The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1884-05-17
The DoqaldsoQviHe CPief'
Two Dollars Year.
SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.

Two DOll6fS u I6dFs
SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.
The Queen of Tahiti lately stated il
Paris that deaf-mutes are unknown amonl
tt,sTahitians.
Prof.. Heinscl states that copper and oil
ver coins ID circulation soon become GOV
cred with bacteria and microscopic algae
An attempt is being made to INTRODUCED
the turtle into the seas of Provence, Algeris
and Corsica, places being arranged where
the eggs may be deposited in safety.
pasteur has affirmed that HE smallest
quantities Of the virus OF rabies which pro
auces effect upon any animal has the long
est period OF incubation and gives the most
fnEigus type Of disease.
According to Grant Allen, almost oil
very early or primeval types OF animals OF
plants yet existing belong to one OF other
pf three peculiar habitats-islands, fresh
water streams or lakes, and caves.
A French writer regards the familiar yet
mysterious phsnomenon known as the 70
diacal light as simply reflection of light
from the illuminated part Of the earth
upon On upper stratum Of the atmosphere.
II Is now known to medical science thai
diseases Of the eyes and ears are frequently
induced by dscayihg teeth. A serious case
Of this kind, in which partial loss of sight
from catdract was traced to diseased con-
aition Of the teeth, has Just been reported
TO the Hsrveian Society of London.
Another astronomical observatory has
been added TO the small number in exis-
tence ID the southern hemisphere. It has
been established by the government of Ma
tai, South Africa, Ut the capital Of the colony,
Rnda private citizen has donated tele-
scope having an eight-inch object glass.
The resesrehes OF DR.. A. b. N. Lancas-
ter have shown that the life of the astrono-
mer-.quiet and regulars conducive of
Longevity, the average life-term Of 1741 as
sronomers having been found to be CA years
and three months, while the most diligent
of these students appear to have enjoyed
the Longest. life.
DR.. 4. Ernst Of Caracas, Venezuela
cites two severe earthquakes of that vicin-
lily as intances of the remarkable influence
Ut the sod on the destruction of buildings
pysuch shocks. In each case the houses
bulf ON rocks were ruined, while those
standing on thick stratum of loose mate
siat we're scarcely injured.
a French anatomist, Mons. Luys, has
found that when person lies down or
stands upon his head the brain changes its
position in the skull in obedience to the
law Of gravitation. The movements take
place slowly, Ave or six minutes being re-
CURED for the brain to adjust itself to. a
nsE attitude Of the body.
To the gerry abundant and harmless-ap-
gearing Mexican weed toloachi, much re-
sembling our northern milkweed, most
dangerous properties are ascribed. It does
not ILL, but If few drops of its tasteless
anid Be taken the brain is Immediately |
affected, the result being violent insanity |
followed by hopeless itliocy.
Remarkable differences of climate within
short distances we're experienced last VIM
Ter In Norway. For instance, while at
Christiana the ice was from ten to twelve
inches thick in January, vegetation con-
tinued to grow at Stavanger, where the
fell to freezing point only
oatce during The entire month.
The discovery of fossil remains of a re-
insect in carboniferous deposits
'f Comlnantry, France, has been announced
o the Paris Academy of Sciences by Mons.
Charles Brongniart. The creature must
,ave been ut least twenty inches long,
Eitha expanse of wings of nearly twenty
light inches. To science this insect of
ong-past age will be known as Dictyoneuro
eonyf.
Tbs annual meeting of tho British Asso-
iation for the Advancement of Science
'iil open ct Montreal August n, and will
lose September 8. The weeks session Of
he American Association begins Septem-
or =, at Philadelphia. The fact that the
british Association is visiting America for
be first time will give unusual interest to
aese gatherings Of English speaking sci
ntists.
Prof. j. Wiessner has pointed out that
10 moistening of plant increases the
'anpiration of its leaves and accelerates
70 flow Of its sap. This effect is beneficial
the soil is sufficiently moist to supply
70 increased demand of the roots, and in
fious II the ground is very dry. The TO-
age OF plants, therefore, should only be
Rtered when the roots are quite we'll sup
led with moisture.
An immense metropolis, hitherto undis-
'yered and unplundered, has been found =:
Prof. Maspero at Ekmeem, Upper Egypt.
is roughly estimated to contain not less
an 500 or COCO embalmed dead, of which
rhaps twenty per cent. may prove to- be
archaeological or historical value. Part ,
the remains date from the Ptolemaic
riod, bat it is probable that some of
em are more ancient.
Besides proving that the so-called bacilli
cholera are the actual cause of the dis
70, Dr.. Koch has discovered that these
rms are quickly destroyed by drying, and .
1t they win grow only in alkaline solu- 81
ms. Even The healthy stomach appears d
contain sufficient acid to resist their a
Felopment. infection with cholera prob =,
" taking place during some gastric dis a
blanca. With knowledge of these facts c,
ne means OF preventing cholera ought e'
N to be found.
according to Mons. Legoyt, the number q,
lfann1aA nd &od 10 10