The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-08-14
Compiled for the CARBON ADVOCATE.
POPULAR SCI ENCE NOTES.

was nominated on the eleventh ballot.
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Compiled for the CARBON ADVOCATE.
POPULAR SClE ENCE NOTES.
The changing of the current of the
Missouri river at Covington, Iowa, is threat
ening seriously the early destruction of that
town. Within the past two years, some 400
feet of bank has been washed away together
a number of houses. Numerous other build.
ings have only been saved by being placed
upon rollers and removed. Scientists are
puzzling their brains for a satisfactory mode
of repeling these sudden changes of the
current in this river, which it SO frequently
takes, often resulting destructively to many
localities.
--Initiat0ry steps are being taken to es-
tablish a circle Of observing stations around
the North Polar Region, all to be connected
by telegraph. The proposed points for
stations are at Upernivik, in West Green
land; at the mouth of the Lena, in Russia;
Switzbergen, Holland; on the new Siberian
Islands; Novaya Zemlya; Point Barrow, in
Alaska; at some point on the Arctic coast of
Canada aud possibly at other intermediate
points.
Two large aligators, the first ever seen
in that country, were recently taken from
the Yang tse,iang, and were transported to
the Berlin Zooos zeal Museum where they
are now on exhibition. 1t is said, they at
tract more attention than any other objects
in the building.
1t is estimated that in gle decade,
in Great Britain, at least 5OO,OOO persons
engaged in industrial pursuits sustain per-
sonal injury or are killed by accidents in
miues, factories or on railways.
As an evidence of the reducing power
of the oil of cloves pour few drops upon
perfectly dry oxide of silver, when the oil
will take fire almost Immediately, and will
emit sparks and a strong smoke. On drop
ping the oil on per oxide of lead, smoke is
expelled and the mixture turns hot but
does not ignite.
Since so much has been said regarding
| Mr.. Balmains invention Of luminous
| paint, it has been learned from a translation
of Chinese book, that the people Of that
country were acquainted with the art OF
luminous painting as far back as n'ne hun
dred years ago, the principle ingredient Of
the paint being taken from kind Of oyster
found in that country.
An eminent photographer recently as
cended in a balloon to a great height in
France, taking his apparatus with him, and
succeeded in getting some fine views of the
country over which he travelled.
DR.. Theobald Fischer, who is travelling
through that country, thinks that the plant
ing Of forests in North Africa, would much
more improve the climate of that country
than by forming an inland sea.
As the best means for raising and lower
ing the trains ON the railway up Mount
Vesuvils, the American double iron rope
system has been adopted and works mos
successfully.
Large quantities of gold have recently
been discovered in New South Wales.
: The most wonderful geological forma
ton, perhaps in the world. is that recently
: discovered IN the valley OF the east fork o
l the Yellowstone River. 1t is said to be il
horizontal layers, and the whole FORMATION
e is a little more than a mile in depth. Th
soldifed remains Of a multitude of forest
l fill the entire formation throughout. Man.
e of the trees are of large size. Some ar
e standing uprigh. as they grew and many
q are PROSTATE. Numerous stumps and log
i are to be found that measure four and iv
}. feet in diameter, while one huge trunk
y described that is said to be ten feet in di
e ameter.
It "A Mr.. F!euss has invented a new Div
c ing-process which enables breathing uude
u water, aud which dispenses in great inca.
e ure with the cumbrous apparatus hithert
]. employed by divers. The new method cou
d sists of an air-tight helmet to be worn
the diver, which is designed TO furnish
= continuous supply Of oxygen, and to dispos
d o. the carbonc acid which the breather e2
e hules. As test of his new invention, NJ
e Fleuss recently put bis apparatus on and g
'- inc under the water for the first time in h
Il life. remained there over an hour.
Of "A party ofUnited States surveyors too
'e soundings of the Niagara River below Il
N falls. That nearest The falls indicated
ar feet, short distance below that showed
n depth of 100 feet, while at the inclined raj
30 way the line told of 1872 feet. Where Il
'e whirlpool rapids sci in, Immediately belo
ST the suspension bridge, the depth OF wat
As was found To be 2lO feet