The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-06-26
CURIOUS AND SCIENTIFIC.
The PLAGUE.

in his dredging operations among the
Antilles. The main point, zcologicaily
was ascertaining that the so-calied deep
sea fauna occurred in great richness up
to the three hundred and fifty fAthom
line, which in the case OF many OF the
islands WAS within tive or three miles of
the shore. The Challenger expedition
secured these forms of life at depth
greater than one thousand five hundred
fathoms because they never dredged at
greater depth. The shallower the
water, the quicker and more easy the
work. Consequently, Mr.. Agassz was
able 10 make in two months almost as
large q collection as the Challenger made
IN three years, and quite as representa-
tive.
EDISON ELECTRIC LIGHT.
The brilliant anticipations which fol-
lowed Mr.. Edison's announcement of a
new discovery in regard to the electric
light have not yet been realized De-
tails and drawings of his patent have
now been published, and experts are not
fsvorably impressed with the feasibility
his alleged discovery. The speci6cs.
tion deals with two distinct inventions,
the first being a magnetic machine for
producing the electric current, and the
other regulator or burner. In regard
to the first, it is pronounced inadequate,
and weuld produce currents immeasur>
ably less than those produced by the
gramme and other machines. With re-
gard to the regulator, it is pronounced
Ingenious" but there is nothing novel
about it. 1t is, as reported, merely 8
new form of the long.ago patented means
OF producing light by the incandescent
metals. Mr.. Edison uses an alloy of
platinum and Iridium, in the form of a
ribbon, placed between two suitable
holders. The current is regulated by the
expansion of this ribbon with the heat
evolved. And it is by these means
checked automatically before the fusing
point Of the alloy is reached The ma
terials do not err on the sides o. cheap
ness. Platinum is about SO an ounce,
and iridium is valued at an altogether
prohibitory price, The piece OF the
latter metal used by professor Tyndall in
his late lA3tUre at the Royal institution
was shout the sizs OF luci er match and
was valued at $3.50. Mr.. Edison adj
vances NOTHING new on the question OF
Givisibility. Il seems, therefore, that
the subject of electric lighting has not,
as yet, made much progress in MS hands.
GIGANTIC DEEP SEA CRUsTACEAN.
The study Of animal life at great ocean
depths is now commanding the attention
of the scientific world, and various gov
ernmeDts, fully alive to its Importance,
have from time to time placed at the
disposal of scientists ali the necessary
appliances in the shape OF shi ps and
apparatus. The American government
authorized Mr.. Alexander Agassiz to
explore the bed of the gulf stream, and
in December, 1877, this naturalist, hav-
ing sailed on board the steamer Blake,
made series of dredgings, some of them
in two thousand fsthoms of water, and
succeeded in bringing up a large number
of rare and curious animals. Among
these was gigantic crustscesn, found at
nine hundred and fiity~fve fathoms
$3.50 teet), it measured nine inches
long by four inches broad, and was sent
to NJ Milne Edwards, of France, to be
studied. He named it the Giant Bath
ynomus (Bathynomus giganteus), and
he found it not only remarkable Tor Its
size, but also peculiar for the arrange
ment of its respiratory apparatus, which
was very different from any other crus>
tacean. This arrangement of special
contrivances of greater functional power
allowed it to exist at such an immense
depth. Contrary to what would be
supposed in regard to an animal living
at such depth and in such dark medi-
UNI, its eyes were well developed, each
one being formed of upward of 1000
separate square facets, and instead OF
being situated at the top of the head,
they occupied its inferior face and sur
rounded the base of the sutenne. 1t is
probable, as NJ. Mine Edwards justly
observes, that the study of animals, such
as this, will throw some light on the his
tony of fossil crustacaans, especially of
the trilobites.
THE ALDO, CARBON SIGHT.
There is an attempt to improve and
enrich the ordinary coal-gas, and unlike
all previous attempts, 10 this case solid
substance is used. IRE process con-
sists in the employment of substance
called albo-carbOn, which is the solid
residum of creosote. This material is
nodded into the form of candles, which
in large lamps are placed in s metallic
receiver near the gas>burner. The albo-
carbon ia warmed by the hest of the