Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 92.djvu/21

Rh Seeing the Stars from the Bottom of a Well

HAT stars are visible in the daytime from the bottom of a deep shaft or well has been generally believed since the days of Aristotle, but there is not the slightest foundation for the idea. Baron Humboldt, who spent a good deal of time in mines himself and questioned miners in various parts of the world, found no evidence in support of this belief, and it has since been thoroughly exploded. But like many other "exploded" ideas it flourishes just as vigorously as ever.

Fireproof Leggings for the Foundry Worker

HE foundry is the one workshop where old shoes, such as the workman loves to don for the sake of comfort, are not worn—or should not be. They offer too little protection against splashes of the molten metal. Usually a Congress shoe of specially prepared leather is worn, over which a legging is fitted to protect the leg and knee.

A very good type of legging for the foundry is show^n in the accompanying illustration. It is made of asbestos in the shape of a boot and covers not only the leg and knee but the top part of the foot as well. It is held in place by

steel bands which fasten round the leg wdth spring clasps. Structural steel workers riveting white-hot bolts into big beams need not worry about exposed legs when they are so well protected with asbestos leggings. Men who use the oxy-acetylene flame in confined spaces would find the leggings convenient.

How the German mask protects the sniper as he lies prone on the ground

The cut-out on the side of the mask is to enable the wearer to use a rifle -->

The Latest Thing in German Sniper's Masks

HEAVY metal mask captured from the Germans by the Canadians on the western front attracted considerable interest in army circles. It is made of one quarter-inch Krupp steel and although it is not much larger than a man's head it furnishes ample protection for a sniper lying prone upon the ground.

The cut out on the right of the mask permits a rifle to be held to the shoulder in the natural position. Note the peculiar sloping eye slits. Evidently they were cut this shape to conform to the angle of the eye as the sniper turns his head to peer through either of the slits, which are so far apart that only one at a time can be used. It has been suggested that a whole army of fighters should be equipped with masks of a similar nature, to reduce the very great number of head wounds. This is obviously impracticable.