The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-08-19


returns a tone as distinct as if Tung in the air
Stop one ear with the finger, and press the other
to one end of long stick, or piece of deal WOOD,
and if u watch be held at the other end of the
wood ticking will be heard, be the wood or stick
ever so long.
Tie poker on the middle of strip of flannel two
or three feet long, and press your thumbs fingers
into your ears, while yOn swing The poker against
an iron fender, and you will hear sound like that
of a very heavy church bell.
These experiments prove that water, wood and
flannel are good conductors of sound for the sound
of the BELL the watch and the fenderspa through
the water, and along the deal and flannel TO the
Unjust be observed, that body while in the act
Of sounding is in state Of vibration, which COM
municates TO the surrounding air-the undulation
fthe air affect the ear and excite in the sense
of sound Sound of all kinds it is ascertaine ira
wells at the rate of Is miles in minute; the sofest
whisper trayelSas fast as the most tremendous thun
der. The knowledge of this fact has been applied
! to the measurement of distances.
Suppose ship in distress fire gun, the light Of
which is seen shOre or by another vessel twenty
seconds before the report is heard it is known to be
at distance of twenty times ll42 feet, or little
more than four and half miles.
Again, if | see vivid flash of lightning, and in
two second hear d tremendous clap of thunder, /
know that the thunder cloud is not more than 100
yards from the place where | am, and should I'M
stantly retire from an exposed situation.
The pulse OF healthy person beats about 76 in a
minute il, therefore, between fash of lightning
and the thunder | can feel !, 2, 3, 4, beats Of my
pulse, | know that the clouds are 900, 1900, 200
feet from me.
Sound like light after it has reflected from seve-
raj places, NAV be collected into one point as a
focus, where it will be more audible than in any
other part. On this principle whispering galleries
are constructed.
Speaking trumpets and those intended to assist
the hearing Of deafpersons, depend on the TeAec-
lion Of sound from the sides of the trumpet, and also
upon lis being confined and prevented from spread
ing in every direction. a speaking trumpet to
have IFS full effect must be directed in line to-
ward the nearer. The report of gun is much
louder when towards person Than one placed IN
a contrary direction.
SINGULAR HABITS OF MENAGERIE BEASTS
A writer in Cincinnati paper, describing mid
night visit to the animals of Raymond q Waring'
menagerie, with Driesbach, the famous keeper,
says -
!" It was a sight worth walking ten miles to see.
we found, contrary to the assertions OF natural MS
torans, an elephant lying down. 1t has always
been asserted that these animals sleep standing.
The different Gagged animals were reposing in the
most graceful and classical attitudes The lion and
the tiger, the leopard and the panther, were lying
with their paws affectionatey twined about each
other without regard to species and nativity In
cages containing more than one animal, 1t is the
never failing custom for one to keep watch while
he others sleep. The sentry is relieved with as
much regularity as in well regulated campo SOL
disrs, although not, probably, with as much pre-
eision in regard to time The sentinel PAGES back
and forth, and is very careful not to tonch or do
ANYTHING to arouse his comrade Occasionally he
lied down. but always with his head toward tile
front of the cage, and never sleeps until he is re-
lieFed. This singular custom, Herr Driesbaeh in
forms us, since his connection with the menagere,
he has never known to be violated. Thomas Carr,
who is now the night-watcll Of the establishment,
and who is also the oldest showing master IN the
United States confirms this statement.