Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-06-23
Scientific GoSsip.

OClentllC OOSSips
Phosphor bronze has an electric con-
ductivity two and half times that of
iron or steel. and one third that of cop
per.
The Edgemoor Iron Company. Of
Wilmington. Del, have finished the
Bowra bridge over the Ghoalhayen riv-
er. New South Wales. This bridge is
the largest in the colony, being 1,10S
feet long and 20 feet wide. 1t is built
of iron.
The longest span of wire in the world
IS used for a telegraph in India,
over the River Kistnah. between Be
zorah and Sectanagrum. 1t is more
than 5000 feet long. and is stretched be-
tween two hills, each of which IS l,2OO
feet high
With thermometers placed atfour feet
and at fifty feet above the ground, Mr..
Geo. Dimes has obtained readings which
led him to believe that the average max
imum temperature for every month is
always greater and the average mini
mum lower near the ground than at a
considerable elevation.
Experiments have shown that firing
with 9-inch 12-ton gun at armor plat
ing three and four inches thick, repre-
senting deck of vessel inclined be-
tween 10 degrees and Is degrees. in no
instance caused penetration, although
full charges were used.
Preliminary measures have been taken
for the construction of an electric rail
way at Tunis. The rolling stock of
each train will consist of four cars, each
provided with an electric motor and ca
pable of carrying forty passengers.
The cars will be driven by four dynamo
electric machines, lighted by electricity,
and stopped instantaneously by electric
brakes.
From observations made during many
years in Senegal and other intercepted
regions in Africa, DR.. A. Core is in
clined to believe that the African blacks
are destined in course of time TO disap-
pear and be supplanted by a superior
race of European immigrants. Be-
yond the possession Of immunity against
yellow fever and malaria, he thinks
the blacks in every way inferior to the
whites
Starch is much more readily converted
into sugar when under pressure than
otherwise. Not only, says contempt
rary, is the diaStatic action of the solu-
bic albumenoids increased, but when the
pressure is great the small percentage
of free acid which is found in all cereals
is sufficient to convert rapidly the starch
into sugar. 1t is matter of surprise,
therefore, that brewers do not mash I'M
der pressure.
In concluding late lecture on tele-
phonic communication, Colonel Web
Der said that there was a great social
aspect of this new industry which will
materially affect the body polite, name
", the question of public order. and the
preservation of the peace. Power of
communication between a number of
householders means rapid combination
against disorder, rapine, or burglary,
which no police regulations could ever
supply; and comparative aid and Sc
curity will be afforded in thousands of
cases for which there is now hardly any
provision.
A description of the method of observ-
ing meteors at the summit of the Puy de
Dome has been read by NJ. Alluard be-
fore the Academy of Sciences, Paris. -
A circular terrace with balustrade has
been formed around the tower The
balustrade is divided into $50 degrees,
the north being marked 0 degree, and
the localities m around are referred to
this graduation. Two terrestrial tele-
scopes are supported on chariots rum
ming on rails round the terrace. Geo
graphical maps are constructed, hav-
ing concentric circumference round
the Puy de Dome. The origin and
course of any meteor, thunderstorm,
mist. etc, are easily and accurately OBJ
| served.