Evening star., 1943-08-27
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
Br Frederic J. Haskfn


By Frederic J. Hasktn.
A reader can get the dnstper to any
question OF fact BY toritinD The Eve-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J.. Haskin, director, Washington,
DC Please inclose stamp for return
postage.
@. How many wars have there been In
Europe In the past 100 years?-E. B.
A. The Congressional Record OF April
II, ls4l, listed So from 1901 to date.
O. Does the flying nun wear her habit
when she nies?--G. Y.
A. Sister NJ Aquinas, member OF the
Franciscan Order, wears her habit when
she flies. She is the only Catholic sister
to hold civilian pilots license.
q. What do owls feed on?--F. r.
A. They live mostly on animal food
captured alive. Owls have peculiar way
OF eating. They tear their food to pieces
and swallow fur, meat and bones. The
indigestible matter is formed into pellets
and later disgorged.
@. How is penicillin, the new drug, cb-
tained?-M. r. r.
A. Penicillin is made from mold Ike
that which grows on stale bread.
Q. Where was George Washington bap-
tized2-E. L. H.
A. George Washington was christened
rs an infant. but the record was lost and
1t Is not even known where the ceremony
took place. He was a member Of the
church which We now know as the Epis-
copal.
O. Please name the committees on
which Prentiss M. Brown served when he
was in the Senate.-L. r. H.
A. Prentiss M. Brown served on the fol-
lowing committees: Claims (chairman),
Banking and Currency. Commerce, FL
nance Manufactures; Special: Tnvesti-
gate Executive Agencies of the Govern
ment.
Q. What is meant by the term, called
to the captains mast9"-J. C.E.
A. When sailor in the United States
Navy is called to the mast" 1t means
that he is sSrequired to discuss his short
comings with the captain.
@. How old was Stradivarius when he
made his last violin2-M. N. D.
A. What is believed to be the last violin
by this greatest of all makers is dated
1887. Stradivarius then was s5 years Of
age and made notation on the label. ID.
Ami 93." This violin is known as the
Swan.
@. 1t has been said that only the fe-
male mosquito sucks blood If so, what
does the male insect feed on?-J. WI.
A. The male mosquito obtains its nour.
ishment from plant sap.
Q. Is the Tomb Of the Unknown Sol.
dier constantly guarded7-E L.E.
A. There is 24-hour guard at the
Tomb.
@. In what cities have children's nu-
seums been established7-L. S.
A. The first three to be established
were those of Brooklyn in 1899, Boston In
1913 and Indianapolis in 1925. There are
now over forty in the United States and
| one in Canada. England has two, at
Manchester and Liverpool; Japan two, at
Toxic and Kyoto. There is one in the
Netherlands and one at Perth, West Aus
tralia. 80
@. May packages be sent to soldier
in the South Pacihc?-F. Ell.
A. The War Department says that IL
is possible to send packages to a soldier
in the South Pacific provided his APO
number is known and the complete name
of his organization. The packages must
comply with present postal regulations.
@. Who is the angel of death?-C FP.
| A. In Mohammedan legend the angel
that watches over the dying and takes
the soul from the body is Azrael. He
will be the last to die.
@. What body Of water besides the Bay
of Fundy is noted for its high tides?-
| L. B. r.
A. The Severn River OF Wales. The
'barrage scheme to utilize the high tides
| for generating electric power has been
| postponed indefinitely.
@. Is there such thing as discharge
button?-E. L. S.
A. The War Department recently an
nounced that individuals honorably dis
charged from the Army during the pres
ent war will be awarded lapel buttons to
signify their service to the Nation. Men
and women, whether officers or enlisted
personnel, will be eligible If they hold
honorable discharges.
Q. What is the racial origin of the
Melungeons?-C. M.
A. According to their own tradition
they are of Moorish descent, probably de-
scendants of the ancient Phoenicians.
They settled in Portugal and later crossed
the Atlantic before the Revolutionary
War, settling in South Carolina. Due to
discriminatory taxes and ostracism they
emigrated in body to Hancock County,
Tenn.
@. What is the origin of the word
"trinity"?-C. G. N.
A. The Greek word of which the
Latin word "trinitas" is a translation