Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 88.djvu/253

 Popular Science Monthly

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��Looks Like a Telescope, but

It's Really a Camera CAMERA that can be used for taking photographs without the s u b j e c t's knowledge, resembling in appearance a short tele- scope, has been brought out in E u -

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���This camera looks like a small telescope, but takes snapshots directly at right angles to the apparent line of vision of the photographer

rope, in spite of the war's absorbing inter- est. A lens almost invisible is located in the side of the tele- scope so that the photographer, point- ing what appears to be a telescope at some dis- tant object, can get snapshots of objects that interest him, directly at right angles to his apparent line of vision.

The lens is equipped with an adjustable shutter, so that snapshots or time exposures can be made. For tourists traveling in foreign lands, such an equipment would be of considerable value, as natives often spoil photo- graphs by unnatural posing and va- cant staring, and this little camera would throw them off their guard. In Europe they call these contrivances "detective" cameras, probably because no detective ever carried them. The accompanying illustrations show snap- shots obtained without the knowledge of those in the picture.

��What Is the Best Shade Tree in th« United States?

THE prize for the largest shade tree in the United States was won by a sycamore tree in Worthington, In- diana, which the judges of the Ameri- can Genetic Association found to have a circumference of forty-three feet, and a height of one hundred and fifty feet. This interesting incident calls attention to the fact that foresters are recom- mending the sycamore very strongly for city planting. They tell us that long experience with sycamores planted in city streets and on lawns has shown that the species is very well adapted to withstand the smoke, dust and gases so common in cities. Besides, the sycamore is very resistant to the attacks of insects and fungi, and grows rapidly. At ten years of age, a healthy sycamore is large enough for shade as well as for decorative purposes. Indeed, in the latter respect, it is not exceeded by any other Eastern species. Its mottled bark, its full, rounded crown, and its dense foliage, impart a very handsome and striking appearance to any lawns or boulevards which are fortunate enough to dis- play these mag- nificent trees.

The sycamore ranks with the oak and hard maple as a dec- f)rative tree.

��The new camera is especially val- uable for securing natural pictures of persons who would pose and stare, or else run away, if a camera were pointed at them

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