Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-27
BITS OF SCIENCE.



HORSE R-MechanicallV speaking,
horse power is the equivalent of rails
ing 81, 600 pounds one foot high in one
minute Of time, but the expression horse
power is to be considered merely as a con-
ventiOnal term. The actual work Of a
horse is the equivalent of raising $1,000
pounds one foot high for seven hours out
of twpnty-four, but, since a steam engine
Will work continuously, One-horse power
Of the engine is equal to that of AS
horses.
DESTRUCTIVE ACTION OF WOODS
Certain kinds of wood, although of great
durability in themselves, act upon each
other in such way as to produce mutual
destruction. Experiments with cypress
and walnut and cypress and cedar, prove
that they Will rot each other while
joined together, but on separation the rot
will cease and the timbers remain per-
fectly sound for long period.
DISCOUNT AND PRENIUMs-It is mat
ter of surprise to observe now few under
stand the difference between discount and
premium. We often see persons advertis-
ing to sell at 100 per cent. below cost.
They really mean 90 per cent. If you
purchase an article at Doc, and sell for
81, you double your money and make 100
per cent. If you buy for 81, and sell for
500. you only lose half or 90 per cent.
CARRIERS OF CONTAGION-Of little
noted carriers Of contagiOn attention has
recently been called to the laundry and
the clothes basket. Books from circulat-
ing libraries and old book stores can. no
doubt, convey infection. smallpox and
scarlet fayer have been conveyed long
distances by mail.
GREEN WOOD-Dry wood will produce
on an average twice as much heat as the
same quantity Of green wood and save
much trouble in kindling fires. To pre-
vent its burning away too rapidly the
sticks should be cut large. To suppose
that green wood will actually cause more
heat in burning than dry, Is as absurd ~
to suppose "A vessel of hot water will
freeze sooner than cold one.
OPEN FIREPLACEs-Wh hen fuel is
burned in an open fireplace, at least
seven-eighths OF the actual or potential
heat passes up the chimney unused. On
the score Of health, however. open fire.
places are superior to all other devices
for heating.
THE PREVAILING HOUR OF DEATH
Deaths from chronic diseases are most
frequent between the hours of $ and 10 In
the morning, and tewest between like
hours In the evening. Acute deaths from
feYers aud pneumonia take place in the
greatest ratio IN the early morning, when
the powers OF life are at their lowest, or
in the afternoon, when acute disease is
most active.
THE LARGEST OF FIsHEs-The "bask-
ing shark" is the largest Of true fishes;
tor every schOOlbOy nowadays knows
that the whale is not fish at all. but a
true mammal. Some Of these sharks meas
IRE over 33 feet in length.
CLEANING BoTrLEs-Itis dangerous 10
clean bottles with shot, many cases OF
poisoning having been caused by stray
shot left after washing. Clippings of iron
wire should be used instead Of the shot
They are easily obtained, and clean the
bottles quicker and better than lead
does
ANIMALS AND SALT-lt is well known
that herbiyorous animals are fond of
common salt. aud this is AS true OF wild
animals az OF those dOmesticated by man.
CarniyorOus animals, on the other hand,
either haze no liking for salt, or show u
positive aversion 10 Il. Cats, for exam
pie, will rarely touch salt meat.
COLORED Snow Red snow Is occa-
si0nally seen IN Alpine and polar regions.
IL has been proved that il owes It's color TO
certain microscopic plants. From the
motions OF the plant In It's earlier stages,
some naturaliste formerly believed IL Co be
au animalcuie, but mo- doubt is now enter.
tanned at It's vegetable nature. Capt. Ross
once observed this red snow eXtundiug
along the shore of Bafn's bay for dIs.
tnucc Of eight miles and the color penc-
truied ia some places 90 the depth OF ~
feet. The Green snow which has been OBJ
served in Spit1hergen IL probably COlOrcd
by some similar vegetable growth