The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-09-24
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.
The most powerful desiccating
agent known is anhydrous phosphorio


agent known is anhydrous phosphorio |
acid.
"A mixture of one part of alcohol
and nine parts of crystallized carbolio
acid is stated to afford great relief in
cases of bites from insects.
"A row of gun.cotton reaching from
Edinburgh to London, it is said, could
be fired in two minutes, SO rapid is the
transmission of defamation from one part
to another.
The ammonia ice machines used by
the Best Brewing Company of MDwau-
kee cool the beer SO satisfactorily that
the company will no longer store ice for
that purpose.
Prof. Sartori, of Treviso, claims to
have discovered process by which 1ta-
ly will save 100000, 900 q year in the
matter of silk-wOrms. The King Or
dered at his own expense movable
house for reproducing the worms on
this process. 1t is very difficult to
'push" anything new in Italy, the peo-
pie are so behindhand.
Complaints are made all over the
West that wire fences attract lightning,
which often results in the killing of
stock. The stock imagine that the fence
affords protection from the storm and
accordingly huddle close up to it. One
instance is given where sixty-five head
of sheep were killed in Nebraska at q
single stroke, and another where ten
head of cattle were killed.
Since the introduction of dynamo
electric machines good many valuable
watches have been almost completely
ruined by having their works magnet
lied. Mr.. Maxim, the electrician, has,
however, invented q machine, now at
the Paris Exhibition, which in q few
minutes completely demagnetizes
watch, leaving it as free in its move
ments as ever.
M. de Bisschop has won q prize Of
1000 francs, or 5000, for small motor
suitable tt use in families. His engine
is worked by gas, and the operation
costs, at the prices current in Paris, two
cents an, hour for machines doing a
work of ,36-l7 foot-pounds per second,
five cents IN hour for machines per-
iormis g at the rate of 1906 foot-pounds
per second. The smaller machines are
sold for 500; the larger ones for $3.50.
The high price Of toughened glass
and the scare about its explosion in the
form of chimneys, tumblers, ETC., has
hindered its progress. Now Mr.. Sie-
mems proposes to adaptit to lamp posts,
water mains, etc. He claims that it is
stronger than iron castings, imperisha-
BILE and incorr0dible. The cost per
pound is double that of iron, but the
specific gravity so much less that the
average Of goods will come one-third
cheaper.
The new metal of which it is pro-
posed to construct pipes in which to lay
telegraph wires underground is de.
scribed as very light-only about one
sixth the weight Of iron-and, being
composed almost entirely of pure car
bon, is indestructible, whether in the air
or under ground; it does not rust Of
change by exposure, and is not affected
by heat or frost. The most important
characteristic claimed for it, however
! in connection with underground wires
/ is its being a perfect insulator. Thu
pipes of the metal need not, it is stated
be buried very deep in the ground, a.
1'they may be Of semi-elastic character
adjusting themselves to the slight up
heaval and depression Of the groun'
through the action of frost.