Ailanthus

Aliantus, or Ali an thus, a tree introduced into the United States in 1784. During the first half-dozen years it outstrips almost, any other deciduous tree, the leading stems grow 12 or 15 feet in a single season. In four or five years, therefore, it forms a bulky head, but after that period it advances more slowly. The odor of ailanthus trees is disgust- ‘ing to many persons, and for this rea- ‘son they are not so much in favor as when first introduced, Ainu, or Aino, the name of an uncivilized race of people in habitat ing the ag island of Yezo, as also Saghalien, and the Kurile Islands, and believed to be the aboriginal inhabitants of Japan. They do not average over 5 feet in height, but are strong and active. They have matted beards 5 or 6 inches in length, and. black hair which they allow to grow till it falls over their shoulders. Their complexion is dark brown, approaching to black. They worship the sun and moon, and pay reverence to the bear. They support themselves by hunting and fishing, Air, the gaseous substance of which our atmosphere consists, being a mechanical mixture of 79.19 per cent. by measure of nitrogen and 20.81 per cent. of oxygen. ‘The latter is absolutely e ential to animal life, while the purpose chiefly served by the nitrogen sppears to be to dilute the oxygen.