Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 7.djvu/528

512 Arctic Expedition, were of opinion that the risks were not so great as on the west coast of Africa, and hence no extra premium was exacted.

extension of railways in India is gradually undermining the institution of caste. In a lecture on this subject, Mr. Framjee R. Vicajce, a native of Bombay, said that in England the only caste which the railway class-system protects from contamination is that which is based on wealth; but in India, which is a poor country, really high-caste people travel third class to save their money, while in England they travel first-class to save or assert their caste.

mean height of Europe is estimated by Dr. G. Leitpoldt at 974 feet. Switzerland shows the maximum mean height, 4,624 feet, and the Netherlands the minimum, 31 feet. Intermediate are Spain and Portugal, 2,298 feet; Austria, 1,698; Italy, 1,696; France, 1,292; British Islands, 714; Germany, 701; Russia, 548; Denmark, 115.

to Dr. Otto Krause, tobacco-smoke always contains a considerable quantity of carbonic oxide, and the after-effects of smoking are principally caused by this poisonous gas. Dr. Krause holds that the after-effects are all the more energetic, the more inexperienced the smoker is, and he thus explains the unpleasant results of the first attempts at smoking, which are generally ascribed to nicotine alone.

practice of vaccination is making fair progress in India. One obstacle is the religious scruples of the people, but the medical officers state that these may now be overcome by the payment of one auna (three cents) per child.

water of a much-esteemed mineral spring in England was, on chemical analysis, found to contain in very large proportion every known form of impurity, viz., oxidizable organic matter, ammonia, chlorides, nitrates, nitrites, living organisms, and decaying vegetable matter.

instances are mentioned in the Lancet of undoubted transmission of disease from human beings to domestic animals. In one case whooping-cough was communicated to a cat from children. In the other case dogs took small-pox from persons suffering from that disease.

is announced by the Norwegian papers that the Government have voted about $25,000 toward a scheme for the prosecution of deep-sea investigations between Iceland, Spitzbergen, the Faroe Islands, and Jan Mayen Island. Operations will be conducted on the model of the Challenger's researches.

following instance of canine sagacity and fidelity is reported in Land and Water: A man named Colville left his home near Dunfermline, accompanied by his dog. He did not return that day, but the next afternoon the dog came home, and behaved in a very eccentric manner, apparently endeavoring to attract attention. Seeing that the animal continually rushed off in the same direction, and that he evidently wanted some one to go with him, Colville's friends resolved to follow him. The dog led them to a disused coal-shaft, and there stopped. Grappling irons were procured, and the dead body of Colville was soon brought to the surface.

the Annals and Magazine of Natural History for January, 1875, Captain F. W. Button gives a technical description of two new species of Crustacea recently discovered in New Zealand.

years ago an American tourist, John Blackford, lost his life in an attempt to ascend Mont Blanc without a guide. His body was recently found in a large ice-block after several days of thaw. Features and clothes were in a perfect state of preservation.

Fish Commissioners of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, says Forest and Stream, are preparing to engage more actively than ever in shad-culture on the Delaware. Hatching-boxes have been located at three different stations, viz.. Point Pleasant, Trenton, and Howell's Fishery.

the Lancet: "Another case of inflammation of the feet, caused by the wearing of socks with orange-red stripes, has occurred. The victim this time is Mr. Hart Dyke, the Conservative Whip. We presume the offending dye is coralline, which gained such notoriety a year or so ago. It is impossible to avoid asking whether the sale of such dangerous articles cannot be stopped. The color is attractive, and just now is fashionable; any one, however, who has respect for his 'poor feet' would certainly be wise to avoid it."

for regulating the practice of vivisection has been introduced into the British Parliament, It proposes to enact that after January, 1876, vivisection is only to be performed in places duly registered, and upon notice being given to the Secretary of State. Anæsthetics are always to be employed, except when a special license has been granted by the Secretary. The penalty for an offense against the act is not to exceed £20.

library of the late J. J. Audubon, containing 800 volumes, was destroyed by fire at Shelbyville, Kentucky, on April 29th.