The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1881-03-04
SCRAPS OF SCIENCE.

DIR. MULLER, of Geneva, has made
calculation in which he estimates the
number of plant species existing on the
Globe to reach minimum total of
$50, 600.
IT is not expected that it will be posi-
BILE for the Italian Antartic expedition TO
start before 1888. In the meantime it Is
intended that Lieut. Bove. the originator
of the scheme, should make a prelimin-
arv voyage in a whaler to the Southern
seas.
THE planetary discoveries of 1880 were
eight IN number five of which We're
found by Herr Palisa, Director of the
Observatory at Pola. The last was dis
covered Sept. 30 and raised the total
number Of known small planets to 219.
COLONEL GLUKoFsKY, who has sur
veyed the ancient bed Of the Oxus, is of
opinion that the diversion of the river to
the Caspian Sea from its present course
is quite practible, and a sum of 600, 900
roubles has been set apart for the work.
Ten Russian engineers, five companies
OF infantry, aud three sotnias of Cos
sacks are engaged in the operations.
NJ. CAUvEr, in the BuHctm of the
Botanical Society of France, describes
ms experiments made to determine the
development of carbonic acid by the roots
of plants. His result appears to show
that roots constantly develop carbonic
acid, but that the development is less by
night than by day, and that it begins to
increase with sunrise. that it decreases
about noon. and rises again in the even
ING, b. decrease at midnight
Mo, has been applied to new use.
that of fashioning IT into middle soles to-
boots and Shoes Tho invention consists
Of sheet of mica imbeddod in thin coat
Jugs of cement, aud placed in the boot or
shoe under and adjacent to the insole,
tLeuppcr leather of the shoe tapping over
its edges or next under the filling, or
between the filling and the outer or
bottom sole, and covering the upper
space from the toe to the instep.
Tine royal engineers have tried the
effect of gun cotton in bringing down
two old chimneys mt the Backyard
Extension Works, CAQtham, England.
The first was demolished by placing "A
necklace of gun cotton inside the chin
uey. the total charge consisting Of about
four and "a half pounds. The second was
destroyed by placing SIX charges of the
explosive IN the center of the base of the
chimney, the total charge weighing
twenty-eight ounces. The experiment
was very successful. At the instant the
electric spark iguited the gun cotton the
chimneys became wrecks.
AT the Greenwich observatory a very
ingenious instrument is in use 10 record
automatically the duration of sunshine
during the day. 1t consists of glass
globe hung in n hemspherical cup OF
Slightly greater diameter, the cup being
! lined with a strip of paper covered with
stencil ink The globe is entirely ex-
posed upon the roof, and while the sun
is shining acts as a buruiur-glasS, aud
causes 1. continuous line to be made upon
the paper. This line viii be broken,
however. as often as the suns light is
obscurcd by clouds, aud thus record
of the amount OF sunshine for the day
viii be obtained.
NJ MoHrDE has shown the French
Academy new alimeutary substance,
called HUtriaiHC. Raw meat, freed from
bones and tendons, Is passed into suitable
machines with nitrogenized food sub
stauces-such as bread etc.-which alb
serbs its water, and perhaps form organic
combinations with IT, The whole is dried
in the air or over "a mildly-heated stove,
and then pulyerized and sifted. The
powder obtained is grey or yellOwish in
color. and has an agreeable taste. With
fats. albumen or cummed water, solid
cakes or cubes may be made Of it, to be
afterward made into soups, sauces, etc.
The substance is very nutritive, and
keeps indefinitely If not exposed TO mois-
ture or too great heat.
Az ingenious Franchman has devised
game for facilitating the study Of
geography 10y children. 1t consists of n
large plauisphcre map of the globe, ac-
compauicd lay numerous objects repre-
seuting animals plants. flags, costumes.
tows aud landscapes. These objects, of
painted cardboard. stand upright when
the small inscription accompanying them
is folded back; and each one bears, more
over, number corresponding to one on
the map. Placing each in its proper
position. the child quickly becomes
familiar with the subject Illustrated; if it
he plant, he knows the place which
produces it, aud its use; if a town. he
knows its population, position, etc. The
new game has received the approval of
tine Paris Society Of Geography.