Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 88.djvu/586

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��Popular Science Monthly

���A tree which braided itself into a rope

believed that many of the terrible crimes which have ne\er been solved have been committed by defectives. It is impossible to know just how frequent- ly and to what extent feeble-mindedness exists. It is the purpose of the labora- tory to accumulate stacistics concerning criminals who are definitely abnormal so that material will be at hand which may be used in the great struggle to- wards the prevention of crime.

A Braided Tree

NEAR Arlington, Ohio, is a small tree which departed radically from the way a well-behaved tree should grow. Two inches above the ground, this tree divides into three parts, which twist around one another in the curious man- ner shown in the illustration. At the height of five feet the three parts diverge like the branches of an ordinary tree. Note in the background a similar tree, but having only two parts.

��An Adjustable Crutch

THE military hospitals in Germany have a crutch that fits every one. Extended, it will accommodate an eight- foot giant; or it can be shortened to fit a midget. It can be taken apart and used as a cane by the convalescent.

During the recent exchange of prison- ers a wounded Canadian was allowed to bring his adjustable crutches with him, although it is the custom to fit every patient wnth an artificial limb or regula- tion crutches when he leaves. Adjustable crutches are considered part of the per- manent emergency equipment of the hospital. Many other appliances, such as artificial limbs and hands, which can bej used for many necessary operations, are being perfected for those crippled in war.

���The Germans made these adjustable crutches to be used by long and short men

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