The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1882-05-04
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For THE HERALD.
SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.

II has been pointed out that the
fragrance of violets differs wide.
ly, being Influenced evidently BY
the season and temperature,
warmth and shelter appearing
most conducive to sweetness.
Herr Kraus has lately proved
that all plant organs swell and
contract periodically every day.
This phenomenon is due to varia-
tions in the amornt of water con-
tanned at different periods during
the twenty -four hours.
The venerable French chemist
and instructor, NJ. Chevreul, has
just celebrated his ninety-sixth
birthday.
For the photography of birds in
their different positions in flying,
N. Marcy employs an instrument,
like rifle in shape, giving twelve
successive images per second,
each image being taken in the
100 part of a second. In bright
sunlight the time Of exposure is
reduced to the 500 Of a second.
These views furnish an analysis
Of The motion Of birds in flight
which could not be obtained be:
fore the perfection of the pro-
cesses Of instantaneous photogra
ply.
1t is very generally known
that the existence Of a planet be-
tween Mercury and the sun has
long been suspected by astrono-
mers, but if such an object exists
it is ordinarily rendered invisible
to telescopes by the diffusion Of
the solar rays. During a total
eclipse the glare Of the sun is re-
moved, and it is hoped that the
hypothetical planet may be dis
covered on such an occasion,
With that purpose in view, many
observers will eagerly scan the
heavens about the sun during the
eclipse of May l7th, which will
be chiefly visible in Africa.
1t appears to be quite we'll es-
tablished that ants and q few
other insects have the highly or
ganized faculty of communicating
their ideas to one another. The
researches of modern observers,
such as Subock and McCook, have
confirmed the belief in such a
power. DR.. Franklin shared the
belief, and tested the matter in an
interesting experiment. He placed
small jar, containing a little
treacle, in a closet, where a num-
Der of ants soon collected to prey
upon the vessels contents. When
all was eaten the Doctor cleared
the jar of the ants, and putting
some fresh treacle in it, suspended
it by a string from g nail in the
ceiling. A single ant remained in
the jar, which ate uotil satisfied,
and then sought to find its way
out. 1t was tor some time per-
picked, but finally climbed the
string to the ceiling, and escaped
down the wall. 1t had been gone
but short time when a large
swarm Of ants focked into the
closet, climbed up the wall to
the ceiling. and then descended BY
the string into the jar, where they
remained until the treacle was
devoured, and then departed by
the string. 1t is hardly possible
that this should have taken place
had not the first ant made some
communication to others.
The celebrated 'Kent's Hole Of
the geologists is located near
Torquay, in Devonsbire, England
This remarkable Cavern, first
scientifically explored in 1924 by
Catholic clergyman, has given
up remains Of the mammoth.
rbinoceros, hyena, elk, and other
animals now extinct in England,
together with many fiuts and
other relics of ancient man. The
earth iu the cave has now been
explored to a great depth, and the