The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-08-02
I From Tie london CFeniicdl Nelys |
CHEMISTRY OF THE COMET

CHEMISTRY OF The COMET.
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 a tangible substance or not
whether it is close at hand in the test tube, mil
Hons OF miles away; lift only fulils the one cnnd-
ton ct emitting light, it is almost certain to 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 analyst 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, seems to be necessary in order to OBJ
tain sufficient light to illuminate the field of view
me spectrum apparatus being placed in proper
adjustment, the luminous image only requires to
fa on the slit and along the axes of the collima
ting tube for the fixed lines in the cometic spec-
trum to be instantly visible.
email and temporary arrangement, hurriedIy
nted up, has been sufficient to satisfy US OF the ex
lstence OF hsed 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 larrer
and more powerful apparatus. MANY important
questions would tous be finally settled II the
comet shone merely by reflected light from the SUM-
the ordinary solar fixed lines would be the only
ones visible IT, however, as is most probable.
some OF its spendor is due to native light the spec
trum would easily reveal whether the nucleus or
the tail in the solid vaporous state; if the
former, it would give continuous spectrum, while,
IL 1t were Vapor, the spectrum would be dscOn-
nected, and the lines in it would at once dis
close the elementary bodies to which they were
due. 1t ls, however, impossible to foresee all the
valuable information the obscure subject of stel-
lar chemistry which could in this manner be 90.
tanned We trust that, having pointed out this
InCyH fol nf oh ~, x;ol H.
vest of facts with which science thereby be en-
riched will not be allowed to escape for want of
able observers.
The MANUFACTURE OF LEATHER AND IRON AT CHAT
TANooGA-A correspondent of the Charleston Wer-
curry, in letter dated Chattanooga, 18th ultimo,
gives the ubjoiued 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. one of
the largest taDneres in the South. 1t is now in
active operation, and turning out from 5000 to
10000 sides of well-tsnned leather every four
months, giving an aggregate of 10000 sides of
leather per annum. A New Orleans firm purchased
here, few DAYS since, $4,000 worth of leather for
their shoe-making establishment, and we were in
formed that more than $4,000 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 C. rail
road 1t Is the design of the firm to go largely
into the manufacture of shoes, at this point, at an
early period.
The advantage of Chattanooga over other places
for the tanning business numerous. The album
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, some of the advan-
tages.
The great scarcity of pig iron at the South, at
this tie will certainly induce those competent to
the work to look toward this point. We visited
the large smelling furnace erected few wears apo
which we regretted to find entirely idle Within a
mile OF all the depots of the roads convergipg at
Chattanooga. stands the ample buildings and huge
machinery OF this very important establishment, on
ly needlng lew dollars and practical mind to
render it one of the best paying concerns in the
South. Any competent gentleman could, with
about So0,000, 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 find coal, ore
and machinery, all ready Tor active operation with
a few weeks repairs.
Messrs. Webster & Mann are preparing the en-
tire machinery for the new powder mill of Mr.. w.
S. WhitemaD, to whom ausion has been made
fully prepared to nil 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 we saw
In their foundry cannot be shown in any estab-
lshment, we venture to say. We all heartily
wished that about ten g. Founders were then plant
ed opposite Cairo, and kept at work for few
hours, so that the last man of Prentisss force
might have an early passage to his "right place"
with Prentiss to lead the way.
CoTroN GINs-The Savannah Repubicon or Tho
10th ult. states that large mandatory of cotton
and agricultural implements is now in course of
erection in that city. The mandatory will Give
employment to two hundred operatives, and will
COST several hundred thousand dollars.