CUREAN 225 CURRENT METER opportunity institute the "roarin' game," as it has been very appropriately called. The game does not require much appara- tus. Given a smooth sheet of ice not less than 60 yards in length, a set of stones, eight keen players each armed with a broom, and nothing more is needed. Simple as it may seem at first sight, the game is one demanding great dexterity and skill, not to mention strength and endurance, on the part of those who as- pire to be first-class players. Four play- ers, two on each side, stand at either end, having two stones apiece, and the game consists in trying which can lay their stones nearest to the "tee," i. e., the center of the concentric cii'cles marked out on the ice at the far end of the rink. The stones used are made of granite or whin, and must not exceed 50 pounds in weight nor be more than 36 inches in cir- cumference. Iron "stones" are also much in vogue, because of it being possible to make much more scientific play with them. CURLEW CTJRRAN, JOHN PHILPOT, an Irish advocate and orator ; born in Newmarket, County Cork, in 1750. In 1783 he ob- tained a seat in the Irish Parliament as member for Kilbeggan. In debate, Cur- ran, who was one of the few Liberal members then in the House, was usually charged with the duty of replying to op- ponents; for which important duty his ready speech and cutting retort admir- ably qualified him. In 1788, he was in favor of the formation of the Irish volun- teers; and, in subsequent years, he was constant and eloquent in his appeals to government to adopt a different policy toward Ireland, as that which it was pur- suing was likely to drive the people into rebellion. Government gave no heed, and the rebellion of 1798 was the consequence. Curran had retired from Parliament be- fore the Union, of which he was a warm opponent. He was appointed Master of the Rolls in Ireland in 1806, an office he held till 1813, when he resigned. He died in London in 1817. CURRANT, a delicious fruit. The dried currants of the stores are the fruit of a small grape cultivated in what was the ancient Ithaca (the island of Ulysses), at Patras in the Morea, in Zante, Cephalonia, etc. Currants in this sense were introduced into England in the 16th century, under the name of cor- inthes. The name is also given to a num- ber of shrubs, placed in the genus Ribes, and by De Candolle in the sub-genus Ribesia. About 40 so-called species are known. Red currant (Ribes riibrum) is a well- known garden shrub in various respects resembling its ally the black currant, but having red fruit. It is found apparently wild in mountainous districts in the N. parts of the United States, in Scotland, and the N. of England, as well as in the N. of Continental Europe, and in Siberia. Red-flowered currant, or bloody cur- rant, is an ornamental species with large racemes of deep rose-colored flowers, and bluish-black berries. It is indigenous to the N. W. coast of this country. Hawthorn currant-tree (Ribes oxya- canthoides) is indigenous to Canada and the Northern States. Golden-flowered currant (Ribes aurC' um) is another American species. Dark purple-flowered curi'ant is a species of currant wild on the Altai Mountains, and the mountainous regions near the Ural river. Black currant (Ribes nigrum) has leaves of a strong smell. The black cur- rant is found at large, but probably not really wild, in Great Britain, besides which it is found in Sweden and the N. of Russia, and in the S. of Europe, though there more sparingly. CURRENCY, the current money or circulating medium of a country, whether in coin or in paper. The metallic cur- rency comprises the gold, silver, nickel, and copper coin in circulation in any country; but for these three latter aids to circulation the metallic currency would fall far short of the necessities of the country. In the United States, England, and France bronze coin is used instead of copper. Nickel minor coins, 25 per cent, nickel and 75 per cent, copper, are used in Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, and the United States. Coins of platinum have been used in Russia. Paper cur- rency comprises treasury notes, bank- notes, bills of exchange, or checks, which circulate as substitutes or representatives of coin. CURRENT METER, an instrument for measuring the rate of flow of water.
