NOTES AMD QUERIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1474, 14 February 1880, Page 15

NOTES AMD QUERIES.

G. L. Smith, TJppor Shotover, writes:— "Granted that tbe sun is, as astronomers and scientist assert, a body of molten flames, giving a heat which is equivalent to che bnrning of 1,200,000,000 tona of coal per minute, pal cannot conceive a fire consuming nothing, will you kindly state the latest theory regarding these solar rays, or what is burning ?" — Mr Beverley supplies us with the following answer to Mr Smith's query :— lt leads to misconception to compare the sun with fire. There is ro combustion going on in the sun ; but even if the whole macs were in a state of combustion, the bent produced would be infinitesimal in comparison with the enormous energies developed by other means. H a meteorite weighing one pound be drawn into the sun from remote space by his attraction, it plunges into him with a velocity of about 400 miles per second, and the heat generated by tbe destruction of its motion is nearly 6900 times greater than the heat given out by the combustion of a pound of charcoal. In ages past, when the sun was growing, he was pro bably raised to his present temperature and dimensions by incessant meteoric rain; but now the supply is nearly gone, and he is dissipating the energy stored up in him by contracting in volume. Men of science are generally agreed that the sun is a maeß of h.ot gas, with or without a liquid nucleus ; and the energy generated by the contraction of a mass of gas of solar magnitude is remarkable. Thus a reduction of two feefc in the sun's diameter, or a subsidence of one foot over the whole surfaco, generates heal; sufficient to melt a layer of ice 28 miles thick fpread over the surface. It is estimated that a contraction of the sun's diameter amount ing to about 200 feet per annum, or seven inches per day, is sufficient to develop the heat emitted by the sun, without any external supplies. According to Helmholtz, a contraction of one thousandth of the solar diameter is equivalent to solar radiation at the present rate for 21,000 years. If the sun were t* remain without external supplies until he contracted to half his present diameter, which would require about 30,000,000 of years, the energy developed would be equal to that; developed m forming him as he is, out of indefinitely diffuse matter, and his mean temperature would then be seven- tenths of his present mean temperature. Station Hand, Lawrence, asks " whether the lieutenants and captains of Highland regiments dreas in the kilt, walk on foot, or are mounted officers?" — The officers mounted are: One colonel, two < horses j two majors, one horse eaoh ; one adjutant, one horse j one surgeon, one horse. They are regiments of the line, and the captains and lieutenants of course walk in kilts. Inquirkr, Waihemo, asks:— -"What occupations can be cli'if en by anyone who passes the Government Civil Service Examination P" — The Government reserves to itself <he right of paying what branoh of the Civil Sorvioe a candidate is to be employed in. Candidates are not Buppoaed to choose any particular branch, but may express a preference for one. D, H,, Wallacetown, wishes to know whether sportß are held at Tomahawk on Good Friday. We think not Tbe unusual course in ai

Christian community of holding sports on Christmas Day is adopted by our Tomahawk friends, but we have not heard of Good Friday being perverted in a like manner. Pix. — It is stated that a certain remedy for sleeplessness is to get up and immerse both feet in cold water until it becomes painful to retain them in it. Take them ont and rub briskly till circulation is restored, Sound sleep will instantly follow. $• TO CORRESPONDENTS. W. O. MM., St. Bathans.— We cannot answer without knowing in whose possession the horse was, what he was used for, how far the man who now claims him knew of thia ÜBe, and so on. Subscriber^ Temuka.— By what you call a title by possession is meant that with certain exceptions a man who has bad the undisputed use of property for 20 years acquires a title to it. If your friend in Melbourne occupied the land, we do not think you can recover it. Gilmore, Waikouaiti — We think if anyone ia liable it is the farmer. Bbuoe County. —We do not think that there are any absolute rules preventing it. J. R. IV., Oamaru.— Tour question is soarcely explicit enough. Does it mean that the letters appear in a majority of words, or that they themselves may be construed "into more words than any other four ? If the former, we do not think the last two letters should be included in the four. Upper Shotover.— You will find a notice of the matter to which you refer in its proper place. A notioe also appeared in last issue. Correspondent.— Although not wholly deficient in merit, " Memories " is scarcely up to the standard. Many of the lines do not scan, and a deficiency in rhythm is perceptible throughout. Diseased Cattle at Napier. —A letter on this subject, containing some valuable suggestions, waß received too late for insertion this week. It will appear in next week's issue.