Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-03-18
Scientific.

A MEXICAN MoToR.-We are indebted
to the Hon. Martin f. Hatch, U. s.
Consul at Merida, Yucatan, for copy
of local newspaper-La Razon del
Puebio-containing an account of "An
Astonishing Motor" the invention of a
young Mexican named Gonzalez. The
Mexican editor is of opinion that the
invention is of such extraordinary value
that its mere fame will make Mexico
great among the nations. The new
motor, he says, enables mankind to
navigate the air in the teeth of hurri-
canes blowing at the rate of three hun
dred miles an hour. 1t permits of loco
motion over the earth or under the sur
face of the sea, in all directions, with
inconceivable velocity. We regret to
say, however, that, after giving us a
column and half upon the various
wonderful capabilities of the new inven-
tion, the editor fails to present any clue
to the principles or construction of the
device. The only light given upon this
point is that the use of the invention
involves no expense, not even the en-
ployment OF hand power, nor steam, nor
air power, nor electricity. The inventor
has put into operation an example of
the device in the form of a small boat,
Theoretically sealed, which dives and
moves in any desired direction under
water, at any desired speed, as if guided
by an invisible hand. The editor does
not hesitate 20 say that it is the most
astonishing work that, up to the present
day, has ever been produced in the
world. The many mechanics who have
seen it declare themselves utterly un-
able to explain the phenomena.
Evidently, here is another example of
'physic force" which We hope will be
included in the new investigations of
DIR. Crookes, of London.
New mutations OF SLvER-A patent
has been obtained for metallic alloy
which is declared to resemble silver
better than any other yet known with
respect to color, specific gravity, MALE
ability, ductibility, sound, and other
characteristics. The new alloy is &
compound of copper, nickel, tin, zinc,
cobalt, and iron. The following pro-
portions are said to produce very
white metal, perfectly initiating silver /:
Copper, II 90 parts; nickel, 1850 parts;
cobalt, 1-75 parts tin, ? 80 parts iron.
l % parts zinc, 700 parts. A small
quantity of aluminium, about l! 2 cent,
may be added. The manufacture is
rather peculiar. The first step is to
alloy the nickel with its own weight OF
the copper and the zinc in the proper
ton of six parts to ten of copper. The
nickel alloy, the iron, the rest of the
copper, the cobalt, in the form of black
oxide, and charcoal are then placed all
together In plumbago crucible. This
is then covered over with charcoal and
exposed to great heat. When the whole
is melted, the heat is allowed to sub
side, and the alloy of zinc and copper
is added when the temperature is just
sufficient to melt it. This done, the
crucible is taken off the fire and its con-
tents stirred with hazel stick the tin
is then added, first being wrapped in
paper and then dropped into the cruel
bic. The alloy is again stirred and
finally poured into the molds it is now
ready to be rolled and wrought just like
silver. A great portion of the zinc is
volatilized in the act of fusion, so that
a very little remains in the alloy. The
superiority of this metal is said to de-
pend principally on the cobalt, to which
is due its peculiar argentine luster.