EDITORIAL NOTES, 



47a 



the land with oil for a considerable distance all around, overflowing other wells 

 and several small refineries, so as effectually to stop their work. The roar of the 

 rushing oil and gas could be heard a mile from the spot. 



Various flowing wells are said to yield 6,000 barrels a day, and some far 

 more; but, from the fact that these quantities are generally stated in the Russian 

 measure of poods, it is not very easy to realize what is meant. One pood, we 

 learn, is equal to thirty-six pounds English. Hence one thousand poods repre 

 sent somewhere about sixteen tons. Accounts have just reached England of an 

 oil-fountain which was struck last December, and flows at the rate of from fifty 

 to sixty thousand poods daily, gushing forth with such force as to break in pieces 

 a three-inch cast iron plate which had been fastened over the well in order to 

 divert the flow in a particular direction. In the same district a huge heap of 

 sand marks the spot where an oil-spring, on being tapped, straightway threw up 

 a column of petroleum to twice the height and size of the Great Geyser in Ice- 

 land, forming a huge black fountain two hundred feet in height — a fountain, how- 

 ever, due solely to the removal of the pressure on the confined gas, for there is no 

 trace of volcanic heat. The fountain was visible for many miles round, and on 

 the first day it poured forth about two million gallons, equal to fifty thousand 

 barrels. 



An enterprising photographer who was on the spot secured a photograph which 

 places this matter beyond cavil. The fountain continued to play for five months, 

 gradually decreasing week by week, till it finally cleased to play, leaving its un- 

 fortunate owners (an Armenian company) well-nigh ruined by the claims brought 

 against them by neighbors whose lands were destroyed by the flood of oil. — I'rotn 

 " The Oil- Supply of the World, ^^ in Popular Science Monthly for December. 



EDITORIAL NOTES. 



The present number of the Eeview is an 

 especially characteristic one, having no less 

 than twelve original articles and communica- 

 tions, by Western writers, covering an un- 

 usual variety of subjects and equaling in 

 ability and interest those of any other peri- 

 odical of similar character in the country. 

 Persons wishing to send off a periodical 

 illustrative of the enterprise, education and 

 talent of Kansas City and its environs 

 should selefct this number. 



We omitted in our last issue to mention 

 a very important scientific work that is be- 

 ing done at Washburn College, Topeka, 

 Kansas, viz : " The Washburn Biological 

 Survey of Kansas." It is in charge of Prof. 

 F. W. Cragin, who is assisted by other mem- 



bers of the faculty and prominent scientists 

 in various localities in the State. This 

 work has been going on for about one year 

 and the most interesting results have been: 

 attained, eliciting the encomiums of some of 

 the best naturalists and biologists in the 

 country. There results have been published 

 in two Bulletins which will receive full 

 mention in our next issue. 



A severe shock of earthquake was felt at 

 Salt Lake City, Utah, on the morning of 

 November 10th, at about 2 o'clock. Much 

 alarm was felt but no harm was done. The 

 tremors lasted about ten seconds. At Paris, 

 Idaho, six shocks were felt about the same 

 time, and from then till 4 o'clock. Con- 



