New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-08-29
APPLIED SCIENCE.

SCIENTIFIC BALLOON AsCENsION.-A balloon
ascension made on the ID of November, 1913, at
Charkow in Russia by Bunele, is worthy of special
mention In 81 hours the balloon travelled 19J Kill
ometers going always in the same drec ton toward
the n. N. L. The greatest altitude was about 5000
feet; and the small quantity of ballast t35 pounds)
that was used shows how well the aeronaut man
aged the length of his voyage The movement OF
the lower strata of air always greater than that
of the upper strata At altitude OF 5000 feet the
hourly velocity was 81 miles while in the immedi-
ate neighborhood of the earth the force of the wind
was so great that Bunelle could with difficulty effect
landing. The shadow of the balloon on the earth
was a very well-defined black spot, whose move
ment across the country gave by means OF an aceu-
rate map the means of determining the velocity of
the current of air. At sunset heavy rainfall was
experienced III the interior of the elonds; Above
the clouds the aeronaut found beautiful sky and
very pleasant temperature: The condition oil the
atmosphere appears to have been directly tue oppo-
| site of that experienced by Glasher on July ii,
| 1868. The latter found himself III northerly cur
rent which was warmer the nearer lie approached
! the earth.
| SARRACENIA vARIoLARIs AS An ANIMAI-EATER.-
Recent observations have been made by DR.. j. f.
Mellichamp of Button 5. c.. upon the SGTacen'd
rariotaris which abounds in that region with some
new and curious results. This species OF the pitcher
plant has an elongated cOnical, erect leaf, with
broad lamina curved over the opening and wide
longitudinal wing upon one side the whole length oil
the tube. The upper portion is vened with purple,
the intervening spaces being white and diaphanous.
DR.. Mellichamp establishes the following points
The base of the tube secretes watery fluid, which
is not sweet odorous but which proves quickly
fatal to all insects that fall into it, The whole inner
surface is covered with very minute, closely OPP
pressed prickles, perfectly smooth and pointed
downward which render it impossible for insect
TO ascend by walking, even when the leaf is laid
nearly horizontal. Within the somewhat dilated
rim of the tube there is a band halfnch in width,
dotted with sweet secretion, attractive to insects
but not Intoxicating. This also extends downward
along the edge of the outer wing to the very ground,
thus auring many creeping insects, and especially
ants, to the more dangerous feeding ground above,
where once losing foothold it is impossible to regain
it, Even flies escape but rarely, the form of the tube
and lid seeming elecually to obstruct their flight
As the result the tube becomes filled to the depth of
some inches with mass of decaying ants, flies,
hornets and other insects. Within this there is
always found white grub feeding upon the ma
terial thus gathered, perhaps the larya of large
fy which has been observed to stand upon the edge
of the tube and drop an egg within it. Soon after
the full development of the leaf the upper portion
becomes brown and shrIveled, which is due to still
another larya, the young OF small moth, whlch
feeds upon the substance OF the leaf. leaving only
the outer epidermis, and works its way from above
downward till in due time 1t spins its cocoon, sus-
pending 1t by sken threads just above the surface
of the insect debris at the bottom Ine whole forms
q series of relationships and an instance OF contrly-
anee and design, the full purpOr of which is still by
no means fully understood. Other species of the
genus. as also the allied DdTliRgi0nid of California
manifest the same purpose of insect-eapture. what
ever the final object may he.