The San Francisco call., 1910-07-04
Answers to Queries

THE COMPASS. S. NJ. City. How many
degrees has, has the compass varied In the past
century from the true north!
This is a question that can not be
definitely answered. In 1900 the needle
pointed approximately 20 degrees east
in northern oregon and Idaho from
what is generally understood to be the
true north. while in the northern part
of Maine it pointed about 20 degrees
west. At the same time an irregular
line ran through Michigan, Ohio, South
Carolina and other states where the
needle pointed directly north. The
magnetic poles do not correspond with
the geographical poles, nor are they
the same, at the same time. at all parts
Of the earth. Since 1872 the declination
at the observatory in London has
changed from "a degrees west to 16
degrees east. The magnetic elements
that cause these phenomena vary year
by year, month by month and some
times day by day.
CAREY'S CHICKENS-Subscriber MarysvilIe.
Why are the ocean birds known as stormy
petrels' called Mother Carey's Chickens?
One explanation of this, and the most
commonly accepted, is that Mother
Carey is corruption of Mater Cara"
Latin for dear mother" which Italian
sailors use in speaking of the Virgin
Mary, the protecting saint of sea farers
Another explanation is given by Yarrel.
the ornithologist. He says that he
by Captain Carteret, an English ad-
miral. who died in 1880. Yarrel says
that "the name Mother Carey probably
referred to some hag or witch of that
name in Carteret's time
CLIPPER-Subscriber, City. Was there ever
vessel in this harbor named the Golden State?
There was a clipper ship by that
name that made six voyages to this
port, the last being in 1866. There
after it was in the trade between New
York and China and in 1882 was sold
to parties in Quebec. who changed It's
name to Anna C. Mcguire, and 1t sailed
under the Argentine flag. 1t was
wrecked near Portland in December,
1886.
CHIMNEY-Reader. Pleasanton Where is the
tallest chimney in the world and what is its
height?
It is said that the tallest is that of
the Amalgamated copper company at
Great Falls, Mont. 1t has "A foot
diameter foundation, is sos feet high
and has a 54 foot diameter at top. The
next tallest is that at Halsbrucker
Hutte, near Friedberg, Germany, 400
feet in height.
PASSPORT. o.. City. To whom shall
apply and what steps must 1 take to obtain
passport to travel In foreign lands?
Address the secretary of state Wash
ington, D. c.. who will forward you a
blank form of application. For regu-
lations on this subject go to the free
public library in Hayes street near
Franklin and consult the Worlds Al
manac, page ia for the current year
DELTA DELTA-C. o., city Is there such a
fraternity the Delta Delta?
There is womaps general fraterni-
ty that is known as the Delta Delta
Delta fraternity of the Boston univer-
sity. Mrs. ]. E. Rhodes, st. Paul, Mimi.
is the national secretary.
AUToMoBILES-H. E. H., FruitvaIe Where
may obtain copy OF the state laws and the
various county laws regulating automobiles in
You can obtain state laws from the
secretary of state, Sacramento. The
ordinances you can obtain from the
clerk of the supervisors of each county.
AREA-R. P, City. Have heard it stated
that the area Of the Sacramento valley In Cali
fornia is greater than the OF New York.
If you mean the state of New York.
the answer is no.
APPRoPRIATIoN-o. t. r., City. What was
the amount Of appropriation by congress Ave
years ago and for this year?
In 1905. s4s7,15s,s17Os; in 1910, $685.
$50 1913.
WHEAT Subscriber Petaluma Does caiifor
bread the state?
It does.