The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1877-11-08

Whales. pOrpOises and those aquatic
beings which breathe air yet have the
external form of fishes, are construct
ed internally like land animals. They
have d double heart. lungs and warm
blood. Fishes proper have cold blood,
no lungs and a single heart.
Glvcerine NAV be burned in any
lamp so long as The fame. il kept on a
level with the liquid. The latter-ou.
account of its VISIBILITY, VIII not as
cend an elevated wick. ps the flame,
ike that OF alcohol, Is almost color
less, it gives the purest and c~learest
light.
Illuminating gas is produced from
cork at Bordeaux. The waste Of cork
cutting shops is distilled in close YES
sells, and the flame of the resulting gas
is far more intense and whittier than
that from coal gas. Its density is also
greater thar that of common illumina-
ing gas.
The workmen engaged in repairing
the front of the Florence Cathedral re-
Gently, IN removing a thick coating of
plaster at one Of the n of the
building, made the discovery of seven
marble statues, pronounced by con
noisseurs to be of the best period Of
Greek art.
Flies are natures little s~cavengers.
ANNOYING as they are. their functions
are essential. A few would not an
swer-millionS are required. When
dead ~carcasses of animals are decom-
posing. then the flies are busy and pre-
vent the atmosphere from becoming
pestilential.
The Samoa islanders make a most
powerful poison with which they tip
their arrows. 1t is distilled from the
milky eXudatiOns and other products
OF various trees. 1t was with one OF
these arrows that Capt. Goodenough
of the British navy was killed Il few
years since.
To soften putty. slack three pounds
OF q~uickstone lime in water, then add
one pound of pearlash and make the
whole amount the consistency of paint.
Apply it to both sides of the glass and
let it remain for twelve hours, when
the putty Will De SO SOftened that the
glass may be easily taken out of the
frame.
1t might be thought that skulls from
the earliest sepulchres would present
tIt IiaI1tS capacity anu lIidl lIt
size of the brain case has since in.
creased with the intellectual develop
ment of our race. But this is curious
II contradicted by fact. The facts are
proved TO be just the reverse. and the
most ancient skulls have the most brair
capacity.
Let a person handle the flour of sui
phur for a few moments with the ma
ked hands, and SO subtle is the articl,
that it will penetrate his system sutfi
GENTLY. provided he have silver in hi
pocket. to tarniSh 1t. What IS Their,
more subtle or wonderful in mesmeri,
action than this simple fact: Herein
the system receives a gentle influence
which. though entirely unfelt. is ver,
potent in its effects.
The commission of the Permanen-
Exhibition of the French colonies ha
lately called the attention Of Marseille
SOap-makerS to a new source Of oil
found in the seed of the a which
Is a tree Astounding in immense forest
in French Guiana. Twice a wear i
produces an abundant harvest o
seeds. which at certain time, tn,
earth To a depth of four or five inches
These. Immediately subjected To pres
sure. give thirry-five per cent. OF thei
weight of an excellent ~soap-making o
Illuminating oil.