NEWS IN BRIEF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3543, 28 September 1926, Page 1

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Crimson, was the colour for bridal robes in the middle ages. There are more than 200 species of moss in the British Isles. Lentils are believed to be the oldest legumes used for food.

A whale is able to remain under water for an hour and a-half. Tuesday is considered an unlucky day for weddings in Spain. - Each stem of the wild poppy has from 10,000 to 00,000 seeds. One ostrich egg will make an outlet sufficient for 30 persons.

Sugar is found in the sap of nearly two hundred plants and trees. A scientist is reported to have said that '40',000 germs may be transferred by a kiss.

The sturgeon lays altogether about 7,000,000 eggs during a lifetime.

In a London veterinary hospital a spiral stethoscope was recently introduced to sound the hearts of dogs that required treatment. A class for the study of Greek is being attended by a number of Welsh miners, financial help having been given by anonymous; donors. At Bidston Observatory, Birkenhead, an instrument has been installed which predicts tides in any part of the' world up to 50 years ahead. 1j 1 ■

Nottingham’s old Exchange clock has been purchased by a gentleman, who has presented it to Trowcll village church, not far from the city. Mr William Robinson, aged 90 of Mansfield) Woodhouse, still takes a class of bys regularly at the local Primitive Methodist Sunday School. There are only about 16,500 clergy concerned in the work of the Churcli of England to-day; this is 4,500 fewer than at the beginning of the century. According to seientistSi sounds are diverted and lessened during rain. That is because the falling rain twists the sound waves from their course. .

Bamboos and similar plants can now be woven by a patent process into fabric which is much cheaper than material made from either flax or cotton.

Specially intended for use in bottles containing poison, a cork with a metal top, which has four sharp projecting points, has recently been designed.

Trophies won at horse racing in England are often stored away in safe deposits, as the owners do not care for the responsibility of having them in their houses. In some families there are collections of as many as one hundred pieces.

Bicycles are to be provided for the children in country districts of Oxfordshire. They are to be used for attending school only.