Barry Herald

Jfasallaneotts. PRINTING TRADE,— An APPRENTICE "WANTED splendid opportunity for intel- ligent youth.—Apply, personally, at the BARRY HERALD Offices. FOR SALE, BATH CHAIR, Light Strong Wicker, price, 25a*—Apply, Kenwith," Barry Road. CHRISTMAS TREE for the Ailing. All C Donations and Gifts will be very gratafully received by the Matron of the District Nurse' Home, Woodland-road, towards a Christmas Tree to be given for the Patients at the beginning of the New Year. WANTED, REPRESENTATIVES, trust- worthy, reliable, and energetic for Cardiff, Barry District, Penarth, Rhondda Valley whole or spare-time Salary and Commission. All applications treated in fullest confidence.—Apply by letter, 28, RICHMOND ROAD, Cardiff. CYCLE.-Gent's Coventry Semi-Roadsl er. Mag- C nificent high grade machine, fitted with slightly dropped handlebars, and 2 roller lever rim brakes, back and front, ball bearing freewheel. Pneumatic Tyres, frame black enamelled lined and plated rims, must be sold at once. Complete with all accessories. Bargain, F,3 12s 6d. Worth double. approval willingly.—W. HUSBAND, 9, Waterloo Street, Weston-super-Mare. WANTED several additional young ladies to travel, two together, to book orders and appoint agents for a special Tea. Salary 25/- per week and tr& -elling expenses. Arrangements could be made i young ladies to represent us in their own towns, on salary or commission. Arrangements could also be made for an expert to work with inexperienced hands for a time.—Apply Miss ADA SAUNDKRS, 18, Bay View Terrace, Penzance. LADIES, FREE SAMPLES.—My famous FEMALE PILLS, Safe, Reliable, Effective, Beneficial.—Mrs ARONS, Palatine-road, Blackpool. Enclose stamp. Mention paper. n A PAGE BOOK ABOUT HERBS, AND 04 HOW TO USE THEM. Post Free. Send for one.-TRIMNELL, The Herbalist, 144, Richmond-road, Cardiff. Established 1879, Please Note New Address. TO Prevent Fraud see that you get "Established 1879 on every label and wrapper of Trim- nel s Preparations, without vhich none are genu- ine. TRIMNELL, The Herbalist, 144, Richmond- road, Cardiff. BUYING Agents Wanted everywhere for one of J) the best selling Id. Pills and Head and Nerve Powders ever put on the market thousands sell them they always give satisfaction; liberal terms. -TRIMNELL, The Herbalist, 144, Richmond-road, Cardiff. Established 1879. P E C I A L I T I E S, Indiarubber Appliances, S Enemas, &c., best and cheapest. List on application. TRIMNELL, Richmond road, Cardiff. R"P TTJRENT, 2, Newland-street, Barry « Jj • J3 Dock, Jobbing Contractor, is uow prepared to execute all kinds of Repairs 3fficiently, and with personal care and attention. Roofs, drains, masonry, bricklaying, general house and building repairs. A post card will secure Prompt attention, PILES.—If you tuffer from this most distress- ing malady and have tried in vain to find relief, MANVERS' PILE CREAM, an Old Gipsy Remedy, will give you almost immediate ease and effect a cure. Send Is. Id., to MANVERS, 59, JUBILEE STREET, BRIGHTON, SUSSEX. HANDBILLS CAREFULLY DISTRIBUTED throughout Town and District by HENRY THOMAS Blind Harry), 30, Jewel Street, Barry Dock. JAMES JONES & Co., UNDERTAKERS AND Funeral Carriage Proprietors, 67, HOLTON ROAD, BARRY DOCK. OPEN CAR, HEARSES, BROUGHAMS, SHELLIBIERS, & BELGIAN HORSES, The only Funeral Carriage Masters in the District where Horses are kept exclusively for Funerals, and Hired out o Trade. Funerals Completely Furnished in Superior Style with every Requisite, including all Fees & Expenses, accord- ing to the fixed charges regulated to suit all Customers, with a strict re- gard to Economy in every detail. The ONLY FIRM in the District who does all their Engraving, and to the Trade, on the Premises. Country Undertakers Supplied THROUGHOUT. TELEGRAMS- JAMES JONES, UNDERTAKER, BARRY BARRY LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY. APPLICATIONS are invited for the POST of A CHIEF ATTENDANCE OFFICER, at the salary of JE110 per aunnm, rising by annual increments of jE5 to a maximum of R125 per annum or an ASSISTANT ATTENDANCE OFFICER, at the salary of L75 per annum, rising by annual increments of f5 to a maximum of £ 110 per annum. Applicanta must atate whether they would be prepared to accept either of the above posts. Applications (in applicants' own handwriting) stating age and prosent occupation, to be sent, together with copies of not more than three recent testimonials, to the under-mentioned not later than Wednesday, 27th November, 1907. Canvassing, direetly or indirectly, will bi a disqualiifcation. T. B. TORDOFF, Clerk. Council Offices, Holton-road, Barry. EMIGRATION EMHjRATIOfl! MR. EDWARD REES, 44, Tynewydd-road, and 24, Holton road, "S prepared to arrange Early BOOKINGS to Canada, South Africa, Australia, and all parts ;he world. Apply early for Bookings. Sgent for some of the oldest-established Piano and Organ Firms. jTION SALES conducted. VALUATIONS kinds made. INSURANCES EFFECTED DO YOU OWN A PHONOGRAPH? IF SO, WHY GO TO CARDIFF WHEN YOU CAN GET ALL KINDS OF Records and Machines AT GRAMAPHONE STORES, 194, Holton Road. RECORDS KEPT IN STOCK- Edison, Sterling, White, Edison Bell. Disc RECORDS Zonophone, Beka, Imperial, Odeon, Favourite. Any Title of Record not in stock will always order. Also Sole Agent for the District for the RAVEN HEAD MANTLE, AT 2/0 PER DOZEN. THEATRE ROYAL AND HIPPODROME BARRY DOCK. Proprietors — — — — Tours, Ltd." Managing Director — — ARTHUR CARLTON. Acting Manager — — J. R. Horrocks. Telephone 19 P.O. Barry. ENORMOUS ATTRACTION. Monday, Nov. 25th, 1907, ONE HOUSE NIGHTLY AT 7.30 First Visit to Barry Dock OF THE Great Colliery Drama ENTITLED- TheCoalKlng Under same Management as The "SILVER KING" Vivid Representation of a Coal Mine. HALF TONS of COAL will be given away to the Poor of the town as a Souvenir of the visit BIOSCOPE PICTURES for early door patrons. Grand CAKE-WALK COMPETITION (In response to numerous requests) will be held on FRIDAY, NOV, 22nd. PHIZES— £ 1, 108., and 5s. The Audience will judge. POPULAR PRICES. Boxes, 10/6, Single Seats, 2/6; Orchestra Stalls, 1/6, No extra Early doors or booked; Pit Stalls, 1/- Early Doors 1/3 Circle, 9d., Early Doors Is.; Gallery, 6d., Early Doors 8d. BOOKING OFFICE open 10 a.m. till 3 o'clock 6 p.m. till lO p m. GAS FIRES In Berlin Black and Porcellanite. OMEGA GAS STOVES Suitable for Bedrooms, No Flue Needed. From 15s. Carriage Paid. Cardi Johq Williains and Sons (CKH 9, 13, 15 and 17, Queen-st., Cardiff. National Telephone 404, Barry. j— Telegrams-Davies, Auctioneer, Barry. iMESSRS. RUFUS A. DAYIES(A.A.I.) & Co. AUCTIONE E RS, Accountants, Valuers, House, Land, and Estate Agents, Beg to announce the following AUCTION SALES Dec. 4th—Cadoxton, valuable Household Furniture and Effects, by order of the owner, who is going abroad. Dec.—Colcot, Barry, superior Household Appointments. Dec.-Golden Grove Farm, ICadoxton :Monthly Sale of Horses, Cattle, Traps, Carts Har- ness, and sundry effects. Windsor Hotel, Barry Dock Leasehold Residence Penybryn." o Further Entries Invited. Auction and Estate Agency Offices 5, TYNEWYDD-ROAD BARRY DOCK (AND AT GOLDEN GROVE, CADOXTON-BARRY). CALFARIA COURT ROAD, CADOXTON. The Fifth Annual EISTEDDFOD Will be held at the above Chapel ON CHRISTMAS DAY DEC. 25th, 1907. CHIEF CHORAL-Children's Choir, Men of Harlech (arranged by Curwen), PRIZE £ i is od,' DOUBLE QUARTETTE—' Trewen (D. Emlyn Evans), PRIZE 16/- ——— Full particulars and programmes may be obtained from the Secretary- ANDREW M. WALTERS, 19, Kenilworth-road, Cadoxton. TEETH For HEALTH and BEAUTY. For CASH and EASY PAYMENTS. If your Teeth are becoming decayed and useless for their daily functions of mastication, or unsightly in appearance, and you wish to retain your per- sonal attractions and benefit your health, visit N. S. BURSTEIN BRYNTIRION," 30, Tynewyi Road, Barry M (Within 30 Yards of Free Library). Hoad gico-9 7, Albany-rd., Roath, Cardiff BEST MATERIAL. LOWEST PRICES. FIT GUARANTEED. Extractions gratis to persons ordering Teeth. OLIVER CROMWELL An Historical Drama in Five Acts, BY JOHN SUMMERS. The famous History of the Commonwealth of England in dramatic form. PRICE ONE SHILLING. Now on Sale at the Local Newsagents. alt(i bJ1 puritan BRYN-EGLWYS," 2, SEA VIEW TERRACE, CADOXTON COMMON. Unique Sale of the Household Furniture, Glass, China, Bookp, Plated Articles, and Effects. MossrsRUFUS A. DAVIES (A.A.I.) &Co Have received instructions from the owner (who is going abroad) to SELL by AUCTION, on the premises as above Wednesday, December 4th, 1907 the whole of the Superior and well-preserved Household FURNITURE & EFFECTS viz MASSIVE POLISHED OAK SIDE- BOARD, fitted with 5 bevelled mirrors, 4 drawers, 3 cupboards and cellerette BEAUTIFUL 7-Piece OAK SUITE covered in plush SOLID OAK DINING TABLE with extra leaf and small OAK SIDE TABLE en Suite; WELL-PRESERVED MA.HOGANY SECRETAIRE BOOKCASE VERY FINE OAK BEDROOM SUITE corp- prising :—5 ft. 6-in. Double Wardrobe, Dressing Chest, Marble Top and Tiled Back Washatand and two Chairs, Brussels Tapestry and Axminster and other Carpets and Rugs, Stair Carpet, Brass and other Window Poles, Curtains, Noble 3-piece Bronzed Clock Set, Brass and Black and Copper Fire Suites, Copper and other Coal Vases, Pair of Oilpaintings ou Oak in Gilt Frames, a large number of Excellent Engravings in Oak and Gilt, Walnut and Gilt, and Gilt Frames, Limoge Trin- ket China, a very handsome 70-PIECE WEDGE- WOOD DINNER SERVICE, a very choice 40 PIECE TEA SERVICE (highly decorated) a plated 6-Bottle Cruet, Copper Kettle, Oak and Plated Butler's Tray, Oak and Plated Licquer Stand, Fruit Dish, Copper and Plated Trays, Toil t Ware. Cepper and China Jardinieres, Salad Bowl and Servers, VERY HANDSOME ALL BRASS FRENCH BEDSTEAD, Brass and Iron Bedstead, Overlays, Box Spring and other Mat- tresses, Feather Bed aud Pillows, Carpet Sweeper, Mincer, Copper Mill, Scales and Weights, Small Gas Stove, Kitchen Tables and Chairs, CAPITAL MANGLE, Pair Steps, and numerous other effects. On v'ew Afternoon previous from 2 till 5, and Morning of Sale Day. Auctioneers beg to draw the attention of ptV 'es about to furnish to this unique opportunity of acquiring modern furniture in an excellent state of preservation, the whole having been purchased first har d during the last three years. Auctionoers' Offices, 5, Tynewydd-road, Barry Dock.

New Railways near Cadoxton. ————————:o:——————— BARRY COMPANY'S PROJECTS. Three weeks ago we were able to make the exclusive announcement that the Barry Railway Company contemplated important railway works in the vicinity of the town, and the Parliamentary notices issued this week fully confirm our authoritative state- ment. Powers are sought to construct two railways in the parish of St. Andrews to connect the Cogan branch line with the main Rhondds line beyond Biglis signal- box. This is done in order to relieve traffic at the Cadoxton junction, and will have an important effect in deciding at some future date the exact position of the Cadoxton railway station when a perman- ent station is to be erected. The Company also seek to absorb the Neath and Bryn- amman Railway Company.

O, SO TENDER AND FRESH. THOUSANDS OF WELSH trapped RABBITS AT WILLIAM JOHNS', Ocean Buildings, Barry Dock. FROM 9d EACH. We're trying to get THIS into your head That far Stylish Tailoring you cannot do better than try D. LLOYD & COMPANY'S, where you can get Good Fit, Newest Materials, Moderate Charges, and orders promptly executed.—Address 89 and 93, Main street, Cadoxton, and 72, Holton road, Barry Dock.

BARRY I.L.P. Sea View Hotel, Corner ot George Street and Dock View Road On Saturday next, at Eight o'clock, a public meeting will be held at the above Iustitute. Speaker Mr J. A. KELLY. Subject,' Socialism.' Questions and discussion invited. Branch meeting Saturday next at 7 p.m.

H SNAP-SHOTS. 11 .¡8¡. Barry United Methodist Church Choir will hold a grand performance of Belchazzor's Feast at the Romilly hall on Wednesday and Saturday, February 5th and 8th, 1908. The report of the Socialist demonstration on Wednesday evening at the Romilly-hall, at which speeches were delivered by Mr Ramsay Macdonald, M.P., and Mr J. Parker, M.P., is unavoidably held over. A speaker at a local Conservative smoker is reported to have said that it was Mr Lloyd's luck to have settled the railway trouble. So our difference of opinion on the matter has been reduced to a "p." Stanley Jones, of Porthkerry-road, was on Tuesday evening presented by Councillor W. J. Williams, J.P., at the meeting of the District Council, with the Royal Humane Society's cer- tificate in recognition of his bravery in rescuing another lad from drowning at Whitmore Bay in July last. Shipping is very brisk at the d -)clcs, and on Monday there wers 99 vessels here. only three short of a record. Mr D. W. D&vies, Tynewydd House, with his St. Bernards, swept the board at Bristol Dog Show last week. LADIES' AND GENTS' BESPOKE TAILORING.—May we call your special attention to the fact that only the highest-class work is executed, and we feel sure that no better Goods can be produced. From those of our Customers who have tested us in this direc- tion, we hope to receive increased support. From those who have not yet done so, we ask a Trial Order, when we are convinced that further busi- ness will result; In conclusion, we should like to add that we are constantly engaged in bringing our productions up-to-date, and no effort is spared to give our friends the best possible service.—Address D. LLOYD & Co., 89 and 93, Main street, Cadoxton, and 72, Holton road, Barry Dock. At Barry P.S.A. last Sunday the chief speaker was Mr S. Fisher, of the Coaltrimmers Union, Mr Ralph presiding over a large gathering. Mr H. Rogers, the local delegate for the Dockers' Union, has been presented with a handsome marble timepiece in recognition of his services. SUMMER HOLIDAYS.—To ensure the greatest comfort when away from home for the summer vacation, it is very essential to leave care and worry behind, so as to ensure the maximum amount of rest and pleasure that this event should bring with it. To do this effectively, see that you get the correct thing in bags and trunks, so that your clothing and necessaries may be easily found. There is a very fine selection of these goods at very moderate prices at Mr. INGRAM REES', Hosier and Athletic Outfitter, 54, St. Mary-street, and 1, 3. and 5, Wyndham Arcade, Cardiff. Nat. Tel., 472, Men's Summer Waterproof Coats a SpeoiaiiW,

Purity Crusade at Barry. Under the auspices of the National Vigi- lance Association, whose work is well known to Barryites, a great public meeting will take place at the Romilly Hall, Barry, on Wednesday, December 4th, at 7.30 p.m. An enthusiastic meeting is expected, and, what is more, the results of this meeting are sure to be lasting, especiaily in view of the eminent and eloquent persons who will speak at that meeting. They will be Rev Charles Davies, of Tabernacle, Cardiff; Dr (Miss) Erie Evans, and Major (Miss) Chatterton, warden of the Social Work Army, Cardiff, and Mr Geo. Pike, District Secretary for the N.V.A. for South Wales and Monmouthshire. The chair will be taken by Rev J. S. Longdon, M.A., rector of Cadoxton, who will be supported by the ministers of the district, and a musical treat is also promised by the Barry Male Voice Party (conductor, Mr D. J. Thomas). All persons interested in the moral uplift- ing of the people are urged to attend, the admission being free. The local hon. sec. is the Rev Ben Evans.

WE SELL DELICIOUS BUTTER (GUARANTEED PURE). WILLIAM JOHNS, "OCEAN BUILDINGS' BARRY DOCK.

YANKEE HUMOUR, I r rlECISE WITNESS. Lawyer: "You have taken your oath, and I ii-ao,. /ou to answer each of my questions m.3t1y Witness: "Yes, sir." Lawyer: "What is your occupation Witness: "I am a driver." Lawyer: Do you drive a waggon ? Witness: "No, sir; I do not." lawyer: "Now be careful, and remembo*- fCu are on your oath. You admit that you nre a -dri,,er; now, honestly, don't you drive a wag £ f>" ?" "No, sir; I drive a horse.A :icn$ Evening Journal. TOO HIGH-PRICED FOR HIM. A tall, raw-boned individual, who did not need to have a grisshopper peeping out of his pocket to shew that he was just in from the wheatiields, wandered into a Seattle restaurant and sat down. He removed a battle-scarred felt hat, arranged himself carefully, picked up the bill of fare, and began to read. For nearly half-an-hour he sat there studying it and figuring with a pencil, while a waiter occa- sionally interrupted him to ask for his order. At last he picked up his hat, rose, and started for last he picked up his hat, rose, and started for tltm with a sigh. What's the matter, sir ? asked the waiter. Isn;t there anything you want?" "Ü's too st e p for me, young feller," said the. 'nil man. "I've got money, but I can't pay -3 1ol. 75f. for one meal." The waiter picked up the bill of fare on wnicn the had beeli done. The "man with money" had added the prices of all the items on the ¡,qJ. THEIR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. "Well," said the grocer to the woman who was buying a cabbage two or three days after Christ- m". "I suppose that Santa Claus shewed up at YD':r house, the same as elsewhere?" "He did, sir," was the prompt reply. "And you got something nice?" "1 aid, sir, and so did my man Mike. I didn't know but somebody might have told you about it Y" "No, I didn't hear a thing." it was this way. There's only Mike and myself in the family, and I made up my mind to buy him a gold watch for his Christmas stocking. At the same time he made up his mind to buy me a diamond ring." "That was capital," smiled the grocer. "Three days before Christmas, and just when I was going down to pick out the watch, I gits my f" T.-et and takes four drinks of gin to counteract the had effects. At the same time Mike falls into the river and takes five drinks of whisky to prevent the pneumonia." "I see. You were both very cautious." "When Mike comes home I tells him about my vst feet, and he hauls off and says: '"Molly, you are the biggest fool in Brooklyn, and you ought to be thumped.' "Then he tells me about falling into the river, and I hauls off and says: "'Mike, you don't know as much as a mule, and it's the hair on your head that ought to come out.' "'I'll give ye a Santa Claus! says he. And I'll give ye a-iother" says I, and with chit we sails into each other and smashes up things and g"f;s arrested and fined 5dol. apiece, and when Christmas Day comes we sits down to our mutton stew and agrees that our two loving hearts did not need Santa Claus to cement them together for the rest of our born days."

Barry has been in a ferment for a few days over another attempt to Romanise the Church of England in Barry. Mr J. A. Kensit drew a gigantic crowd to Holton-road English Bap- tist Church on Tuesday, and exposed the practices in a very effective manner, and for a time the religious pulse-beat is normal once again.

THE NAMING OF FORGET-ME-NOT. Children of all ages will find much to intereat and instruct them in "Spiderland," by Rose Haigh Thomas, a volume of natural history stories for children. Here is an example of the author's style: "Miss Myosotis, will you tell us how you got yeur English nameP" asked Ragged Robin. "Do," pleaded Spiraea. Now, the voice of Myosotis palustris was gentle as the ripple and low of the waters she grew beside, and this is what she told them: Once, ever so long ago, in a lovely wood, rode a knight and a lady. He was brave, and she was beautiful. They passed through the glades at a foot pace, and the green boughs arching overhead heard the whispers, but did not repeat what they heard. They had bent over many a pair before through centuries, and the words were always the same; so the boughs sighed in the wind, and the knight and the lady rode on till they came to a dell in the wood v\iere meandered a stream, wide and deep, with banks BO steep, and at the foot, half sunk in the treacherous marge of the stream, grew a lovely tuft of my ancestors. The lady cried out to the knight: 'What lovely blue blossoms Go, gather Mie some, for yellow's forsaken, and green is forsworn, and blue is the prettiest colour that's worn.' The knight pressed her hand and leaped from his steed. 'blue, lovely blue are those blossoms indeed, but not such true blue as your eyes are, sweet maid.' "Down the steep bank in his chain of mail he clambered, (lt,t,.i-iiiined not to fail, while sl e stood above and watched her love. Right out of reacb the flowers grow; the knight in his arm ttretched too far, and, as he stooped to pluck the bloom, the clanking armour tolled his doom. Down, down, he slipped, his balance loet., yet, ere he sank ntlr the stream, he llung the plant to his lady's feet, with these last words: 'Forget me not.' Long stood the lady beside the stream, but never again the knight arose, his heavy armour chained him down, and she, his mistress, saw him drown. Then back she rode along the glade, the flowers on het breast she laid, the green boughs bending heard het •av Forget-me-not, Forget-me-not.' Myosotis remained silent for a minute or two. "The name has clung to us to this day," sbs resumed with sigh.

SCIENCE NOTES AND NEWS. HOW AURORA ORIGINATED. In a discussion as to the scientific causes of aurorse, a correspondent writes to the Scotsman that the most probable explana- tion seems to be that they are produced by electrified particles of matter which have been shot out from the solar flames or prominences. In these prominences great sheets of glowing gas are being driven up- wards with at least 500 times the velocity of a cannon ball, and some of the more highly- electrified particles may travel with a velocity that is vastly greater. GOUT AND CANCER. Dr. S. Monckton Copeman, in dealing with the question of cancer, before the British Association, said that of individuals at pre- sent living above the age of thirty-five, one in eight women and one in twelve men would eventually die of cancer. In certain industrial occupations the mortality was very much greater, to the extent of 100 per cent. among chimney sweeps, although, of course, they no longer climbed chimneys. He de- clared that sufferers from gout were very unlikely to contract cancer, as the two tfcseases were antagonistic. Cancer was con- stitutional, and gout local. SCIENTIFIC PLANT FORCING. The best natural conditions for plant growth are artificially supplied in one of the greenhouses of the Royal Botanic Gardens. On cloudy days an artificial sun, in the form of a water-surrounded arc-lamp automati- cally moved along a tramway, sends light in the natural way to every part of the plants. Earthenware pipes from the engine diffuse a carefully regulated supply of moist air charged with carbonic acid, iron pipes distri- bute heat to keep up the best temperature, and an electrostatic machine stimulates the soil to convert insoluble into soluble nitrates, and arouses the roots to the highest degree ol activity. SCOTTISH PEAT MOSSES. An investigation in Scottish peat moese* by Mr. Francis J. Lewis elicits the fact that in the southern uplands the stratified plant remains shew a gradual change from a wood- land condition, to that of heath and moss, and then back again to woodland. In some locali- ties a bed of Arctic plants is interposed be- tween the two woodland ages. A correspond- ing sequence of the beds in widely separated areas is considered as furnishing evidence of varying climatic differences during the deca- dence of the Glacial period. Arctic plants are everywhere absent from the base of the peat, which consists of a forest bed contain- ing birch and hazel remains. RESPIRATION OF SEEDS. Experiments on the respiration of seeds in a dry or resting condition have been de- scribed by P. Becquerel in Comptes Rendus. Generally speaking, seeds in the dry state, when kept in the dark, give off a trace of carbonic gas, and absorb a small amount of oxygen. This gaseous exchange is greater when the seeds are exposed to the light, owing to its power of favouring oxidation. The testa of the seed is an important factor in determining the rate of respiration. In Ricinus the gaseous exchange was higher in the testa alone than in the seeds from which they had been removed. Dehydration also plays an important part, and in some in- stances no gaseous exchange took place in the absence of moisture. THE SIZE OF THE COMING RACE. Sir Victor Horsley, at a meeting of the British Medical Association, spoke in favour of making a system of periodic measure- ments part of the general scheme of medical inspection of school children. It was stated that at Marlborough School, where annual measurements have been recorded for twenty years, the average size and weight of the beys has been steadily increasing. From a comparison of these statistics it appears that in 1906 the boys fourteen years old were about 51b. heavier and nearly Iiin. taller than those of the same age in 1886. The eixteen-year-old boys of the present date keep up in proportion. NITROGEN-FIXING BACTERIA. A peculiarity about nitrogen-fixing bac- teria is that they grow and form colonies only on leguminous plants. The agriculturist, in order to enrich the soil with nitrogenous matter for a crop of cereals, for example, must grow a crop of beans, peas, &c. It ap- pears, however, says the Globe, that under certain conditions the required bacteria can be induced to grow in other host plants. The subject was discussed at the meeting of the British Association, and Professor Bottomley communicated the results of some recent ex- periments. Cultivating some nitrogen-fixing bacteria first of all in tomato juice, he after- wards inoculated tomato plants with the cul- ture. These plants produced a greatly-in- creased yield. Professor Bottomley has also succeeded in inducing bacteria to establish themselves in the cortex of the roots ol wheat, though they produced no nodules aQ they do in leguminous plants. COLLODION IMPRINTS OF FOSSILS. The difficulty of studying the minuter structure of fossils is increased by their oftem fragile nature, which prevents sections being made for the microscope. Even when the fossil is well preserved in a hard matrix it is a laborious process to obtain a transparent section for microscopic examination. And at the best this method does not lend itself to the study of surface structure. Professor Nathorst's method of obtaining collodion im- prints of the surface structure of plants helps the geologist in this difficulty. To ob- tain the imprint collodion is dissolved it ether, and a drop or two is allowed to fall on the surface to be copied. The ether eva- porates rapidly, leaving a hard film in a few minutes. This is easily detached, and placed on a glass slip under the microscope. It is found to present a faithful copy of the minata structure of the original. NATURE'S STEELS. At a meeting of the Iron and Steel Insti- tute in Vienna, Professor Friedrich Ber- werth called attention to steels manufactured in the laboratory of nature. Comparing them with those of artificial make, he suggests that manufacturers may find one of nature's hints to inventors" in their further studv. Among those fragments of planetary matter which reach the earth from external space, and are known as meteorites, many are metallic, and composed chiefly of iron and nickel. And Professor Berwerth points out that recent researches have shewn that these metallic meteorites are essentially steels. Steels, as made in our steel works, are iron. carbon alloys, while the meteorites are iron and nickel alloys with meteoric carbon. Pro- fessor Berwerth thinks our steel manufac- turers might profitably imitate such natural steels. Meteoric iron and our manufactured steels are, he points out, results of essen- tially similar chemical and physical causes." And these natural steels are of great hard- ness and extreme toughness, qualities of the highest importance in steels. ANTS AND ULTRA-VIOLET RAYS. In Nature Notes Mr. O. C. Silverlock re- cords the results of experiments conducted by himself during two years with the view of testing the sensibility of ants to changes of temperature and to the ultra-violet rays of the spectrum. As regards the first point, the experiments indicate that very small changes of temperature are perceived by these in- sects, the sensations of heat in which must be much more delicate than in human beings. Many ants, for instance, perceive so small a rise of temperature as 0'3deg. C., while a very large percentage take cognis- ance of a rise of 0"5deg. C. In respect to the ultra-violet rays, it has been shewn by Lord Avebury that these affect ants like true light- rays, and this being so, the author is of opinion that these rays probably appear to them as a colour of which the human mind cannot form a conception. The ante do not appear to be chemically affected by these rays, but they change their positions when placed in the spectrum by reason of their dislike to the colour of these rays, and also on account of the smaller heating effect pro- duced by this end of the spectrum.