Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1883-07-19
SCIENTIFIC, MIsczLLArY.

A certain fungus (archorion schoen-
linii) produces in rodents fatal cutan-
sou. disease, and Drs. Joseph and Crampe
propose taking advantage Of this fact as
. means Of destroying field mice. They
would apply the fungus to the skin OF
captured mice, and then turn the capfiv 9
lose to spread the infection.
In recent treatise Dr. L, Manouvrier.a
French crauiologist, states that the cran-
ium Is heavier in negro races than in any
ethers that have been subjected to com
pmison, 20 that the proverbial thickness
of the negro's skull has foundation in
fact. The skulls Of Papuans and natives
Of New Caledonia are heavier than those
Of Pasisiane, while those OF the American
sborigiaes and Of the Beagalese are light
er. TIE weight of the female Uranium
L about one-seventh less than that Of the
male.
Mr.. D. Macintosh has described an
attempt to fix the date Of the glacial per
iod IN years. His Investigations have
been carried on in certain localities Of
England and Wales, where he has found
that limestone rock around boulders has
been worn away to depth Of not more
than six inches. As this limestone rock
Il denuded at the rate Of not less than an
inch in thousand years, the boulders
must have been dropped by glaciers not
longer ago than 5000 years. Such, at
least, rs Mr.. Nackintoshs conclusion, as
sisted 10 the London Geological Society.
In an address before the Munich Geo
graphical Society, Dr. Oscar LEM has
maintained that the dryncss Of the west
err Sahara is quite recent, and that it
was caused by the telling Of forests on the
Ahaggar mountain range.
Besides the conspicuous displays Of
aurora borealis 10 frequent in Arctic re-
gicns, several observers have reported
the presence At times Of peculiar diffus
Cd light after the total disappearance o.
daylight. The phenomenon was witnessed
lest winter by Prof. Lemstrom from hi
observatory in Lapland He describes il
y phosphorescent shine or diffusct
luminosity, Of yellowish-whitc color
rendering the night US light as when tn,
moon shines through thick hazy air
He = disposed 70 believe that the appear
aace has an auroral nature, and that it il
present in northern Lapland during mos
winter nights.
Prof. Proctor reasons that the moor
has grown old six times M fast as tn
earth, q comparison Of the masses ant
radiating surfaces Of the two bodies max
ing it evident that the earth's iaterna
heat was originally sufficient to last 81,
times as long as the moons supply. Oh
the very moderate assumption, therefore
that only twelve millions Of years hav,
passed since the earth and the moon wer,
1t the same stage Of planetary life, thi'
astronomer shows us that sixty millions
Of years must elaPse before the earth vii
have reached the stage Of life through
which the moon Is now passing.
How do earth-worms increase the fer
tility Of the soilg Is a question which
may well be asked, since it is plain tina
these creatures can add no new materia
70 the soil. Herr Hensea has answered
By proving that the worms greatly ait
plant-growth BY making burrows through
which the delicate roots reach the mois
sabsoil. They also draw into their bur
rows vegetable matter from the surfac,
(vhese its fertilising ingredients would
BE- wasssd) hasten its decomposition and
distribute it through the various layer
Of the soil.
Mr.. H. Sowerby Wallis, Of the Lon,
don Meteorological Society, has discussed
tie condition Of atmospheric pressure
during 1876 rainy days Of 1892 He finds
that on d per cent. Of these days the
rain was accomplished by diminishing
pressure, on y per cent by increasing
pressure, aud ON ~ per cent. by steady
pressure.
Investigations by Herr Schulz indicate
that poisoning by the use of nickel-plated
appliances il very improbable, even when
the plated ware is used for contaiaing
ssid food. He obtained less than third
Of grain Of the nickel from sour milk
which had remained in contact with the
metal for eight days; and he administered
acetate Of nickel to dog Cor consider
able time without perceiving any effect
except an increase in the animals weight