The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-08-02
From the London Chemical Neys |
ON Il II IS-lE Y HL II II L "a II III


Chemists can now analyze, in the most rapid
and accurate manner, almost everything which is
visible to the human eye. 1t matters not whe ther
the body possesses tangible substance or not
whether it is close at hand in the test tube or mil
lions of miles away fit only fulfls the one condi-
ton OF emitting light, it is almost certain reveal
the secrets of its composition when submitted to the
development of spectrum analysis.
The actual metallic constitution of the sun has al
ready been shown by this means; that of the fixed
stars is also being ascertained in the same manner
and we really hope that the present opportunity
will not be allowed to pass without the beautiful
method Of spectrum analysis being applied to de-
termine the elementary constitution of cometary
bodies. The apparatus required would not be more
than is already in the hands of many scientific
men. large telescope, equatorially mounted,
would, from some experiments of our own upon
this subject to be necessary, in order to OBJ
tain sufficient light to illuminate the field of view
The spectrum apparatus being placed in proper
adjustment, the luminous image only requires to
fall on the slit and along the of the collima-
ting tube for the fixed lines in the cometic spec
tFum to be instantly visible.
email and temporary arrangement, hurriedly
fitted up has been sufficient to satisfy us OF the ex-
isteuce of fixed lines in the spectrum of the light
emitted from the comet at present visible, but they
were too faint to admit of Identification This ex-
pertinent should at once be repeated with larger
and more powerful apparatus. Many important
questions would tnus be finally settled. If the
comet shone merely by reflected light from the sun,
the ordinary solar fixed lines would be the only
ones visible. If, however, as is most probable,
some of its splendor is due to native light the
trum would as easily reveal whether the nucleus
the tail were in the solid vapOrous state; if the
former, it would give continuous spectrum, while,
if it were vapor, the spectrum would be dscon-
neced, and the lines in it would at once dis
close the elementary bodies to which they were
due. 1t is, however, impossible to foresee all the
valuable information on the obscure subject of stel
lar chemistry which could in this manner be 90.
tanned We trust that, having pointed out this
most promising field OF observation, the rich har
vest of facts with which science can thereby be en-
riched will not be allowed to escape for want of
able observers.
TIE MANUFACTURE OF LEATHER AND IRON AT CHAT
TANooGA.-A correspondent of the Charleston Ner
curry, in a letter dated Chattanooga, 18th ultimo,
gives the subj0ined interesting information regard.
ing the manufactures at Chattanooga and in its
vicinity:
Your readers will be gratifed, doubtless, to learn
that there is, in the vicinity of this town, of
the largest taDneries in the South. 1t is now in
active operation, and turning out from s 900 to
10000 sides of well-tanned leather every four
months, giving an aggregate of 10000 sides of
leather per annum. New Orleans firm purchased
here, few DAYS SINCE $50 900 worth of leather for
their shoe-making establishment, and we were in
formed that more than $50 900 worth of stock was
then in the yard ready for market. The tannery is
row owned by Col G.. C. Torbitt of Nashville, and
Col Samuel Tate, president of the NJ. and G. rail
road. 1t is the design of the new firm to go largely
into the manufacture of shoes, at this point, at
early period.
The advantage of Chattanooga over other places
for the tanning business are numerous. The abun-
dance OF the very best quality of tan bark, and at
the lowest prices; the facilities for procuring hides
of every variety and being located in the centre of
our great southern market, are some of the advan-
tages.
The great scarcity of pig iron at the South, at
this tire, will certainly induce those competent to
the work to look toward this point. We visited
the large smelling furnace erected few years ago,
which we regretted to find entirely idle. Within a
mile of all the depots of the roads conyergipg at
Chattanooga, stands the ample buildings and huge
machinery of this very important establishment,
ly needing few dollars and practical mind to
render 1t one OF the best paying concerns in the
South. ANY competent gentleman could, Win
about $4,000, engage in the important enterprise
OF converting the iron ore, of which there is mere
an abundance, and of the richest quality into the
best quality of pig iron. He would ind coal, ore
and machinery, all ready for active operation with
a few weeks repairs.
Messrs Webster & Mann are preparing the en-
tire machinery for the powder mill of Mr.. W.
S. Whiteman, to whom allusion has been made.
They are also casting cannon and balls, and are
fully prepared to fill large contracts for BOTH They
are also prepared to rife cannon, which they de
sign doing, especially those of their own foundry.
More beautiful pieces of cannon than those saw
in their foundry cannot be shown in any estab-
hshment, we venture to say. We all heartily
wished that about ten 81 Founders then plant
ed opposite Cairo, and kept at work for few
hours, so that the last man of Premises force
might have early passage to his "right place, u
with Prentiss to lead the way.
CorroN GINs.-The Savannah Republican of the
10th ult. states that large mandatory of cottor
and agricultural implements is now in course O
erection in that city. The mandatory will civ,
employment to two hundred operatives, and will
cost several hundred thousand dollars.