Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-09-30
SCIENTIFIC GOSSIP.


SCIENTIFIC GOSSIP.
Some wines, especially those of Bor-
deaux, are said to be richer in iron than
most of the chalybeate springs.
The Scientific American attributes the
establishment of the first telegraph line in
this country and on Long Island to Harri-
son A. Dyar.
China is to establish coast meteorologi-
cal service with the assistance of Sir Rob.
ert Hart. Mr.. Knipping is organizing
storm warning system in Japan.
On the authority of Prof. Mandolin it is
asserted that the Viola syrtica, the Viola
tri color and the Viola arvensis contain not
less than .0S3 to ,l44 per cent. of saiicylic
acid.
DR.. Andries and NJ. Faye both agree that
cyclones, tornadoes and trombes are one
and the same mechanical phenomenon, and
that their powerful action is due to the
force in upper currents.
For the first five months Of this year the
Partisan company for lighting and heating
with gas have received S6, l25. 075, or an
increase of Z. 50 per cent. over the amount
received during the corresponding period of
last year.
For last year the worlds production of
lead is estimated by Herr Landsberg at
440, 900 tons. China and Japan are not IN
cluded as producers of this metal, although
the probability is that their output of lead
is very large every year.
There is brewery near Berlin that MAI
ufactures every year about go 900 barrels
~ haar ~ hp;IdiuOS ara
with electric wires, and the head brewer
car sit il his room aud there control the
whole of the operations of mating, kiln
drying, MASKING, cooling, fermenting, etc.
The waste of the wild cocoons gathered
in the woods Of China, Japan ard Austria
LA is made into a felt one half the eize Of
hair felt, and is used for the manufacture
OF hats and for furnishing purposes. 1t has
the peculiar bright color of silk, and it is
sometimes used with hair, wool, cotton and
other substances.
The heart of the city of Cleveland is
traversed by system of bridges, which
carry the tracks of the New York, Chicago
aud st. Louis Railroad above the streets
and all other thoroughfares for about a
mile. This elevated road cost a quarter of
a million dollars. The first train passed
over it from Chicago to New York on Au-
gust 30th.
There is substance called cotton-velve.
made in China. 1t is very soft and dura-
bic. Generally it is dyed of dark blue
color, in solution of one part of indigo to
thirteen parts OF water having small ad.
mixture of wire and lime. After the vel.
vet has been allowed 20 soak in this soiu.
ton for about half an hour it is wrupg out
and dried in the sun. This process is re-
peated eleven times, and finally the tex
ture is dampened carefully with spray OF
slightly acidu;ated water.
Some time ago Dr. J. Van der Barghe was
struck with the constancy Of the proper
ton of copper found In bread, and made
an examination of wheat. In 1000, 900
parts of the grain there were 8 "a of metal.
lie copper, and oats yielded los parts in
the same quantity. He made, of course,
the usual preliminary tests to ascertain the
purity of his reagents, and he took care that
his gas-burners were made of iron. Even
the porcelain capsule was supported on a
platinum triangle.
The Sanitary Engineer says he substitu-
ton of electric lighting ~ the use OF two
machines driven nv one engine, instead of
gas, at the South kensipgton Museum, Lon
don, has resulted IN q saving ia the work
ing expenses at the rate OF 50, 100 year,
o. more than SIP per anuum for each
lamp. To TO tbs end of last year the b
lamps illuminating the Lord Presidents
Court and the Saeepshauks and Raphael
Galleries had been at work for Elk months,
or 345 hours of lighting.
Tais is an interesting piece Of informa-
ton from the Pbarm ZsitUng:. Place a
watch, with the case open but the works in
motion, in q vessel so that the watch will
be completely covered with beazjne. After
three hours IL vii. be found that she watch
has been thoroughly cleaned. The vessel
should be covered with parchment paper,
and the watch, before it is removed,
should be slightly agitated. Lastly, the
watch is laid in 6enzlne again, hut this
time little ;.etroieum oil is added in order
to Intricate the Machinery.
Malaria and its causes have been inves.
tigated by Professor Tucci, OF the district
of old Rome He believes that he finds
the reason of the superior sanitary condi-
ton of the Asro Romans in alcisnt days in
the system OF deep drainage praoticed by
the Romans, their sewers being often at d
level o. fifteen meters below the surface of
the ground. The superficial drainage of
the present day, he thinks, can scarcely be
more salubrious than the stagnant waters
above grOand, because of the combined
action OF the water and the atmosphere
upon the tufa which lies beneath the sur
face of the soil.