The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-07-31
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.

aa ~ 2 ts - WtF 81
M. DUMAS, the veteran French SCENT
list, finds that, in his researches respect
ing the occlusion of gases, while silver
imprisons oxygen, aluminium and mag
nesium specially retain hydrogen.
i0Nthe French Eastern Railway Ach-
ard electric brakes are being tried, and
are said to work satisfactorily. The
electricity is not supplied by ordinary
cells, but by Plante's accumulating bat
terry. IaDnoM ela aas Ill q
PROFESSOR LIEBE contends that in
the second diluvial period hills of South
ern Bohemia and Moravia were the
starting point from which the virgin
forests invaded thegreat diluvial steppes
of Central Europe to the north of the
Alpine chain.
DIR. BARNES, of San Diego, CAL, as
cribes the singular mound formations
covering the dry soil of that region to
the effects of wind and certain low-lying,
broad -branched plants with large sys-
tenn of roots, among which is the RhaGs
tdatrtnd. These act as nuclei around
which the winds collect dust, and the
result is the hillocky appearance of
the desert, which has puzzled many
travellers. n
A BELGIAN physician is reported to
have ascertained, during a journey of
observation and inquiry made at the re-
quest of the Belgian Government, that
the very general and excessive use of
tobacco is the main cause of color
blindness, an affection which has occa-
stoned very considerable anxiety, both
in Belgium and Germany, from its in
tiuence upon railway and other acct
dents, and also from the military point
of view
Potato flour, or the dried pulp of the
potato, is attaining great importance in
the arts. 1t is stated that in Lancashire,
England, twenty thousand tons of it are
sold annually, and it brings at present
in Liverpool about double as much in
the market as wheat -four. 1t is used
for sizing and other manufacturing pur-
poses, and when precipitated with acid
is turned into starch. When calcined it
is employed as dressing for silk.
DIR. SAMUEL WILKs endeavors to
prove that language in its broad mean
ing has its rudimentary framework in
the lower animals. The parrot, he saws,
has vocal apparatus of the most per-
feet kind, and it can gather through its
ear the most delicate intonations Of the
human voice, which it can initiate
perfectly by continued labor, and retain
them in its memory. 1t is also able to
associate words with the persons who
have uttered them, and even invent
sounds corresponding to those which
are given out by objects in motion.
A FEW drops of nitrite of amyl have
a powerful influence in restoring the
functions of the heart in cases of drown
ing, hanging or fainting. 1t is sug-
gested, therefore, that it should always
be used whenever attempts are being
made to restore to life an individual APP
parently dead, or when it is desirable to
settle the question whether a person is
really dead or not. DIR. Brunton saws
that in ascertaining death the nitric of
amyl might be used only with the test
of tying cord round the finger. If the
circulation has entirely stopped, the
part beyond the cord never becomes any
thicker; but if the circulation continues,
however slowly, the finger tip beyond
the ligature will sooner or later begin to
swell. -I ........
SAwDUsT can be converted into
liquid wood, and, afterward, into
solid, flexible, and almost indestructible
mass, which, when incorporated with
animal matter, rolled and dried, can be
used for the most delicate impressions,
as well as for the formation of solid and
durable articles, in the following man
ner: Immerse the dust of any kind of
wood in dilute sulphuric acid, suffi-
GENTLY strong to affect the fbers, for
some days; the finer parts are then
passed through sieve, well stirred, and
allowed to settle. Drain the liquid from
the sediment, and mix the latter with
proportionate quantity of animal offal,
similar to that used for glue. Roll the
mass, pack it in molds and allow it to
dry. a'"