New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-08-05
APPLIED SCIENCE.
G. W. S.

NEW SPECIES OF PLANT Forming CARBONATE
OF LINE INCRUsTATIoN,- Wibel and Zacharias have
observed in the river Billie, near Hamburg large
quantities Of a species of POtdmoNton, which, IKE
many confervP. alga, &c, accumulates an incru'-
ration of beautiful crystalline carbonate Of lime.
The process is due IT is suggested, to the removal OF
one equivalent Of carbOnic acid from the plcarpo-
nate III solution.
EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE UPON THE GERMIN-
ATING POWER OF WHEAT.-Very careful and nu-
merous experiments establish the fact that wheat
can endure a much higher temperature than has
been generally supposed without losing the power
of termination, 1872 having been considered the
limit. Ii NAV indeed be exposed 10 the DolilhS
temperatuTe if the driving of the seed is erected D
very gradual elevation of the temperature, aud
with the aid of chloride of calcium.
GLAZE FOR EARTuENwARE.-The glaze prepared
by the following process by ConstantIn. is said not
to be perceptbly affected in As hours either by cold
or hot vinegar, containing per cent of acetic acid
while II has been found in practice to be about ~
per cent cheaper than the ordinary ead-glaze
Twenty-Five parts of red lead and ten parts of finely
pulVeTiZed quartz carefully stirred INTO o. per
cent solution of soda waterglass Ii Is lald on WIN
a brush either once or twice. with an lnlerNa Vi Il
hours and Is burned as usual.
Action OF ELoDEA CANADENSIs (WATER-PEsT)
on CANE SUGAR--Accordng to Schtitzenberger,
when this plant is immersed in a solution of sugar,
inverted sugar is first formed. and active butync
acid fermentation then sets in, attended with the
evolution of hydrogen and the aciditcatlon OF the
liquid If the plant is removed after some time the
bntyric acid fermentation ceases and alcoholic Ter
mentatOn soon begins, with ;he formation OF yeast
cells in large quantities, although but lew were
present at first.
TIMING IRON WIRE.-Dr. IIeeren recommends the
following process rendering iron wire silvery-
white and as adapted to wire already in spirals and
other forms of IRON, and therefore preferable TO
timing by the aid of heat: First dip the wire in
hydrochloric acid with piece of zinc in it, and
then place it, for about two hours, attached TO zinc
plate, in bath of two parts of tartaTc acid, dis.
solved in 100 parts Of water with the addition OF
three parts of tn-sat and three parts of carbonate
of soda On removal from tins bath it must be
frightened by polishing or drawing.
THE SAND BLAST FOR MAKING MICROSCOPIC
SLIDEs.-The proceedings of tue Queckett Micro
scopical Club mention that the sand-blast has been
successfully employed by II. f. Hailes for excavatng
hoows in glass Slides to be used cells for micro
scopical uses. For wet mounting, it is said. the
roughness of the bottom no hinderance TO mount
ING objects in balsam, as the lower surface of the
cell is rendered perfectly transparent by contact
with the mounting material For uIy mounting IL
is also said TO answer well.
THERAPEUTIC VIRTUES OF PHENATE or AMMO
NlA-Dr Declat urges the value of ammonia and of
the phenate Of that alkali in treating cholera and
ferment Diseases including those resulting from the
bites of certain serpents. These remedies tend to
prevent the qualification of the blood in fer!nenta-
tive diseases especially the phenate; they also
be used with good results in of confirmed chol
era either administered by the mouth III the proper
ton of one-half per cent or hypodermic mice
ton of 100 drops of TO 2! or by injection III the
VEINS In TINS latter case, however. the phenate
must not be stronger than one-hat OF one per cent
IMPROVEMENT IN MiNUFACTURE OF STEARIC
ACID-A recent improvement in the manufacture of
stearic acid involves the employment of carbon d.
sulphde TO increase the uIdity of oleic acid. aud
thus obvate the use of the hot press According to
the specifications the carbon di-sulphide may be
added either before after the cold pressing. The
crude fatty acids are melted in suitable apparatus
and mixed while fluid with 20 per cent of the d.
sulphde. then allowed to cool and expressed cold.
The claim is made for this process that the seaIlc
acid obtained by il is free from oeic acid. mas
much as by the old process with the hot press much
of the solid acid IS lost by being pressed out with
the oil, the above may prove TO be a valuable in
pr0vement
PRIZE FOR RAILWAY LiMPs.-The Society of Arts
of London offers gold medal or 20 guineas for an
improved lamp or means of illumination suitable
for railway passenger carriages that shall produce
good clear steady durable, and safe light. 1t must
be simple IN construction, and capable of being
readily cleansed and repaired. In judging the
merits the cost will be considered. Specimens in
condition suitable for trial to be sent in To the
Socetvs house not later than the LIST of November.
1874. The Council reserve the night OF Withholding
the medal or premium offered If, in the opinion of
the Judges none Of the articles sent III deserving
of reward.
BLEACHING SKELETONs.-At a meeting Of the
French Society for encouraging national industry,
Mr. Coer stated that in using the of turpen-
tine for dissoving the oil of greasy bones which he
was treating for the preparation of skeletons, he.
found that after exposure of three four DAYS in
the sun the bones became of dazzling white. IL
in the shade they required somewhat longer ex-
posure The articles to be bleached must be
pended short distance, half an inch, above the
bottom of tie bath; that is 10 say above the very
delicate acid layer which is thrown down by the
LIQUID during the operation. Various articles such
as wood of various kinds cork etc, acted upon
IN the same manner, under the same circumstances.
HYPopERMIc INJECTION OF CHLORAL--An opera
ton was lately performed for the removal Of the cal
csneum, at the hospital IN Bordeaux, in which
anssthesia was produced by injecting 90 grammes
VI solution Of chOral-oDe part TO three Of water