Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1906-01-27
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ABOUT three hundred species OF mos |
quitoes have been described, and 1t Is
estimated that two hundred more ex-
list. Giles recognizes only thirty-slx
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 non
poisonous-is often contaminated with
arsenic, selenium and anthony, and |
fourteen cases Of Ill 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-
tigated by the United States Geological |
Survey The best known examples OF |
this type of we'll 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 800 in 1908,
32.1 in 1902, 1874 in 1901, and 1871 in
1900. The decrease, therefore, is con-
tn
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 S30,O0O,O0O.
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 q 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 uuickness
and sureness of decision. Among his.
latest productions is a daisy, in which
he has striven especially to obtain a
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 Postotfice and the
branch Offices and boxes in the diff
ferent districts of the city. The auto
mobile is of large size, on the style Of
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 who
td An Of Optu nyofa
corresponding to each carriers route.
This car covers a route fourteen miles
long and collects the mail from all box
es in an hour and a half.
The influence of occupations upon
the eyesight Ia Strikingly illustrated by
statistics collected among the schools
Of Germany and France In Germany
1t has been shown that 30 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 l 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 30 per cent
in the third grade, and 30 per cent In
the courses In philosophy.