Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1883-11-15
SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.


tanned that when lightning strikes tree
it leaves very few marks of its passage on
the upper part and middle of the trunk,
but as it descends to the neighborhood
Of the heavier branches it tears open the
bark and in many instances shivers the
tree. He ascribcs this popularity to the
fact that the upper portions of the tree
are more highly charged with sugar-a
good electric conductor-than the lower
parts An exception to the rule seems
to be found in oaks, which are often seen
with tops quite blasted and the passage
Of the lightning lower down marked by
gauge-like furrow.
DR.. Nachtigal has described some Gu
rious trees Of the region about Lake Chard
in Africa. The butter tree bears pc
culiar nut whose is much used as sub
stitute for butter; leguminous tree
Parkia biglobosa-produccs seeds from
which a meal is made which is an excel
lent food; while the wool tree has fruit
which bursts like the pods of cotton and
reveals soft and lustrous mass of fbers,
which may be used for variety of pur-
poses, such as stufIing cushions and mat
tresses.
DR.. Koch, who claims to have discov-
cred the germ Of cholera during invcsti-
cations into the epidemic in Egypt, re-
ports that the minute organism resembles
that seen in cases of consumption.
According to Commander Gallicni, the
total length of the Niger river is over
1000 miles. The upper part may be
navigable for small steamers; the middle
course, which flows in numerous channels
through fiat country, is the scene of an
active river-trads in slaves, cattle, gold,
ETC., and is little known; while the lower
course has often been assembled consid-
cradle distance by trading vessels.
The rapid development Of botanical
science in recent years is well shown by
comparison Of the successive lists Of
plants compiled during the last century
and half. The number of genera OF
towering plants given by Linnaeus in
1887 was S87; by the same author in
1764, 1889; by Jussieu in 1889, 1907
by Endlicher in l843, about 6,400; and
by Bentham and Hooker in 1883, 1856
If the last list had been prepared accord
ing to the views Of Endlicher, it is thought
that the number Of genera would have
reached at least 10000. Bentham anG
Hooker have given an estimate Of thu
number Of species belonging to each genu,
making total of about 100000 specie.
Of Towering plants now known to bot
anists.
Since 1s57s66 the marine life of the Hol
land coast has been studied from a build
ing 80 arranged that it may be rcadil
moved from time to time. This move
geological station was located at Helde
during the first year; was transported t.
Vlissingen for the second years work
and has since been established at Bergen
op-zoom. The biologists Of the station
have made important researches concern
ing the animals of the North Sea, and a
their location have given special attention
to the edible oyster and its culture.
Herr Holtz has found that steel tube
retain more than twice as much magnet
ism as steel rods, and are therefore bette
for permanent magnets.
An Italian writer asserts that som
minutes before the first shock of the grea
earthquake was felt in the island of Ischi
systems Of terror were exhibited by tn
domestic animals, rabbits, birds, fishes an
even ants and reptiles.
A party Of Russian savants has starte
from the Baltic on scientific voyag
around the world.
Prof. Huxley thinks that three yea,
may be regarded as the adult age of oy,
tiers. Their natural term of life is nc
known, but there are reasons for belle,
ing that it may extend to twenty year
or even considerably more in some case,
During the solar eclipse of May 6tl
Mons. Trouvelot saw near the sun brigl
red star which he has since been unabl
to find during careful search of the pal
OF the heavens where the sun was stu
ated at the time of the eclipse. Thi
would seem to indicate that the object
aplanetary body moving along with tn
sun, but Mons Trauvelot declines to Civ
any conclusions at present.
Recent investigations by DR.. L.
Blake failed to confirm the idea that at
mospheric electricity is generated by tn
evaporation Of sea water.