Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-11-20
AGRICULTURAL-SCI SCIENTIFIC.
cunIosIr1Es OF SCIENCE.


An Interesting paper might be written by a eomps'
tent handrespecting what we may call .ns 'curosues
of Science There are hundreds OF facts familiar 10
The explorer of Nature, which would starle the ord.
nary reader from their apparent antagonlsn 10 othef
facts Thus, II a blackened card is placed upon
snow or ice in the sunshine, the frozen mass UNDER
meath will gradually melt, while that by which Il -
surrounded is but little disturbed. II, however, tho
suns rays instead Of falling directly on the card and
snow, are reflected from metal surface, an exactly
opposite result occurs the exposed parts are the hres
TO melt, and the backened card remains standing high
above The surrounding portion.
Another curious fact is, that it bars OF copper zinc,
brass and bell metal heated and placed 50 az 70
cool on blocks of lead, tin or pewter, the oars as
thrown no slate of vibratior, and produce SOUNDS
similar to those Of an Eolian harp. blacksmith
will tell you that he can press heat out oI piece ol
iron by simply beating with hammer, unu'
last he will render it red hot and be able to light
ma,rb bv it. but he will add tha. the same piece can
not he made red hot again by hammering until II ma
b.en made red hot in fire, and brought back TO ~
ORIGINAL expanded condition. The same prInciPh
which is al the bottom of this curious fact enables
fire 10 be obtained by the friction of two pieces OF
wood.
Even un.ciepfc readers are familiar with the faet
tina. ice can be formed in the hottest summer day,o!
chemical means; but few are aware that wafer can
be frozen In vessel that is at red heat ths as
tonlshng experiment has been frequently pef'ormeo'
II deem plaiina saucer is heated red hot, and hen
water and LIQUID sulphurous acid, which has been
preserved in The liquid state by freezing MIXTURE 10
noured into The vessel, the rapid evaporation OF the
volatile acid which enters into ebullion at the iree'
zns point, produces such intense cold that ice
Immediately formed, and being thrown OUT can "
used to cool water q,
The experiments Of jugglers have proved to ALL
that under certain conditions the hand can % I'M
mersed with im2unity into melted metal. Lille moio
is required than to rub the hands with soap 30 sso
pye them polished surface, then TO plunge 'nem
into cold solution of water and sal ammoniec, ano
afterwards to put them into liquid iron, lead, bronze
or other metal. moving them rapidly through IL
though no. too rapidly. The explanation OF This Gu.
rious fac. IS this: when tbs hand il plunged INTO
melted metal the skin is not in contact with she mct>
al and therefore the heat incident upon the SKIN CO.
arise ony from that which is radiated from The me'st.
The moisture Of the skin passed into the spheroioai
state and reflects the radialing ealorle, 10 ms' VIZ
heat is never at the boiling point.
Heat and light exhibit in part, through Transparent
bodies, a very remarkable difference. Transparent
alum, which is as clear as the purest water, 'rans-
ns only twelve per cent. of heat, while rock crys-
tall which is not more lucid, transmits nine'y-ssve"
per cent of heat On the principle Of different coorS
the whole economy Of nature, in reference 10 pe a0
sorplion and radiation OF heat by the various kinds
Of flowers and plants, is carried on. Saysa late wr-
ter "Every tree spreading it. green leaves 10 tho
sunshine, exposing its brown branches TO the ar
every flower which lend, its beatty 10 the earth pos.
sesses different absorbing and radating powers The
chaliceke cup of the pure white lily floating on hs
lake, the v.regaled tulip, the brilliant anemons, hs
delicate rose, and the intensely coiored Peony, OF
dahla, have each powers peculiar TO themselves fas
drinking in the warming lfe-sream of the sun, and
for radIatng it back again to the shrssing atmos.
phere" Electricity also performs an important une.
lion in the growth OF flowers, as is populariy known
by actual experiment, In short, the world OF sci-
ence is full of curious facts and not withouta poetry
of its own Many an intellect that wastes its time
in profess mental speculation, or loiters life away
in the perusal Of trashy books would find new oe.
light in tracing the wonder working processes OF
Nature, and learn through revering Nature oadors
Natures Philadelphia Bulletin.