The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-01-19
Gcientifn Nntns.

Croatian bread, recommended for use
in time OF famine, is prepared by bak-
ing a mixture Of corn, maize and beech
wood -four the latter being soaked in
water.
M. Quet maintains that the forces of
induction developed in bodies by the sun
through its rotation vary, all other things
being equal, in inverse ratio to the
square of the distance.
Sheffield. Eng, is about to endeavor
to secure from Parliament, through the
corporations, full power to light the
streets, public buildings and private
residences with electricity.
1t is estimated that the annual iron
production of the world is 19,4S7.610
tons, and of this Great Britain, the Unit
cd States, Germany, and France contri-
butte 1874 per cent.-thc first two 643
per cent. pe.
One of the munifcent patrons of sci
ence. Mr.. Thomas Coates, of Fcrguslie,
Scotland, has just presented the Paisley
Philosophical Institute with an Observa-
tory on Oakshaw Hill worth about $780,
600. apJ sor aao
OF the lac, 600 known species of plants
M. de Candole finds that mankind
makes use of only about 800 at most. He
states also that the cherry was known
both in Greece and Italy long before the
time of Lucullus. nls
Fusel oil is always obtained during the
,istillation of ethyl alcohol, but. says nj.
Maerker, the extent to which it occurs
is dependent on the crude material EN-
ployed, on the treatment Of that materi-
al, and on the yeast.
Frozen meat trade between Australia
and Great Britain is making decided
progress. One curious fact is to be
noted. While Australian meat is sold nj
profit in London Mt 69d, prime joints
in Melbourne cannot be had less than Sd
pound.
Denmark has been provided with the
first of several heavy guns which had
been ordered from Herr Krupp, of Es.
sen. The one finished and delivered ~
80 it inches long, fit 8 inches diane
ter at breech, and weighs SO tons. The
carriage alone is 26 tons.
The Swedish journals are urging
with much enthusiasm the propriety oi
forwarding subscription towards the
Darwin memorial. They say that
Great Britain does not want money az
such. but as an indication of deserv-
ed tribute to one of the most original
thinkers and eminent scientists of the
time.
The blood of crabs and other crusta-
ceans has been proved by nj. Frederick
to have the same saline constitution and
the same strong and bitter taste us the
waters they inhabit. But the blood ii
sea fishes is very different. 1t has not
the same constitution us the water, and
thus shows marked superiority oven
that of crabs.
Portland cement has for its principal
constituent and most active agent in it,
setting. calcic silicate. This, by contact
with water, produces, among other COM
pounds, a substance, the composition oa
which has not vet been ascertained,
which crystalizes in hexagonal platen
and plays u chief part in the hardening
of the cement.
Nanadium has been detected by Nj.
G.. Wilt and L. Osmond in many ore
of iron. They have noticed that III
notwithstanding slags, simply treated
with hydrochlOrc acid. are successfully
usrd in printing OF calicoes instead Qt
pure vanadium salts aud it appears that
the foreign substances present do nos
give rise to any Inconvenience.
Near Poiters, M. Lisch, Inspector On
Historic Monuments in France. has dis
covered Gallo-Roman town in very
exceptional state of preservation. Heit
quite clated regarding the discovery and
SO far rs the excavations have gone lfe
has good reason to be SO. He says III
is small Pompeii in the center ot
France" The town is thought to havy.
been built in the second century.
Heated air warns the halls of the five
laboratories of the Scientific School in
Aix-la-chapelle. The temperature n
regulated by electric thermometers,
which transmit to the heater the signak
'too cold," when the temperature is be-
low 62.6 degrees Fahrenheit, AID .'tce
warm when ii rises above the 66.2 deg
Fahrenheit.
A Woman's Criticism of Mrs. Langtry.