SHARK'S TEETH FOR STEEL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, 25 April 1891, Page 4

SHARK'S TEETH FOR STEEL.

. The natives of some of the Pacific islands, being provided with neither metals ncr any stone harder than the coral rocks, of wliicli the atells they inhabit are composed, would seem badly on, indeed, for material of which to make tools or weapons, were it not their very necessity has bred an invention no les.Ingenious than curious and effective. This Is nothing less than the UFe of shark's tccli to give a cutting edge to their wooden knives and their swords. The mouth of the shark contains 300 teeth, arranged in five rows, al! closely lying upon each other, except the outer row, and so constructed that as vw 'tooth is broken or lost another takes itsplaci'. The teeth are not only pointed and keened ed, but are finely and regularly serrated, so :h;a the cutting power is greatly increased. J« deed, so great a faculty have there teeth for / wounding that the implements arid weapons upon which they arc used have to he handled with great care. The Kincmill inlander: make many strange articles of shark's tcesh.

ELECTRICITY WINS. The healthfulness of the electric li^lit was recently illustrated in a striking manlier. Some railway men were discussing in ;■ carriage factory the relative advantages o illumination by gas and electricity, and tin advocates of e:ich system remained uncon vinced by the other. Finally the superintendent suggested that the matter couU'. easily be put to a practical test, and, turning on the naked gas in the adjacent car, he shut the windows and ventilators, with the officials inside. Their stay was of the briefest, for in a very few minutes even the Strongest of them had to succumb to the heat and oppression, and to seek the outer . air. A like test, made in a compartment 'lighted by incandescents, was attended by a very different result, and the verdict which followed was unanimous for the cool, wholesome light. This will readily be understood by those who, accustomed to the electric light, have occasion to sit in gaslit rooms in which the sense of heaviness often becomes oppressive.