Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-01-11
|f;3k$cience
|N<&4iiveTnti0n|

About three hundred species Of mos
quitoes have been described, and it is
estimated that two hundred more ex-
list. 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-ltself nom
poisonous-is often contaminated with
arsenic, selenium and antlmOny, and
reported to the French Academy Of
Medicine. In one of the two forms Of
poisoning dea tn results in two or three
days.
Blowing wells, sometimes known as
breathing wells, are now being inves-
tigated 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 ls
sufficient to keep 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 3O.5 in each
1000 inhabitants, against 300 in 1908,
321 In 1902, 1874 in 1901. and 1871 in
1900. The decrease, therefore, is con-
tlnuous. 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 S3O,W0,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 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 friend that he was accustomed,
when selecting for color among newly |
created flowers to submit the choice to
a 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 daisy, in which
be 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
ect part Of the mail. The car runs be-
tween the central postoffice and the
branch offices and boxes in the diff
'erent districts Of the city. The auto
mobile is of large size, on the style OF
IN omnibus and is fitted out so that
while the car is running. The car
stops at each letter box to collect the
nail, and between the boxes the clerk
orts and stamps the letters and passes
hem In packages to a second man who
,uts them in a series of compartments
to each carriers route.
This car covers a route fourteen miles
ong and collects the mail from all box
$ in an hour and a half.
The influence of occupations upon
he eyesight is strikingly Illustrated hy
tatistics collected among the schools
f Germany and France In Germany
has been shown that 30 per cent Of
hose engaged in the so-called liberal
rofessions suffer more or less from
lyopa, or shortness of sight, whereas
mong aborers the percentage drops
} 5, and among peasants to only
alf OF per cent. The remarkable
rowth OF myopia with increase of at
antion demanded by school work is
ldicated by the fact that the eyes Of
My per cent of the scholars in the
rimary schools of France are affected.
ut those of more than 20 per cent in
le secondary schools. In the College
ollin 10 per cent of the scholars have
lyopla In the lower grade. 81 per cent
the third grade. and % per cent In
lie courses in philosophy.
Reasoning from Experience.
A little East Side boy was having