WAIFS AND STRAYS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 149, 10 March 1876, Page 15

WAIFS AND STRAYS.

If we now turn to the sun, we find that there are three distinct forms of motion which animate his surface-particles. In the first place, each particle is carried round by the rotation of our luminary, Secondly, each particle is influenced by the gigantic nieterological disturbances of the surface, in virtue of which it may acquire a velocity ranging as high as 140 miles a second ; and lastly, each particle, on account of its high temperature, is vibrating with extreme rapidity, and the energy of these vibrations communicated to us by means of the etherial medium produces the well known light and heat effect of the sun. Now, is it philosophical to suppose that it is only the last of these three motions that influences our earth, while the other two produce absolutely no effect ? On the contrary, we are, I think, compelled, by considerations connected with the theory of energy, to attribute an influence, whether great or small, to the first two as well as to the last. We are thus led to suppose that the sun must influence the earth in two ways, one depending on his rotation, another on his meteorological disturbance, and a third by means of the vibrations of his surfaceparticles. But we have already seen that, as a matter of fact, the sun does appear to influence the earth in three distinct ways — one magnetically and meteorologically, depending apparently on his period of rotation ; a second, cyclonically, depending apparently on the meteorological conditions of his surface ; and a third, by means of his light and heat. — ' Monthly for November.' The London 'Times' says: — "Consul Bidwell, in his report this year on the Balearic Islands, states that the olea tree of Majorca, upon which the olive is grown, originally grows wild in the mountain land as a shrub, producing a fruit which bears no oil. When brought under cultivation grafting is practised. The ancient historians of Majorca represent that in olden times the olive was unknown in these islands, and that the art of grafting was taught to the islanders by the Carthagenians. But the Consul states that the appearance of some of the enormous and ancient looking olive trees in Majorca tempts him to believe that their existence dates a long way back. He asked an intelligent Majorcan farmer how old he thought some of the trees were, and the Answer was : • I believe they may well date from the time of the flood.' These magnificent trees assume in the course of time most grotesque forms, and in Majorca they have in some places attained proportions which remind one of the forest trees of the tropics. The Consul says he has more than once walked round such trees, whose trunks, now rent open, would require the outstretched arms of half a dozen men to encircle them, and the wild growth of the trunks makes one doubt whether the branches proceed from one tree, or from two or three congregated together." The phonometer, an invention of an Englishman, Captain R. E. Harris, promises to be an important acquisition to the safety of ocean navigation. Without describing it in detail, it suffices to say that it is intended to afford protection to vessels in case of fog. The danger of running, even in mid-ocean, at full-specd — and it is almost or quite as dangerous to lie-to — in a dense fog, is perfectly understood by navigators, and somewhat appreciated by passengers. By means of this invention, the captain of a steamer may know in which quadrant of the comp&ss his vessel is steering. That is to say, he can not only make known the presence of his vessel, but the direction of her course. The steam-whistle, by the duration of its blast, gives certain information to all vessels furnished with the phonometer of the course of the ship giving notice. By taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but ill passing it over, he is his superior.— Lord Bacon,.