The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-01-26
NO. ~
Scientific MISCELLANY.

The rapidity of motion of the wings of some
insects is almost Incredible 1t has been esti-
mated that the common housefy moves its
wings $50 times in second or 1880 times
per minute; while the butterfly s wings move
nine times per second, or $40 times per min
ute.
1t has been computed that the power OF the
steam engines of England would suffice to
raise from the quarries and place in position
all the stones of the Great Pyramid in eighteen
hours
.Messrs. Galloway anG Abel have found coal
dust to be an important factor in explosions of
gases in mines A mixture of coal-dust and
air is not explosive, but quantity of fire-damp
to small to produce any effect when mixed
with air alone causes the mixture to become
violently explosive. Prof Abers experiments
show that any kind of dust mixed with air
containing small quantity of fire damp con-
verts the mixture INTO an explosive com
pound.
Henceforth the telegraph offices of France
are to record in detail all thunder storms
which may be observed
| Experiments have been made with compress
sed gunpowder made to fit the drill holes and
cut into short lengths. 1t was found to pos
sess many advantages over loose powder,
among which is a saving of forty per cent in
powder.
The evil effect Of the electric light upon the
eyes is due, 1t is supposed, to the constant
changes in the intensity of the light, whereby
the eyes are greatly fatlgued. Little inconye-
nience of this nature attends the use of the in
candescent lamps.
1t is believed by many scient ific men that :.
close connection may be traced between the
remarkable electrical phenomena lately OBJ
served all over the world and the excited con
dition of the sun. As the sun has not yet
reached the elimination gifts period of distur
bance it is thought that yet more startling
outbursts of natures forces may be seen ere
the close of the present summer
Despite the boosted power and diligence
OF human beings, many things are doubtless
familiar to lower orders of animals which
can never be perceived by man, while a large
part of the animal world may look upon things
as very different from what they appear to US.
Sir John Lubbock has just recorded some in
teresting facts concerning the eject of light
upon ants. His conclusions are that these in
sects must have very different perception of
light and color from Whist we de-. We all
know that ray of white light passed through
prism becomes broken up into beautiful
band of colors-the spectrum. To our eyes it
is bounded by red at one end and violet at the
other. But a ray of light contains other rays
not visible to our eyes called, but not with abb
solute correctness, heat and chemical rays at
the violet end of the spectrum Sir John UNI
dertook to determine whether the limit of Wis
Utility of these rays is the same with us as with
ants, and in series ofinteresting experiments
has become convinced that they perceive the
ultraviolet rays which are quite invisible to
US These must appear to them as different
color, of which we can form no idea, while
white light with this added component may not
appear the same. to them as to u.s.
The labors of the SeIsmological Society of
Japan have established the fact that there is
chronic centre of disturbance within radius
of few miles from Yokohama
DR.. Barely, of Nice, has successfully EN-
ployed turpentine vapor in the treatment of
whooping cough. The drug is allowed to stand
in plates in the room occupied by the patient,
aresort to which simple expedient is believed
to greatly lesson the severity and duration of
the malady. Dr. Barely was led to a trial of
this remedy by observing marked improve
ment in the case of child severely affected who
had been allowed to sleep in newly-painted
room redolent with turpentine odor.