Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-10-03
THE ENID
SCIENTIFIC NOTES.

The eminent Italian seismologist, Pro-
fessor Palmieri, attributes the Ischia dis
aster to subsistence of land consequent on
the unusual activity of Mount Vesuyius.
From experiments at Caracas, Venezuela,
Mons. V. Marcano concludes that the sap
of tropical vegetation circulates completely
through the plants within period Of
Twenty-four hours.
A drawing of the skeleton of the gigantic
fossil reptile known as BrOHtOsdurus ercel-
Sus has been made by Professor o. C.
Marsh. Nearly all the bones illustrated
belonged to a single individual, which was
nearly or quite fifty feet in length when
alive, and must have wei yhed more than
twenty tons. It had small head, massive
feet and legs, and large tail. Its small
brain indicates that it was stupid, slow.
moving animal. 1t was more or less am-
phibious, and its food was probably
aquatic plants.
Professor Milne, OF Toxic, calls atten-
ton co the hitherto almost overlooked class
of phenomena which he terms " earth pull
sations." He refers to movements of the
earth's surface so slow as to escape ordi-
nary observation. The mesger evidence
thus far collected makes it appear probable
that variations of atmospheric pressure
cause motions of the earth's crust, while it
has been calculated that the tides which
twice day load our shores produce risings
and fallings of the land in similar man
ner. 1t is quite certainly proven that such
slow and imperceptible pulsations are often
spread from earthquake centers.
Writing from Fort Rae, March 25th,
Captain II. P. Dawson, Commander of the
British Circumpolar Expedition, stated
that winter really set in at that place (lat.
itude 60 80 north) on the LIST of Decem-
Der, when the thermomete sank to "a
below zero. In January the temperature
approached So below, but during a storm
in the early part of February it rose to 90
above. 1t afterward fell again, reaching
49, below on the 23d of March, He thinks
it probable that co. below zero is not IN.
common temperature during severe win
tiers. 1t is strange" his letter says,
how much less one feels this extreme
cold than might be imagined. For the first
day or two it was unpleasant, bu. after
that the system seemed to accommodate
itself to 1t, so that day when the tenn
persture was anywhere above l5' felt
warm and pleasant. To-day, for instance,
1 am writing with my window open,
although the thermometer is several de-
grees below zero, and there is a light
breeze.
Signor Toselli, says the Journal Of the So.
ciety Of Arts is reported to have invented
an apparatus for exploring the depths of
the ocean without danger or inconvenience
1t is about 25 feet in hight, and constructed
of steel plate, with gun-metal castings. 1t
is calculated to resist a pressure of lS9
pounds to the square inch, SO as to be able
to attain depth of 60 fathoms. The in
ternal space is divided into three compart-
ments-at the bottom a chamber capable
of being enlarged or contracted by fex-
ible diaphragm so as to increase or dimin-
ish the volume of water displaced, and
thus permit of rising or sinking a room
capable of holding eight explorers, occupy
ing the central portion of the spheroid, and
provided with lenses, so as to permit of
looking out; and the upper space reserved
for those intrusted with maneuveriDg the
vessel. a powerful electric lamp is to shed
its rays all around the apparatus for a con.
siderable area, and telegrsphic and tele.
phonic wires will place those in the vessel
in communication with the steamer from
which it is intended to be suspended.