CURRENT TOPICS.

Concerning the Toad.-It is apparently in the best interests of self-preservation for the toad to make itself as distasteful as possible. According to biologists of the United States Department of Agri- culture, a milky poisonous fluid is secreted in a pair of large, glandular masses behind the toad’s eyes. Any animal having the temerity to bite the toad will find that this secretion produces a bitter astringent taste. However, this defensive equipment does not protect the toad from snakes, skunks or birds of prey. Skunks in eating toads usually roll them about roughly with their paws until the poisonous secretion has been discharged and rubbed off.

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The XJse of Water to Extinguish Oil Fire&--A. L. BROWN (Quart&y) of the National Fire Protection Association, July 1935). A statement that water can be used for the effective control of oil fires may sound revolutionary, at least to the practical fire fighter. Careful consideration however of the action of a burning inflam- mable liquid will point to the fact that its exposed surface at least is at, or above, the temperature corresponding to the fire point. If the burning liquid can be cooled below this temperature, the fire will no longer burn. It is possible then, that water applied rapidly and effectively might reduce the temperature of a burning oil to nearly the temperature of the water, extinguishing the fire. The ’ ‘ Mulsifyre” system discharges sprays of water forcibly on the surface of the burning liquid. It is a development of Mather and Platt, Ltd. of Manchester, England. The underlying principle here is that of converting a flammable liquid into one which will not burn by emulsifying it with water. A strong spray of water is applied by a projector; the discharge varies from about 15 to 20 gallons at 40 lbs. water pressure, which is considered the lowest pressure giving an effective spray. Possibly it is allowable to contemplate an application of water in such fine drops that it does not settle or penetrate the flammable liquid rapidly, thereby leaving essentially a water layer on top. The Grinnel Company of Provi- dence, R. I., has made an installation to protect an asphalt saturat- ing tank near Bridgeport, Corm., and is now working on systems to protect oil-filled transformers and high-pressure lubricating oil systems at public service power plants in New York.

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