The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-08-02


Curious, Useful and Scientific.
DELAWARE has more consumptives
than any other State in proportion to
population.
The British Society for the Advance
ment of Art offers 5000 reward for a
pigment or covering that will perfectly
protect iron from rust and fouling.
A SCoTcH diver at work on sunken
ship was recently compelled to suspend
operations on account of the fierce at
tacks of the Holsters and crabs that had
taken possession Of the vessel.
A NEW style Of barometer, composed
of two slender strips of cedar and white
wood glued together, and attached by a
pivot TO cross-bow shaped frame, is in
use on lake vessels. Atmospheric vari-
atoms cause the wildwood to expand
or contract, thereby moving an indica-
tor in directions corresponding.
TIE scientists state confidently that
large subterranean stream runs under
the Colorado desert, and that the entire
region may be reclaimed by means of
artesian wells.
In the Prussia cavalry stables the
soldiers are not permitted to destroy
spiders cobwebs. By catching flies
they prevent them frem teasing the
horses.
EXCELLENT bricks are now made of
the refuse of the English coal mines,
which, for ordinary building uses, are
said 10 answer every purpose, being
fully as hard and durable as the com.
mon clay brick.
IT is said that when Audubon, the
distinguished naturalist, was a resident
of Henderson, KY, his inseparable
companion was petted wild turkey,
that would follow the great naturalist in
all his walks, and remain in his study
as would dog.
A DANGEROUS species Of venomous fish
has been discovered at the Island of
Mauritius, in the Indian ocean. 1t is
known as the Latte, and is abundant
throughout the adjacent seas. The
poison is contained in little bags stu
ated at the base of the spines Of the
dorsal or back fin.
THE discovery of the remains of an
extinct gigantic bird of prey in New
Zealand is announced by Prof. Owen,
the distinguished paleontologist. This
creature is supposed to have been about
twice as large as the great wedge-tailed
eagle of Australia
DONATE, the astronomer, has written a
letter on auroras, in which he maintains
that these phenomena depend on an
Of electricity between the sun
and the planets.
Nor long ago the whole stock of par
affine wax in the whole world did not
exceed four ounces, and it was carefully
in the laboratory of Prof.
Liebig as a chemical curiosity. The
quantity has waxed since, and there is
now produced in Scotland alone not less
than 5000 tons annually.
The magnetoelectric exploder of Bre-
guet, from the simplicity Of its construc-
lion and avoidance of the use of a vol
taic battery, will probably soon displace
all other methods now employed for
explosives in blasting and
mining operations. The electric cur
rent is obtained by the sudden removal
Of the keeper Of permanent magnet,
and is of sufficient power to have pro-
duced an explosion at Bordeaux from
IN instrument stationed at Paris.
THERE is consolation for all sufferers
in dissertation of a French physician,
which argues the advantages of groan.
ing and crying in general, and especially
during surgical operations. These are,
he says, the grand methods by which
nature allays anguish; and those "a
tents who give way to their natural feel
ings more speedily recover from &C
cidents and operations than those who
try to suppress all cutlery as a symptom
Of cowardice. He instances man who
reduces his pulse from one hundred and
twcnty-six to sixty in . few hours by
giving vent to his emotions. His theory
holds true also in regard to the crying Of
and fond parents who are
wont to pace the room o'nights with a
crying child, may console themselves
with the reflection that nature is work.
ing her own remedy.