Savannah morning news., 1886-05-10
POPLUAR SCIENCE.

In Austrian coal mines work is suspend
ed in dangerous places during fall OF the
barometer, experiments having shown
that the quantity and intensity of explO-
siVe gases greatly increase as the atmos-
pheric pressure diminishes.
Recent German researches show that
the publication of natural waters is eff
fected almost wholly by plant and animal
agencies. the chemical action of oxygen
of ozone, peroxide OF hydrogen and at
mospheric oxygen exerting but feeble
influence.
An extraordinary feat in telephoning
was recently accomplished between st.
Petersburg and BOulOgne, distance Of
2 465 miles. Conversation was kept up,
Notwithstanding a rather high Induction.
The experiments were made during the
night. when the telegraph wires were not
at work. The Russian engineers hope TO
succeed in conversing by telephone over a
distance of ,665 miles.
An improved railroad tie, just invented,
is formed of Two inverted bowls having
plain upper surfaces, two fastening clips
secured TO the plain surface OF each bowl
bv bolts, with a bar connecting the two
bowls, and secured by the fastening bolts
of the inner clips; the cOncave side of the
howl is filed with earth well tamped, or
with concrete, the object being to furnish
a tie which shall be practically Inde-
structi6le.
All that is necessary to keep flowers
fresh is 70 keep them moist and cool. In
stead OF dipping flowers in water, they
should simply be wrapped up in a wet
newspaper, which viii keep them far
fresher over night. A wet towel or nap
kin is too heavy, ana will crush the bios
SONS too much; besides, 1t will allow the
moisture 10 evaporate too easily. Rose
buds packed Ia wet paper will trave
long distances and come out as fresh as
If just OF the bush.
A protective wrapper TO prevent silver
plate from furnishing Is made in this wise
aCaustic soda Is dissolved in water until
the hydr0meter--a very simple instru-
ment-shows 20 deg. Beaume. To this
mixture is added ONide Of zinc until the
amount reaches about twO-thirds the
quantity OF caustic soda. and the mixture
IL boiled until perfect solution is effected.
Water ia then added gradually 10 reduce
the solution 10 10 deg. Beaume. Into this
solution summer calico, muslin or paper
IL dipped, and when dry 1t is ready for
USE"
Mr.. Either, in the Revue Industrielle,
gives the following simple method for test
ing leather 90 be used for betting: "a
small piece is cut OF the belt and placed
in vinegar. II the leather has been per.
fectly tanned. and IL therefore Of good
quality, II will remain immersed In vine
gar. even for several months, without any
other change than becoming little
darker in color. II, on the contrary, 1t -
not we'll impregnated with tannin, The
dbres will promptly swell, and after .
short time become converted into a goia
tinous mass"
II mas been lately asserted In scientific
circles thar the idea that mammals NA1
| passed through period OF aquatic gro~tn
! es shown by the existence OF the whale
should be exactly reversed. 1hai a, va
anatomy OF the whale has been T. ino 3,
snow that at one time u was a four-iogiol
beast. II rotalns evidence Of having hae
at one time a hairy covering. while II als'
retains sets Of rudimentary teeth charao
teristic OF land animal rather than I