Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1886-09-02
ITEMS OF INTEREST.
NEWS AND NOT f

dine, has been obtained in several ways
which show that it bears the same
relation to certain acids derived from
natural alkaloids, such as quinine,
nicotine, ETC., that benzine does to ben
zoic and phtalic acids.
The passage of the Suez Canal which
until recently occupied from thirty-six
to forty-eight hours, can now be made
in sixteen hours by vessels fitted with
the electric light apparatus. The
steamer Carthage has made the first
continuous passage, and the actual
running time was sixteen hours, the
main speed being SAB miles per hour.
The deepest artesian well in the world
is that now being bored at Pesth for
the purpose of supplying the public
baths and other establishments with
hot water. A depth of 3,l20 feet has
been reached, and 176,0OO gallons are
furnished daily at a temperature of
176 degrees Fahrenheit. 1t is proposed
to carry the boring to a greater depth
and obtain greater supply of water at
temperature of about 176 degrees
Fahrenheit.
A sewing machine has been invented
in Germany which is only eight inches
high by about two inches wide and one
inch deep. 1t can be attached to the
end of table by screw clamp and
worked by child. 1t has no wheels,
and the working motion consists of
vertical plunger pressed downward by
the finger from the top, the plunger
being returned into position by spring.
1t makes perfect lock-stitch, will sew
all kinds of fabrics, and can be sold for
five dollars.
1t was the universal belief, until
few years since, and is still a common
one, that the decay of timber was due
to cremdcduSiS-slOw combustion. II
is to the improvement and use of the
microscope and its accessories that the
true causes of decay of wood are found
to be due to various forms of fungi.
Many definite forms which cause fer.
mentation have been traced, and more
are known to exist which are beyond the
definition OF present microscopes, unless
they are strained to differentiate them
What is called dry rot y in timber is
really the effect of the mycela, or fla.
ments of fungi which pierce the walls
of the wood-cells when softened by
moisture. 1t has been an unfortunate
designation, misleading many people,
and causing them to believe that tim
Der will rot when dry, thus preventing
them from taking proper precautions
to prevent decay. 1t is impossible for
decay to commence without moisture,
sufficient heat and access of air to sup.
ply the amount of oxygen needed in the
reduction Of the tissues to lower com.
pounds. lH-..
Recent experiments have been made
with a view of recovering the tin from
waste and scrap tin plates by means of
an electric process which is also said to
be applicable to the treatment of tail
ings, Stag and many kinds of refuse.
Dynamos are used to generate the
electric current, which is passed through
the solution in which the tin cuttings
or mining stuffs are deposited. These
are connected with the positive pole
and the tin withdrawn from the tin
cuttings, or the gold withdrawn from
other substances which may be under
treatment.
A regulation as old as the French
Academy Of Sciences has just been
broken through in Paris. Women have
hitherto been excluded from the ses-
sions of the Academy, but at the meet
ing of the 28th ult. the interdiction was
raised in favor Of Mile. Sophie Kow-
lewska, professor of mathematics at the
University of Stockholm, and daughter
of the eminent paleontologist. The
president of the Academy welcomed
her in graceful terms, and said that her
presence should be cause Of pride and
pleasure, not only to the mathemati.
clans present, but to the whole Acad.
emy. When she entered the hall all the
members rose to salute her.
There are sixty manufactures of glu.
cose in the United States and Germany
the annual production in this country
being valued at 100000. Glucose is
extensively used as substitute for cane
sugar In the manufacture of table
syrup, In brewing, in confectionery, In
making artificial honey, and in adulter.
ating cane sugar. Recent experiments
by DIR. Duggan, Of Baltimore, show that
glucose is in no way inferior to cane
sugar In healthfulness. Artificial maple
sugar can be made by adding to a mix
ture glucose and cane sugar an extrac,
ofhickory bark, which gives exactly tn,
desired flavor.
A gradual increase in the average
size Of the skull among the natives Is
believed by a Bombay physician to be
taking place as an effect of civilization
in India. 4
The longest clock pendulum in the
world Is at Avignon, France. It is
sixty-seven feet long, and requires four
and half seconds to swing through an
arc of nine and half feet.
Less than twenty years ago the num-
ber of Irishmen in the British ranks
was 3OS per 1000; now 1t Is only l7S to
73O Englishmen, seventy-eight Scotch
men and fourteen of other nationalitles.
The old war ship Niagara, recently
broken up at Charlestown (Aiass) Navy
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