Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-06-04
PROGRESS IN SCIENCE.

THE ST. LAWRENCE Tunnel SCHEME.
There is now no doubt entertained by the
promoters that the scheme to tunnel the
st. Lawrence viii be successful. The
engineers have in several places bored to a
depth of % feet, and they report most
favorably.
MoLYBDENUM DISCOVERIES IN New
FoUNDLAND.- of molly bdenum-a
rare metal chiefyiyaluable on account of
one of its compounds-haveb been found in
the Valley of the Humber, near the Bay
Des Isles, on the west coast of Newfound-
land, and there is talk OF organizing an
American stock company, with a capital of
81 900, 600, for the purpose Of working the
fields. Warning is given by the State De-
partment that, under the provisions of a
declaration annexed to the Treaty Of YER
sailles, of 1883, the use, of the tract in
which these fields lie is guaranteed to the
French fishermen, and the erection of sta
tionary buildings. such as would be indis-
pensable in such an undertaking like the
one proposed, is strictly forbidden.
Alcohol IN THE GROUND, IN TIE WA
TER AND IN THE ATMOSPHERE. M. Muntz,
in a paper read at meeting of the Paris
Academy of Sciences. gives some interest
ing facts ascertained after the development
of method depending on the change of
alcohol into iodoform. so that one millionth
of alcohol in water can be detected. Alco-
hol is found in all natural waters, except
very pure spring water and more of it in
snow. Rain water and water from the
Seine contain about one grain per cubic
meter. Alcohol no doubt exists as vapor
in the air. In soils, especially those rich
in organic matters, there is a considerable
quantity. The destruction of organic mat
ter by various agents OF fermentation ac-
counts for the wide diffusion of alcohol in
nature.
CONCRETE STAG AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR
SToNE.-The London Engineer says that
the Aireside Hematite Iron- Company,
which has introduced this Stag as substi-
tute for stone, has erected new Offices at
it's works in Hunslet, Leeds, in which all
the door and window facings, and the orna-
mental work, are composed of the Stag
from its own furnaces. A pew feature of
such an elevation is display OF imitation
carved bricks, in various colors, made of
the Stag, the cost of which is said to be
fifty per cent. less than the real article of
clay, which hitherto has been so much in
fashion. The company also supplies the
Midland and Northeastern Railroad Compa.
MES with Stag concrete flags, ready pre-
pared for use, in the laying down of plat
forms at railroad stations. The Staveley
Company has for long time used Stag
Jumps for building purposes. much OF the
slowiy-cooled massive Stag having the ap-
pearance of basalt and other rocks.
INoxIpIzABLE COATING ON IRON ARTI-
cLEs.-Our readers are familiar with the
Barff and Bower processes, from full de-
scriptions previously given in these col
umns. A new process, devised by Mr.
Ward. consists, according to the London
Engiueer, in the combined application of
silicates and heat, this process being the
basis of several subsequent processes for
ornamenting the surface of the metal. The
iron objects are coated with a silicate COM
position, which is applied either by means
Of brush or by dipping the iron in a bath
of the solution. The coating quickly dries
upon the objects, which are then passed
through furnace heated according to the
nature of the articles under treatment.
The silicate composition is thus fused, and,
it is said, absorbed into the pores of the
metal, becoming homogeneous with it.
Upon cooling, the articles treated are found
to be covered with dull black coating.
which, it is stated, is found not to suffer
change from long exposure to the atmos-
phere, nor to disintegrate or separate from
the surface, TO which it has become applied.
Engineering Journal.