The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1878-12-05
USEFUL AND SCIENTIFIC.

THE scheme fer an observatory on
the summit of Mount Etna is again
pushed in the English scientific jour-
nails. The atmosphere there is pecu-
liarly clear, and it is thought some i'm
portant results might be arrived at by a
series of daily observations.
AT the Brooklyn Navy yard means
have been discovered Of using petroleum
for fuel in producing steam, and the re-
suits are said to be extraordinary in the
perfect combustion attained, in the in
tensity of heat quickly produced, in the
enormous pressure of steam, in the as
tonishing evaporation of water and in
the freedom from dust, cinders, sulphur
and all impurities.
H. L. SYNONYM directs the attention
of the Academic des Sciences to the
dangers of allowing coal dust to be diff
fused in the air of collieries. He shows
that small amount of heat liberates ex-
plosive gas from the finely divided coal,
and thus induces dangerous explosions.
Mr.. Simonin fully confirms the state
ments of Mr.. Galloway.
A PROCESS for treating hop-stems so
as to produce from them textile fihers
is thus described in the Polytechntc
Journal: First, the stems are boiled in
water with soda or soap, then washed
again, and once more boiled in dilute
acetic acid. They are then washed and
dried, and when properly combed can
be worked like other textile materials
The fbers are said very closely to re-
semble those of flax, and to excel in
elasticity, softness, and durability.
A NEW combustible has been devised
in France, which, it is suggested, will
be useful for heating railway carriages
For this the carbOnized tan or bark of
wood is mixed with small quantity OF
nitrate of lead. Some Stacked lime is
added for the purpose of holding it to-
gether. This compound is easily light
ed, and burns slowly and continuously
With the addition of little charcoal
dust the combustion is still more slow.
A small quantity in foot-warmer, with
! limited draught, is not entirely con-
sumed at the end of 16 hours, and heat
enough is developed for an ordinary
English railway carriage.
A VERY ingenious machine, invented
by James H. Williams, was exhibited
this fall at Mechanics Fair in Boston,
viz. a machine capable of indicating,
six to eight times per minute, the super
fetal area of surfaces, however irreg-
ular, not exceeding 25 square feet. The
machine can, for instance, compute in
less than 10 seconds the square con
tents of circle without reference to
mathematical rules. It is certain to
find practical application in many de-
partments of trade. 1t is specially of
use to leather dealers and manufactur-
ers for measuring exactly the superficial
area of hides and skins.
| A NEW LIGHT FOR RAILROAD CARS.
A New Haven gentleman who has
been much bothered by the unsatisfac-
tory light afforded the lamps in railway
cars has invented something which
seems promising. The contrivance is
described as follows: Outside of the car,
upon the end of the roof, is kerosene
lamp. Leading from it to the other end
is a tube, say foot and a half in diam
otter, through which the light is thrown
by reflector placed behind the flame.
This tube runs along the roof, next to
the ventilating deck, and at several
points it is ''tapped" for light. At
these points reflector in the tube sends
the light into and across the cal, through
holes similar to the ventilating holes,
and when the light is once inside it is
| sent down to the seats by other reflect
ors placed inside. Upon the other side
| of the car is a similar tube. with the
light at the other end. By this arrange
ment the passengers escape the disa
greeable smell and smoke of the lamps
now used. get a very fine light, and are
preserved from danger by fire if the car
meets with an accident. The whole ap-
paratus, except the auxiliary refectors,
is outside of the car, and the lamp is
surrounded by fire proof, safe and in.
genious mechanism, such that if the cal
is upset or its balance disturbed by de.
railment or collision, the flame is in.
stantly extinguished.