The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1880-01-25
SCIENTIFIC MISCELI.ixY.


80 N'N 'ttH' "'+'
A dangerous and infectious disease
among bees is reported from Italy. 1t is
caused by a microscopic fungus, and
spreads very rapidly.
Forks have lately been found in the
debris of ancient lake dwellings-prov-
ing their use in a crude form in pre-
historic times. The relics found were
OF bone, and rudely fashioned. although
little doubt exists rs to the purpose for
which the implements were designed.
1t is stated that NJ. de Brazza, who
has charge of an expedition to Senegal
carries an electric battery in hispocket
communicating with two rings on his
hand and with other apparatus about
his person. When he shakes hands
with a savage chief, that individual will
be surprised by an electric shock run
ming up his arm and lightning playing
about the head of his visitor. He will
naturally believe the stranger to be the
devil, and treat him with due respect.
Meteorological observations have now
become 80 extended that evidence is
rapidly accommodating to enable us to
determine positively the source of the
cold aerial waves which sweep across
our country during the winter season.
The indications are that we owe them
to the great area of high barometer In
northeastern Siberia, where the pres
sure sometimes exceeds 81. so inches,
and the temperature falls as low as 76
degrees below zero. The pole of great
est cold is in the neighborhood of Yok-
utsk, on the Sena, where the average
thermometric reading in January is Al
degrees below zero, and where the sew
crest cold exceeds by 10 degrees that
experienced in high Arctic regions.
This is also the region of the, highest
barometric pressure known in winter;
and from it, doubtless, proceed the
waves of intense cold which play so
large a part in our winter experiences.
DIR. G. Wilks described, at a recent
meeting of the London Clinical society,
- octO Nao0 VI
A farm laborer was struck by lightning
while standing under a willow tree,
near the window of a shed in which his
three fellow-workmen had just taken
shelter from a violent storm of rain.
His companions found the Tree partly
denuded Of its bark, and the patients
boots standing at its foot. The patient
himself was lying on his back two yards
off, and, though he was previously fully
clothed, he was o absolutely naked.
He was conscious, but much burned,
and his leg was badly broken. The field
around was strewn with fragments of
the clothing. The clothes were split or
torn from top to bottom, but showed
evidence of fire only where they came
in contact with metal, such as his watch
and the buckle of his w%aist-belt. The
left boot was torn and twisted into fan
tastic shapes, but the sole was uninjur-
ed, and there was no sign of fire upon
it; the right boot had the leather much
torn and the sole rent and burned. A
hole was burned through the case of
the watch, and the chain was almost
entirely destroyed. The stockings were
split down the inner side. The hat was
uninjured. The patient stated that he
was struck violently on the chest and
shoulders, became e%nveloped int blind
ing light, and was hurled into the air,
coming down on his back, and never
losing consciousness. His body was
covered with burns, a broad crimson
band of burning passing down each
thigh and leg. Twenty weeks after the
occurrence he was discharged complete
ly healed. DR.. Wilks remarked on the
almost complete exemption from injury
of the nervous system and on the prob
ability that the clothes being wet acted
as good conductors, and so diverted the
electric current from the great nervous
trunks, thus saving the mans life.