Page:Popular Science December 1931.djvu/14

 Our Readers Say

Why Not Count Them and Get the Thing Settled?

Let me add the last chapter on the 365- 366 day argument : Suppose I am riding; the- hobbyhorses. They turn to the right. I try

to keep my eyes on a pretty girl standing in the crowd. To do this I must turn backward as I go around. Suppose I try to turn in the opposite way and still keep my eyes on the lady. I doubt if even a cross-eyed astronomer could do this. To turn in opposite directions at the same time is, I believe, as hard as to walk on one's head. If the earth turns backward sometime while it makes 365 turns in the right way, I believe Gov. Murray ought to be notified and something done about it; such things shouldn't be permitted. — D. G., Hale Center, Texas.

Altogether Now: Is That the Right Place for the Fence?

J. V. M., Altoona, Ala., can locate his fence by measuring approximately 58.66 feet along one of the legs starting from its intersection with the twelve-foot base, and through the point thus found, erecting his fence parallel to the bases. ... I have been greatly interested to note the increasing number of mathematical questions and puzzles which have been offered voluntarily by your readers in the columns of "Our Readers Say" during the past months. In view of the interest already shown by your readers, and con- sidering the fact that "math" is the basis of all science, I feel that you would be making no mistake were you to devote a few paragraphs each month to some phase of this subject. Such a department would, I think, be of mutual benefit both to your magazine and to its readers. Small prizes might be awarded in order to insure keen competition in the contests. Come on, you "math" enthusiasts; let's hear what you have to say about such a feature. Or am I the only one in the world who would be interested in such brain teasers? — J.B.F., Manchester, N. H.

He Knows the Beetle That Throws Out a Smoke Screen

On "Our Readers Say" page recently, I noted a letter from J. C. L., Iron Mountain, Mich., relating an experience w-ith a peculiar type of beetle. It is evident that J. C. L. met the Bombardier Beetle, a beetle that dis-

charges a drop of fluid that changes to a smokelike gas on contact with the air. This gas changes the blue vegetable colors to red or yellow, produces a sharp pain when applied to the tongue, and leaves a yellow spot on the skin like that produced by nitric acid. I don't blame the Indian for not wanting to investigate further, as most any of us would retreat if we got a shot of nitric acid in the face. More than twenty-five species of these beetles are known here.—G.G.L., Berkeley, Calif.

New York Hastens to Answer Questions from India

In reply to the two questions asked by V. K. R., Satara, India, I would say: The answer to the first depends upon how high the airship rose. If it remained in the earth's atmosphere it would be carried along with it. When it landed, it would probably be on the same spot from which it rose. If the airship left the earth's atmosphere, when it came down after twelve hours it would probably land on the opposite side of the earth from which it rose. The answer to the second question is that the bullet would hit the man. The reason is the bullet had a velocity, relative to the ground, of 600 miles per hour. Therefore, it would hit the forward man at 300 miles per hour if air resistance and gravity are not counted. — L. C. R., New York.

Parting Coats from Sheep Among the Star Cazers

glad to see there is someone with backbone enough to knock the astrologists. But where are our hawk-eyed minions of

the law and our much talked of wide-awake postal inspectors? Aren't the astrologists using the mails to defraud? It is really disgusting to think that in this day and age such things as astrology, palm reading, crystal gazing, and fortune telling are allowed to exist. What would become of us if someone really could foretell the future? If these people were able to do what they pretend, could they not make enormous fortunes without bothering to read the horoscopes of others? — N.G.D.A., Philadelphia, Pa.

With great interest I have read the article by Jesse F. Gelders on fake astrology. If by such attacks and exposures you can help rid the world of fakes you will do a great service. But why will you not learn the truth and beauty of Astro-logic and then publish intelligent articles about it? In the star science, all sciences are embodied. The evolutionary process of the earth and mankind is written there in symbols, allegory, and numbers — the very mystery of life and being. But such deep truths are not revealed to the casually curious. — Mrs. A.L., Crestline, CaUf.

"Origin of Life" Articles Just Suit Him Fine

like to congratulate you on your excellent publication. I have been particularly interested in your series of articles on "The Origin of Life." I have gained more from this series than I did from six months of study of dry, uninteresting textbooks. I think a monthly article on simple experimental chemistry would be welcomed by a great many of your readers. 1 should also like to sec a section devoted to pure mathematics. This field surely would have a popular appeal, especially if the problems of antiquity, the squaring of the circle, the reduplication of the cube, trisecting of the angle, etc., were discussed. — L.F.E., Hartford. Conn.

He Wants "Mind" to Reform This Wretched Old World

you not give us something on the science of "Mind ?" This seems reasonable, as the mind is the source of all science. Of course, the psychol-

ogists are ever ready to sell books and I have studied quite a good bit on this interesting subject, and it is wonderful as you know. If we could get more people interested in this subject, so they would know more about themselves, the world would soon make a change for the better. "Son of man, know thyself," that's my motto. — J.E.S., Indian River City, Fla.

Built His Own Hydroplane And, Boy. He Likes It!

{{sc|In your March 1931 issue of P.S.M., page ninety-two, there appeared an article by William Jackson giving instructions on making an outboard motor hydroplane. I built this boat and it proved satisfactory in every respect, and as a result my enthusiasm for this branch of sport and recreation has been increased at least a thousandfold, and it is my desire now to build another with which I can get still more speed. I surely enjoy P.S. M., all of it, but I never could find words that would adequately express my thanks to "her" and you for the thrills and fun I have derived as a result of Mr. Jackson's contribution.— A.P.S., Bristol, Pa.

High Hat? Our Workshop Never Even Heard the Words

What I want to say is, why the high hat in the Home Workshop Department ? If you don't own a motor-driven circular saw you're out of luck. Personally I'm trying hard to get the money to buy one, but in the meantime I read your wonderful articles and I

just itch for the tools to build the things you describe. First of all, you should remember that not every reader of your cleverly edited publication has the money to buy expensive machinery. Here's my suggestion: Why doesn't {{sc|Popular Science Monthly}} issue a card which will entitle its subscribers to a ten percent discount on anything we buy that is advertised in your magazine? It seems to me this would please everybody — you, the advertiser, and us. Think this over. Also, why is it I have never seen a section of your pub- {{rh|12||POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY}}