The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-07-16
SCIENTIFIC CHAT.

The olive tree begins to bear in four years from
cuttings and both oil and pickles of the first quality
Southern Europe is estimated to be worth ATS OOO,
900 francs and since it has been demonstrated that
California soil and climate are well adapted to its
culture olive antng Is receiving much attention.
The latest bulletin from the California University
Experiment Station is devoted to this subject.
The prayer cures are indorsed by the London
Ldnca, high medical authority which looks upon
them not as miracles but purely the effect of the
mind upon the body it being the faith that heals
and not the outside source object of the faith.
Human blood can be distinguished from that of
dog by the microscopic, but it cannot from that
of hog.
The Italian Government have made repeated
efforts to grow tea in the zone between Florence,
Naples and Sicily, but have, far. uniformly fail
ed Now, however, it is claimed that mistake
has been made heretofore in thinking the tea plant
required shade, whereas in China and Japan it is
grown in very open and exposed places, and in q
soil containing large proportion OF sand and oxide
of iron. An agent of the Italian Government is
now in Japan buying extensively of the harder
varieties of the plant and determined efforts to
be made once more to secure its successful cutiva-
ton in Southern Italy.
Glue is an inspissated jelly, made of the par
ings Of hides or horns of any kind, and hoofs and
ears of horses, oxen, calves sheep, etc. These are
first dgested in lime water, to cleanse them from
grease and dirt, and are then boiled. skimming off
the dirt as it RISES after which the mass is strained
through baskets and allowed to settle. When it Is
thought to be strong enough poured into frames
or mouldS about six feet long, one broad and two
deep, where it gradually hardens as il cools, and is
thought the best glue which swells considerably
without melting by three or four days immersion
in cold water and RECEIVERS its former dimensions
and properties by drying.
-Norwegum is the name of newly discovered
malleable metal of white color with tinge of
brown. 1t presents, when pure, metallic luster,
but on exposure to the atmosphere becomes coated
with thin film of oxide; its hardness is about
that of "copper" and its specific gravity is 94441. At
$50 degrees G. it melts. 1t was found while exam
ining piece of nickel ore from Kragero Norway.
According to Professor Atwater, Of Weslean
University, chemistry shows that the New Eng
lang dishes-pork and beans and Goldfish and po-
tatoes-approach more nearly than any other the
standard Of the ideal ration.
- Panama hats are made in Guayaquil. Ecuador,
and received their name from the fact that Panama
merchants formerly controlled the trade. They
are made of the pita fiber, a species of palm, and
are braided under water by women. A single
strand used in making hat is often Is feet long.
1t sometimes takes three weeks to braid . single
hat which sells for SIS.
Some INSCRIPTIONS people in San Francisco are
selling the water of Owens Lake. in California, at
dollar pint, under the name of Water of Life"
The water Of Owens Lake is astrong lye and COB
let of it would almost kill man. But ignorant
people buy it, and drink small quantities of it under
the impression that they are taking wonderful
curative.