The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1883-04-27
SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.

Written expressly for the GAZETTE b. celebrated
Eastern Scientist
Prof. Milne, the seismologist, declares
it to be his increasing conviction that there
are earthquakes" of so slow period that
neither observers nor ordinary instruments
record them. He is urging upon the
Japanese government the Importance of es-
tabllshing series of observatories for study
ing earthquakes and allied phenomena.
The accidental discovery has been made
by French surgeon that lowering the head
and raising the feet of patients who have
speedy return of consciousness; and it is
thought that an observance of that simple
fact will greatly lessen the danger attend
ing the use of anaesthetics.
An English tramway has commenced
running by electric accumulators-or ''sto--
age batteries"--a car capable Of carrying
forty-six passengers. The accumulators
fifty cells of eighty pounds each-are
placed under the seats of the car, and so
arranged that any part Of the current re-
quired may be used or Che whole of it may
be switched off. The car is provided with
electric bells and four incaHdescent lamps,
all operated by the current which drives
the motor. A full charge of the accumula-
tors runs the car, when heavily loaded,
seven hours, equal to half day of tramway
service.
Barcn Nordenskjold considers that vast
regions covered with perpetual ice are
physio a! impossibiiity on our globe south of
the eightieth degree of north latitude. His
proposed exploration of the interior Of
Greenland is expected to give evidence
confirming this view.
In a recent lecture, Rev W. H. Daliin-
ger, F. R. S. remarked that modern inquiry
had shown that two microscopic organisms
may have the same forms but totally un-
like functions-the one being harmless and
the other deadly. This explains how it is
that putrefactive germs may be everywhere
present without always causing disease.
There are good reasons for doubtirg that
the Australian Eucalypti-or tfever trees"
exert any greater influence upon the
healthfulness of marshy tracts of country
than do other trees. Rev. j. E. Woods, at
Queenland botanist, refers to certain min
ing district which is famous for fever and
ague despite the fact that species of Eucalyp-
tus abound in the locality.
As marine plants do not exist at depths
of more than $50 feet, or thereabouts, MIR.
A. Milne Edwards concludes that the plant
eating animals of the deep psea wastes must
live upon food produced at the surface and
gradually dropped into the depths beyond
the region OF plant- growth.
Prof. Binz, of Germany, asserts that
chloride of lime has given good results as
an antidote to snalie-poison when intro
duced under the skin near the wound. In
cases where the patients failed to recover,
the fatal effect OF The poison was evidently
retarded by the chloride of lime solution.
Spectroscopic observations of comets have
ion, indicste that the light of those bodies
has au electric origin.
Mr.. A. A. Common. the English astrono-
ner, believes it to be possible to photograph
stars not visible to the eye il the telescope
with which the photographs are taken.
Among the grants of the Swedish Govern
ment this year is one of $500 to an ento-
mologist, whose duty it will be to advise
farmers as to the best means of destroying
troublesome insects.
Carefully recorded observations extend
ing over period Of twenty years have
shown Dr.. G. c. Abbott that the autumnsl
storing of nuts by squirrels, the building of
winter houses by muskrats, and other habits
OF these and other animals, or the absence
of such habits, have no relation to the mild
ness CT severity of the winter which follows
It thus appears that such creatures are no
more reliable as weather prophets than the
human charlatans who claim to foresee
storms months in advance, and another
widespread and deep-rooted notion is proven
to be groundless.
Comparatively few plants were known
to the ancients, progress in botanical knowl-
edge having made wonderful additions to
the catalogue in recent years. According
to a German authority, Hippocrates de-
seribed 234 species. Theophrastus followed
with $50, and-as nearly as can be ascer-
tained-Piiny knew $40. Even as recently
as the date of Sinnseus' dcath-l778 = only
1894 had been described, although Tourne-
fort had claimed 10, l46. Early in the pres
ent century De Capdolle made 20 OOO named
species; and Sindley, in 1858, placed the
lumber at 92,920. At the present time
nearly $50, 600 species are known, and it is
quite possible that twice as many actually
exist.