must now refuse to issue money-orders to be sent to lottery companies, or to individuals or firms as agents for lottery companies, and also refuse to register letters addressed to them."

A SCIENTIFIC PROBLEM.

SOUTH WORCESTER, N. Y., Dec. 18, 1879. As we have a geological problem in this vicinity, and there being no scientific man around here who is able to solve the same, we refer it to you. It is this: While a neighbor was having a line fence surveyed on his farm, the line took the surveyor up the mountain side. After ascending to the heighth of 250 feet, and being nearly 200 feet from the summit of the peak, the compass refused to work. The needle would whirl and tremble, and did not work until a certain space of the mountain side had been passed, when it was all right again. The men accompanying the surveyor had no metal in their pockets, and the surveyor had none that would have attracted the needle. A kind of dark slate ledge of rock projects along the side, from the summit down its sides, to the thickness of nearly fifty feet. No mineral of any kind is known to exist anywhere in the section of country. Any explanation that you can give will be gladly received. A. B. HOLLENBECK.

Answer.-It sometimes occurs that a dark rock contains enough iron to color it and to give its mass some magnetic quality, when it is too poor in iron to be called iron ore. On the other hand, there is much rich ore that is not magnetic. It seems probable from the letter that the mountain contains the requisite magnetic iron to deflect the needle.

SEEKING FOR RELATIVES.

ELGIN, Iowa, Dec. 14, 1879. I wish to ask through your valuable question department, if there were among the passengers on board of the Mayflower any by the name of Carpenter. If so, how many, or where a list or description of them can be found? Also, what, in brief, would be the necessary steps to get money out of the English Court of Chancery by the supposed heirs?

E. R. CARPENTER.

Answer.-Russell's "Pilgrim Memorials," published by Crosby & Ainsworth, Boston, 1866, contains a list of the men on the Mayflower, taken from Prince's "N. E. Chronology," vol. 1, p. 85, edition of 1736. The name Carpenter does not appear. William Carpenter, aged 62, William, aged 33, and Abigail, aged 32, with four children, were regirtered as sailing from England in the ship Berreis about 1639. To get money as indicated would vary with each case arising. The first step would be to state the case to the best lawyer at hand, with the expectation of securing some lawyer in England to complete the steps needful there. Many such cases are profitable only to the agents, as they lack foundation.

BLUE GRASS SEED.

BURLINGTON JUNCTION, Dec. 17, 1879. Will you please inform me through the "Curiosity Shop" how blue grass gets started on our prairies? W. B. ARMSTRONG. Answer.-The seeds that come unobserved in any package of seeds or of goods from older settlements prosper where tramping of animals is fatal to many native plants, and once introduced, birds and animals scatter the seeds widely. It is but one of many plants that have taken the place of native plants in a similar way.

THE ASHTABULA DISASTER.

SYCAMORE, DeKalb Co., Ill., Dec. 27, 1879. Will you please give, in the columns of your department, a short sketch of the Ashtabula railway disaster, which occurred about three years ago, stating how much, and what part of the train passed the bridge in safety, and how much was precipitated into the chasm below. CHARLES M. BARKER. Answer. The Ashtabula disaster occurred at about 7:30 o'clock on the evening of Dec. 29, 1876. The ill-fated train was composed of eleven cars drawn by two engines. There was one smoker, three ordinary cars, one drawingcom car, three sleepers, and three express,

il, and baggage cars. When the bridge broke

the train fell a distance of about seventy-five feet upon the rocks and' ice below. The entire train, with the exception of the leading locomotive, went down and immediately took fire. Many of the passengers were killed by the fall, but many more perished in the flames. The fire department of Ashtabula, were very dillatory about arriving upon the scene, and did nothing to put out the flames, go that the entire train was burned. There were 147 passengers and employes on the train, seventy-five of whom were killed outright, or died from the effects of their injuries.

ANTIQUITY OF THE CHINESE.

PINE GROVE, Dec. 12, 1879. 1. What is the antiquity of the Chinese race? 2. Is Confucius the oldest and only writer of the empire? 3. Is any ancient history of the Chinese empire translated into the English or German languages and if so where can it be obtained? C. B. RENDALL.

Answer.-Far reaching as is the, history of China, it yet fails to give us any account of the origin of the Chinese race. The first page begins by describing the nucleus of the nation as a little horde of wanderers, roving among the forests of Shau-se, without houses, without clothing, without fire to dress their victuals, and subsisting on the spoils of the chase, eked out with roots and insects. It was an ancient belief of Chinese writers that there had existed a period of 2,267,000 and odd years between the time when the powers of heaven and earth first united to produce man as the possessor of the soil of China and the time of Confucius. 2. No: one of the earliest published works of China is the "Book of Changes," the first and the most revered, because the least understood of the nine classics. This work was written by Wan Wang in the year 1150 B. C. The style and matter of Wan Wang's writings were so cramped and vague that Confucius attempted the task of elucidating their dark places. There have been many other writers beside Confucius. 3. See "China," by Sir John F. Davis, 2 vols., 1857; "History of China," by Carl Guetzlaff, 2 vols.

A DISPUTED QUESTION.

AN ASSERTION.

find complications in the earth's movements not now recognized if water composed any great bulk of the interior. The exactness with which astronomers foretell eclipses gives great authority to their estimates of the comparative weight of the earth.

POLYGAMY.

BRUSHY PRAIRIE, Ind., Dec. 22, 1879. Please give me in your columns information on the following: As I understand it, an act of Congress of 1862 makes polygamy a crime punishable by fine and imprisonment; now is it honorable for Congress to permit a known polygamist, Geo. Q. Cannon to take a seat in Congress as a delegate from Utah? Is it not a disgrace to the nation as a nation? Has not Congress the power or right to unseat Geo. Q. Cannon? B.

Answer.-It is true that Congress passed a law for the suppression of this offense, which was enacted with great unanimity by Congress more than seventeen years ago, but has remained until recently a dead letter in the Territory of Utah, because of the peculiar difficulties attending its enforcement. The citizens of Utah have until lately held that the law was in contravention of the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom. This objection is now removed. The Supreme Court of the United States has decided the law to be within the legislative power of Congress, and binding, as a rule of action, for all who resided within the Territories. It is a disgrace, but whether Congress has power to interfere with a delegate, who it must be remembered is not a member of the House and has no vote in Congress, we cannot say, as the question has never been tested. We can see, however, no reason why the law of 1862 should not now be enforced. should be firmly and effectively executed,

TOBACCO CULTIVATION.

It

COLUMBUS CITY, Ind., Dec. 18, 1879. What is the greatest number of men killed in a single battle, as given either by profane or sacred history? EUGENE STOUGH.

Answer.-Burke, in his letter on Natural Society, says Sylla destroyed 300,000 men in each of three battles, one being at Cheronea. The Persians are said, by some, to have lost 230,000 at Platea. Second Chronicles xiii., 17, records 500,000 slain on one side, which may not have en in one battle. First Kings xx., 26, gives 00 on one side destroyed in one day. Many ans pay little attention to statistics of

losses, but look for the influence of the conflict, and such as give figures often caution us regarding the unreliability of the number which they mention as being killed in remote times.

GIBRALTAR.

ELWOOD, Iowa. Dec. 27, 1879. 1. When was Gibraltar taken from Spain by the British Government? 2. How many guns has the British Government in the fortifications of Gibraltar and on the island of Gibraltar? J. H. TESKEY.

Answer.-During the war of the Spanish succession, in 1704, by a combined fleet of Dutch and English vessels, under command of Sir George Rooke. A number of unsucessful attempts were made to recapture it by both the Spanish and French prior to 1783. Since then the history of Gibraltar has been uneventful. 2. It is well fortified, especially on its western and northern sides, so as to make it impregnable, but we are unable to give the exact number of guns.

ARTESIAN WELLS.

CLARION, Madison Co., Neb. As you know everything, will you please tell us what causes the water to flow out of an artesian well? O.E. DAVIS.

Answer.-The theoretical explanation of the phenomenon is easily understood. The secondary and tertiary geological formations often present the appearance of immense basins, the boundary or rim of the basin having been formed by an upheaval of adjacent strata. In these formations it often happens that a porous stratum, consisting of sand, sandstone, chalk, or other calcareous matter, is included between two impermaeble layers of clay, so as to form a flat porus U tube, continuous from side to side of the valley, the outcrop on the surrounding hills forming the mouth of the tube. The rain filtering down through the porous layer to the bottom of the basin forms there a subterranean pool, which, with the liquid or semiliquid column pressing upon it, constitutes a sort of huge natural hydrostatic bellows. Sometimes the pressure on the superincumbent crust is so great as to cause an upheaval or disturbance of the valley. It is obvious, then, that when a hole is bored down through the upper impermeable layer to the surface of the lake, the water will be forced up by the natural law of water seeking its level to a height above the surface of the valley, greater or less, according to the elevation of the level in the feeding column, thus forming a natural fountain on precisely the same principle as that of most artificial fountains, where the water supply comes from a considerable height above the jet.

BESSEMER STEEL.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., Dec. 21, 1879. Please tell me the difference between Bessemer steel and decarbonized steel. In other words, which is the best for double-barreled, breech-loading shot-guns, Bessemer steel or decarbonized steel? Is there any difference? Ross.

Answer.-The Bessemer process is a process by which the steel is decarbonized, and hence there is in fact no difference. For full particulars in regard to this interesting process, we refer "Ross" to THE DAILY INTER OCEAN of Nov. 4, 1879.

REPUDIATING DEBT.

MERSERVILLE, Ill., Dec. 15, 1879. The Rev. Mr. Beecher in his Thanksgiving sermon speaks of one of the Northwestern States as having repudiated her debts. Which was it, and when? Also, the causes which led to it. H. B. TYRRELL. Answer.-He undoubtedly referred to the State of Minnesota. This State repudiated a debt

contracted to aid railroads before the constitution of the State was fairly adopted. Though the facts show the debt was fraudulently contracted, there are many persons now in Minnesota who believe the debt should be paid, and from time to time the question is agitated. The holders of the bonds were mostly innocent

people, and hence the loss did not fall upon those who had swindled the State. It is doubtful if it will ever now be paid, as an amendment to the constitution is necessary to pay it, and the constant influx of emigrants who know nothing of the particulars makes the payment less likely every year.

COUSINS IN ILLINOIS.

ASHLAND, Ill., Dec. 24, 1879. Has a law been passed forbidding cousins to marry? If so, when did it take effect? Is the question agitated in this State? INQUISITIVE. Answer.-There is no such law in Illinois. Cousins may marry if they wish.

REMOVING WRITING INK

OTTAWA, Ill., Dec. 17, 1879. Will you please tell me how the solution is made for erasing ink from paper, which I see sold by agents through this country, and if I would have the right to make and sell it? J. A.B.

Answer.-The solution is undoubtedly muriatic acic diluted with five or six times the quantity of water, and, after a minute or two, wash with clean water. A solution of oxalic acid, citric acid, and tartaric acid may be applied where there is printing, as it will not attack the printed text.

GOLD MINING IN GEORGIA.

SAGINAW CITY, Dec. 14, 1879. 1. Will you please inform me what kind of a place the gold mines in Northern Georgia would be for a Northern man to go to? Are they very extensive and rich? 2. Is the mining quartz or placer digging?

Answer-1. The gold belt of Georgia is about 100 miles in breadth, with barren intervals here and there. It lies northeast and southwest across the entire northern and part of the eastern section of the State, and loses itself in the eastern portion of Alabama. A vein near Goshen is said to be yielding at the present time $1,000 per month at a cost of but $115, while some rich and profitable mines have been opened in the lower portion of the belt. The greater portion of the mining has been done in the northern or mountainous section. The gold region of Georgia is penetrated by railroads, and is civilized, and convenient to cities. It is impossible to estimate the true value of this interest, but, all things considered, Georgia offers some inducements as a gold-mining region. The climate is healthful and labor cheap. 2. Most of the ore in Georgia is partially decomposed, and it is worked with great facility. It is not necessary to blast the quartz, but it can be worked with the pick and shovel. For further particulars about Georgia apply to the Commissioner of Agriculture, State House, Atlanta, Ga., for the pamphlet on the resources of the State.

atmosphere. Thunder-storms represent th greatest activity of electrical phenomena, and the souring of milk is very often hastened. At the time of year when thunder-storms prevail, milk will not keep many hours at the best, unless with facilities for preserving an even temperature of fifty five degrees or less.

"USUFRUCT."

WABASH, Ind. 1. Please inform me in what sense S. J. Tilden used the word "usufruct" in his letter of acceptance as the nominee of the Democratic party in 1876. 2. What, in your opinion, is the probability of Tilden being made the honorable leader of the forlorn hope in 1880. B. Answer.-1. The term is one used in civil law, and is a compound of two Latin words, usus, use, and fructus, fruit, and means the right of using and reaping of fruits or things belonging to others, without destroving or wasting the subject over which such right extends. It was used in that sense. 2. It is the opinion of many leading Democrats like Watterson and others that Tilden will be the candidate. He certainly will not be the honorable leader of any party.

ROTARY STEAM ENGINES.

BARRINGTON, Ill., Dec. 18, 1879. Was there ever such a thing constructed as a rotary or circular engine? If so, please describe it as fully as convenient. I heard them talked of many years ago, but can hear nothing of them now. BENJ. MAYO.

Answer.-This form of engine has assumed so little importance in the application of the steamengine that comparatively little is known of its history. Watt invented a rotary engine, and Yule, many years afterward (1836), constructed such engines at Glasgow. Nearly all consist either of cams rotating in gear, or of a piston set radially in a cylinder of small diameter, which turns on its axis within a much larger cylinder set eccentrically the piston, as the former turns, sliding in and out of the smaller cylinder as its outer edge slides in contact with the inner surface of the larger. In some forms of rotary engines, a piston revolves on a central shaft, and a sliding abutment in the external cylinder serves to separate the steam from the exhaust side, and to confine the steam expanding while doing work. Nearly all of these combinations are also used as pumps.

JAMES GORDON BENNETT. KINGSTON, Ill., Dec. 16, 1879. Please inform me through THE INTER OCEAN where James Gordon Bennett, Sr., was born. SUBSCRIBER. Answer.-James Gordon Bennett, the founder of the New York Herald, was born in Banffshire, Scotland, Sept. 1, 1795, and educated for the Roman Catholic priesthood; emigrated to the United States in 1819, was connected with several journals published in the city of New York, and in 1835 founded the Herald. June 1, 1872.

Died

STATES THAT HAVE COMPULSORY EDUCATION. HOLIDAYS, Adair County, Iowa, Dec. 31, 1879. Please answer the following questions through "Curiosity Shop." What countries of the old world have the cumpulsory school attendance law, and what is the general effect or success? What are some of its effects, either for good or evil? Have any of the States during the past year ('78 or 79) introduced it; I mean the United States? And what is the effect with those that have it, or have tried it in the United States? D. W. FARNSWORTH.

Answer.-We have now on hand seven letters asking substantially the above questions. The following reply covers the points, and must suffice for all our correspondents: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut Jersey, New York, Ohio, Michigan, oming, Nevada, California, and Wisco. laws designed to produce this result