Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 92.djvu/65

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HE little mole has recently been recommended for membership in the society of big eaters. It is so very voracious, even in captivity, that it will sometimes eat more than its own weight of earthworms in twenty-four hours. One little glutton, weighing four ounces, devoured seven and one-half pounds of worms in one month. When the diet changed to raw beef, mutton, chicken heads and rabbit liver, its appetite was unchanged. Cheese, when mixed with either worms or beef, was the most toothsome bit of all.

PORTABLE fire net which may be raised to meet those who fall, or find it necessary to jump from windows of burning buildings to save their lives, has been invented by Allen Warwick Smith, of New York. It is the inventor's object to bring the net nearer, or adjacent to the upper stories of buildings, to instil confidence in those who fear to jump, and also to prevent the person falling from gaining sufficiently great momentum to crash through the net.

Should it be necessary to keep the net some distance from the burning structure to avoid contact with flames issuing from immediately below, an additional net or platform is fastened to the window upon which those who desire to reach the main net may walk or roll. The upright supports are mounted on combination castors, so that the net may be rolled along the sidewalk or held stationary. All parts of the net are detachable and can be folded for transportation.

COMMITTEE of patriotic citizens of Cincinnati, who desired to impress upon the minds of certain people that the old time method of punishment would be meted out to those found guilty of unpatriotic utterances or of conduct unbecoming an American citizen, placed this straight backed seat and stock in Government Square. A few hours' imprisonment in the stock would be ample punishment for any offender, said those who were responsible for the demonstration.

Plainly inscribed on the stock are the words, "This Is For Traitors." The young man in the picture consented to pose for the photograph to illustrate how uncomfortable a real offender would appear in the stock. He is innocent of any wrong-doing himself. His legs are held securely in the wooden block, which is fastened to the framework with lock and key. No one has yet occupied the stock—and we hope it will remain untenanted.