The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1882-06-10
SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.

SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.
By causing finely divided alkaline
earths to percolate through . gas-iame,
Mr.. w. L. Scott has succeeded in gaining
considerable increase of light.
Messrs. E. and II. Bacquerel find that,
contrary to the general belief, a thick
covering of snow does not protect the
soil, as effectually rs does turf from the
severest cold and frost.
In some interesting experiments DR..
Liebenberg has shown that the presence
of lime in the soil is absolutely necessary
for the termination Of many plants,
while many others do not seem to require
it at all. IM.N
The French Psychologists Perrier and
Poirier have found that, properly speak
ing, star fishes have 10 blood circulation
at all, as what has hitherto been sup
posed to be the heart in these animals is
simply gland.
A large fortune Of several million
francs was left by NJ. Henry Giffard, the
eminent engineer, who recently died at
his home in Paris, to the French Govern
ment for use in promoting the progress
of scientific discovery.
It has been observed that when liquid
manures are too much diluted trees are
injured thereby OH account of being
compelled, in seeking nourishment, to
take up more water than is needed but,
on the other hand, too strong solutions
cause decay of the roots.
The general belief that the joints of
animals have always o synovial fluid
serving as lubricant is, according to
DR.. Lambert, an error. The elephant,
with his relatively moderate motions aud
great weight, has admirable cartilages
but absolutely no fabrication therefor.
1t has been noticed that wines, es-
pecially when hard and acid, are inn
proved in flavor by the passage Of al
electric current through them. The
electricity is claimed to have tile same
effect as age, mellowing the wines by the
decomposition Of the bitartrate Of potash.
The electric light was used in recent
search for three persons who had lost
their way in an attempt to ascend a peak
of the Alps. The use Of the light was
not successful, but the idea seems to
have been IL good one, and in many
similar cases might serve to direct the
wanderers.
The tensile strength of glass has been
shown to be between 1000 and 5000
pounds per square inch, and the crushing
strength between 5000 and 10, 900 pounds
per square inch. By trials a short time
ago, NJ. Traulionie found that flooring
glass, one inch square and one foot
between the end supports, breaks under
a load of 40 pounds.
A prejudice has existed for some time
i'll European markets against American
meats, due to a belief that such supplies
are largely infected with trichins. NJ.
Colin recently ass,Eeththo Paris Academy
Of Sciences that Anerican salt meat, as
now imported into France, may transmit
tricl,inosis only in very rare cases Of
sailing.
The Central Bureau Of the weather
service Of France receives daily ninety
seven kilograms from foreign parts, and
ifty-two from France. From these
Geographic reports the weather proba-
'ilities are calculated for eight agricul-
ural and four maritime districts, to which
are telegraphed. Eighty-two
Ter cent. of the predictions thus sent ou+
rave been justified.
DR.. Luys is credited with the state
nent that Brown-Seguard once injected
he head of a dog, after being separated
rom the body, with defbrinated and
blood, and at the moment
when the injection of this blood had
ecalled manifestations Of life lie spoke
he dogs name. The eyes of the head !
,hus cut from the trunk turned toward |
lin, as it the masters voice had still |
'een heard and recognized. |
Experiments upon the action of the
electric light OH plants, at the Palace Of
industry, Paris, have resulted less favor
IDLY than was expected. The naked
avs from the electric arc were found to
e injurious; after passing through glass
hey ceased to have any hurtful action
'pon plants, but their efficacy was not
,reat. 1llnmin alton at night is not fatal
o plants, but no proof has been obtained
hat 1T is really beneficial.
Two microscopes-called the "Jumbo"
md the midget formed an interest
ng exhibit at a recent meeting of a
london society. The former instrument,
made about half a century
go, was four feet and half high and
Weighed 1876 pounds; while the Midget,
ully equipped for work, had d total
'eight Of only four inches, and weighed
nut few ounces. Six Of such micro
copes as the smallest could he enclosed
II the eye piece Of the larger.
In 1852 DR.. Macgillivray mentioned
lavifg seen skulls of children at Cane
FORK altered into quite conical shape by
constantly applied manual compression
i their mothers; but this was believed
o be impossible by the celebrated ana
omist K. =. Won Bael, who fancied that
here must be some mistake in the ipfor-