Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-03-22
MECHANICAL AND SCIENTIFIC.

A correspondent of the Botanical BuI-
leti3s states that, in locality near Hano
yer, Ind, in the rich alluvial soil of the
river bottom, the Am5rosia trifda (rag-
weed) attains height of from twelve to
eighteen feet. The plant naturally does
not reach up beyond four to six feet.
In an address before the American
Public Health Association, at Baltimore,
il was stated by Prof Frank Donaldson
that one-tenth of the inhabitants of cities
die of consumption. The ratio of deaths
from the disease among the rich is sixty
TO 1000; and among the poor 223 to 900.
1t is more frequently developed among
the chiluen of the aged and the poor,
and in places where gloom ana dampness
prevail. The quantity of oxygen is
diminished in cities, even in the streets;
hence consumptives should avoid them as
dwelling places, and abide in the country,
where pure air and plenty of sunlight
abound.
The photographic Neacs mentions a
curious experiment made with a view to
ascertain how far the sun can penetrate
the water. The research was conducted
upon the Lake of Geneva, the waters OF
which are among the clearest of the Swiss
lakes, and the results have been briefly
communicated to the Society OF Natural
Sciences in the canton of Vaud, by M.
Forel. He states that he found that the
chemical action of the suns rays was
felt, in the summer time, at the depth of
between forty and fifty meters, which is far
ditterent-that is, considerably in excess
of the extent of penetration-from what
has generally been conjectured. The ma
ture of the sensitive compound employed
in these experiments is not explained.
An improved heating furnace, adapted
to rail, bar, plate, guide and hoop mills,
is among the recent inventions, the plan
consisting practically of double furnace,
having CRATE at both ends, with the tiue
in the center, passing down between the
two doors under the body of the furnace
into the chimney on the other side. 1t is
claimed that this furnace will do one-halt
more work, for the reason that the heater
can be charging at one door while draw
ing at the other; that it will save largely
in iron, from the fact that the cold air
passes directly to the tue before reaching
the iron that it will save greatly in coal,
there not being so large surface to be
heated as in the ordinary furnaces; also
tllul IL COSTS less W Dullt dutl iCSS ldDOi W
work it, doing away, as this arrangement
does, with the labor of pulling the tue
piles to the bridge for sufficient neat, the
last pile charged being the first ready to
draw out.-N. Y. Sun.
An important discovery of lacnstrine
habitations has been made near Colon
bier, Switzerland During the latter part
of January some workmen excavating the
foundations for new building close to
the lake came across some huge flat rocks,
placed evidently by human hands in a
horizontal position, and lying near each
other on a level, which once in all proba.
bnity was the natural surface. Each
block was a boulder brought apparently
some distance, and covered square cav
ity carefully lined with slabs OF stone, and
flied with earth mixed with light gravel
and sand. One of these square cavities or
graves has been carefully cleared, and
proved to contain fourteen skeletons OF
adults and one OF a child, all in very fair
preservation. The form OF the skulls is
said not 10 be OF the very early type gen
elally ider.itied with the rude early cave
| iwellers and some brass rings found In
,'icate he use Of that metal, at any rate
! fir ornament. A stone Ratchet was also
| 10 md. and a number Of bears teeth
pier.ed for stringing.