New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-25

turity being killed by the inclemency OF the
weather. He finds testimony that for many years
after the introduction of the cotton plant into the
Southern States the cotton wOrmdd not appear, and
that it's existence in Southern Alabama but little
preceded the late war. 1t is, however, capable OF
extended flights, az it has been observed in the
Eastern States and also Mt Buffalo and Chicago. The
supply of the insect il therefore maintained every
year by means of flights from the South, which are
somewhat caprIcous,. and may be diverted out OF
their course by powerful currents OF wind occurring
at the time of their migration -
The inference drawn from these facts by Mr.
Grote is that the process OF arGial
which it can be successfully attacked, and by doing
away with a certain class OF proposed remedies E,
used against the first brood they appear, in any
given locality, during its progress northward, and
that to he efectua the action must be concerted IN
the application Of the remedial agent.
Mr.. GrOte strongly recommends the Introduction
of the English sparrow, and additional legal protcc-
ton to nsectivorous birds as absolutely necessary
to the agricultural interest.
New METHOD OF OBSERVING THE VIBRATIONS
OF A TUNING FoRK.-A new method of determining
the absolute number of vibrations corresponding to
any musical note is described by Poske, and has
high value in comparison with those that have hith
erto been employed, which may be classified as
graphic, acoustic and optic, the first being com
paratvcly rough; the use Of the siren being a good
example of the acoustic method, although its practl-
cable employment is found troublesome; and OF the
optical that of Lissajous being in high esteem. Inc
new method proposed by Poskc consists first in re-
placing the clock or chrOnomcter by the electro
magnetic rotation apparatus of llclmhotz, in which
the velocity of rotation is extremely constant, and
can be determined accurately to it's ten
thousandth part. The essential portion of
this apparatus consists in the centrifugal regu-
lator which diminishcs the strength of the
electric current by the dminntOn of the number OF
contacts as the velocity Of rotation exceeds
a certain limit The observer examines through a
microscope - minute, bright point upon the Vi
brating rod or cord, which point by its vibration.
appears n bright line and between the eye and
the vibrating point there also rOtatcS disk pertO-
rated with known number of Sits. The combina-
ton of the revolving Sits and the vibrating point
causes the latter to appear to move slowly to and
fro, in periods similar to the acoustic phenomena
known as beats" Ii is evident that the number of
vibrations of the point is determined by thc velocity
of rotation, the number Of Sits, and the duration OF
the beats, the accuracy OF the method being very
great.
the time OF vibration of tuning fork. Poskc has
also been able to show that the vibrations OF the
latter vary with the amplitude of the arc OF vlDra,
ton; that the dnrations diminish III "A gconetrcal
series the amplitudcs diminish; and that In gen
cral the charge in duration IL proportional to the
first power of the amplitude and not as IN the pen
dulun i'll proportion to the square OF the amplitude
RESTORING TIE RED Color OF ALCOHOLIC PREP
ARATIoNs.-M. Felix Plateau publishes a notice of "A
method of preserving or restoring the natural red
color to muscular fiber kept in ALCOHOL IN which he
remarks that carboIic acid only preserves this red
tint for short time; besides which the odOr is very
disagrceable and the preservation is not permanent
unless in connection with continued cold
Plateau's method consists in first soaking the
specimen for some days, after being properly dis
sected, in commercial alcohol diluted with about
half the volume of water and then drying with
rag. Some small cups then prepared, containing
respectively some carmine in powder mixed with
few drops of ammonia and some powdered chrOmate
of lead Cchromc Yellow and ampblack. BY means
of a small camels hair brush several layers of the
solution of carnine more less diluted with am
monia, are applied to the muscles, after which
little chrome yellow or lampblack is to be added,
so as TO obtain by this method of painting the tint
approaching us nearly possible that of fresh mus
cuar fiber. -,
liquid at one time than to put on several layers
When this is accomplished the entire preparation l.
immersed from five to ten minutes IN a solution OF
alumni. saturated III the cold: IL is then rapidly
washed in pure water and finally placed perIna-
The theory of the process is very simple according
to Plateau BY dissoying the carminc in ammonia,
an ammOniacal solution of carInnc acid Is OBJ
tanned and after the painting OF the muscle the ad-
dition of alum has the effect of producing gclat-
nous uncolored prccptatc of hydraie OF ammonia,
which il carried away by the excess OF the liquid
Consequently, an insouble carminc lac is formed,
which penetrating certain depth into the ieSh,
forms very solid dye.
Specimens in the University of Client, prepared as
long ago ~ 1872, still retain all their original
beauty. II is not necessary that this process be
practiccd on fresh muscle. Any preparation, how
ever old can be restored i'll this way TO the appear
ancc of nature.
Ii is of course optional with the eXperimenter TO
appy the color only to such particular muscles, IN
an anatomical preparation, ~ IT Is desired to trace
ont for demonstration.