Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-10-26
INDUSTRIAL, STATISTICAL
AND TECHNICAL.

of 0,OO0 elephants every year.
THE Pool of Sloan is said to be now
an unattractive siBk-hole of dirty
water, surrounded by masonry.
A SEA Of oil. There was exported,
last year, 204, 100000 gallons of refined
petroleum, at a value of over $685.
900, coo.
THE census of Brazil has just been
taken. 1t indicates a population Of
100000 souls, including 100000
slaves and 243, 900 foreigners.
NEVER was known such year for
apples in Franklin, Mass. All the
eider-apples you want at ten cents a
bushel, apd no market at that; and the
winter fruit on the Deerfeld Valley
Agricultural Society's Grounds, at
Charlemont, was sold, recently Con
the treeS), for twelve and half cents
a buShel.
PROF. SCHIFF, of Florence, has
demonstrated that the non-edible
mushrooms have common poison,
muscarina, and that its effects are coun-
teracted either by atropine or daturine.
italian apothecaries now keep these
alkaloids in the rural districts where
the consumption of the non-edible
fungi is apt to occur.
IT is now affirmed that the Bastic
glass, which Is undoubtedly hardened
by tempering, loses it's molecular CO.
heSion under a succession of blows,
and then fractures as readily as ordi-
nary glass. Tempered glass submitted
to hammering presented an appear
ance of fracture similar to that of fa-
tigue steel, molecular disintegration
having taken place. 1t is feared that
this alteration of structure and conse-
quent loss Of temper may not only fol-
low from shock, but may happen spon-
taneously in the lapse of time.
SOME interesting Druidical remains
have been discovered in France, in the
territory Of Benque and Billiere, on
mountain which separates the valleys
of Oueil and LarbouSt, not far from
LUChon. They consist of several
groups of cromlechs united by lines of
menhirs, with each principal cromlech
surrounded by several smaller circles.
Excavations have already been begun,
but not us yet carried very far. Sew
toi
ments of human bones have, however,
been found in the interior of the small
er circles.
The interesting fact is mentioned in
the Chemical Gazette that the printing
ink employed in works published dur
ing the sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries differs from modern printing
ink in the important characteristic of
being soluble in ammonia. It may be
said that carbon appears to have
formed, from the first, the basis of
printing ink, and consequently all
printed matter resists the action of
acids and bleaching agents. But some
of the early specimens of printing are
so easily affected by alkalies, that the
characters float off the paper when
placed III a weak solution of ammonia,
as has long been followed, in practice
i'll the accomplishment of chemical
purposes.
II appears that notwithstanding the
ingenious precautions taken by the
most eminent safe manufacturers to
prevent the forcible opening, under
any circumstances, of their cOnstruc-
tions. the equally ingenious and
scientific burglar has lately adopted
the method Of destroying the mechan-
ism Of safe locks by the use of power
full acids, the introduction of which, it
is asserted, renders both the copper
and iron of. the works soft and plant
III few moments. To meet this new
artitice, London manufacturer has
patented a new lock, which is claimed
to be SO arranged that, supposing the
whole of the interior structure, upon
which the key acts, to be destroyed,
the bolt itself, by which the door is
held fast, shall be left unmoved and
perfectly secure.