Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1885-01-01
SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.
For the Sentinel.

For the Sentinel.
= German botanist has given in
stances of the modification Of plants
by insects 50 as to produce new varie-
ties.
- A motor driven by small charges
of gun-cotton is an English novelty.
It is said to be applicable wherever
small powers are required.
= Successful experiments in dis
tlibuting the electric light to great
distances have been made in connec-
ton with the Turin Electrical Exhi-
bition. A Siemens machine of 80
horsepower generated current which
was simultaneously used by several
electric light systems spread over a
circuit of about 25 miles.
- A French astronomer has found
reasons for believing that circular
protuberance-presumably'a volcano
which exists in the southern hem
isphere of Venus has an elevation of
not less than seventy miles. He re-
CARDS such vast mountain as not in
compatible with the planets volcanic
nature.
-PIcTUREs OF SoUND.-Some re-
markable photographs of pistol bull
let in its fight-under the illumni-
alton of an electric spark-have been
secured by Prof. E. Mach, of Prague.
He has also Photographed the air
streams which may see over Bunsen
burner placed in sunshine, and has
even obtained pictures of waves of
sound, these last bsing made visible
by method i'll which advantage is
taken of the irregular refraction of
light by air set in vibration by sound.
= MONEY VEaErATIoN.-As short
time since Paul Reinsch discovered
] several kinds of minute plants-in-
Guiding two algae which had before
been unknown-growing upon coins
after having been long enough in cir
culation to receive thin incrustations
of organic matter. A Hungarian bot
anist, Jules Schaarschmidt, has moro
recently found the microscopic growths
upon paper money, even the cleanest
specimens not being free from them.
He has detected seven species, includ-
ing-although they are rare e-the two
new algae described by Reinsch.
WIND WoRK.-A gale at East
St. Louis in 1871, according to Mr..
C. Shaler Smith, overturned loco
motive, exerting a force of no less
than SO pounds per square foot. At
ST. Charles Jail was destroyed in
1877, the pressure required being 81
pounds per square foot. At Marsh
field, in 1880, brick mansion was
leveled, the force necessary being 5s
pounds per square foot Below these
extraordinary pressures, Mr.. Smith
has instanced numerous cases of trains
blown off rails, and bridges, etc,
blown down, by gales of "a to 81
pounds per square foot.
THE THEORY OF VAccINAr1ox.-
Prof. Tyndall suggests that, just as
the soil may be so ehectually robbed
of some essential ingredient by one
abundant crop as to be incapable Of
producing another, so in the human
system a parasitic disease may SO com.
pletely exhaust the blood of some in
gredient necessary to the growth and
propagation of the parasite that the
production of second crop in fatal
or considerable quantity may be im
possible. 1t would thus appear thai
protective vaccination or inoculatior
is simply the introduction into the
| blood of weakened and comparatively
harmless disease germs to consume
the material which might become food
for similar germs in more vigorou:
and dangerous condition.
- GREAT WoRMs.-According t.
Mr.. F. f. Beddard, London zoolo
gist, earthwerms two feet in length
have been found in the British Isles
and various species as large or larger
are known to exist in South America
Western Africa, Australia and New
Zealand. The largest species known
however,, .inhabits South America
; Western Africa, Australia and New
Zealand. The largest species known
however, inhabits South Africa. For
ty years ago specimen was descaib
ed which measured six feet two inche
in length, but It seems to have beer
; forgotten until the other day, when ,
gigantic creature Of the same specie
was sent to the London Geological
| Gardens from Cape Colony. Th'
longest measurement of this worm We
takenrsaches six feet FIVE inches, it
diameter being nearly half an inch.