NOTES AND QUERIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3200, 14 July 1915, Page 43

NOTES AND QUERIES.

Questions for reply in coming issue to bo received not later than SATURDAY night. Questions will NOT be replied to through tho post. Anxious, Waipori.—The specimen forwarded by you was submitted to Mr G. M. Thomson, F.L.S., who kindly reports: The plant forwarded by “Anxious” from Waipori is Geranium microphyllum, a native species. I never before heard of any medicinal use of this species, but tho plants of the order mostly contain tannin and gallic acid, and the meadow cranesbill —Geranium pratense—is still utilised in Europe as a vulnerary. I do not know in what way it is prepared, but your-, correspondent’s information is most interesting, as showing how the' Chinese have recognised in this country a species allied to one probably common in China. Geranium pratense occurs in Europe, but not in Asia. Geranium sanguineum and G. Robertianum wore formerly used as i -tringents, and the latter ranges into Siberia and India. All these three plants are to bo mot with here, the two former in gardens and the latter gone wild in some parts. They must not, be mistaken with garden geraniums, which belong to the genus pelargonium. A. S., Ornakau. —Your specimen was submitted to Mr G. M. Thomson, F.L.SL, who reports:—The specimens enclosed are the seed-bearing capsules of Datura stramonium—the thorn apple. Tho plant contains the alkaloids atropine and hyoscyamine. and is highly narcotic. The seeds are highly poisonous, as are the leaves, but what is produced when they are subjected to such a high temperature as that of a smouldering mass of tobacco in a pipe I cannot say. Of course, these alkaloids must be destroyed or nearly so, but I should advice your correspondent to be cautious in the use of the plant. Keep the seeds away from children. A. B, C.—The rates charged for floating a company are a matter of arrangement with Hie brokers. The usual charge is per cent. Meecuet. — (1) Quicksilver can be obtained from Messrs Kcmpthorne, Prosser, and Co., Dunedin. It is quoted at 5s 6d per lb. (2) Quicksilver is not used for cleaning gold; it is used for extracting gold from sand, concentrates, etc. For cleaning gold nitric acid is generally used for destroying lead, etc. If only a small quantity is treated at a time iron can be extracted with a magnet. Stamp Collector. —Presumably you want to know the value of the Egyptian coinage in comparison with English money. Tho Egyptian gold pound of 103 piastres is worth £1 Os 3|d. A piastre is thus practically the one-hundredth part of a pound. The gold coins are 5, 10, 20, and 50 piastres, and the silver coins 1,2, 5, 10, and 20 piastre!. Constant Readeh. —There is no known rule by which a farmer can determine the sex of the calves ho wishes to obtain, _ It certainly would bo valu dale information could one know beforehand tho sex of calves, lambs, etc. Cowspanker writes;—“ A dairy cow gives four gallons of milk. Two gallons are put in each of two tins. A pint ia taken out of one lot and replaced with water. Will there be any difference in tho teat at the dairy factory?*’ Yea. M M.—T ho price quoted for beef at per ioOlb refers to the dressed weight of the animal on hooks. Constant Readme. — (1) We are not aware that immigration is being specially encouraged at the present time. (2) Tho first sod of the Duneclin-Poxt Chalmers railway was turned near Dunedin on August 3, 1870, anil the line opened for traffic on t)ec6mbcr SI, 1872. (3) Yes. There were pastoral stations on the Maniototo Plains before the gold rushes. Mr Watson Suonnaa kayiug personally ex-

plored the district selected, Puketoi Station, and was settled there before the gold rushes. Lawless asks : —“ What are the chargee (including license) for a marriage performed in the registrar’s office? The total cost • is £2 5s —certificate and notice, £1 2s 6d; celebration, etc., £1 2s 6d. Inquirer. —(l) The reply to your first question depends upon circumstances, concerning which we have no knowledge. (2) If it is intended to have the property managed by the Public Trustee, assistance will bo given in making a will. (3) The foes charged by the Public Trustee are fixed by regulation. On application the actual cost of administering an estate wil] be given. (4) The cost of a certificate and notice is £1 2s 6d. (5) There is no actual custom. The happy couple settle such questions for themselves. Farmer, Otago Central.—Mr H. M. Davey, consulting engineer, replies:—l really do wish that you had written a little more and said what quantity of water, or about what, you had available, also what sort of machinery you intended to work, or especially if it were quick or slow machinery, for the way you have asked, is about as if you asked someone: “ Should I keep a cow or a horse?” Flow 7 could he reply so as to do you any good unless he knew 7 more? I may say this, however, if your machinery is to run at pretty quick speed, then the smaller the wheel the better, for the smaller it is the faster it runs, and therefore the less gearing it requires to get to the. speed of the machinery to be driven. If you care to give more particulars and write again you might get a bettor reply, for, if the water is sufficient, a low 7 pressure turbine might be the best thing after all for you. H. B. M., Gore.—Mr H. M. Davey replies:—From your first letter we did not gather the seeming fact that w 7 O do now, that you want all the fault possible found with the setting and flues, etc., of the boiler. However, your letter came to hand too late to be considered exhaustively in this issue: Interested. —(1) Communicate wdth W. J. P. M'Culloch, motor agent, Octagon. (2) The postage on newspapers addressed to members of the Fifth Rein for cements is one penny.