Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1882-02-22
CURIOUS, USEFUL AND SCIENTIFIC.
THE DIsHRAG" PLANT.

| ern states, and IS becoming known III
the north. It resembles cucumber
when green, but is larger. Dried it
bursts open and the interior has the
"feel and appearance Of turkish towel
ing. 1t is refreshing to use one on the
skin after bathing.
MILL-PICKs.
A mill-pick maker advices that in
grinding picks the pressure be not too
great, and that sufficient water be used
SO that heating, which always Injuries
the temper, be prevented. It should be
borne in mind that cracking picks should
not be used for furrowing, and no pit
should be used after it's edges are worn
too blunt. When picks are blunt grind
them to a straight level, one-eighth or
three-eighths long.
SALICYLIC ACID.
In Europe salicylic acid is largely
used in preserving fruits on account of
its perfection as a preservative. It is
said, however, to act deleteriously on
the constitution of those who consume
the fruit thus preserved. 1t IL charged
with producing deafness, and for this
reason its use has been prohibited in
France. Salicylic acid in some forms of
preparation has been found quite effica-
cious In the treatment of rheumatism,
and is said to be used without injurious
effect, even in large doses.
A CURIOUS WE'LL.
Near Paulding, Miss, while well
twas being bored, at O depth OF thirty
feet the anger was taken out, and con-
siderable roaring was heard down in the
Ill
were discharged, which continued for
several days. The smell is said to be
very offensive. The anger struck rock,
and consequently nothing more has been
done for the present, but there is talk of
blasting the rock and going deeper. One
of the strongest features about it is that
the well discharges the smoke about
three days, and then draws the air in
about the same length of time, then it
discharges it again.
HEIGHT OF THE ATMOSPHERIC.
From the phenomena presented by
the refraction, DR.. A. Kerber has esti-
mated the height of our atmosphere to
be between liza and 1877 miles. The
editor of the Journal, of the Franklin
Institute, says: "Some of the observ-
ations on meteors and auroras have led
to the conclusion that the atmosphere
reaches a height of more than 500 miles.
Laplace's limit of synchronous rotation
would allow possible height of more
than $4,000 miles. The theory of
Fresnel and Grove that the luniniferous
ether is only very tenuous atmosphere,
would make the portion which belongs
to the earth of the same height as
Laplace's limit.
| A BULLET DETECTOR.
The effort of Prof Bell to locate the
ball in President Garfeld's body by
means of an electric induction balance,
Is fresh in the memory of all. Another
plan for detecting metallic substances in
the human body has been submitted by
Prof. Bell to the French academy of
sciences. The method is as follows: A
fine needle is inserted near where the
ball Cor other piece of metaD is supposed
to be. This needle is connected by wire
with one terminal of a telephone, while
a metallic plate laid on the skin is con-
nected with the other terminal. When
the point of the needle reaches the ball.
an electric current is set up between that
and the metallic plate, producing sound
in the telephone. The needle may be
inserted In several places with little pain,
and the pain may be prevented entirely
by means of ether spray. To test the
method, ball was placed in piece of
beef, when it was proved that the contact
of the needle with 8 piece of bone, pro-
duced no sound in the telephone, while
a very distinct sound was heard when
ever the ball was reached.
sUPERsTrrToNs ABOUT GEMS.
About the seventh century the super
stitious regard for precious stones
reached it's height. The number of pro-
perties then attributed to themis wonder
full They were said to have the power
of comforting health, beauty, riches.
honor, good fortune and influence. Men
and women carried them about their
persons and called them amulets; and
they were thought also to have some con-
nection with the planets each month
thus:
In Jan. The Hyacinth In July. 800. The Onyx
In Feb. The AmethystIIn Aug. The Cornelian
In Mar - The Jasper In Sept. The Chrysolte
In May. The Agate In Nov. The Topaz
In June. The Emerald In Dec. 80. The Ruby
1. The Twenty Apostles also represented by
| gems, called Aposte-stones, viz
2. The hard and solid Jasper, representing the
rock OF the Church, was the emblem of Peter
The bright blue Sapphire was emblematic of the
| heavenly faith of Andrew
3. The Emerald, of the pure and gentle John.
4. The white Chalceddony, of the loving James.
8. The friendly Sardonyx, of Philip.
6. The red Cornelian, of the martyr Bartholomew
!. Inc Chrysohte, pure as sunlight, OF Matthias.
s. The indefinite Beryl, of the doubling Thomas.
8. The Topaz, of the delicate James the Younger
10. The Chrysoprase, Of the serene and uustfu
| Thaddeus.
IL. The Amethyst, of Matthew, the Apostle.
II, The pink Hyscinth, of the sweet-tempered ST.
| neon of Cana.
| COPPER PLATING.