Evening star., 1928-02-28
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HISKIV.

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ice. begin now. It is maintained for
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close 2 cents or stamp for return
postage. Address The Evening star In
formation Bureau. Frederic j. Haskin,
Director, Washington. d. G..
O. Did Lieut.. Comdr. Byrd invent
some Instruments for air navigation?
M. g.
A. His inventions revolutionized air
navigating. One Of these was the so
called bubble SeXtant," which enables
flyers to obtain an artificial horizon and
to calculate positions while in flight.
Another was the sun compass and the
third drift indicator. These three in
struments, developed to their present
state Of efficiency, were used by Comdr.
Byrd during the Americas flight 70
Paris.
@. What countries do not have capt.
tai punishment?--C. II.
A. There are now Is countries where
there Is no death sentence. The death
penalty has been abolished in Holland.
Norway, Sweden. Portugal, Rumania,
Austria, Latvia. Lithuania. Argentina,
Brazil. Colombia, Honduras and Uru-
guay. It has been abrOgated by diSuse
in Denmark, Belgium and Finland.
@. Is Jade the birthstone for any
monthly. d. A.
A. It is not at present. The Ma
tional Wholesale Jewish Association,
in convention at Providence. K. l.. IN
June, 1927, urged that Chinese jade be
substituted for topaz as the prtn-
stone for November.
@. How does the coast line Of Alaska
compare with the Atlantic and Pacific
coast lines Of the United Statcs?-E.
d. NJ.
A. The coast line Of Alaska IS longer
than the Atlantic and Pacific coast
lines of the United States put together.
In nautical miles they measure
Alaska 4.l23: Atlantic coast line, l,773;
Pacific, 1871.
@. How many kinds Of box trees are
there?-J. p. II.
A. The "Cyclopedia of Horticulture"
states that there are 80 species of the
genus Buxus. The species Of box most
widely planted is Buxus sempervlrens;
the common box tree. This. in turn.
has l3 different varieties The dwarf
variety of Buxus sempervirens lSuf-
fruticoSa) is most widely used where
small growth is desired.
O. How was oil formed originality
B. 3.
A. The Geological Survey says that
the organic theory OF the origin OF
petroleum is most generally accepted
Crude petroleum Of paraftln base IS be-
leyed to be formed of vegetable debris
and petroleum OF asphaltic base IS be-
leyed TO be formed Of organic matter
containing a large proportion OF anima
matter. Substantially the same prod
ucts are obtained from petroleum OF
either base. except asphalt. which Is
obtained from asphaltic petroleum only
and paraffiu wax, which Is obtained
from paraft!naceous petroleum. Paran-
naCeOus petroleum contains a larger
proportion Of kerosene. gasoline and
other high-grayity products than
aSphaltic petroleum.
@. How large is the Church OF ST
Peter In Ronle?--R. z. D.
A. This is the largest church ever
built. covering superhcieS OF ever
225 900 square feet.
@. What preseryatiyes are most COM
mon in treating railway ties, posts. poles
and piling. etc. 10 prevent decay
NJ CT. G.
A. Coal tar creosote and zinc chic.
ride are the two most widely used
preSeryatives. but others have been
found that are good for special uses.
@ When was the round cotton bale
first used? What are its advantages
c. G. X
A Early in the present century the
cylindrical bale was developed. permit
ting the cotton 10 be compressed more
tightly and. therefore. occupying les:
space in freight car. The round bale
has the advantage that i, arrives a,
/ the cotton mill conveniently protected
/ by bagging having neither wires nor
hoops. and there is less waste and tear
II Is also cheaper 10 manufacture.
@ What is the center Of the negro
population Of the United StateS?--A l.
\. When last reckoned. in 1920, /,
was III the northeastern corner OF
Georgia. III Dade County, about one and
three-fourths miles north northeast o!
Rising FaWa,
@ What IS the largest bass ever
caught with hook and line?-D. c. n
A, The largest OF which We find rec
ord IS q 5oo-pound sea bass caught BY
Capt. J. r. Mcdonald oH The coast Of
Mississippi.
q. or what material are most az the
EnHlanuS lnxn.,fn.. NJ