SCIENCE SIFTINGS

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 40, 11 October 1923, Page 54

SCIENCE SIFTINGS

U=Hl By " VOLT B ■ I ■' l j

Odors in the Hive.

Scientists declare that insects are equipped with a more highly-developed sense of smell than human beings.

It is by this sense that bees, working together in a hive, are able to distinguish the inhabitants, for the queen has a perfume all her own, and the drones and the workers each have their own particular odor.

This makes for harmony and also insures a united defence against attack. The bees know when the queen is present, and her presence means everything to the bees in perpetuating the colony.

Families of ants also are distinguishable to members by the odors they emit.

The Blue-Gum Tree.

Many people wonder where eucalyptus oil comes from. It is obtained from the eucalyptus, or blue-gum tree, of which there are 120 varieties in Australia. The trees are evergreen, and grow to tremendous heights.

Probably the first eucalyptus trees imported into America are still growing in Alameda, California, the home of Bishop William Taylor. When the bishop went to Australia, he was struck with the beauty of these trees, and in 1849 he sent some seeds home to his wife, who planted them in her greenhouse.

When the young trees were 18 inches high, they were transplanted outside. . After two years, they were about five feet high and doing extremely well.

The bishop was requested to send more seeds, which Mrs. Taylor promised to raise and give to the ranchers, explaining their merits.

The wood is particularly hard, and when well seasoned is excellent for furniture. When a eucalyptus tree is cut even to the ground, it will send out new shoots and grow again.— (Tit-Bits, London.)

Pennies for the Melting Pot.

There are many worn pennies in circulation, and banks, post-offices, transport companies, and others have been asked by the Mint to co-operate in accelerating their withdrawal.

Chiefly the notice concerns pennies issued between 1860 and 1894, which are stamped with the uncrowned head of Queen Victoria.

The process of withdrawing these coins has been going on for some time; but it will be years before they pass completely out of circulation.

The total value of the pennies issued during the reign of Queen Victoria amounted .to £2,184,706. Since her death the amount issued has almost doubled.

The first pennies, made of copper, issued during the late Queen's reign, were larger than those of later years. They bore the bare head, and underneath it the date.

On the reverse side was the seated figure of Britannia, with the rose, thistle, and shamrock below. The first change of any importance was made in 1860. The metal of the pennies was altered to bronze, and the weight of the coin was halved. A wreath of laurel was placed on the head. The rose, shamrock, and thistle were removed from the reverse, making room for the date, whilst on one side of the figure of Britannia appeared the lighthouse and on the other the ship.

In 1896 Sir Thomas Brock modelled the design for the head with crown and veil. The lighthouse and ship disappeared, and the lettering and figure of Britannia were increased in size.

If we walk before God in truth, uprightness, and purity of heart we have no reason to fear. —Life of St,. Teresa.