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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1951-5-9, Page 2Octopus Fishing With Human Bait To .most of us the very mention of the word octopus brings on a bout of cold shivers, Not so to the natives of the Gilbert Islands, They not only consider parts of the mon- ster make delicate rating, but actu- ally use themselves as human bait to lure it to the surface! Averaging a nine -foot t, read, the Gilbert Island octopus is an ugly - looking customer. Its eight power- ful arms are studded with loath- some suckers, its bulbous, filmy eyes stare out of a grey, gorgon- like face. In addition it has two shorter arms for anchoring itself, choosing some dark cranny in the rocks just below the water. There it waits, glaring from the shadows. None of that worries the Gilbert- ese natives. however. One man acts as bait; his partner is the killer. Sighting a ''catch," down goes the bait to tempt the brute, swim- ming just out of striking range, making its mouth water as it were. Then, quite calmly, be floats to- wards the eager, clutching embrace. Now it's the killer's turn, his only weapon his sharp white teeth. Ile waits until his partner has been drawn right up to the entrance of the monster's lair, until the horny beak is groping against human flesh, until the eyes are intent on gluttony. Then he dives, seizes his friend and jerks him violently backwards, Caught unaware, the octopus is wrenched front its anchorage and borne up, to the surface. There the killer jerks back the evil head, plunges his teeth between the bulging eyes and bites. Instantly the greedy suckers relax, steel - slimy tentacles go limp and the octepus dies. The whole grisly op- eration takes Less than a minute. Sir Arthur Grimble, one-time Governor of the Seychelles and Windward Islands, tells how—in one of the many vivid stories in "The Radio Listener's Week -End Book" when he was a very "green" District Officer to the Gilbert Is- lands lie was inveigled by a pair of natives into participating in an octopus hunt. Not wishing to ap- pear timid or lose face when he was supposed to be a leader, he agreed. And the role they picked for him was bait! To his eternal regret they found an octopus and he dived, trembling with funk. The last thing he saw before he submitted to the hideous embrace were the monster's eyes, burning in the crystal clear water. After that everything was darkness and a dreadful, slimy, herculean grip, whipping round him, binding him savagely. "When I felt the constriction of those disgusting arms, my mind went blank of every thought save the beastliness of contact with that squat head," the author says, "A mouth began to nuzzle below my throat , , . suddenly I was jerked backwards front the cranny and I rose to the surface with the brute sticking out of my chest like a tumour. My mouth was smother- ed by some flabby moving horror, The suckers felt like hot rings pulling at my skin. It was only two seconds from then to the at- tack of my deliverer. but it seemed like a century of nausea." The author ends with: "I want no further ,teatimes with octopuses. They give me the creeping horrors." SALLY'S SALLIES 'Would you p ease have this filled out for me? I'd like to be an executive secretary. I can't type; I'm not a stenog." Stops "Flu" Virus Dr, W. Wilbur .icker.nman of the University of Michigan annottnc that he has discovered a chemical that stops the growth of influenza virus (type A) in a test tube. The chemical acts by preventing a virus from getting enbstances necessary for growth and multiplication. This is the first time that one of tate vital rclatintmships between chemical reactions in a body cell and multiplication of influenza virus has been demonstrated. The clic- covert is of no practical use as yet in treating influenza infection. Dr. Ackerman s resttlts were hchieved by supplying metltoxinine to 14 -day-old chicken embryo tissue Bells, Methoxiniue was used be- eiwse it is very similar in mole- cular size enact shape to methirnine, an essential in building tissue cells and fostering virus growth, Absorp- tion of methoiitinc by the virus- infected cells reduces the effective Concentration of metttiottine- within the cells. TALKSSTABLE There are countless ways of dishing up meat balls, of course, but in case you haven't tried them the way they're done south of the Mexican border, 1 strongly urge you to do so. This recipe isn't quite so hot as the folks in Mexico like, but tangy enough for most of our Northern tastes. MEAT BALLS MEXICANA pound ground beef r/.4 cup rolled oats t/s cup tomato juice* 2 tablespoons chopped onion teaspoon salt tea -poop pepper teaspoon Worcestershire sauce r,6 tie SAUCE r/y cup chopped onion 1 can (No. 2 size) tomatoes 1 bay leaf % teaspoon chili powder t/ teaspoon salt 1 can (12 oz. size) whole kernel corn, drained Method: Contbiile all ingredients for the meat balls. Shape into d meat balls and pan-fry in hot fat. Add sauce ingredients. Cover and simmer 25 minutes, Makes 2 'erv- utgs. *Use liquid from the canned tomatoes. * e * .While I'm on the subject 1 might as well pass along two or three other ways of handling that great standby, ground beef—neat loaves, imitation drumsticks and just plain hamburgers. INDIVIDUAL MEAT LOAVES 54 pound ground beef cup rolled oats 1 egg, beaten 'A cup tomato juice 2 tablespoons chopped onion r/ teaspoon salt ?S teaspoon pepper Method: Combine all ingredients thoroughly and pack into 2 medi- um-sized custard cups. Bake in a moderate oven (350 degrees F.1 45 minutes. Makes 2 servings. Mock Drumsticks: Omit beaten egg from meat loaf mixture. Shape into 3 drumsticks. Insert a wooden skewer in each and roll in bread crumbs. Brown on all sides in' hot fat. Cover and cook slowly 10 minutes. Hamburgers: Omit beaten egg from meat loaf mixture. Shape into two large hamburgers. Pan-fry in hot fat. * * * It won't be so long note—I hope, I hope, I hope—before the straw- berries will be on the market, or in the garden, and the following may be a new way, to some of you, of serving them, HEAVENLY PIE 1 egg white n/a teaspoon vinegar teaspoon vanilla Dash of salt j/q cup sugar 2 tablespoons rolled oats FILLING % cup whipping cream, whipped '/ cup sweetened fresh strawberries, raspberries or peaches Method: Add vinegar, vanilla and salt to egg ivltite. Beat mull frothy. Gradually beat in sugar and con- tinue beating until mixture is stiff attd glossy. Lightly fold in the rolled oats. Place in a mound on greased heavy unglazed paper on a baking sheet. Using a spatula hollow out the center and build up the sides to resemble a small pie shell. Bake in a very slow oven (275 degrees F,) 45 minutes to 1 hour. Cool for a few minutes, then re- move from paper. Cool thoroughly, Fold fruit into the whipped cream and pour into the cooled shell. Makes 2 servings. * * * lvfay last recipe today will be for what I call "Two Way" cookies, As you'll notice, you can use half of the dough as drop cookies, and tuck the remainder away in your refrigerator or other really cool place to cook some time when you're in a real hurry. TWO-WAY COOKIES cup sifted enriched flour ,?/ teaspoon soda f/ teaspoon salt 3/4 cup shortening, soft f4 cup brown sugar cup granulated sugar 1 egg, unbeaten ?, teaspoon vanilla ?f cup rolled oats 34 cup chopped nutmeats Method: Sift together flour, soda and salt into bowl. Add shorten- ing, sugars, egg and vanilla, Beat until smooth, about 2 minutes, Fold in rolled nate and nutmeats. Makes 2 dozen cookies. Drop Cookies: Drop one half of dough by teaspoonfuls onto an un - greased baking sheet, allowing 2 inches between cookies, Bake in moderate oven 1375 degrees F.) 10 to 12 minutes. Refrigerator Cookies: Shape re- maining dough into a long roll. \Vrap in waxed paper and chill thoroughly. Slice 'a -inch thick. Bake as directed above. NEW ,. rad USEFUL Too Adhesive Cleaner Said to remove everything from dog hair to dandruff off that dark suit or •coat, adhesive -covered rol- ler docs not learnt fabric while picking up fine particles. Roll the gadget over garment and when completely covered with residue tear off strip of adhesive and a new piece underneath is ready for use. New rolls are available. e * * Mows Without Effort Mowing the lawn can be fun, says company making new elec- tric "tower. Machine features push- button operation with a flip -over handle to change mower direction, Retractable blades resist foreign objects on the lawn, Mower can trim within five-eighths of an inch around bushes and flower beds, * a ,r For Cooling Off Looking forward to the swelter- ing days of summer, a company has produced an inflatable Vinylite mattress with built-in cooling for backyard or beach use. Unit has four water chambers which are filled before mattress is inflated. Air is then pupped in, pressing the water -filled sections against the surface, Lie on the mattress and the heat uf,your body is drawn away by the water. * * 5 Fragrances Vary A new electric deodorizer offers the user a variety of fragrances. The unit operates silently and econ- omically on a 15 -watt motor; is small anti light weight and built in a brass housing. * * * Portable Saw Weighing but 55 pounds, portable 7 lap. chain saw is claimed capable of cutting tile largest timber. With special rotating balancers formed to neutralize rotary engine vibra• tion, saw will interest constant users of chain saws, as this vibra- tion, it's claimed, is not eliminated by conventional crankshaft coun- terbalancing. Anti -vibration device is built into the gasoline engine, eel BY • HAROLD ARNETT COMPRESS WRING , WRING ou-r - HOT COM PRESSES WITH A POTATO RICER. • YOU CAN SQUEEZE OUT iNAT ER HOTTER THAN BADE HAND CAN $.1 --ANP. No Solitary Sentry He—The guard of honor at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier is seen here in the process of attracting a bevy of young sightseers who trot alongside and keep him company as he paces back and forth. The smartly dressed G.I. manages to maintain his soldierly bearing in spite of the good-natured distraction. Cleans Glasses New kitchen gadget features three suction cups at its base; housewife presses unit to bottom of sink or dishpan and nylon bristled brush on top stakes short work of cleaning glasses. * * * Wax Won't Melt According to maker, series of new waxes wilt not melt even at combustion point. Waxes such as paraffin, beeswax, etc. are pro- cessed and are recommended for use at; high temperatures. Slightly harder than unprocessed wax, their wax solubility is not affected. * * * . Bib Catch -All Designed alter the fashion of a Kangaroo pouch, babies' bib fea- tures pouch held open permanently by a patented spring device. Made of plastic, bib catches any spilled foot.. k * Travel Without Creases A portable clothes carrier for the travel minded, is said to carry clothes without wrinkling. Gar- ments hang full length in the hag from a hook on top, or bag can be carried by traveller folded in half with a locking device and padded handle for the purpose. Item can also be used as utitth- proof storage hag. to to * Coal -oil Iron New British product is iron which operates for about four hours on one-third of a pint of coni -oil, company claims. Including coal - oil, iron weights only five prangs, * to * For Fishermen Lightweight waders made of 20 - gauge Vinyiite plastic are some- thing new for this season's fishing enthusiasts. Compact -folding, the olive coloured waders have scant - less feet molded from heavier 30 - gauge plastic add chest -high vari- ety weighs only 2/ pounds. * * * One -Man TV Unit Portable television camera and transmitting station weighing only 53 pounds can be carried by news reporters in the field and operates with its own battery power supply. Ranging approximately a mile, unit has pencil -sized tabes and other miniature parts designed to re - dace weight. Canadian Couple Builds Herb Business, Turn Their Hobby Into Profits Under the above heading, Lyn Harrington, in a recent issue of the of The Christian Science Monitor, has. an article which should be of interest to so many of our readers that, by special permission, we are reproducing it complete. Herbs have not only •added piquancy to the menu of the At- kinson fancily of Caledon, Ontario, but their fragrance' has enriched their lives. ,lir. and Mrs. William Atkinson, a middle-aged couple in a tiny Ontario village, not only use herbs themselves, but grow them and package tltent for sale to oth- ers. Their partnership based on a mutual interest has grown into a profitable small business. Mr. Atkinson always Jove(' gar- dens and gardening—and reading. As he pored over seed catalogues or medieval writings, his mind turned to herbs. He now grows some 60 different varieties in his garden. Mrs. Atkinson uses almost all of tltent in iter cookery. "Tice Wee Gardens," as the At- kinsons can their place in the Cale - don Hills- about 40 miles northwest of Toronto, is lees than an acre in extent. Herbs edge the paths, grow in the flower beds on the lawn, un- der the apple tree, in the shadow of athe junipers. as foundation plant- ing, and in neat rows ih the back garden, It is sufficient for their immediate needs as the Atkin - sons do not market in bulk,'and it can be extended if they do desire, After the war, the Atkinsons de- cided to turn their hobby into a commercial enterprise. At _first, they found difficulty in obtaining bottles in which to pakage their products. But their difficulty has been overcome. The crushed herbs, go to market in attractive small jellies, and various kinds of vinegar Nat: es in which to nerbage their kinsntt's previous work with an ad- vertising agency helped hint design the labels and the, packaging, an important part of selling. Vinegars Follow Herbs They started with just the herbs --marjoram,• thyme, rosemary, sage and savory and others. But exten- sive reading, w itis an eye to their own resources, persuaded tltent t0 try vinegars. Now they produce nine different flavors of vinegars, among them basil, dill, shallot, cu- cumber and garlic. These not only have a delightful fragrance, but save the housewife the bother of mincing garl!a or buying cucumber ottt of season. 'Tarragon vinegar has been most popular, Just recently, Mrs, Atkinson went n0 to pr'teess relishes and condiments in jelly form. This is pare fruit juice with herbs added, and Which they call "1 -highland Sweets." Clear green sage jelly and clear chili jelly are a tangy delight. A new one now in pro- cess of testing and tasting is a. gauze condiment, in which the high - bush cranberry takes a leading part, The Atkinson products are 1101 cheap, but the quality is high and, just as important, it is consistent. Otte vinegar manufacturer in Tor- onto, who sells vast quattil.iee of his own product, fuses only Atkin- son vinegar oti his dinner -table. It isn't worth his while to develop so many different flavors, and he honestly admite that his quality cannot compare with theirs. The wife of a well-to-do manufacturer buys the Atkinsot's hambtu'ger seasoning by. the dozen bottles, She's not above improving her stews or treat loaves. "'.flat's the beauty of using herbs," says Mrs. Atkinson earnest- ly. "You can get epicurean daunt out of tate cheap cats by using good quality herbs, Anyone can stake a success with the best cuts." Perfecting With Patience The Atkinsons had mach more than "just alt idea" when they started into the herb business. They had had years of growing them, cooking with then, and shar- ing them with friends. When they decided to go into it commercially, they tested and tried more exact- ingly than ever. Many a brew went down the drain, and many a blend of herbs was thrown into the kitch- en stove before they were satis- fied. Since the herbs are put up in small quantities, it is no great ex- pense to try out various kinds, But for timid souls, wino would like to know the magic of herb cookery, the Atkinsons get out a little folder. This has small packets of 10 differ- ent kinds of seasonings, with sug- gestions for using each palate tick- ler. Printed in clear lettering is the warning, "But remember—it is eas- ier add than to subtract!" A little caution in the beginning is a sound idea, for many people prefer sub- lety. With hobby and work- so inter- mingled, the Atkinsons have found their latter years evcu more blessed than their youth. As with most small businesses which d e v e l o p from a hobby, the returns are great- er than a bank account would indi- cate. Jest one rewatyl is the pro- fusion of birds which haunt the Wee Gardens and pay their ten- ancy with song. .liven more valu- able is the host of friends which have cove to them through 'herb magic." "So you met Marian today?" "Yes; I haven't seen her in 10 years." "Has she kept her girlish figure?" "Kept it? She's doubled it." Modern Etiquette 13y Roberta Lee Q. When a person with whom one is talking mispronounces a word, would a tactful correction be in order—such no using the same word a minute later and pronounc- ing it correctly? A. '1'ltis would he anything but a "tactful correction' ltnless the person with whom yott are talk- ing is cel;v stupid, it would be ob- vious to hint that you are making a shoo of your knowledge. It is much better to ignore any gram - mallet -1i slips, Q. Is it proper to send type- written letters of condolence? A. No: letters of condolence should. be written by hand. They are store personal, and express more sympathy. Q. When a business girl visits an old friend over the week -end, a close friend whom she has known for malty years, is it necessary for her to write a bread-and-butter letter? A. It world be exceedingly rude if she didn't. This is one of the most important uulicatlone of good breeding and no matter how often you visit a certain friend for an overnight stay, a bread-and-butter letter is in order each time. Q. If a bride has received one gift from five members of the office where she was formerly employed, how should she acknowedge this gift? A. She should write a personal note of appreciation to each, per- son. Q. What is the proper time to pass olives, pickles and celery at the dinner table? A. During the soup course, Q. How may a woman know whether or not she should offer her hand to a man when being in- troduced? A. There is no yule to go by, It is altogether optional with • the woman. She may remember, how- ever, that the proffered hand is her way of showing sincere attd genuine pleasure over the intro- duction. Q. Should the bride and bride.. groom stand at the door of the church after the ceremony to re- ceive the good wishes of the guests? A. No. The wedding reception is the place for this. Q. Should the prongs of a fork be pointed upward when lifting a bite to the mouth? A. Yes, always. Q. Should one ever tip the con- ductor on a train, or the dining car steward? A. No: it is not expected. LONG TRIP Mother had just finished melting Mary into bed and was tip -toeing from the roots when a small voice stopped her. "Mummy, when I die, will I go to Heaven?" "Yes, dear." "When Fido dies, will he go to Heaven?" • " I support: so, dear," said Mother, ..getting rather tired of it all. Similar questions about the cat and canary were answered, but when the child asked about the cow the exasperated mother replied,. "No." She had just reached the door when the .sante voice said, "Mum- my, we'll have to go to .hell for the milk," On The Trail Of A Cancer-Killer—Perhaps Canada's mote i terestingr experiment in the field of fundamental cancer research is beim' curled on at the University of 'Western Ontario by Dr. Earle R. 'Plunkett. The old Indian medicine man created an interest in this partic- ular work when n report appeared that Nevada Inditut medicine Mel) were using a medicine ntatle.fromn a plant as a contracept- ive, This plant is now being investigated and it has been intrad to have at unique action in that it inhibits certain pittttary hor- mones which are responsible for normal sexual development. Dr, Piuiiitett is working in an t•il'ort to•pttrify the crude plant material in order to leave a pure silbstaince to ptwsnc his clinical experiments. Tt is well established that certain pituitary and sex hormones have .t definite effect on cancerous tumours and much of the present day treatment ttf these tumours is directed towards the inhiltiti00 of these hormones.