Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-01-07
SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.
TFo1 the SPECTATOR !


illusions have been reached by a French
observer: That the lowest temperature in
man, following period of rest, is 1914 de-
grees; that the temperature rises under the
influence Of an ascending effort to 1905 de-
grees, and under the influence of de-
scending effort to 1908 degrees; that it in
creases after any eXertion, but more after
an ascending than after a descending one;
and that the chemical actions of the Or
ganism are augmented after every move
ment
The fle1ibility of itacolumite-a remark
able sandstone existing in Georgia and
North and South Carelina-seems to be
surpassed by that of a magnetism lime
stone found at the entrance of the Tyne in
England This limestone is reported to
be so flexible that thin layers three feet Or
more in length may be bent into circle
while damp, retaining that form on being
allowed to dry. "a
a mountain-explorer just returne~ &ioni
Asia states that during Soul months res
idence at height Of more than $1,000 feet
above the sea his pulse, formally only
sixty-three beats per minute, seldom fell
below one hundred beats per minute, and
his Inspirations were often twice as numer-
Gus as at ordinary levels.
An English chemist hast confirmed by
analyses the opinion that the lack of NAL
Liability in heated iron-or red short
ness" as it is called-is due to the pres
ence of oxygen. A red-shorl specimen
contained 1887 per cent of oxygen, while
SAMPLES free from the defect had oaly 0. 750
per cent. or less.
Wet winters in Germany have been found
to result disastrously to insects, each sea
son of flood greatly lessening the bug
crop" of the following summer.
RESPIRATION OF OXYGEN AND Ozo We
A very general but erroneous belief Is that
the breathing of pure oxygen wonla rap
idIv destroy animal life by quickening he
combustion in the body as tine same as
hastens the burning Of the fuel of an or1i-
nary fire. A German psychologist has just
shown by exact experiment on men and dogs
that the inhalation of pure oxygen pre-
duces no effects-at least upon pulse, res
piration and body temperature-which dis
tinguish its action from that of pure at
mospheric air; and that its use in cases Of
poisoning with chloroform, alcohol, SUI
phuretted hydrogen or carbonic oxide OF
L. hot n{ a1
The same expermenter has determined
that diluted ozone does not possess the mar
cotic influence usually ascribed to it, and
that concentrated ozone causes an injurious
irritation of the mucous membrane when
bTcathed.
After many observations at sea-level and
at Is, 900 feet above, Prof. S. p. Langley
concludes that the mean absorption of light
and heat by the atmosphere is at least
double the usual estimate of twenty pei
cent. He believes, Also that dust particles
play more important part in this abs, rp
ton than is generally supposed.
A new building MATERIAL mixture q
COIL k, silica and lime-is coming into ex-
tensive use in Germany. It has the ad
vantage of keeping out heat and cold, arc
is also claimed to he an excellent prever-
tive of damp and deadener of sound. II
is substantial, light and durable, and seems
to be especially adapted for ceilings arc
wall Innings.
To recent progress in sanitary science
Sir Joseph Faycr, formerly surgeon
general of the army in India, attributes
the fact that England's death-ratc has de
creaseu during the present century from
forty in the thousand to twenty in thu
thousand.
TRACING LOST R1vER.-The remarka
Bile river Reka rises in the Austrian prov
ince of Carniola, and disappears in tn
KarsJ caves. There are reasons for be
lieving that it flows long distance under
ground, emerging twenty miles away a
the Timavo, a stream which mysteriousl
pours out of hillside. Members of tn
Austro-German Alpine Club have latel,
attempted an exploration of the sub
terranean course of the Reka, and hav
succeeded in following it about one fu1
longs, passing six waterfalls and reaching
seventh which proved to be impassabl
without special apparatus. One of tn
AGns encountered is reported to. be ca
enough to contain St. Peters Ca
lral of Rome.
HospHoRIc GLASS AID CREMATION
riety Of articles made from fo-calle'
.boric glass, which IS composed
ns.te Of LING, har