Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-05-19
SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.

SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.
Compiled for the SPECTATOR.
The Flow OF METALs.-In one of his
recent interesting lectures in London, Prof.
Roberts-Austen spoke of eight prominent
points of resemblance between metals and
fluids which have long been known. They
are the rejection of impurities on solidifica
ton, suffusion, flow under pressure, changes
due to compression, absorption of gases,
absorption of liquids, vaporization, and
surface tension. Of these properties per-
haps the most astonishing are those exhib
tied by metals when compressed. Placing
cold, powdered metals in powerful press,
Prof. W. Spring, of Liege, caused lead to
weld into solid mass by pressure OF IL
tons per square inch; zinc, by 10 tons; tin,
80 tons; antimony, SO tons; aluminium, 80
tons; bismuth, 3S tons; copper, ~ tons. At
3S tons per square inch lead actually began
to flow, and at AZ tons tin showed the same
phenomenon. When a pressure of more
than 80 tons to the square inch was given
the metals under experiment flowed
through the fine cracks of the COMPRISING
chamber like so much treacle. Professor
Spring also proved that the crystalline struc-
ture Of metals may be changed by pressure
as by fusion; and that it is possible even to
build up alleys by pressure.
A MYSTERY ExPLAINED.-Profs. Ayrton
and Perry, the English electricians, have
accidentally observed that an amalgama-
ton, or coating with quicksilver, brass ex-
pands, 80 that if one side only is amalgamat-
ed plate of brass becomes curved. They
imagine that this may be the primary cause
of the phenomena of the Japanese 'smagic
mirror, - which has cast on the back a pat
tern that is quite invisible on the polished
face, yet is mysteriously distinct in tile
patch of light reflected by the mirror upon
a screen. Amalgamation would affect the
thinner parts made by the pattern more
than the rest of the plate. giving the mirror
the imperceptible unevenness that becomes
plainly apparent in the reflected image.
THE WASTE OF LIFE.-An English ma
turalist remarks that it is sad reflection
that while the turbot lays ID, 100000 eggs,
not more than one, on an average, ever lives
to reach maturity. In fish generally it takes
yearly at least hundred thousand eggs Ior
each individual, to keep up the average of
the species. In frogs and amphibians few
hundred are amply sufficient. Reptiles of
ten lay only much smaller number. In
birds, which hatch their own eggs and feed
their young, from ten to two eggs per an
mum are quite sufficient to replenish the
earth, Among mammals, three or four at
birth is rare number, and many of the
larger sorts produce ona calf or foal at a
time only. In the human race at large, a
total of five or six children for each mar
ried couple during whole lifetime makes
up sufficiently for infant mortality and all
other sources of loss, though among savages
a far higher rate is usually necessary. In
,olo Of fAr1r nd holt oh
dren per family suffices to keep the popula-
ton stationary.
FRoG's SKIN ON MAN.-Skin from the
back of frog has been used by DR.. O.
Petersen for Fastening the healing OF
wounds. Crafts of the size of the thumb
nail were caused to firmly adhere in two
days, and in two days more the pigmenta-
ton of the transplanted skin had almost
disappeared. The resulting cicatrix is o.
great softness and elasticity. Some of the
London hospitals are now beginning to en-
ploy frogs skin as gratis in place of other
skin.
A remarkably brilliant meteor was lately
seen in England, and two hours and a hal
later a similar phenomenon was witnessed
in India, over 5000 miles away. 1t is sus
pected that the two observations were Of
the same meteor, about the usual speed o
meteors being indicated.
A German physicist argues that the polar
seas must be higher in summer than in win
ter, when the accumulation of ice increases
the sadness, consequently also the density.
of the water.
TREE-AGEs.-The researches of the Chic
Forester of Prussia have convinced him thai
no tree in the German forests ever reaches
so great an age as 1000 years. He finds
that the limit of sound life in the trees o.
Central Europe is as follows: Pines, 57(
years; the white fir, 429 years; the larch
274 years; the oak, 40 years; the red beech
245 years; the mountain maple, 224 years
the birch, 100 to 200 years; the ash, III
years; the elm, 100 years, and the aspen,
219 years. A famous linden in Wurtem
berg is said to be over 700 years old, but il
is withered ruin, and can hardly be re-
garded as alive.
CLOUDS DEPENDENT Upon DUsT.-In.
vestigations by DR.. R. Won Helmholtz. de
scribed to the Berlin Royal Society, con
firm the statements that the formation O
cloud in saturated air is induced solely BY
particles of dust, and that the finer anc
sparser are the dust-particles the NOR
slowly is the cloud formed. These results
are also conirmatory of Prof. Tyndall's ex
PLANTATION that the blue color of the sky i
dine to floating dust.
Wonderful progress is being made il
microscopical science, the President of tn
British Microscopical Society recently point
ing out that results are now attained whicl
mathematicians five years ago declared t,
be impossible.
A native white mushroom of Natal at
tains diameter Of from eighteen inches t.
two feet. 1t makes delicious dish whel
fried, and is greatly reiished by the natives
who refuse the common edible mushroom
of the same localities.
A thorough scientific examination of thu
people and prospective resources of tn
Crimea is to be made by representatives o
the Russian Government
GRANDFATHER FOLSOM SAYS IT is So
Reporters of the New York papers hav'
visited Wayne county, N. Y, for the pur
pose of interviewing Col. John B. Folsom
grandfather of Miss Frances Folsom, in re
gard to the reported engagement of that lady
to President Cleveland. Mr.. Folsom re
ceived his visitors cordially and among othel
things said: sit is true that frankie is tt
be married to President Cleveland. She is
one of the most lovable girls you ever saw
and love her with all the devotion possible
have two other granddaughters, but
Frankieis the oldest, and am very proud
of her. There is no doubt about the fact Of
the marriage, but the intention was to keeI