Lieut. Sokoloi, a naval officer, while woi king iii the Caspian region, from 1843 to 1848, collected much information. Hβ found that to the present century the level had steadily fallen, jusb as in the last century it has risen, causing great appre hension and giving rise to the belief in periodical variations every thirteen years. Lerch, while in Baku, in 1734 and 1747, found submerged buildings which had stood on dry land 30 years before, and he mentions a saying of the Persians thab the sea rose and fell alternately every 30 years. Mr Philipof has made a special study of the whole question. Inquiring into the causes of these changes of level, he* finds a variety of influences at work, such as wind driving the water toward certain coasts, temperaftureof the air causing in summer evaporation >and consequent fall in level. Rivers, rain and earthquakes are also among the active*agencies, causing fluctuations from month to month and from day to day—' Goldthwarte's Geographical Magazine.'

Take Your Choice.
A great dress reform moiyemenbjie about to be inaugurated in the YCnited States, which will be concerted and comprehensive. A leader has jusb been found, in the person oE Mrs Frank Stuart Parker, of Chicago, who bravely nailed her dress reform thesis against the gates of Chautauqua a few weeks ago, and haa since that time been re« ceiving delegations of women from all ove» the country.
The women interested bave>juslr selected 'a central committee of prominent? women,' Chautauqua has four" styles of drew, :namely: No skirts, old skirts, divided skirts, and an apology for ! troueerottee. Miss; Francos Willard hae wheeled tho whole... National Temnerance XTnion;: Into■"•linoiln , supnort* of- s theimove* monb.
THE AUCKLAND STAE, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1891.
11.
