The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-02-28
Correspondence baltimore County Union.
SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.
INFLUENCE OF HOUSE PLANTS.

INFLUENCE OF H0USE-PLANTS.
DR.. J. M. Anders has reached the conclusion
that only Towering plants, grown in well-lighted
places, generate ozone and that the most odorous
flowers produce the greatest quantity. The ozone
attacks the organic matter of the air and by oxi
dation renders it inert and DR.. Anders does not
doubt that Towering plants in clear weather give
off enough of this natural purifying agent to be
of hygienic value indoors. Foliage plants,
although yielding no ozone, may be of advantage
in contributing to the maintenance of healthful
degree OF humidity in the atmosphere of rooms.
SMOKING AGAIN INVESTIGATED.
By q long series of experiments, Russian
physician, DR.. Zulinki, has proven that tobacco
smoke is distinct poison although its action
upon men is very slight unless inhaled in consd-
cradle quantities. He has found that the poison
Gus property is not exclusively due to the nicotine
for tobacco smoke contains q second toxical prin-
ciple called colidine, as well as carbonic oxide
and hydrocyanic acid. The effects depend large
ly upon the nature Of the tobacco and the man
ner of smoking it. The most poison is derived
from the smoking of cigars, less from cigarettes,
still less from pipes, and least of all from the use
of nargiles or any other apparatus in which the
smoke is passed through water. Tobacco which
has been artifcially ghtened in color is, in Dr.
Zulinski's opinion, more dangerous than the
darker kinds.
STORM STATISTICS.
Officer has given summarized account of 2,73C
of the storms which occurred from January, 1856
to August 1881, In region embracing large
part of North America, the Atlantic and Europe
Of these 4l3 began and ended in America; 589
began in America and ended in the Atlantic 1916
began in America and crossed the Atlantic 32f
began and ended in the Atlantic; 655 began in
the Atlantic and ended in Europe; 49l began
and ended in Europe; and sc began in Americs
and crOssed the Atlantic and EurOne.
NATURES INVISIBLE WORKERS
Microscopic organisms not only destroy the
plant and animal forms familiar to us, but they
appear also to build up such forms, and to bt
necessary to their very existence. A french biol
ogist, Mons. Duclaux, has just made some expert
ments which tend to prove that plants will not
terminate unless microbes exist in the soil; and
Pasteur had already been led to the conclusion
that microbes essential to animal life, AS di
gestion cannot be performed unless they arr
present
BIRD MIGRATION TO CUBA.
Statistics collected by the American Orntholo
gists' Union show that great numbers of birds are
destroyed by flying against the light houses O
Cuba. At Paredon Grande, more than 100 bird
were found one morning; in one night last Octo
Der 27S were killed by flying against the light
house at Cardenas; and at the San Antonio light
house more than 500 sometimes picked up
after single nights destruction. Thus is con
frmed the view expressed by Prof. Spencer F
Baird, twenty years ago, that every autumn
great bird wave sweeps over from Florida t.
Cuba.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The treeless condition of parts of the Soutl
American Pampas-of the La Plata region, a
least-is attributed by Mr.. Arthur Nicols to thu
work of an omnipresent ant, which feeds upor
leaves and quickly destrys tree. seedlings ant
other tender plants as soon as the leaves appear
above ground. Indian corn grows freely on these
plains its growth being so rapid that the insects
do not succeed in completely devouring the young
plants.
The attention of the Russian Government has
just been drawn to the existence of extensive de.
posits of sulphur in western Siberia, and an ex-
petition is to be sent to examine them. EGr9pe's
supply of sulphur is now chiefly obtained from
Sicily.
To assist in determining whether any slow
changes in terrestrial ATTITUDES are taking place
a series of observations covering period of sever
al years is to be made at Washington and else
where.
Under. the influence of galvanic action milh
has been kept sweet three weeks in summer, and
it is suggested that beer and other liquids may bt
preserved in q similar manner.
Earthquake observations are to be instituted on
the summit of the Ben Nevis, where is located the
highest meteorological observatory in the British
Isles. The isolated position of this station rem
ders it particularly suited to observations of slight
tremors.
The photograph of tailed boy from Saigon
was lately shown to the London Anthrologica
Society. His age is about eight years, and the
pendage or inches long.
disease called potato scab has been described
by Prof. E. Heiden who finds it to be occasioned
by parasite fungus, Rhizoktonia solani, and moi
DUE as is commonly supposed, to the action o.
caustic lime upon the surface of the tubers. The
disease is severest in fields dressed with farm
yard manure.
Several agricultural chemists of Germany have
been studying to improve heavy soils, and now
recommend lime dressing. The crop for the
first season should be potatoes; for the second
oats; for the third, tares or peas and for TN
fourth. nntatoas apain.