The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1872-03-08

SCIENCE AND AkT. ss
From some trials at Liege, It ap-
pears that cartridge cases of phospho-
rus bronze. although one-fifth lighter
than those of ordinary sheet brass,
were fired from forty to fifty times
without being destroyed.
Prof. Davidson, of the United
States Coast Survey, found that q sand
stone cliff seventy feet high, was 30
much affected by the suns rays that
he was obliged to remove his instru-
ments one hundred feet from the edge,
in order to find o sufficiently steady
support. s.s5
The use Of asbestos as q piston rod
packing is now engaging the attention
of engineers. It is stated that friction
has no appreciable effect on the ashes
tos packing, and howsoever great the
pressure of the steam, or hOwsoeyer
high the temperature may be, this
packing seems to be unaffected
The supply of India rubber is said
to be inexhaustible. Each tree can be
tapped for twenty successive years,
and yields on an average three table
spoonsful day; forty-three thousand
of these trees have been counted on
tract of land thirty miles long by
eight wide.
No trace OF man has been found in
any deposits formed during the glacial
period in Northern Europe, but the
absence of early human remains is
easily accounted for by the ease with
which the bones decay. The oldest
human skulls that have been found are
the same type as those of races now
existing. 81
When fresh water fish get into salt
water they swim near the surface, and
the converse of this is noticeable in
regard to marine fishes. When these
find their way into fresh water they
usually remain at the bottom OF the
stream. Such is the observation of NJ.
Bart, recently communicated to the
Paris Academy of Sciences.
According to the Gaulois, the
Colonne Vendome will shortly restor-
ed to its former position. All the frag-
ments of the column have been collect
ed at the Depot of Crown Property in
the Rue de l'Universite. There are In
all 272 pieces, only two Of which will
require re-casting- those which formed
that portion Immediately beneath the
capital, representing in. relief the
soldiers who fought at Austerlitz.
Professor Henry says that the
observations of the Smithsonian In
stitution, which extend over q period
twenty years, have as yet failed to
confirm the popular belief that the
removal of the forests and the cultiva.
ton of the soil tends to diminish the
amount of rainfall.
Chloride of lime is an excellent
disinfectant, but it takes off the hail
and leaves of plants. A largo number
of plants in the Botanic Garden, al
Brussels, lost their leaves in conse
auence of emanations from chloride Of
lime stored in adjoining warehouses.
The new English expedition, which
has been in preparation for a consider
able time, has just started for the
Holy land. 1t has been placed under
the charge of Captain r. w. Stewart
R. E. Captain Stewards main worl
will be the completion of the survey o.
Palestine. How much this is wanted
is only known, perhaps, to map maker,
and professional geographers. bu'
every one WHO has really studied the
Old Testament history can tell o.
undiscovered sites and places Whose
positions seem to be lost altogether
To rediscover those will be one of the
aims of the exploring party.
Edward Powers, civil engineer O
Chicago, Ill, has petitioned Congress.
for aid to enable him to test his meth
cd for the artificial production of rain
He wants to be furnished with 3O|
cannon of not less than twenty -fou
pounds calibre each, and thirty thou
sand pounds of powder to fire in them
together with an electric battery ani
other appliances, to enable him to dis
charge all the pieces simultaneously
In support of his theory that rain car
be produced by the firing of artillery;
he gives long list of battles, includ.
ing nearly every important en-
gagement during the war, each o.
which was followed, he alleges, by {
heavy rainstorm; that it is q matter Of
such scientific Importance to deter
mine if heavy cannonading will cause
showers that the government ought t.
provide means for conducting the ex
periments. .a7..-ss ....
RINGS OF SATURN.-Prof. Strive, the
distinguished astronomer of Pultowa
has been for years watching the ring
of Saturn; and the inner one of the
three rings, an obscure, partly trans
parant mass of what appeared to bt
vapor, has been seen to approach thu
body of the planet and to widen its dis
lance from the outer rings, which
seem to be fluid in character, or per
haps made up of myriads of small
bodies, moving together like the
streams of weteors which supply the
periodic showers. But during several
months past this inner ring has fallen
more rapidly, and finally the attraction
of Saturn entirely overcome the cen.
trifugal force, and it closed upon the
body of the planet, forming belt,
which was gradually diffused over it's
surface, so that now there is no trace
whatever of the ring left. Is this to
be the fate also of the other rings? OF
will they ultimately gather into satel-
ties, as has more commonly been sup