Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-14

merce is found In the beds Of lakes,
oceans and streams, the waters Of which
supported the parent diatons with their
portions OF silica millions of years be-
fore the Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon
men were preparing their little sur
prises for modern anthropologistS and
laying the foundation for future theo-
logical and scientific arguments.
The oneness OF the world, then and
now, however, seems to find expression
In the fact that the Coscinadiscus
diatoms, which traces its family back
some 100000 years, looks. when suf-
| ficiently magnified, just like a golf ball
Members of the Synedra family are
long and thin to the point of resem-
bling needles. Diatonite is employed in
the manufacture of rubber and also as
an abrasive for such objects as needles
Among the 10000 species may be
found variety of figures even greater
than those assumed by snowhakes or
classic dancers.
Uses for Diatomite.
The largest commercial deposits in
the world are found in the United
States. Something in the climate and
water Of California seems to have at
tracted the greatest number there, but
good-Sized beds also occur in Wash
ington, Oregon and Nevada. Smaller
deposits are found dotted about the
Eastern States Abroad, the largest
known deposits are in Algeria.
Wide adaptability is the outstanding
characteristic of the substance diato-
mite. Every day, almost, some new use
Is found. These fall into three general
classes-as a filtration medium, as q
heat-insulation material and as an ad-
mixture in concrete. The subdivisions
int ~ fa1
eral classificationS are innumerable.
The chief characteristic of diatomite
is its porosity. Being mineral in SUBJ
stance, it has sturdy character. Tiny
in structure, 1t nevertheless has mil
lions of minute air pockets. actual pas
sages, but so small that the eye of q
needle would look larger to camel
than diatomite prifice to a flea.
In the commercial world just now the
in the sugar industry, which employs
the substance in filtering sugar solu-
tons. But it is used in filtering all
manner Of juices, oils, emulsions,
serums, extracts and other liquids. In
food products, chemicals, dyes, and so
on, diatomite has become indispensable
The porus nature of diatopite makes
it invaluable as a heat insli1ator. Air
chambers, properly placed. are the bes.
AAAouldIOAo' AACoG OLlCo ait q
the best. A fillei OF diatomite between
furnace lining ard outer covering Is 3
sure inSulator.
Your automobile battery box uses q
few hundred millions of these plant
skeletons and also. by the way, your
photograph records. Your walls may
be soundproofed with the substance
and your safe fireproofed
The laynan does not realize fG, -.
the highest polish is given to metals by
covering them with scratches. The
scratches really make the polish. Tia
surface is covered with microscopic
scratches so small that they remain un-
seen as individual marks, but do reflect
the light in such a way as to produce
a shiny plane. Silverware and auto
mobile poliSheS use diatomite because
the tiny minerals make the necessary
scratches.
The story of the life and works of
diatom invites to a philosophical con-
clusion that even the individual not ap-
pearing TO amount to very much does
have place in the scheme of things II
only after few million years.