Evening star., 1909-03-04
SCIENCE NOTES.

In the smaller communities throughout
this country what is known the
moonlight schedule is largely made
use CT in the award of electrical cor
tracts for street illumination BY this
schedule there is no artificial light when
the moon is above the horizon. II seems
hardly consistent with American progres-
siveress that this schedule was laughed
out of existence over a century ago III
France. The first attempt al 81 eet light
ing in Paris at municipal expense was
made in 1861. when the parliament au
thoriZed the inst a 'ation of 5000 lanterns
in streets most notorious for night hold
ups, the source of light being tallow can
dies. This Introduction Of systematic
street lighting was commemorated in the
issue of medal stamped with the leg
end in Latin. Security and Light. In
1I4I the candles in lanterns began to be
displaced by oil burners. with which tin
ref1ectOrS We're used but this improve
ment was for some years confined to the
more prominent streets. In order to re-
duce the cost of this more expensive
service the contractors for oil lighting
were later given the privilege of a moon
light schedule, which proceeding became
the subject of much ridicule and was so
iampooned from the stage and by writer's
of satirica verse that finally, about l1I4,
all-night lighting was restored.
Street cars without platforms in the
ordinary sense of the word are being
operated in Montreal. The means of
entrance and exit consists OF side open
ings somewhat to the rear of the CEN
ter. while in addition To this there Is
small exit a the forward end of the
car to the rear of the rn0torman's box
The passengers enter the through
the central platform. and. after deposit
ing their fares In the box move ither
front or back. the interior of the ear
being divided by a partition. The rear
part of the car is designated for smok
ers. The doors are operated by the
conductor through compassionate mechan-
ism.
An English shpbuiding firm which
makes specially Of light -draught river
boats is building vessels with
bow rudder for increasing the steering
power when going astern. At other times
it is raised out of the way and i'll no
way interferes with the movement of the
boat. The means for mounting this
auxiliary rudder does not interfere with
the shape or construction of the hull,
and it can be put in position for use Very
readily or removed when the vessel is
ready to move ahead. The rudder slides
on vertical post or guide which is fitted
permanently just in front of the stem post
or bow. and this forms the pivot or
shaft of the rudder. The rudder is raised
or lowered on this shaft by means nf
tackle carried by an arm above the bow
When raised it is swung back so that IT
lies fiat against the side of the hull above
the water. When lowered a steering tiller
is fitted to the head OF the pivot-shaft.
The principle of The fireless cooker,
in which the cooking having been once
started over a flame. is continued in an
insulated cabinet. or box, through the
action of the heat already absorbed. Is
more or less familiar to all, but in the
more improved forms cloth and felt in
sulation are displaced by VuicanlZed
wood. asbestos and other materials OF a
durable sanitary nature. and the uten-
sill adapted to baking and roasting In
the latter case the heater is stored IN
steatite radiators, or slabs. which quick
ly absorb heat. The radiators are heat
ed over fame or by electricity. That
it s possible to use electricity IN con-
nection with the fireless cooker with
proportionately greater economy in the
use of fuel than in the use of gas. oil
or coal has. it is stated. been practically
demonstrated i'll the hre!esS cookers
ready for the market The reason why
the economy is greater with electricity
is that it is possible to utilize prac-
tically all of the heat generated by the
current The coils are introduced IN the
radiators. and while the temperature IS
being raised the oven is closed tn pre-
vent the loss of heat.
Iti said that there are Sl.U0ooo
worth of Whalebone locked up III store
house al New Bedford, Mass. While the
catch of the Arctic WhalefS the past Sed-
son is the smallest for several years,
there will be actually more wha!ebone
in first hands than las been the case.
in some time Most of the catch of last
year is on hand in the storehouses IN
that city. The stock Of over 2o,teo pounds
Of hone could be easily disposed of al a
medium price say $3.50 per pound. but
with the decision OF the agents not 10
send their vessels 10 the Arctic next
season. and with only the comparatively
small quantity TO be caught by tne
whaIers in the southern oceans. the hold
ers thing the bone worth more money,
possibly rising s., per pound, and the
market is Stagnant