The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-01-02
SCIENTIFIC NOTES.

The thread on inch gas pipe will sus-
tain weight of 5000 pounds, J inch, 1000
pounds, and inch, 5000 pounds, so that
chandeliers can not readily be shaken from
their supports.
The tagging Of steam was lately considered
BY the Socete Industriele de MAlhoase. France.
The President, NJ. Forey, acknowledged that
cork was good non conductor OF heat, but it
was costly. The most efficacious covering,
says NJ Forey, consists of straw laid length
wise, about one inch thick, round the steam
pipes, tied with string covered with tarpaulin
or cloth tarred after fixing
SOUND MADE VIsIBLE.-A sound writer,
called an opeidoscope, is new invention.
On the end of two inch tube is pasted
piece of thin rubber or tissue paper. In the
center of this is fastened piece of looking
glass, one-eighth OF an inch square, Hold
this end in the sun and the other end in the
mouth, and sing or speak in it. The ray of
light reflected from the mirror falling on
white surface describes curves and patterns
differing for every pitch and intensity, while
the same conditions give uniform results.
ALLEGED New CERE Ala new cereal has
been grown in the State Of Oregon, and thus
far no one has been able to classify it; for
while it bears q general resemblance to wheat.
vet its stalk, mode of growth and heavy fila
ments cause it to be taken for rye or barley by
the most experienced farmers. The grain was
originally discovered in the stomach of q
wild goose, by farmer. From seven to ten
stalks spring from one root, and attain q
height, when ripe. of four and half to five
feet. They are very thin, compact, of q
bright straw color. and extremely hard, as if
they contained large quantity of slick.
DANGEROUS PLAYrH1NGs.- Another factory
for the manufacture of toy torpedoes has ex-
ploded. The circumstances of the disaster are
Of no moment to any one except the unfortu
nate victims, and the owner, who is fortunate
in escaping similar mutilation. Notwithstand-
ing the average boys devotion to snap and
bang, it may be questioned whether the pleas
ure afforded by plsythings of the explosive
for the risk attending their production,
storage, and use. It has been suggested that
the sale of such things should be prohibited
and their possession made punishable
BY foe. The suggestion is sensible and
timely The Centennial year, with its intensi
fic atoms of Fourth of July fervor, is upon
us, and the popular demand for fireworks
threatens to be excessive. It would be good
thing for the country at the beginning OF its
second century to put away such childish
things, and adopt less dangerous mode of
manitesting the spirit of jubilation, political
or other Surely our inventors ought to be
able to devise simple continuance to serve
as a substitute. II is worth trying for, as a
public benefaction as we'll as for the millions
that are in it
New USE FOR RATs.-Rsts are not generally
supposed to be otnany particular use In the
economy Of n .ture, unless it be to eat up
refuse, make noise, or haunt the subter-
ranean cavities of large cities. telegraph
inspector in England has, however, upon
recent occasion, proved that the rat as an
operator in case of broken wires may be
turned to good account 1t was necessary,
says the Popular Science Monthly, to overhaul
cable OF wires inclosed in iron tubes.
certain length OF the cable had to be taken
out of the tube, and the men con-
menced hauling at one end. with
out having taken the precaution to
attach to the other wire by which it might
be drawn back after inspection and repairs.
The question arose how the cable was to be
restored to its proper place. The inspector
invoked the aid of q rat catcher, and, pro-
vided with large rat, ferret, and ball of
string wound on the Morse paper drum, he
repaired to the opening in the tube. The
flush boxes were opened. and the rat, with
one end of the string attached to his body,
was put into the pipe. He scampered away at
racing pace. dragging the Irvine with him until
reached the middle of the pipe and there