Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1881-02-17
No. n
Scientific MISCELLANY.

According to DR.. McLaren, of Scotland, the
types of insanity have changed with modern
times. Acute delirious mania, for example,
is comparatively rare, but mental enfeeble-
ment attended with paralysis, is becoming
more and more common as a result of the
overwork and worry of the struggle for ex-
istence at the present day.
1t is generally supposed that the colors of
flowers are due to so many different mater
ials, each color being a chemical combination
entirely distinct from the Others Professor
SchuetZler however, now advances the theory
that chlorophyl (the green coloring matter
of leaves) is the only coloring matter which
plants possess, and that the varying colors
and shades are produced by the action of the
acids or alkales of the plants upon the chlo-
rOphyl. Experiments confirm this view, to
which further support is given by the quite
well established fact that the changes in the
color of leaves in autumn are due to the ac-
tiOn of their tannin upon the chlOrOphyl.
Chemists have discovered that the presence
of very minute quantities of certain substan-
ces in certain liquids may be detected by
means of the electric spark and a photo
graphic apparatus. If the coloring matter
known rs anthracene is mixed with fifty
million times its weight of alcohol, the pres
ence of the color is shown by photograph.
which will show the characteristic bands of
the absorbed rays which pertain to the an
thracene.
Fresh charcoal has been found to absorb
ninety times it's own volume OF ammonia
gas.
The changes in level of the earth's surface,
which must have been rapid and vast in the
early geological ages, are yet in progress.
Aside from paroxysmal changes, such as the
volcanic upheaval of an island now and then
great areas of land in different parts of the
globe are undergoing slow process of eleva-
ton or subsistence. In Greenland a subsi-
dence is taking place. For over six hundred
miles, from Disco bay to the Firth of Igaliko,
the coast has been sinking for four centuries
past. Old buildings and islands have been
had to put down new poles for their boats,
the old ones standing, as Lyell Observes as
silent witnesses of the change"
On the North American coast south of
is supposed that similar changes are going
on. G. H. Cook concludes that a slow subsi-
dence is in progress along the coasts of New
Jersey, Long Island and Martha's Vineyard:
and according to 4. Gesner, the land is rising
at St. Johns, New Brunswick sinking at the
island of Grand Menan; rising on the coast
opposite, at Bathurst; sinking at the Bay of
Fundy, where there are regions of stumps
submerged thirtyfve feet at high tide and
rising at Prince Edwards Island
1t is believed that in the Pacific Ocean the
region of the coral islands has, in some por-
tions, sunk not less than 6, 600 feet during COM
paratively recent geologic times. Surveys
made in Northern Sweden have shown, ac-
cording to Lyell, that the coast at that point
is rising at the rate of about four feet in a
century.
self to the electric light for some time in
close inspection of the same, his hands and
feet will show, if he be of fair complexion,
all the symptoms of "sunbun," even in mid
winter, and he will develop freckles on his
as quickly as when he goes I'M
protected by sun umbrella in midsummer.
A prize of 5000 in gold has been offered by
MIR. H. H. Warner, of Rochester, N. Y, for
the discovery of any comet during the year
1881. The comet must be unexpected with
the exception of the comet of 1922 and tele-
ScOpic, and Prof Lewis Swift, of Rochester,
must be Immediately notified of the discovery
If the same
The digestive process of the stomach of
mosquito is so slowly performed that when
he insect has dined on human being it con-
inues for forty-eight hours to exhibit blood
orpuscles.
An old sportsman has carefully preserved
n his house spiders web, which serves as "a
lovel and very delicate barometer When
he insect finds it necessary to shorten the
breads which suspend the web, rain and
7ind may be expected: if reefs be let out,
ne weather is certain if the spider remains
merit, rain will probably follow within short
ime.
From general orders number twenty-fv
eadquarters department Dakota, series of
$50, it is learned that in the twenty seven
'rts, posts, environments and depots in the
Observation-Disclosures being excluded
1ere are employed fourteen clerks, with sal
ries ranging from $50 to 1888 per month,
wen forage masters at $75, and thirteen in
'rpreters at from $50 to SIS, forty-two black
niths and wheelrights at from $50 to $S5
nd 356 other civilian employees.
Good Living.
The prisoners in the San Quentin (Cal)
have a uOO1 fi,oo cr f,r &c rrr,,I,