The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-10
Notes ON the Progress Of Science.


1t is reported that plan has been matured and
aid before the Smithsonian Institute for the diffu
sion of copies of the masterpieces of sculpture.
The project has been well received, and there will
probably be favorable action upon it early this
winter
The art-now and for so long time past almost
dormant-of using various colored bricks and stones
in building is now exciting some attention in scien-
tc circles. 1t is suggested that great variety of
fine effects of color might be produced with the
several shades of red and yellow brick at the COM
mand Of the builder. There are few buildings so
beautiful in color as the church of Murano, and
its beauty is owing almost entirely to the mas
terly arrangement Of the colored bricks of which
it is constructed; and there is no doubt that an
fist of taste by the judcious of such materials
at the present day, might greatly beautfy the build
ings Of his creation.
The group of sculpture carved by Gibson, the
English artist, for the Parliament House, represent
ing the Queen enthroned between Justice and Gle.
mency, is completed. The London Afhen9um says
of the Queens statue, that as likeness it is fail
ure the figure is too plump, the pose too theatrical
and the face too heavy. But apart from the mere
want of resemblance to the original, it has certain
grandeur of outline, and massiveness Of concep-
ZION, which bespeak the hand of the accomplished
artist. Mr.. Crawford, the American sculptor, is
now busily engaged in completing his models, twelve
in number for the pedment Of the capitol at Wash
ington. These figures designed to represent the
progress Of civilization.
According to the English journals the MIME
weapon must soon DO superseded. Lancaster's
elpucally bored carbines having been subjected to
various proofs In the arsenals at Woolwich, her
Majesty's corps of sappers ard miners are now
being armed with them. These muskets have seve-
raj qualities which have caused them to be pro-
nounced superior in construction and power to
the Mimic rifle and have range of upwards of
eco yards.
Mr.. stephen Brown, practical printer in SYRIA
ments in card presses, the chief advantage con.
sitng in the ability to print different coors at one
ard the same time, while running at the rate Of
about twelve hundred per hour. 1t takes up about
the same space the Rugeles press, and is nearly
as simple in its construction. The bed and plates
are in the same position as the Adams press.
The war has by no means impeded the progress
Of scientific pursuits in Russia. During the last
year numerous party started for the exploration
OF Eastern Siberia; another party was sent to the
seppes of the Kirghis; third was deputed to fix
the exact geographical positions OF number OF
for the construction of exact typographical map
OF the vast districts of mines in that part Of Russia
fourth expedition, with forty chronometers, was
to join, first, Moscow with Saratow, ahd this latter
town with Astrachan; and finally, the great trigo-
nomerical operations in the southern part of Russia
and in the trans Caucasian provinces carried on
without the least interruption There are, also, at
present 5000 miles of telegraph wires erected in
Eussia, all of which are continually used for the
transmission Of telegraphic dispatches:
Mr.. l.. l.. Chapman, Of Philadelphia, has devc-
opeda new theory in respect to the weather: This
il, that light poarzed at certain angles, will gene
rate much more electricity than when polarized at
certain other angles. Proof-Lieht, poarized in
netize wire in less than an hour, while rays polar
lied at other angles will have such effect There
fore, currents OF rays polarZed by reflection from
the different bodies of the solar SYSTEM in greater
highly electrical angles, must necessarily produce
fluctuations in the electrical condition OF the atmos
pierre. To these fluctuations Mr.. Chapman as
cribes storms earthquakes, and all meteoric changes
as well as cholera, vegetable blight, &c.
An EDglishman has obtained patent for The fol-
loving method Of making pipes:-He takes thin
si!ps OF wood and bends them spirafly and dia-
gonally, and fills up the nterstices with asphalt or
cemert-a process which Is said to accomplish the
purpose very successfully.
new material tor building purposes is now
claiming the attention OF builders. 1t Is artificial
sandstone and Is composed entirely of sand and
ime. The ingredients are mixed in the required
proportions, and then, by very powerful machine
subjected to great pressure, which Immediately in
duces chemical change, rendering the blocks In
short time as hard as sandstone from the quarry
and like it in appearance. These blocks, which are
about three times the size Of common bricks, have
been subjected to chemical and atmospheric tests
injury. Experiments with it, in respect to its
power of resisting cold and heat have been Der.
formed by Professors Henry and Silliman and from
the opinion given by them the new material would
appear to possess merits likely to render it Of sub
stantial value
The New Haven Register states that patent has
just been taken out by gentleman of that city for
the prevention Of the connterfeitng OF bank bills in
every manner, either by photographing altering or
otherwise; and so highly approved is his invention
that four Of the New Haven banks will at once pro-
coed TO issue bills after the new method. The in
yention is the result Of chemical experiments The
paper to be used for the bills Is OF light straw
color; red is also employed. These colors are rem.
daed necessary By the chemical process to which
the paper is required to be subjected In its manu-.
factuIe.
Artificial rearing Of salmon is likely elicit some
interesting facts in physiological science, aud il Is
now becoming largely extended as business in va.
rious parts Of Europe The re-filling Of the breed
ing box at Storinoutield is now nearly completed
sdrrn ~ them have been filed with nya tn,rn Lrn1n