Evening star., 1929-12-12
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

continuously for about two weeks. At
the Arctic and Antarctic Circles there
are some years when for q few days
in each month the moon does not
set, and q few days when it does not
rise; otherwise at these circles it rises
and sets daily. In the polar regions.
during the Winter months, the moon
is generally above the horizon when it
is full and below the horizon when 1t
is new, and the reverse is the case
d ..g the Summer months.
Q. Is the lemon crop short this
c2r?-R. H. S.
A. Less than half the normal crop
is available this year.
O. What causes the pitch Of voices?-
A. The pitch of voices is the result
of the length of the vocal cords. These
cords are shorter in women than in
men; hence the women have higher
voices. The longest vocal cords are
those Of deep bass. Pitch, however,
is not the only trait which determines
the title of voice, for tone quality
must be considered. Tenor and BARI
tone voices of exactly the same range
exist, but the character Of the tones is
different, voice quality being modified
by resonance and muscle action.
Q. Are there any musk oxen in Can
ADAM M.
A. There is but one herd upon the
Canadian mainland. There are about
ESQ animals in the herd, which is now
kept in the Thelon game sanctuary
near Great Slave Lake.
Q. Is there any race or tribe of
people that has no conception Of a
supreme being or after life?-R. D. G.
A. A conception of supreme being
has been found among almost all prin1-
tive peoples. Scientists have found
certain of the aborigines of South Aus
tralia, such as Bushmen, certain Of the
Patagonian natives and one or two
parently have no conception OF SUI
preme being, higher life, or super
natural agency in human affairs.
G. What is the origin of the use Of
the number go" as it Is employed by
telegraphers and newspapers ?-W. P. H.
A. Charles Payne Smith recently
gave the following information in the
Typographical Journal regarding the
origin Of "30" as used by newspaper
men and telegraphers: THE first press
association organized in Civil War
times was composed largely OF morning
papers published near the Eastern sea-
board. Each paper sent into the CEN
trail Office items of local interest, which
were there edited and telegraphed to
all members. 1t happened that the
first message sent to the association to-
tailed 80 words and this figure, with the
words Good night and the signature Of
the sender, was placed at the bottom Of
the sheet by the operator. At that
time piecework was the rule on all
papers. The daily grist was usually
set up, corrected and in the forms by
10 o'clock, but the compositors were
compelled to wait around at their own
expense until the foreman announced
that 80 was in So 80 became a by
word among printers, symbolizing the
end"
@. Are diamonds noticeably brilliant
when found? Could they be set with
out cutting and polishing?-T. L. d.
A. Diamonds as they come from the
ground have approximately the same
color as when they are cut, except that
they are rough and do not have pol
ished surface, although some are un-
usually smooth. They generally have
greasy look, like pieces of glass COW
cred with vaseline. To give them their
characteristic appearance it is always
necessary to cut them into the proper
shape.