Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-01
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

butt. When discharged. it automatically
elects the empty cartridge case and re-
loads. 1t is also called ''Luger pistol
@. What is the other name for the
palm of the hand?-N. E. S.
A. 1t is called the "thenar."
@. Why does Venice have streets of
water?-T. T.
A. Venice is built upon islands which
served as refuge for inhabitants of
neighboring cities during attacks by
barbariars. Its strategic advantage was
so great that many fugitives remained
and the lagoons which separated the
islands were the natural streets. These
islands were formed from the silt and
debris brought down by rivers and the
soil Is an oozy mud that makes building
difficult. Roadbeds would be extremely
difficult to make, while canals are OBJ
viously easy to construct and maintain.
O. How does the lightning bug give
light?-J. B.
A. Fireflies produce bright, soft. in
termittcnt light, without sensible heat,
from an organ in the lower part Of the
abdomen. This organ appears to be
specialized part of the fat body and is
supplied with nerves and abundant
trachea. The light is supposed by some
to be caused by oxidation of substance
created by the cells.
@. Where were President Hoover's
sons born?-G. A. p.
A. Both of President Hoover's sons
were born in London, England.
@. What is humanism7-J C. NJ.
A. "Humanism" was the name given
to that phase of the Renaissance in
Italy which consisted in a renewed
study of the so-cailed "humanities"
the Latin and Greek classics. The word
is often used for the theory of education
VIII. oh claims that study Of the classics
is the best means for well rounded and
broad culture 1t often takes the form
of protest against the scrappinesS Of
a training based upon a too exclusive
devotion to natural science. The term
'humanism" was applied more recently
to the oxford movement which Is based
on the theory that man Is the measure
Of all things.
@. Who presided when Aaron Burr.
at one time Vice President of the United
States was tried for treason?-G. G.
A. John Marshall presided at the
Chief Justice declared that an overt
act of treason must be first proved and
then Burr connected with 1t. The Gov
eminent was not even able to convict
Burr of a misdemeanor.
Q. Does Russia still have the Julian
or old style calendar in reckoning
time?-B. L. 8.
A. Until 10 years ago Russia was one
of the few remaining countries that
still adhered to the Julian calendar,
which now differs from the Gregorian
calendar by Is days. In May, 1919, the
Bolshevik government abandoned the
old system of chronology. The Gre
gorian calendar is now used to reckon
time.
Q. Please tell me the meaning Of the
word "Orkus@E ].
A. The word "Orkus," also frequently
spelled "Orcus," Is the Latin name for
"Hades." Etymologically, the original
word for 'Hades" means unseen"
Q. How are the bells on bell buoys
rung?-A. A.
A. Bell buoys are principally Of two
continuously by clappers set in motion
by the swaying Of the buoy due to the
action Of the elements and those In
which the ooA Is struck by a clapper
through the agency Of a spring set in
tension by the rise and fall of the buoy
on the waves. There Is another type,
not largely in use, in which the bell Is
struck continuously by a Taper set In
motion by compressed gases.
@. To what does the following quota
ton refer: AN immortal monument
raised by genius to valor"?-C. H.
A. The reference Is to Robert Southey's
Life Of Nelson" which is often spoken
Of as the most perfect short biography
in the English language.
@. How many billion-dollar corpora
tons are there in the United States?-
H. A. L.
A. At present there are the follow
ing: United States Steel Corporation,
American Telephone & Telegraph Co,
General Electric Co., General Motors,
International Nickel, Standard Oil Of
New Jersey. Metropolitan Life. Equitable
Life, Consolidated Gas. Trans America
Corporation. National City Bank. Chase
National Bank and Guaranty Trust Co.
Emerged.