St. Landry democrat., 1882-01-28
SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.

evidence of the existence of some en-
velope, like an atmosphere, on the
moon. The explanations usually Of
fered for the ruddy band Of light seen
around the lunar disc during eclipses
he considers inadequate. This bright
band can best be accounted for by sup
posing an atmosphere to the moon-a
thin remnant of ancient nebulosity,
comparable to that which accompanies
the earth and gives rise to the appear
ance of the aurora borealis.
A new electric lamp has appeared in
Paris, which is called Sunlight" on
account of it's mellow lustre. The
light is formed by inserting two car
bons in holes bored into a block of
marble in such manner that the points
of the cartoons are separated by thin
partition of the marble. An electric
current is passed through the cartoons,
and in traversing the shell of marble
causes it to become white hot, emitting
most agreeable light.
A Belgian physician, in an investiga-
ton made at the request of the govern
ment authorities, has ascertained that
the main cause of color blindness in his
country is the very general use of to-
bacco.
From the phenomena of refraction
DR.. A. Kerber has estimated the height
of the atmosphere at about one hun
bred and twenty miles. From observa-
tons upon meteors and auroras other
scientists have concluded that the at
mosphere must extend for more than
five hundred miles beyond the earth's
surface.
A Silesian physician, DIR. George
Guttman, has published the results of
his experience with pilocarpin, a newly.
introduced medicinal principle, in the
treatment of diptheria. While study
ing the effects of this drug he found
that it produced greatly increased
flow of saliva without inflammation of
the salivary glands; and he was led to
believe that the increased secretion of
saliva would tend to dissolve and re-
move the false membrane of diptheria.
He therefore concluded to try the
remedy in cases Of that disease, and
has met with such remarkable success
that he pronounces pilocarpin a specific
for diptheria. In eighteen months he
treated eighty -one cases of the disease
with the best results in every case.
Several Of the cases must have proved
fatal under the old treatment, while in
about one-half there was considerable
development of false membrane. The
patients have invariably recovered in
very short period. With but two or
three exceptions, convalescence has
followed the most critical cases in from
two to five days, and the milder ones in
one or two days.
A rain-tree in the public gardens Of
Madras has shown remarkable rapid
ty of growth. In the nine years since
the seed was planted the tree has at
tanned a circumference of nine and
one-third feet at the ground, height
of forty-six feet, and spread Of bran
ches Of eighty five feet from north to
south.
1t has been discovered by DR.. Luton,
of Rheims, that the tincture of ergot of
rye associated with phosphate of soda
produces an hilarious excitement on
those to whom it is administered, the
resembling that caused by
laughing gas.
Sand from the desert is seriously en-
croaching upon the inhabited territory
of the Chinese province of Shensi, and
has already half buried some cities.
High walls have thus far protected
Yulin, but the sand is now piled out
side nearly to the top Of the walls and
must soon cover them.
Learned men have written much of
the Ialmud, an old work of the Hebrew
laws, traditions and commentaries.
The Encyclopedia Britannica thus rem
ders the Talmud's history Of Adam !
with it's legendary adornments: "He !
was made as a man-woman out of dust I
from every part of the earth, !
his head reached to heaven, and the /,
splendor Of his face surpassed the sun.
The very angels feared him, and all
creatures fastened to pay him deyo- i
ion. The Lord, in order to display his
power before the angels, caused deep
'leep to fall upon him, took away some t
hing from all his members, and, when
Re awoke, commanded the parts that !
lad been removed to be dispersed over :