Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-06-25
MECHANICAL AND scIEN EIr1c.

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MECHANICAL AND SCIENTIFIC.
THE "CRY OF TIS"-If a piece OF tn
is bent, it emits a sound this, being re-
garding as property peculiar TO tin, has
been termed the cry of tin" This phe-
nomenon is explained by the peculiar
crystalline structure of the metal. Ress-
oning that, If this explanation be the true
one, then other metals obviously crystal
line in structure should also exhibit the
phenomenon, j. c. Douglas, who records
his observations in the Chemical Nelcs,
heated a piece of rolled zinc for a few
minutes to temperature somewhat below
It's nrelting-point, when the metal became
much less tough, and its fracture decidedly
crystalline. On bending piece so treated.
1t emitted a sound weaker than that emit
ted by tin, but of the same nature. Cast.
zinc cannot be bent readily; but if pinched
between the teeth or with pliers, 1t enits
the sound distinctly. The conclusion,
therefore, is that the cry of tin is Que TO
crystalline structure, and may be emitted
by zinc and probably by other metals when
crystalline IN structure. The practical
application is, that by the sound q metal
emits Eve may draw conclusions as 10 its
texture, and hence its fitness for certain
purposes, or, By the sound emitted by a
beam when bent, we may draw conclusions
as TO its safety, the microphone or other
appliance being called in to aid us where
the sounds are exceedingly weak"
A NOVEL KIND OF WIRE Betting.
Herr j Jarclimek, of Hamburg, Austria,
has brought out novel kind Of wire belt
ing, which Is described as follows: TIE
wire is wound on spindles, the diameter OF
which is as small as practicable, and is OBJ
tanned, therefore. IN the form OF long
spiral spring Der Tecenker states thai
the main point to be observed in using
these wire coils is to give them dimensions
proportional TO the power to be transmit.
ted. so that while flexible, they do not
suffer undue el0ngation when in use.
Practical trials have proved that theproper
proportion between tenacity ana elastic
ity of these coIlsd wire strings IS obtained
when the spindle. around which it has
been wound, has diameter equal to that
of the wire. The two ends OF a string are
hooked together, and each string THE num-
Der varying according to the power trans
mltted) Is laid In groove on the puileys.
This method OF transmission is reported to
be cheap aud effective.
THE COMPARATIVE ANATomY OF Loco.
MOTIVE ENGINES in paper read by
George Barnham Jr., at recent meeting
Of the Civil Engineers Club of Philadel-
phia, after pointing out the analogy exist
ing between animals and machines, both
beng mechanisms to perform useful work
the analogy, however being one of func-
ton aud not of form-Mr Barnham made
comparisons of similar parts in different
types of locomotive engines. The change
from the early form of boiler with cylin-
drical furnace to the present form with
rectangular fre-box was explained as re-
sulting from the necessity Of increased
crate area. Late variations in the form of
furnace, smoke box, and other parts were
mentioned, and the gradual evolution of
the present flexible running gear or carry
ing mechanism of American locomotives,
more especially the swing bolster truck,
was explained.
THE BLUE OF THE SKY.-M. Chappuis
thinks that the blue of the sky may be
due to ozone present in the upper regions
Of the ar. He argues tibet the electrical
discharges constantly taking place viii
produce ozone /; and the recent researches
Of himself and NJ. Hautefeuille have shown
that azone, at any rate when near its con-
densation point, is of blue tint. He has
examined the absorption. spectrum of ozone
and finds nine dark bands in it. three at
least of which correspond with known
bands in the telluric spectrum.
A New CRLLULom. This new product
is said to be obtained from well peeled po-
tatoes which are treated for So hours with
a solution OF parts sulphuric acid in 100
parts OF water. The mass is dried between
blotting paper and then pressed. 1t is
further stated that in France smoking
pipes are manufactured out of this new
material which are quite equal in appear
ance to the meerschaum. BY heavy pres.
sure the material acquires such hardness
that billiard balls can be manufactured
with it.
BOILER PATCHES "A mistake is often
made in making a boiler patch of thicker
metal than that of the shell of the boiler
needing it. A moments reflection ought
to show the absurdity of putting five
sixteenths or three-eighths patch on an old
t-auasteE lHCn DOlltF smell Yet IL Is not
so rare an occurrence as one would mag
inc. A piece of new iron three sixteeuths
of an inch thick, will, in most cases, be
found to be stronger than that portion Of
one.quarter inch old plate needing repairs.
Music NovELTY.--A curious musical
instrument called color organ has been
invented When the various notes are
sounded by touching the keys, different
combinations of colors are reflected upon
ground glass plate, and these change and
blend in charming manner as quick air
is played. Thus two senses are gratitied
at once, and the beholder feels more than
he understands the harmony between mel.
ody and color.
CONVERTING SOUND INTO Lolita
French scientist claims that he has sue
ceeded in reversing the result obtained by
Prof. Bell, in producing light from sound.
He has described an experiment to the
Frenea 4 e- snv. by which he contends
:; sound into light is pro-
daesd.