Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-23

and they will be the subject Of much
botanical study In the near future.
The Development OF the india rubber
capitalists, has called for research work
fegarding the properties Of rubber. the
cultivation Of plants and other. matters
recurring expert chemical and botanical
knowledge. The possibility OF the develop
ment Of india rubber industries In Pana-
ma just adjoining the Canal zone renders
this subject especially timely.
In the study OF physics attention Is
given from the first to it's practical
possibili j es.
Will Test Rivets The auah THY
in Bridge Building. Of Of, steel ,tss, - n. n
construction Of buildings calls for some
positive means Of determining flaws and
stains few years ago q sinkle-span
prldge across the st. Lawrence river at
quebec broke when 1t was about half
completed and seventy-four men lost
their lives. It has been discovered that
the breakage was due to imperfection In
the rivets., Now another attempt Is to
De made and this time the bridge COM
mission has requested the University of
Illinois to make a test Of the rivets and
bolts to be used in its construction.
The University or Illinois ID also giving
special attention to the testing of con-
crete. In its experimental laboratory
lhey ere smashing up concrete columns
twenty-five feet long and root square.
Girders are broken and twisted TO deter
mine Qualities Of durability and resist
Ance. One huge Instrument takes a col
umn Of concrete and pushes down and
up on it 100000 times a day without
ceasing at night or Sunday, until the ma.
terial loses its resistance and falls to
pieces.
The effect Of electric DISCHARGES upon
solids and liquids is another subject re-
e t;as expert attention in the UNIVERSE
yes: ": p. " Brown or the United
states Navy is this year conducting some
experiments at the laboratories OF Cor
nell University for the purpose OF deter
INNING the exact nature OF the gases
f,yea on ~ stora e. bs.tssiss The Navy
Ing its submarine vessels which are pro-
tefiss II Is hoped that t f.9ase exp eaI-
ments will overcome this dificulty.
X
Zoology is another Of the natural sci
ences which is capable OF practical appli-
cation In any number Of
Zoology Offers different ways, and thus
r.- r.,, offers Inducements "a
3AoAo' every lover Of animals.
The culture Of fur-beariig animals Is an
industry being revived In the northwest
and 1t offers great possibilities to the
BIOLOGIST. Problems connected with the
breeding Of the black and the silver
foxes are now before the Universities Of
Minnesota and Michigan. The distinctive
features going to the production OF the
Silver fox are as yet undetermined and
there Is great fortune awaiting the
BIOLOGIST who can secure some means OF
multiplying the species Of the silver fox.
The United States government is offer
se s experts q every aa T sero
omy is gaining in popularity among the
professions because Of the increased
number OF desirable positions which have
dent Taft rev weeks ago, BEFORE the
American Association for the Advance
ment of Science, that he would like to
change the United States Naval Observa-
tory into scientific bureau, with g. pro-
lessor OF astronomy at Its head, is only
indicative of the trend OF popular senti-
nient.
Millions Of dollars have been spent in
giving to American universities the best
astronomical equipment in the world. This
investment is now bringing returns in the
increased public interest In the subject,
the number Of lines Of research work be-
ing followed ana lN0 nuIuOeT OF pOSltlOnS
being opened for trained astronomers
Astronomers are now discovering the ef-
feet of the stellar boeiies upon the ell
matte conditions Of the earth, and public
spirited men are supplying the means for
such research.
When James Lick gave 500. 900 to equip
the University OF California with the iarg-
est telescope In the. world he marked the
beginning Of an interest In astronomical
science which has Influenced the globe
The University OF California spends 30,
600 annually I'd meet the running ex-
penses of the Lick Observatory In addi-
ton to maintaining we'll equipped OBJ
seryatory in its astronomical department
at Berkeley.
Other universities have unusual astro-
nomical equipment. The University of
Chicago gives it's graduate students the
benefit OF the Yerkes Observatory. The
University of Michigan has q new obser-
vatory with q thirty-sevef,-ihch reflect
ing telescope In charge Of Prof. Hussey,
formerly Of the Lick Observatory. CO.
iumbia University. has, in addition to the
Wilde Observatory and varied collie
ton Of astronomical instruments. a camp
in CONNECTICUT, where astronomical stu
dents spend five weeks or more each
year in the study of geodesy.