MISCELLANEOUS CORNER.

Manawatu Times, Volume LIX, Issue 7486, 9 June 1934, Page 10

MISCELLANEOUS CORNER.

.SHADOWS THAT DO NOT FOLLOW THE SUBSTANCE. In the petroleum, districts of California there are many largo ponds of crude oil. After being pumped from the earth the petroleum is emptied into depressions, where it remains for a time. Ultimately the oil is stored in barrels or big reservoirs. A very remarkable phenomenon is to be observed in connection with these oil ponds or “slump holes,” as they arc called. If, on a sunny day, a person stands on the margin of an oil pond so that his shadow falls on. the surface and then quickly changes his position, the dim shadow remains where it was originally cast. In other words, the “shadow docs not follow the substance. " This may seem to be a paradox, but it. is literally true. Naturally, when the individual moves, his shadow is cast again in a new place, but none the less the original one remains. The longer the person has been standing in the particular spot the longer will the former shadow remain. Many experiments have been made on the lines indicated, but always the same results are produced. The explanation of this weird happening is really quite simple, and it is on the following fines. Under the influence of the hot sun, gas is continually generated in the body of the petroleum. This rises to the surface in the form of millions of minute bubbles, so small that they are scarcely visible to the naked eye. Both the gas and the bubbles aro very sensitive to changes in temperature, so that even if a man’s shadow is east across them even for a moment they are affected. The alteration of temperature caused by the shadow changes the appearance of the surface just where the shadow falls. The effect remains until the rays of the sun arc able to warm up the spot once more and then file mysterious impression slowly fades away. —Copied by Trooper Tex (1 mark).

Palmerston North. Dear Hub,—l feel so guilty for being absent from the Pago so long and I do hope you will forgive me. Wo have such a lot of homework this year that I don’t have much time to spare tor letter-writing, but as wo have a holiday today (King’s Birthday) I thought I had better write agaiu. We are back at school now after our fortnights holiday and have settled down to our lessons. Wo arc playing hockey this term and we have had some very good games. I like hockey much better than basketball. I am reading a book called “Emma,” by .Jane Austen, nave you ever read it, Hub? It is very interesting and I am enjoying it. I have read another book by tho same author “Pride and Prejudice” and I liked that too. I&m knitting some peggy squares now and will send them in as soon as I have knitted all my wool. During the school holidays I knitted myself a beret and scarf in green wool. I like the idea of having the corners in our Pago and I think with them llic special competitions the Page has become more interesting. What has happened to Kill and Hooami? I have missed their letters lately. I hope Pido soon comes back from his holiday and writes to tho Page again Did I tell you that Hebecca Ann’s chrysanthemums got a third prize in the last Chrysanthemum show? I received a letter from a pen-friend in Australia the other day. We correspond in French and she writes very interesting letters. lam sending in tho fcslcilltcst this week. 1 think I liavo only one bkilltcst mark to my credit, and about nine marks. Is that right Hub? I must close now and go to bed as it is fairly late. Heaps of love from your sleepy Cog, That Girl. I quite understand that the pressure of school work leaves you with little time, and was pleased you managed to write this week. I have not read “Emma,” but enjoyed “Pride and Prejudice.” I was pleased to hear of B. A.’s success, and hope there will be many Cogs who will carry off prizes next vear. Nine marks is correct.