorted by one clerk
while the car is running. The car
stops at each letter box to collect the
mail, and between the boxes the clerk
sorts and stamps the letters and passes
them In packages to second man VINO
puts them in a series of compartments
corresponding to each carriers route.
This car covers route fourteen miles
long and collects the mail from all box
es In an hour and half.
The influence of occupations upon
the eyesight is strikingly Illustrated by
statistics collected among the schools
of Germany and France. In Germany
It has been shown that so per cent OF
those engaged IN the so-called liberal
professions suffer more or less from
myopia, or shortness of sight, whereas
among laborers. the percentage drops
to 5, and among peasants to only
half OF 1 per cent The remarkable
growth of myopia with increase OF at
tention demanded by school work is
indicated by the fact that the eyes of
only per cent Of the scholars in the
primary schools of France are affected,
but those of more than 20 per cent in
the secondary schools. In the College
Rollin Is per cent of the scholars have
myopia in the lower grade, 80 per cent
In the third grade, and 55 per cent in
the courses In philosophy.
Reasoning from Experience.