The San Francisco call., 1910-10-09
Answers to Queries

MAGNETIC POLE-subscriber. Water Front
CITY; II compass placed the center
OF the magnetic pole, what would be the effect
on the compass?
Ihe United States photographic office
says: If the compass were balanced as
is the ordinary ships compass, so as TO
remain horizontal under all circum-
stances, 1t would merely lose its direc-
tive force. So far as its use as a COM
pass is concerned, it would be no better
than piece of wood, balanced at its
center, and if spun around on it's pivot
would remain wherever it happened to
stop. If the compass needle was so
pivoted that it could tip it, it would
begin to point more and more down
ward as the magnetic pole was ap-
preached until at the pole it would
point directly down toward the center
of the earth"
:. FOR DEFENSE City; Who was
1ense, but not cent for tribute?
1t is said that 1t was used by Charles
Cotesworth Pinckney, one of three sent
TO france to avert what in 1889 ap-
peared likely to lead to war with that
nation. During the negotiations the
American commissioners were ap-
preached and told that the matter could
be fixed for a consideration. To this
P1nckney said Not penny not a
penny, Some writer of the day in re-
porting the proceedings credited
Plnckney with having said, I'VE are
ready to contribute millions for de-
fense but not cent for tribute
OWNING RoDS-K Monterey Is there anv
scientific theory connected with the finding or
coating OF subterranean streams by the aid of
forked stick, or witch hazel switch?
The foundation of such belief is
laid in SunerStifiOO not Soiapca
deluslon is as old as the tabled wand
of mercury In England the rod is a
forked branch of the rowan tree, in the
United States the witch hazel is pre-
ferred. OF late years rods of iron.
brass and copper have been used under
the idea that the movement of the rod
was due to magnetic influence. The
power of the rod as unconscious de-
lusion."
..GUERRIILAS-o. C.. F.. City Did the gner-
rillas originate during the civil war In the United
States:
No. The name guerrilla was first
given to bands of irregular soldiery or
armed pesants in Spain who harassed
Napoleon's army during the peninsular
war, 1S0S-14 The name is Spanish and
means little war The name was
brought from Spain to Central America
and thence to the United States and
Mexico. During the civil war the guer-
rillas or partisan rangers" as they
styled themselves We're led by officers
ident for that purpose.
soLEClsM- Reader. City. What is the deri-
vation of the word ''solecism':
It said that it originally meant
speaking like an inllabitant of Soil.
n 81 49,.
habitants corrupted the Greek language
and used a dialect. 1t is probably
derived from Greek word which
means to speak or write incorrectly
and also to be awkward or rude in
manner.
AMBER.c. W. p, Oakland Have two fine
ped. Want to repair them. What cement will
join the fractures?
The following is given as a cement
for such repairs: Smear the surfaces
with boiled linseed oil; strongly press
the pieces together, at the same time
heating them in any other way that
will not injure the amber
MEMORY. Y. NJ, City. Can the memory
be strengthened?
Memory improves and strengthens
improve the efficiency of the memory is
known as mnemonics. and is said to
lave originated with Simonides, a Greek
poet. Most systems of mnemonics IN
clude artificial associations as an aid
to recollection
OPLANES-Student How many aero
planes there i'm California and how may
he names and addresses of the owners thereof
be obtained?
The information you desire may be
from the various aviation
clubs of the state
DIVING BELT. D., City. What is the
owest depth reached in a diving bell?
1t is reported that in 1907 a diver
vent down to a depth of 206 feet in
Long Island sound, two feet deeper
han any previous record.
HAT--A Reader, City What was the size
# the big hat WORT by of the natives from |
he interior in the recent Admission day parade
n San Francisco.
It is said that it measured three feet
n diameter.
ORANGE TREE-C. H., Redwood City. To |
vhom should write for remedy for an orange
rec. the leaves of which are turning yellow ]?
To the branch office of the state |
ferry buildings San Fran
:isco.