Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-01-05

Believe Gyr0Sc0pe WIFI
Prevent SeaSickneSS

thing that clearly differentiates American
from European weather, and may account
for certain temperamental differences IN
the inhabitants of the two continents, IS
asserted by Gilbert II. Grosvenor in the
Century Magazine. Mr.. Grosvenor asserts
that no other land has cold waves like
ours, and he ascribes to these extraor-
binary changes of temperature what he
calls our keen, alert mind and '1nces-
SAINT, unremitting energy The cold
wave. according to Mr.. Grosvenor, stirs
up the sluggish immigrant and sends him
up to the top of the ladder. In earlier
days it fed and famed the spirit that
fired our fathers TO cross the Atlantic.
The cold wave. the writer goes on to ex-
plain, originates miles above our heads,
usually over the Rocky Mountain plateau,
whence a mass of bitterly cold air PUSHES
down, as though a great funnel, spreading
over the Mississippi valley and the Attain
tic states. New waves" Of this kind fol-
low each other regularly like the break
ers on a seashore.
81
Prof r. Bordas, a French scientist. has
succeeded in transforming ordinary corun-
DUN or oxide aluminium crystals into
rubles, emeralds, sapphires and topazes
by the use of radium. Some of them are
exceedingly beautiful in brilliancy and
color The jeweler who sold Prof Bordas
tho original corundums. valued at about
90 cents a karat has appraised several Of
the transformed jewels at $780, and even
$50 karat Prof. Bordas decided to ex-
pertinent with the hardest crystalline sub
stances, and selected for the purpose
of economy the cheapest forms of corun-
dums. Under the influence of a molecular
bombardment produced by the emana-
tions of bromure OF radium the corun-
dums underwent remarkable change.
The hitherto white crystal became to all
l. sar.e rIaTr Er-
came an emerald; a green-pink one be-
came a ruby, and a violet crystal sap
phire. BY graduating the radioactive
emanations the professor even secured
mixed gem, half sapphire and half topaz.
The manufactured gems have been pro-
nounced genuine by several experts.
s.
Bv the discovery Of an extremely tough
form of steel with greatly increased ten
sle strength, Lieut.. Commander Cleland
Davis, u. s. N, has been able to devise
a new form of torpedo that is arousing
good deal of interest in naval circles.
The new projectile makes use of the
Whitehead form, but instead of detonat-
ing the torpedo itself steel torpedo rifle
is installed in the forward end of the tor
pedo. This rifle. while being very strong,
Is comparatively light and able to with
stand the discharge of charge of smoke
less powder sufficient to give a muzzle
velocity OF lSO feet q second with d pro-
jectiIe weighing sixty pounds. High ex-
plosive is to be used in this projectile,
detonation to be produced either by i'm
pact or time fuse. The effect would be
to discharge a six-inch rifle against the
bottom of the enemy's ship with a velocity
| fully as great as can be had from the
! heaviest guns in use. Penetration Is
looked for. and If there were such failure
an impact explosion would ensue that
would be equal to the best achievements
of ordinary torpedo fire with high ex-
! plosiyes.
The ants brain is larger than any other
living thing in proportion to the size
| s.
The shores of the Persian gulf are said
| to be the hottest regions in the world.
&
Considering averages, the brain of
man is five ounces heavier than that of
woman.