NOTES AND QUERIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1419, 1 February 1879, Page 25

NOTES AND QUERIES.

L. writes : " Sometime ago, an American writer drew attention to the atmospheric disturbance likely to result from the conjunction of the superior planets, such conjunction cultni nating in 1881. According to his prediction, or rather reasoning effects from known causes, such disturbances would be unprecedented in history ; and the weak, the ailing, and tho predisposed to disease must euccumb. It would be roally the " survival of tho fittest." Now, as a fact, tho past year has been marked by unusual atmospheric changes. It is a common remark amongst "old residents," " they never saw a season like this." Tho coincidence is worthy of notice ; and by the induction process wo may attribute the effect we see to a cause known to be in operation. Ido not assume that such is the case. But no person can say that tho present very changeable season is not owing to the conjunction of the planets. Can you state how many of the planets arc, or will be, thus in conjunction, and when the culminating point will bo reached ? And further, has a timilar occurrence happened in historic times ? I feel certaiu that the astronomical fact relating to tho pheuomena from Mr Beverly's vory competent authority, wou'd bo perused with interest by many of your readers." HENRY A. B. enquires whether High and Low Dutch is spoken on the Continent of Europe ; and if so, is there much affinity between it and High German ? An answer to this, he says, will settle a dispute. IGNORAMUS wishes to know when tramways were introduced into London, and what routes they took.