The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-12-04
LOCAL MATTERS.

IKE FIRST LECTURE OF professor
HoWLAND.--A large aud intelligent auo
fence assembled at Virginia Hall last ever
ing at the opening Of the Scientific Lectur
Course. Professor Rowland proceeded {
explain the character Of tho instrument
used in the lectures. The composition Q
various gases was illustrated by som
BEAUTIFUL and striking experiments. Oxy
ygen and hydrogen gases were nlxec
and exploded with o loud report in bubbles
OF soap suds and in the hydrogen pistol
The Professor remarked, for the benefit o
the boys who play with soap bubbles, thai
they could improve their quality by using
good white CASTLE soap and q little glycerinee
added. They can thus make them strong
enough to float long distance. Hydrogen
was then burnt in tubes of various sizes,
producing musical tones of great power and
sweetness.
The calcium light was produced by burn
ing oxygen and hydrogen gases on ball
Of lime. This is generally known as the
Drummond light. The construction of the
electrical battery was explained, and the
mode OF generating the electricity and ap-
plying it to produce the light. The battery
consists OF eighty cups of vulcanized rub
per, zinc, porous cups and platinum, and
is charged with diluted sulphuric acid and
concentrated nitric acid. The extremities
OF the battery are connected with the lamp
by insulated wires. The electricity is thus
made to pass between two charcoal points.
and produces on intense light at the point OF
contact. The intensity of this light is about
seventy times greater than the calcium
light. The unprotected eye cannot bear II
without danger, and by its aid tho most
wonderful results have been achieved IN
microscopic investigation. The light was
then produced and the striking shadow of
the carbon points of the lamp was the first
OBJECT thrown upon the screen and ex-
planned.
The Professor then exhibited great va.
rlety OF objects, showing the wondrous
power OF the instrument. Lines ruled at
the rate of $4,000 to the inch were re-
solved in the field of this powerful lamp so
as to be counted. Minute animalcule
ware magnfied one million five hundred
thousand times. The flea, the louise. the
Itch mite C'Aca,us Scabie ", the cheese
mite, the sugar mite, the vinegar eel, the
= t'7chs'aa spiralis" Of the pork eaters, and
hundreds of other animals were shown
enlarged to ten feet in length. A series of
Microscopic views of the structure of mus
,ular tissue made by DR.. Woodward of
he anatomical museum in Washington.
we're very finely shown and were of great |
interest to the medical profession. Some |
plendid photographs taken by the new
arbon process were superior to anything
We have ever seen, and excited great ap. |
clause.
The views Of the Yellowstone, by Prof.
Hayden, U. s. Geologist. were strikingly
'Sautiful, and publicly exhibited for The
lrst time in this country.
The lecture closed with some very fine
experiments with the monster magnet
which Prof. Rowland has suspended on the
llattorin, and which holds up 1000 pounds.
'hree men suspended their weight upon
ne armature. A pail of nails were thrown
galnst it by the handful and stuck till
ne connection of the magnet was
svered with the battery, when they fell
lstantly to the ground. The entire audi
nee expressed their delight and satisfaction
18th the exhibition, which was as solid and
setul as it was entertaining. The rext
cture of tho course is on Thursday even
g, and We trust will be fully attended. as
deserves to be.