The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-06-26
Gpening State ga,;rual,
WEDNESDAY EVE'G, JUNE &c, 1872.


A fungus which grows on the ca lcareous
rocks of Florida is said to possess narcotic
properties, and to be used by the natives
to some extent as substitute for tobacco.
DIR. Isidor Wells.)
Woman's. milk, when the food is in,
sufficient, shows a diminution in the but
ter, casein, sugar, and salts, while the al
bumen is increased. The change occurs in
four or five days. (E. Decaisne.)
The decay of wood is generally supposed
to he caused by the decomposition Of the
albumen contained in the sap, and from this
decomposition results poison which, be-
ing in iuxtapositon with the heart, speedi-
ly induces decay in it. Another cause is the
slow oxidation, which attacks both the
sap and the heart, but particularly the latter.
BY impregnating the wood with creosote
both of these causes of decay are avoided,
and the iron bolts and spikes employed in
joining parts together are likewise preserved.
Professor Waklyn states that filtration of
water through beds or layers of porous
material suffices to destroy any albuminoid
dissolved in the water, converting it into
ammonia. nsH.H ... ..... "a.
Phosphuret Of calcium has been recently
employed in the construction Of signal
light. The phosphuret is enclosed in tin
vessel having gas jet attached. When it
is thrown on the water it floats with the Jet
upwards. The water entering the bottom
OF the cylinder decomposes the phosphuret
of calcium, and the phosphidc of hydrogen
gas, escaping from the jet, ignites spontane-
0usly and burns in the air.
Paper pulp may be prepared by boiling
clean wood-shavings or sawdust in solu-
ton Of borax or potassa and an alkaline
phosphate; benzole or naphtha being added
ASA solvent for the resin of the wood. Al
ter boiling for six hours the wood is treated
with sulphide of calcium, and then bleach
ed..with chloride of lime or sulphurous acid.
Turner's vision, now the subject of so
much discussion, and concerning which DR..
Liebreich has recently lectured, i explain
in part as follows He often placed the
sun in the centre Of the picture. If any
one looks at the sun in this manner, the
eyes become suffused with moisture, and
the same vertical strcakiness and yellow
glare will be produced. (N. Mattieu Will
liams.)
Sunhowers are said to exhale an oXonized
oxygen, and are therefore recommended
for cultivation in malarious districts to de-
stroy the mallarial poison. They are, in
addition, very useful plants, yielding about
forty per cent of good oil from their seeds,
and their leaves serve as fodder. a diet of
sunnower seed is said to increase the laying
power Of fowls. a..
The Oructor Amphibolis, or amphihious
digger, constructed by Evans in 1904, was
probably the first instance in which steam
was employed for propulsion on land. The
machine in question was constructed by
order of the Board of Health of Philadel-
phia, for the purpose of dredging, and
Evans took the opportunity of practically
carrying out his IDEAS of the application of
steam as means Of locomotion, by con-
struggling it in such a manneras to move it
self by wheels on land and by a stern pad
die on water. -..
The rattle OF the rattesnakc is for the
purpose of initiating the sound of the Cica-
la and other insects that form the food of
MANY birds. and so attract the latter within
the reach of the serpent. professor Shaler.j
Ants belonging to the species Apheno-
CASTER, in storing seeds for food, bite off the
Tadicle to prevent the termination of the
seed. (Mr. j. 7. Moggridge.)
Potash salts are essential to the assihl-
lation of plants; without them starch is
not formed in the chlorophyll granules, and
the weight of the plant remains constant as
in pure water.-PrQfessor Noble, IN Serb
ne,'s. for July.