The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-09-25
Mechanical and Scientific.

The Journal d Oculistique is the author
for the statement that an obstinate
case of neurosis of the eyes has been
cured by the use of yellow spectacles
A factory has been built at Osaka
Japan, for the manufacture of OIL rom
camphor, which is said to be cheaper and
to have greater Illuminating power than
kerosene
On the railroad connecting Revell and
Marty -le-Roi, France, it is said that the
experiment of running the locomotive by
means OF superheated water has given
very satisfactory results. The water was
introduced at a temperature of 1870 de-
grees centigrade.
Speaking of the use of pain, the Lancet
observes that generally it may be set
down as an axiom that the chief and
obvious service of pain to humanity
is deterrent and warning SEN
sation to ward off danger. Pain,
however, has a secondary and educational
value as regards the mind and temper,
and some sorts of pain may be specially
desi gned for this purpose. In this view,
also, pain has practical interest, because
the development of mind is a process
governed by natural laws of which science
is perfectly competent to take heed.
The nitrate of lead is now recon-
mended in the medical journals as
scarcely second to any other substance,
in point Of cheapness and efficacy, as a
deodorizer. To prepare it for use it is
simply necessary to take, for ordinary
purposes, half ORA .hm of the nitrate,
dissolved in pint or more of boiling
water, dissolve about two drachms of
common salt in pail of water, pour the
two solutions together, and allow the
sediment to settle. To purify and sweet
en- feted atmosphere Immediately, dip
cloth in the liquid and hang it up in
the apartments. . ........-..
The electric light continues to grow in
favor. Arrangements are making to IL
Illuminate the British House of Lords by
it. An English scientist has been lectur
ing before the Society of Arts on the sub
ject and demonstrated that the electric
| costs from half to twelfth as much as
the gas light. He does not consider the
two in direct competition yet, but re-
CARDS the electric light as peculiarly fit
ted to do just what gas is incapable of.
At the Paris Exposition great attention is
being paid to illumination, and the elec-
trio light is being experimental upon
and tested in various ways.
The Smithsonian Institution is prepar-
ing for the publication of an exhaustive
work on American Archaeology, and has
sent out circular asking all who have
original information bearing upon any
phrase of the subject, to communicate il
without delay to the Institution. The
work will be accompanied with series OF
maps showing the localities and distinc
tive characteristics of "ancient mounds
and earth-works; shell-heaps; caves anc
cliff dwellings, masonry; sculptured slabs
or carved images; inscriptions and rock
paintings; graves and cemeteries; abOrig
inal quarries and salt-wo1ks; caches, o.
deposits Of objects in large quantities
workshops, or places of ancient aborigi
mai industry; ancient roads or trials; an(
reservoirs and acqueducts." &c.,.
Mr.. F. Peppard is t e inventor of
curious continuance for awakening
sleeper at given hour. The apparatu
:, is to be affixed to an ordinary clock, it i
. so arranged that when the hour-hand o
, the clock touches bottom, an electri
: circuit is completed; the minute-han'
!, passes over the button without effect
, There are series Of holes for the differen
hours, into any one Of which the butto
can be pushed, according to the tim
l selected for awakening. The completio
Of the electric circuit may ring bell, Q
sound any other of the numerous ordinar
= methods of alarm. But this Cor
:. trivance has yet more effective metho
! for arouslng deaf man or any sleepe
! who is willing beforehand to prepar
! himself for shock. A bracelet is prt
:, vided which can be put on the wrist {
y the time Of retiring; to this, flexible wire
J are attached, and the electric dischare
!. = will pass through it at the appointe
e hour. A man who could lie down
i pleasant dreams with such an apparatt
. fastened to his wrist, would natural
= need the violence Of an electric shock
awaken him.-ChSc0qo Tones.
Queer Tom.