Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-12-06
Scientific Notes.


Scientific Notes.
According to Cosmos les Mondes the
number Of lightning strokes in Saxony
has increased steadily during the last
twenty-three years. The annual cases
from 1859 to 1862 we're G. from 1868
to 1866, 81; and from 1879 to 1882,
I89. The destruction of the forests is
supposed to be one of the causes Of
this alarming increase.
Recent experiments have shown that
treatment with potassium cyanide, fol-
lowed by washing with abundance Of
water, is the best means for removing
the incrustations of bronze statues. II,
however, there is proper attention paid
to the surface Of the moulds and the
polish Of the statues, the spots rarely
form.
Experimenting with mordants, G.
Hirzel has ascertained that anthony
oxalate gives less satisfactory results
than tartar emetic. The shades OBJ
tanned with the oxalate in the cases of
methylene blues, steam blues, and
alizarin reds are duller and have less
body. These colors, when so NOR
danted, are also more liable to spots
and discolorations.
A green transparent varnish for
metals may be made in this way
Grind very thoroughly small quantity
of Chinese blue with double the guam
tity Of finely-powered chromate Of
potash, and add a sufficient quantity of
copal varnish thinned with turpentine.
The tone can be modified by adding
more or less Of one or the other of the
ingredients.
In order to render glue insoluble in
even hot water. says the Scientific
american, it is only necessary, when
dissolving glue for use, to add little
potassium bichromate to the water and
expose the glued part to the light. The
proportion Of bichromate will vary with
circumstances, but for most purposes
about one fiftieth Of the amount of glue
will suffice.
The advantages attending the use of
sodium or other soluble aluminates for
softening and purifying waters, F. Max
we'll Lyte reports, are dependent upon
their easy decomposition with the pro-
duction of precipitate Of hydrated
alumina, which removes organic mat
ter, and, further, by their use the tenn
porary hardness may be completely de-
stroyed.
During the last week of September a
block of auriferous quartz, Of the esti-
mated value of 100000, was broken
out in one Of the galleries of the Oscar
Gold Mine, Bommel Island, on the west
coast of Norway. The gold deposit
there has been worked for about year
and half, and already, if the reports of
the owners are to be credited, the pro-
ce9ds have returned the capital in
vested.
We believe. says the Lancet, that no
inconsiderable proportion of the
colds" attacks OF lumbago, and even
more formidable results Of what are
popularity called "chills" may be
traced to the practice Of wearing over
coats which arrest the ordinary process
Of evaporation, cause the clothing with
in to be saturated with accumulated
perspiration, and are then removed,
when rapid cooling takes place. The
avoidance of this peril is to be attained
by such change of coats as conditions
require.
1t is said that in France some expe-
riments were recently made with regard
to the temperature Of the water sup
piled to cows and its effect upon the
milk yielded by them, the food being
kept substantially the same. The guam
tity Of milk obtained from the cows
given water to drink at ll3 degrees
Fahrenheit was one third more than that
from the cows that had to drink cold
water, but nothing definite is stated re-
garding the quality Of the milk or of the
comparative effect Of the differently
heated drinks upon the physical condi-
ton of the animals.
An asbestos mine is situated on the
spur OF hill about two miles from
Gundagai, New South Wales, in which
the lode has been driven upon for dis
lance OF 90 feet, and q shaft 90 feet
has been also sunk. The mineral occurs
in a serpentine formation similar to
quartz veins, and is mined in the same
manner. The asbestos is said to be
very abundant and of very good quality.
The lode is peculiar in character, veins
Of cale-spsr associated with gold max
ing their appearance in some instances.
Arsenical and iron pyrites are likewise
abundant.
Herr +. Lux's method for the detec-
ton Of fatty oils in mineral oils Is
founded upon the different behavior of
the fatty aud mineral oils when heated
with potash, potassium, soda, or So
dium. For instance, rape oil when
heated with potash or soda to q high
temperature saponifes, stirring or
shaking promoting the reaction. At o
temperature Of $500 Centigrade rape oil
gelatinizes with potash or soda 10 five
minutes; after fifteen minutes the oil
turns brown and solidifes to q buttsry
mass. On the other hand, mineral oils
treated in the same way become darker
but do not alter their state Of aggrega-
! ton.