, 1881-12-24
ScienfiAc Miscellany.

IaLe lnVesIS1liOns Oh OTeru1H bcltiitlbtb
have shown that the electric light is not
only healthier than other methods Of
illumination in leaving the ayr prrer, but
that it increases the power Of vision In
some respects, especially in Distinguishing
colors. Red, blue, green and yellow, are
much more distinct under this light than
by daylight.
Two Leipsic chemists have devised q
process for obtaining sugar in perma-
nently liquid form. This result is said TO
be effected by adding to purified sugar
solution a small quantity Of citric acid,
which combines with the sugar and de-
prizes it of its tendency to crystalline.
Some experiments by NJ. Gantier appear
to prove that human saliva possesses, in
milder degree, the same POISONOUS prop
erty as that of serpents- The human
saliva injected uader the skin of bird
caused death, with symptoms very closely
resembling those resulting from serpent
bites.
Anew theory Of the so-eslled fascination
of birds by snakes is that the bird mis-
takes the snakes tongue, which the rep
tile keeps in rapid and constant motion,
for lively worm and watches it intently
with the anticipation Of devouring 1t.
NJ. Pasteur has resolved TO extend his
studies in vaccination to yellow fever,
with a view of determining whether or
not the disease is due to parasites and can
be guarded against by incubation A
broad field Of investigation Is open to
Pasteur, as it Is suggested BY his discov-
cries thus far that all contagious maladies
may be due to parasitic growths, the vir-
ulence of which may be 80 reduced BY his
method of inocnlation as TO render this
class Of diseases no longer matter of
dread
A Neopolitan gardener, after years Of
experience, has produced oamela with
delicate perfume, and he thinks it prob
able that in the near future these flowers
may be so cultivated as to rival the rose
in the fragrance Of its odor.
Mr.. c. Shaler Smith has given the re-
suits of extensive observation in relation
to tho pressures exerted BY the wind
The most violent gale recorded by him
was at East St. Louis in 1871, when the
wind overturned a locoHotive, the force
developed in SO doiD no less than IS
pounds to the square foot: At ST. Charles
jail was destroyed in 1877, the pressure
required being 81 pounds per square foot.
At Marsh6eld, in 1880, brick mansion
was leveled, the force necessary being
90 pounds per square foot. Below these
extraordinary presures Mr.. Smith IN
stances numerous cases Of trains blown OF
rails, and bridges. ETC., blown down by
gales of "a to 81 pounds per square foot.
In all the examples thelowest force requir-
ed to do the observed damage is taken as
the c,aximum power of the wind, although
of course it may have been higher.
Enthusiasts who make special study
OF sun spots and attendant phenomena be-
lieys that the cornerstone OF new
science is being laid by discoveries point
ing to an intimate connection between
solar and terrestrial meteorology. Just
what the connection is they are hot ye'
able to clearly define, although electricity
i, suspected Of being the agent through
which the effects are manifested upon ohI
planet. Itis known that the gaseous en-
velope of the sun is affected by eruptioni
of such prodigious magnitude az to be ut
terly beyond our power OF conception
these disturbances appearing to US as rap
div changing spots and p.otuberance'
The eras of the spots, or sun spots, Occur
at remarkably regular intervals, com
plete cycle of the vario Is stages o.
activity from maximum to minimum
and again to maximum being performed
in about eleven years-the so-ealled "snn
spot period" The sun-spot physicists
claim coincidence of the periods Of max
imum spots and years Of great atmospher
ie and physical disturbance IN the earth
The present has been year of great solal
disturbances. while it. has been marked
by violent storms and earthquakes upor
cur globe. Further than this, these sci
eutists claim to have recently detected by
simultaneous observation minor atmos
pheric change. as the result of correspond
ing movements in the sun. Many diff
culties attend these observations, but TN
Astronomer Royal for Scotland and other'
believe that the state Of the sun will som'
day decome An important factor IN weathel
forecasts and ike calculations
-, ,,rnm-uany merchants re