Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1882-10-26
SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.


cords automatically the velocity OF the
earthquake waves. He describes shocks
observed by him as travelling at the
rate Of 10000 feet per second. decreas
ing to $500 feet, aud still getting SOW
Or and slower as they progressed. The
waves last from thirty seconds to four
minutes. Prof. Milne is now at work
upon az atlas designed to show the
large number of seismic centers in
which the earthquakes If Japan orig
mate, and the relative intensity of the
waves, with the areas affected.
Those who yet cling to the old time
faith in the moons influence upon the
weather may he interested to learn that
% eminent a scienti.t ns Sir William
Thompson has recently felt called upon
to declare that careful observation with
the barometer, thermometer and ane.
mometer have filled to establish any
such influence, and have proved, on
tho contrary, that if there is any de-
pendence of the weather upon the
phases Of the moon it is only in de.
gree SO slight as to be quite impercep.
tible to ordinary observation.
The electric furnace first described
little more than two years ago--has
been the subject of further experiment
BY DR.. G. w. Sicmcns and Prof. a.
X. Huntington, who find that it pos
sessss two important advantages, viz,
that the Temperature attainable is prac.
tica.ly limited only by the refractori.
ness of the materials of which the
furnace is made, and that the heat ii
developed Immediately in the substance
to Be fused instead Of first having to
pass through the containing crucible.
Prof. M. w. Harrington refers to
two kinds Of changes on the moon.
surface which may lie regarded as
fairly established. The first is the
landslide, which is doubtless caused by
the great alterations Of temperature
TO which the moon is subject. Many
Of the slides may be easily recognized
with good telescopes. The second form
Of change is illustrated by craters which
have been proven to be different in size
and shape from what they W re record
cd BY earlier observers. Many other
changes have been suspected. but they
are Of more uncertain and doubtful
character.
A French chemist has analysed the
juice Of the so-called milk tree Of Con
trail America Ito the nutritive quail ties
OF which attention was first drawn by
Humboldt-and has found that the
vegetable product really possesses many
Of the characters Of cows milk.
A detailed geological map of the
Russian empire is being prepared un.
der tho supervision Of the Geological
Institute Of Russia.
Herr Puscher, a German chemist
has reported that the value Of glue is
greatly increased BY the addition Of
twenty Eve per cent. Of glycerine, all
cleaving and breaking Of the glue be
ing thus prevented,
The "stinsing tree of Australia q
thrifty shrub, which grows from two
or three inches to ten or fifteen feet
high, emits disagreeablc odor and is
very poisonous to the touch. Concern.
ing It traveller remarks: Sometimes,
while shooting turkeys in the shrubs,
! have entirely forgotten the singing
tree till ! was warned Of its close prox.
unity by its smell. and have often
fousd myself in little forest Of them.
y leaves no mark, but the pain is mad.
dsninG, aud for months afterwards the
pArs--when touched--is tender in
rainy weather, or when it gets vets in
washing. etc. l have seen q mao who
treats ordinary pain lightly, roll on the
ground in agony after being stung, and
l have known horse so completely
mad after getting into a grove Ct the
trees that he rushed open .mouthed at
every one who approached him, and
bad to be shot. Dogs when stung will
rush about whining piteously, and bit.
ing pieces from the affected part.
Tslephoning by underground cables
mas been pronounced impracticable for
the reason that such cables must nee,
essarily each contain a considerable
number of conducting wines and the
induction prevents speech. BY means
Of special arrangement of the circuits
Messrs. FELTON, and Guilleaume of
Mulheim on the Rhine. claim 70 h. VA