The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1880-11-16
SCIENTIFIC MIscELLAxY.


Compiled for the Leader.
According 10 Mr.. Alexander Buckan
thunder has been heard In Iceland in
only tweniy-three hours during the last
fourteen years.
Bloodstone Is a variety Of silica
speckled with red, the spots having
some resemblance to blood. In the
Louvre, at Paris, a bust made Of this
stone has the spots in such position
that they actually represent drops of
blood.
An observatory, with four telescopes,
was lately opened in Paris for the free
use Of the public. 1t has q room for
m-icroscopical observations during the
daytime.
Acloth for polishing metals is manu-
featured In France under the name Of
serriette ~nadgigue. 1t consists Of small
pieces Of wooden cloth saturated with
soap and tripoli and colored with
fuchsine.
The electric light proves TO be very
effective a. an insect trap. Flies and
moths are attracted to 1t from a great
distance, and, flying Unto the arc, are
quickly killed.
Prof. TAFT, Of Edinburgh, estimates
that the energy developed in the form
Of heat by a fall OF only one-tenth Of an
inch OF rain owe the whole Of Great
Britain is equivalent to the work OF a
million millions OF horses for half an
our.
The next United States Congress will
act on a bill, reported In the last
Congress, in support of an Information.
al Commission to agree upon standard
tests ;or color blindness and standard
requirements for visual power in navies
and merchant marines.
Medical investigation has shown that
some Of the occupations for children
at kindergarten schools are calculated
to injure the eyesight. Among these
are the pricking of holes over a tracing
on paper, braiding bright colored bands
OF paper, and sewing fine silk upon trac.
ings.
A successful experiment has been
made at Cologne with the electric light
for tho purpose of Illuminating the
newly completed cathedral both inside
and outside. A most brilliant effect
was obtained, and the lofty spires OF
the immence edihce were lighted to the
very top.
Investigations by A. Muller show
that the fresh leaves of the sugar beet
contain four per cent Of oxalic acid, OF
which one-third Is in o soluble form.
When it Is considered how great are the
quantities Of these leaves eaten by cat
tie where the beet-sugar industry is ex.
tensively engaged in, 1t behooves farm
ers to be on their guard, as the acid
induces Inflammation OF the mucous
coats Of the stomach. The picking of
the leaves with chalk will probably pre-.
vent such results.
Edison has again announced the NC.
cess Of his electric light, and pro-
missed that in q very short time his per-
fected lamps will be placed in the
market. Each lamp Is to last six
months and cost about fifty cents. The
electric power which furnishes the
illumination during the night may be
used to drive light machinery by day
for manufacturing purposes, thus adding
to the value and economy Of the sys-
tenn. Tho electric current is to be sup
piled in cities from central stations,
where huge generators will be located,
and the quantity Of electricity received
by each consumer is to be recorded by
a meter. The expense Is to be less than
that of gas. This plan Is essentially the
same as that outlined by the sanguine
experimentor nearly a year ago. There
seems to be little doubt that Mr. Edison
has made some progress with his system
Of electric light, but his reckless asser-
lions and unredeemed pledges have SC
shaken public faith in his ideas that
nothing less than q thorough practical
demonstration will spread the convic.
ton that the electric light problem has