The San Francisco call., 1910-01-30
Answers to Queries

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES City. What kind
of stone is chrysoprase? Is it a gem? what
is its value? Has it been found In this state
Ii is a variety of chalcedony, but val
ued far above the common chalcedony
as an ornamental gem. A stone of this
kind, fit for mounting in a ring, is val
ued at from $50 to $10O. 1t is of fine
apple green color in choice specimens,
but inferior ones exhibit other shades
of green and sometimes it is spotted
with yellowish brown. 1t is often set
in a circlet of diamonds or pearls. II
is likely to lose it's color in time un-
less. when not in use. it is kept in damp
cotton. Specimens have been found in
the middle south of California.
oUANTRELLr-A j Young of Danvlle writes:
In answer to a correspondent the query depart
nlsnt gives the information that Quantren the
authorities of Jackson county. Mo-, arrested
Quantrell in 1850 information given by Nor
gan Walker and others, /. then deputy clerk
in the circuit court, was detailed TO take Oman
trell's oath to q deposition made by him. In that
he declared that he born in HagerstowD, Md
He undoubtedly gave Maryland as his
native state in 1850. but in later years
he must have declared that he was born
in Alabama. for that appears in several
biographical sketches.
COMEDY -oPERA-G. S. c., Los Gatos. What
is the difference between the musical comedy
and the comic opera?
In the musical comedy the music is
subordinate to the play, while in the
comic opera the play is subordinate to
the music. A comic opera is an opera
whose subject is of the value of a
comedy and in which part of the dia-
logue is spoken. Now it is a term often
applied to a mere burlesque set to
music
BIT-whence came the term bit as ap-
piled to small money In California, such as
bit two bits. etc.?
The term originated in the southern
states when Spanish reals of the face
value of 1215 cents passed current. The
term was adopted by the southwestern
states, and when reals and other small
Spanish coins were current here the
term came into use and was extended
to two bits, four bits and six bits.
PEWTER-Subscriber City Is pewter nat
ural metal or is it a composition?
1t is a composition made up of 4
parts of tin and 1 of lead; for plate
pewter. 100 parts of tin, of antimony
and parts each of bismuth and cop
per; for trifie pewter, SS parts of tin
and II of antimony. While this is the
standard of formula, each kind is often
varied TO suit the purposes of the man
ufacturer.
FOR A Observation-Disclosures City. Where
can | obtain information about the philippine
islands to help me in preparing for debate?
Consult all works obtainabIe. includ-
ing government reports on the islands,
special articles in periodical literature
and special books that give statistics
about the isles. Such books are to be
found In the public library.
pErERMrNrsr-J NJ. CITY. what did Rev
G. II. Brown Of this city mean recently when
he referred to Jack London. the writer a
"determinist''?
Webster defines determinism as a
doctrine which teaches that the will
is not free. but is inevitably and invin-
cibly determined by motives"
FRUITs-w. A. D.. City. What is meant
by citrus and deciduous as applied to fruits
raised in California?
The term citrus is applied to such
fruits as the orange, citron, lemon, lime,
lbergamot. shaddock. pompelmose for
ibidden fruit, etc; while deciduous is
applied to the fruits of trees that in the
dry season lose their leaves.
CIRCUIT COURT-Subscriber Citv What IS
a circuit court and how does il rank?
A circuit court is next in rank to the
United States supreme court. It's pow
ers are described at length in the fed
eral laws, which you may see in the
free public library. Among other pow
ers it has exclusive jurisdiction over
patent cases.
GIoJA-Subscriber. City. What is the pro-
nuneiation of Goja. the Of town in
Italy province of Reggie tCalabria)?
Jo-ya with 20 sounded as in note and
"a as in far.
NOTICE OF RAISE--A. S.. City. Was there
not law in this state that required landlord
to give tenant one years notice of intention to
raise rent of premises?
You must consult a lawyer
LICENSED. F. NJ, City why must a per
son in this, city who wishes to go into business
procure license?
Because the law requires it.
SCHOOL LANDs-E. n. D.. city. To whom
shall / write for information relative to school
lands in Lassen county?
The surveyor general, Sacramento.
GOLD FISH-A Reader, WatsonviIle.
This department does not publish the
address of private business houses.
IODINE STAINs-R Reader. city. How are
iodine stains removed from white linen?
By the application of rectified spirits.