Evening star., 1935-06-14
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

A reader can get the GHaDer to
dnp question OF fact bp Uritino
The EUentno Star Information Bu-
Tedu, Frederic j. Hdsktn, Director,
Washington, d. c. Please tnclose
stamp for reply.
@. How large have hailstones been
of which there is actual record?---
G. A. K.
A. There are innumerable records
of hailstones Of extraordinary size
Charles Fitzhugh Talman some years
ago stated that a new American rec
ord for size, so far as well-authenti-
Gated statistics go, was established
when hailstones "as big as grapefruit
fell at Potter, Nebr., on July 6, 1928.
The largest hailstone that was meas
ured, weighed and photographed on
that occasion, was II inches in CIR
cumference and had a weight Of one
and one-half pounds.
@. What verse in the Bible did
President Franklin Roosevelt touch
when he took the oath Of ofice?-M
v. G.
A. The thirteenth verse, thirteenth
chapter Of Paul's First Epistle to the
Corinthians: But now abideth faith
hope, love, these three; and the great
est of these is love-"
@. Were hoops worn by women In
the 1880s?-E. L.
A. They were not, but bustleS were
an important part Of the costumes Of
the day.
@. Is it known whether or not q
robin, while searching for food on the
ground, is able to hear a worm?-
c. w. D.
A. The Biological Survey says that
robins in all probability hear earth
worms rather than see them. These
birds have a peculiar habit of jumping
or hopping over the ground in order to
Jar the earth which brings out the
worms to the surface. 1t is possible
that after the robin has done this the
Jar causes other worms to appear a
short distance away. These he sees
and devours.
@. What are bibelots?-S. J.
A. The name is given BY collectors
to small ornaments or articles Of taste
that can be used to adorn the shelves
or the cabinet OF the owner: such as
bronzes. bits Of rare china or porcelain
and antiques.
@. What is the Albert Medal?-
#. NJ.
A. This decoration was instituted
in England in 1866 in memory of
Prince Consort Albert, to reward heroic
acts in saving life at sea. In 1877 it
was extended to acts of gallantry in
preventing loss Of life in perils on
land.
@. What is the lowest temperature
reported by the Byrd Expedition?-
L. A. D.
A. The lowest temperature reported
by Admiral Byrd during his stay in
the Antarctic was 80 degrees below
zero. During his first expedition AZ
degrees below zero was the average.
The second expedition found that the
mean temperature was a few degrees
closer to zero.
@. What is the purpose Of the
Horological Institute w. N.
A. The object of the Horological In
stitute of America, Inc, is TO en-
deavor to elevate and dignity the art
science and practice of horology; To
establish a system of varying attain
ments for watch and clockmakers;
and to issue graded certificates tc
qualified applicants: to serve as a
center for the reception and diffusion
of scientific knowledge relating to al
timing matters, and to develop stand
ards for Theological schools.
O. What is biogenesis?-J. S.
A. BiogeneSis, as opposed to abio-
genesis, is the name used by Huxley
for the theory that living matter al
ways arises by the agency Of pre-
existing living matter.
@. What is meant by a black law;
L. NICK.