The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-21
I H Z X E P u BLIC /.
curiosities OF Science.

An interesting paper might be written, by IA com
petent hand, respecting what may call the
"Curiosities of Science" There hundreds oi
facts, familiar to the explorer of nature. which
would startle the ordinary reader. from their appa
rent antagonism TO other facts. Thus il black
ened card is placed upon snow or ice in the sun
shine, the frozen mass underneath will gradually
melt; while that by which IL is surrounded is but
little disturbed IT. however, the SUMS rays, in
stead of falling directly the card and snow, are
reflected from metal surface an exactly opposite
result occurs; the exposed parts are the first to
melt, and the blackened card remains standing
high above the surrounding portion Another cu-
rious fact rs that If bars of copper, znc BRASS and
bell metal are heated and placed TO cool on
into state of vibration and produce sounds simi-
lar 10 those Of an aolan harp. blacksmith will
tell you that he can press heat out of piece OF
iron, by simply beating it with hammer, until,
at last he will render il red hot and be able light
match at IT, but he will add that the same piece
cannot be made red hot again by hammer ring, un-
Ill il has been made red hot in fire, and brought
back TO its original expanded condition The same
principle which is the bottom Of this curious fact
enables fire to be obtained by the friction of two
pieces of wood.
Even unscicntifc readers familiar with the
fact that ice be formed. in the hottest summer
day, by chemical means; but few are aware that
water can be frozen in vessel which is at red
heat. Yet this astonishing experiment has been
frequently performed. II deep patina saucer is
heated red hot, and then water and LIQUID SULPHUR
state by freezing mixture is poured into the
sci, the rapid evaporation of the volatile acid, which
enters into cbullition at the freezing point, pro-
duceS such an intense cold that ice ID Immediately
formed, and being thrown out, can be used to cool
water. The experiments of jugglers have proved
to ALL that under certain conditions, the hand can
be immersed with impunity in melted metal. Lit
tie more Is required than to rub the hands with soap
so as to give to them polished surface, then to
plunge them into cold solution Of water and sal
ammoniac, and afterwards to put them into the
liquid iron, lead bronze, or other metal, moving
them rapidly through II, though not too rapidly.
The explanation of this curious fact is this. When
the hand is plunged into melted metal the skin is
not in contact with the metal, and therefore the
heat incident upon the skin arise only from that
which is radiatcd from the metal The moisture Of
the skin passes into the sphcrodal state and reflects
the radiating caoric, SO that the heat is never at
the boiling point.
Heat and light exhibit in part, though transpa.
rent bodies, a very remarkable difference. Trans
parent alum, which is clear the cleanest water
transmits only twelve per cent of heat, while rock
chrystal which rs not more lucid, transmits ninety
seven per cent. of heat. Black glass allows ninety
per cent. of heat to pass through il; while green
glass, colored by oxide of copper, and covered with
layer of water, will, though perfectly transparent
almost entirely deprive the solar ray of heat. On
the principle of different colors, the whole economy
Of nature in reference TO the absorption and radia
ton of heat by the various kinds of flowers and
plants, is carried on. Says late writer: Every
tree spreading its green leaves TO the sunshine or
exposing its brown branches to the air-evcry
flower which lends its beauty To the earth Possesses
different absorbing and radiatng powers. The
chalice-like cup OF the pure white lily floating on
the lake, the variegated tulip, the brilliant
none, the delicate rose, and the intensely
peony, Gahlia have each powers peculiar to
themselves for drinking in the warming life stream
of the sum- and for radiating it back again TO the
thirsting atmosphere" Electricity also performs
important function in the growth of flowers, as
is popularity known by actual experiment In short,
the world of science is full of curious facts and
without poetry of its own. Many intellect
that wastes its time in profitless mental specula-
tions, loiters life away IN the perusal of trashy
books, would find a new delight in tracing the
wonder working processes of nature, and learn,
through revering nature, TO adore natures Cod
Philadelphia Erening Bulletin