The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-08-09
SCIENTIFIC AND MECHANICAL.

BELTs.-M Manufacturers in the United
states are finding out that, for many kinds
of driving machinery, round belts are pre-
ferable to fiat belts. Among the advantages
Of one over the other, they state that the
round belt cuts of less light than the fiat
belt, occupies less room, makes smaller
holes in the floor, requires lighter driving
pulleys, thereby economising power while
as regards driving-power, round belt ono
inch In diameter has been doing for years
work which proved too severe for seven
teen-inch fiat belt.
FUNGI.-The Society of Arts are collect
ing and publishing information about
fungi-vegetables of the mushroom tribe,
as they may be called-for use as food.
mushrooms, which are good to eat, and
highly nutritious, but they are commonly
called toad-stO0ls, or some other vulgar
name, and are rejected ~ unwholcsome.
There Is, however, good evidence to show
that, with some exceptions, which are easy
to identify, most of the funguses growing
in England may safely be eaten. Another
article of diet noticed by the society il,
meat in powder, manufactured in Australia.
Five pounds Of fresh meat, when thoroughly
dried, yield one pound Of powder, which
sells at two shillings, and is described as
palatable and nutritious.
THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF PErRo
NJ uc ply hlCitl properties ana CaIOr1C
power Of American petroleum have been
investigated by NJ. Henry Deville, who has
just communicated his results to the Aca-
deny of Sciences. We shall now only
notice one important point established. NJ.
Deville shows that Pennsylvania petro-
! its volume for every ten degrees centigrade
of heat. This, the author points out, is o
fact to be considered when storing petro
leum for fuel in steam vessels, where it Will
necessarily be exposed to a higher temper
allure. Space should be left in the casks to
and give rise to an explosion Another
source of danger on board a ship-and, as
dealers and spectators in the article well
know, a cause of great lOss-is the power
petroleum has'of penetrating wood. The
loss and the danger, however, may both be
casks with strong solution of glue or al
bumen. This, when dry, forms coating
impermeable to the oil. There are other
solutions used for the same purpose, but
nothing, we believe, answers better than
glue, although Nj. GARNER states TINT. he
can send petroleum about safely in paper
bags saturated with preparation of his in.
yention. NJ. Dcville makes the Iecommen.
dation, quite unnecessarily, we think, that
the lighter oils should be distilled OFT wher
the petroleum is intended for fuel.
CURE FOR CoNsUMPPIoN.-A we'll known
physician says Eat all that the lppctit.
requires of the most nourisl,ing food sucl
as fresh beef, lamb, oysters, raw eggs, fruit
vegetables, and three times a day take
glass rof- egg-nogg, made as rich as til.
patient can bear. Avoid all alcohol,
drinks. Battle twice week in water mad,
.(agrecably warm, and in a warm room, aft q
, bathing, rub the body and liIabs with swee
oil. Exercise daily in the open air, walking
is the best. Stand erect exercise the arm
and lungs freely, keep the mind cheerful
taste freely of the best cough medicine, ant
consumption will be n stranger to you
household. For making the best cougl
syrup, take one ounce of thoroughwort, one
ounce of flax seed simmer together in one
quart of water until the strength is entirely
extracted. Strain carefully; add one PIN
of the best molasses and half pound O.
loaf sugar simmer them we'll together, aaG
when cold bottle tight. 1t is the cheapest
best, and the safest medicine for coughf
now or ever used. A few doses of one
tablespoonful at time will alleviate the
most di stressing cough of the lungs, soothe.
and allays irritation, and if continued, sub
dues any tendency to consumption, break
up entirely the whooping cough, asthma
bronchitis, and all affections of the lungs
and throat. Thousands of precious lives
; may he saved every year by this cheap and
simple remedy, as well as thousands o
dollars which would otherwise be spent i,
the purchase of nostrums, which are boil
useless and dangerous.
a TOUCHING INeTDENT.-Onc of the Ba
varian representatives to the German Gas
toms FRi0n-Mr. Lucas-writes from Berlir
to the !Strautinger daily paper the follow