St. Landry democrat., 1881-03-26
SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.

Mr.. Chappins suggests that the pres
ence of ozone in the upper regious Of
the air may give to the sky its blue tint.
He argues that ozone is constantly being
produced in the air by electrical dis
charges, and recent researches have
sbnwn that ozone is blue in color.
DR.. Delaunay, a wellknown Paris
savant, claims the discovery of a curious
means Of gauging PERSONS lntelli-
0ence. To ascertain the qualities of an
applicant cook, for instance, it is suffi-
Gent to give her a plate to clean, or
a aauce to make, and watch how she
moves her hand in either act. IT the
motion is from left to right, or in the
direction of the hands of watch, she
NAV be trusted if the other way, she is
snre to be stupid and incapable. The
intellectually of other people may, in
ike manner be determined by request
inc them to draw circle on paper, and
noting in which direction the hand is
moved. The inferiority of the weak
minded is Invariably indicated by their
drawing from right to left.
Mr.. Alex. Adams has made the re-
mnrkable discovery of electric tides in
telegraph circuits. By long-continued
and careful observations he has deter
mined distinct variations OF strength in
the earth currents which are always
nresent on all telegraph wires, follow
inn the different diurnal positions of
the moon with respect to the earth.
A method of cooking by electricity is
tobe exhibited at the Paris Exhibition.
The moon has twenty eight noun
tains higher than Mount Blanc.
In 1869 Herr Won Bezold Inferred, from
observations in Bavaria, that there was
an increase from year to year in the
number Of buildings struck by light
ming. There seemed to be also an in
crease in the number Of thunder-storms,
and this was assigned as the cause. A
little later, observations by others in
Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein also
showed an increase in the number of
houses struck, but no comparison was
made with the number of thunder
storms. Herr Holtz has lately made
fuller inquiry on the basis of data from
all parts Of Germany, and from Austria
and Switzerland. He publishes two
tables, one to show the increase or de-
crease Of thunderstorms since 1854
since 1869. and since 1870, in the differ.
ent regions the other the increase OF
decrease Of lightning estimated
from comparison of the number OF
lightning struck houses with the entire
number Of houses. 1t appears, then
that while any increase in the number
of thunderstorms is extremely small
and there is in some cases even de
crease, the lightning risk shows a very
large increase, and in no case a de
crease. Thus, the increase of risk from
lightning must be regarded as not due
unless in very slight measure, to mete
geological influences. This appear
more distinctly from the fact that tn
increase Of lightning risk is proportion
ately greater as the compared years ar
farther apart but it is not SO will
the increase of thunderstorms (Which
for example is less since 1854 than 1862
To explain the increase risk by tellurl
changes, Herr Holtz supposes the clear
anee of forest land has much to d
with it, also, the increase OF railways
both of these bringing thunderstorm
more to towns and villages. Anothe
probable cause is the increased use Q
metal in house building.
Interesting new discoveries have bee
made at Pompeii. In one district
house has been excavated which was
the course of construction when tn
terrible catastrophe befell the city, an
which differs materially from all othe
Pompeian houses in its plan. In anoth
or house large square piece OF blac
glass was found fixed into the wal
which when slightly moistened form
the most perfect mirror. In. a thir
house various wall-paintings were dis
covered, possessing an artistic rathe
than scientific interest.
That germs of disease may live for
long period seems to be proven by n
cent experiments under the direction
M.Pasteur. Seven sheep were led dali.
for few hours, to a piece OF groun
where some animals that died OF al
thracoid disease, or Charlton, had bee
buried t,cel'e gears previously. Two
them caught the disease and die
There was no grass for the sheep to ca
and it is thought those two must hay
received the germs in the course
smelling about the ground. On part
the ground covering the remains OF Il
diseased animals vegetables are no
grown; and M. Pasteur sought to leal
if any person about the farm had BET
affected. The farmer knew of non
Init showed a healed sore of malignR