Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1885-06-18
SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.



Increasing knowledge of simple
substances existing only in very min
ute quantities bids fair to eventually
extend our list of the elements max
ing up the universe considerably be.
yon,l the G5 CT 20 thus far catalogued
by chemists. A newly discovered
rare element is "norwegium," found
by DR.. Il. Dahl in nickel ore from
kragero, Norway. 1t is malleable
metal, of white color slightly tlnged
with brown, hardness about equal to
that Of copper, specific gravity OF
9.4441, and a melting point OF $50
degrees Fahrenheit. 1t appears to
differ in physical properties and chem
ical re. action from every other known
metal.
Dr.. Albrccht, of Neuchatel, has been
experimenting to determine the effect
of method:c limitations of oxygen gas
upon tho development Of tubcrcular
consumption. Loss of weight was
checked in the consumptivcs, difficulty
of breathing was diminished, and an
apparent decrease was caused in the
number Of the bacteria which always
accompany the disease. 1t was his
hope that the oxygen might totally
destroy the bacteria, or supposed cause
of the malady, and thus effect cure.
The anasthet,c effect Of rapid
breathing,-hkc that of inhaling nit
rous oxide-is ascribed by DR.. Bon
will to the influence of the surplus of
oxygen thus forced upon the lungs.
In a variety Of cases remarkable in
sensibility to pain, without apprecia-
bic lnss OF consciousness, has been
produced, in one instance boy of
eleven, utter breathing rapidly about
a minute, having had four permanent
molars removed, the operation being
painless and lasting twenty seconds.
Probably large majority of scien
tiiic men connect tue remarkable sun
rises and sunsets Of last year with the
volcanic eruption of Krakatoa. This
fact gives especial interest to recent
letter from Mr.. f. Nelson, f. r. A.
S., stating that the brilliant sunsets
were seen by him in Natal in Febru-
airy, 1888, more than SIX months be-
fore the eruption of the Javan VOL
cano.
Mr.. John Mcguire has informed the
Royal Astronomical Society that in
the period from a. ID. S:S to 1924 the
sun has been totally eclipsed in every
spot IN the British Isles except a
small place on the coast Of Ireland.
Twice-in S7S aud in l7l5-London
came within the narrow path Of total
ity. Twice also did the moons shad-
ow fall on Dublin, and FIVE times on
Edinburgh.
An audible demonstra ton of the
earth's magnetic induction has been
given by DR.. Schaper. A series of
telephones was placed upor. one cir
cult, and telephone or simple magnet
was then repeatedly turned end for
end, so that its north aud south poles
were uppermost alternatel Y. AT each
reversal crack was heard, resulting
from the earth's induction on the re-
rersed magnet.
Remains OF gigantic birds lately
discovered in the Thames valley show,
according to Mr.. G. E. I. Newton, of
the London Geological Society, that
England was once inhabited by birds
as large as the famous Moa of New
Zealand, or much larger than the os-
triches now existing.
OF at least dsxcn fishes having
electric organs the electric eel of South
America is the most powerful. 1t
reaches length OF six feet, and is
provided with pair OF batteries, con-
tanning some hundred minute nerve
supplied cells, which exhibit the same
phenomena as artificial batteries
An international congress of botany
and horticulture will meet at Antwerp
from Aug. ! to 10. Questions of
great commercial as we'll as scientific
importance will be dscu ssed
From the chemical analysis and the
character OF the prevailing vegetation,
Kellner aad Inai Gad Japan's soil to