Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-02-21
MECHANICAL AND SCIENTIFIC.

DR.. Benedict, graduate of the
New York University, states that the
Mormons believe the rainfall to have
much increased in Utah since their
settlement of the Territory, and this
seems to be borne out by the state
ment that whereas formerly three gal
Ions of Salt Lake water produced, on
evaporation, one gallon of salt, it now
requires four gallons to produce the
same quantity.
Observations made during the
past century in all ATTITUDES show that
the years distinguished bya maximum
of spots on the sun coincide very close
ly with those marked by exceptionally
severe hail-stormS and an unusual
height of the great rivers. Prof. Fritz,
Of Zurich, has lately confirmed these
observations by a comparison of an
nual meteorological statistics. The
maximum of solar spots occurs at in
tervals of eleven years.
The loss of life and property
caused by the late cyclone-wave in
Bengal has aroused general feeling
in India and England that the phenom-
ena of these storms should be studied
with reference to the protection of the
people against their recurrence. 1t is
suggested that line of meteorological
stations be established along the Indian
coast, with a full equipment of instru-
mcnts. 1t is believed that, by care
ful system of observations carried on
at these stations, the laws governing
the cyclone may be, in no long time,
clearly understood, and their occur
renee foretold, so that measures may
be taken in season to prevent extensive
damage being wrought by them.
DR.. Richardson, F. r. s., in his
second lecture at the London Institu-
ton on Health Improvements in
Great Cities" remarked that the
standing temperature of a room should
be sixty-two degrees Fahrenheit. Men
and women engaged IN sedentary pur-
suits should begin the work of the day
in this degree OF warmth, and the diff
fusion of warmth should be so perfect
that, at all parts of the room, the Their
mometer should indicate the same de-
gree. To introduce cold air by doors.
windows and chinks, i'll order that il
might become warm IN room by the
heat radiating from an open rire-grate,
was to eXpend that air uselessly, to
insure draughts, to prevent the posi-
bility of equable temperature, and to
destroy warming and ventilation at
once and the same time.
4 rn rpa ,ooa,,t ,,,nnrce ,>f
klemm of Stuttgart, the time required
for tanning calfskin has been re-
duced to sixteen hours. and that for an
oXhide to two and a half days. but
more recent method. patented by Mon
tolSon. of Manchester, promises to ac-
cOmplish the same in from a few hours
TO one day. AT trial made of it be-
fore experts, a sheep was slaughtered
and skinned and the wool was removed
from the hide in half an hour, by
spreading it with a chemical reagent,
without the aid of scraper: and the
hide, after having been placed in lime
water to neutraliZe the chemical agent.
was passed through several chemically.
prepared baths, which required but
few minutes, and was then washed
and dressed in the usual way, and con-
verified into marketable leather, only
four hours having been consumed in
all. while the old process would have
required two to three weeks. and that
of klemm sixteen hours. Economy
of time is not, however its only recon-
mendation. The wool is said to retain
its softness and luster so that it is ne.
inferior to sheared wool. The leather
is said to be in no respect inferior to
ordinary leather.