New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-10-04
SCIENCE FOR THE PEOPLE.

SOLAR HEAT AND LlGHT.-ln communica-
ton to The BHgalO Sunday Courier on Light and
Heat" DIR. Henry Raymond Rogers says that science
at the present time admits OF four different expana-
tions of Inc production OF sunlight and sun-heat Wiz
a. Combustion of cosmical substances falling into the
sun; c. arrest Of motion Of such cosmca substances;
60 contraction Of the solar mass a. dissertation OF
compound bodies suns substance He holds that the
first hypothesis, that Of combustion" IL virtually
given up by scientists account OF Its insuperaDie
difficulties. The fuel problem is too intricate Tor the
finite mind. The second the sOcalled mechanical hypo-
thesis held greatest favor by scientists to-day, as
best accounting for the phenomena or as being least
vulnerable TO objections. This hypothesis presupposes
the presence in space OF an incalculabe supply OF
ponderOus all rowing loosely and by chance until,
falling under the influence Of the sun. they are drawn
thereto with such momentum that the concusion gives
rise to inconceivabe light and heat But Dr. Rogers
believes that such existence Of ponderabe matter away
the influences OF gravity moving about In tho uni
verse and follow the attraction Of the nearest
stellar system, hardly be credited by philosophc
minds. The superstition that old useless worlds, coets
meteors etc. are attracted the to be utilized for
production of Its light and heat contrary 10 every
principle OF reason and sound philosophy The newt
able enlargement the suns dimensions, which woud
the aCcretons resulting from this method
would also Prove fatal 70 this hypothesis. An exact
knowledge of the sun for centuries has not In the
slightest degree disclosed change of radius In tue
q
the suns hulk The hird hypothesis, the contraction
OF the solar mass" implying a progressive dlninuon
that BODY nnis the objections hich he against
les progressive augmentation. Tie fourth, " inc uiso
citation Of compound Dodie in the suns subsistence de-
open 10 The objections alrcads mentioned Each Oh to
foregoing hypothesis rtanos IN direct oppo. 'oh 10
inc Nurable law o. conservation OF iot.1 80 a.
thU decree thut Law. whatever is received 10y s"r ear III
from the sun, al equivalent Tor ne anne ...-s -
returned non the ca't 10 ilc sun 40 inc ,
ton 80 hyphOtucss based upon ANY Other Iou' at'h
can stand Dr. RDgcis theory Oi the cause OF tUtf H
is magnetic one lie believes lhai the sun uHa v,ir
are gigantic fountains OF magnetic lDhieuce cohtu-
~v5 ,i,rs fo he oh ,noneua u sAt aud hea.-lAcii
o.earest aid fullest eiptet'uons.
GLACIAL PrRI0Ds.-Mr. II. B. Norton. In
e,nt lecture before tnc Kansas Academy OF Science
gave some sting calculations respecting the glacial
epocls through which the North American continent
has passed based largely upon the theories 81 cr'l ana
Geke In his closing paragraph he remarks: 1t thus
seems probable that there have been many glacial
periods in each phele. and that the ocean, Ike
mighty pendulum. vibraes from pole 10 roe through
vast but regular periods LOT necessary TO suppose
cataclys al the oud Of each period a. some OF The
earlier writers did; but ratbcr an insensloe drainage
OF waters which gradually srbmorccs ,he lands ami
pushes the human race before hardly b. perccpi
10 in the course OF generations; uncover new
continents and opening mp fresh fields and pastures new
e. human industry, when the old are exhausted. The
southern hemisphere now undergoing the slow reris
WINTER.
ago II will end about the year 4,s7O II has passed lis
middle but NOT Its elimination, even as the greatest
average cold ordinary Winter il nearer the YER
nal equinox than the Winter sostice. Ii is probable
That 2OOO year from now, the southern ntincn's Will
be siil more Il, cply d,uccd the Autartc icc-cap Will
have ext ndcd several hundred miles 10 the ror;hwnr
and tie glaciers which have already appeared among
Andes viii have covered the pateaus OF Patagonia
and Chill Nevertheless we need not expect ihat man
kind will then witness the upost possible degree OF re-
fgeraon. because the elpicity OF the ear orpi Is
now than IL been al certain periods IN inc past
aud viii b. aaain IN tie remote future
IMPROvED ELECTRIC L1GHT.-Mr. II. W.
Wiley points out. in The american journal Of science,
a way diminishing the present unsteadiness OF the
electric light resulting from the irregular combustion
the carbons by coating the carbons with copper and
covering this with film OF plaster OF Paris After the
plaster has set edge Of the carbon which Is to be
turned toward the condenser carefully cleared OF It's
plaster covering which Is also cut away TIL quite thin
on the adjacent surfaces These precautions taken
so that the plaster mag interfere with the radiation
OF light IN the direction OF the condenser. The copper
surface az the end OF The carbon being uncovered, II Is
fastened IN The holder in usual way The light now
produced is steady and the combustion Of the carbon
slow The flm OF plaster mcljs gradually the point
IL consumed and thus never nterices with the nuni-
nation. points Of hotD the negative ana positive
carhous remain huni, and there Is no WASH away Of
me stem. carbon prepared IN this way Will last at
least ten long used In TIE ordinary way
The vantage, however, II iOanu ia tie cOnl ld-
tive steaduess OF the hight.