Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-12-09
OF SCIENTIFIC IyrnnEsr.
Some Good nnd Bad Hnventions--A
Ohtmney 44O k'eeh HIsh.

OmtuhNHy 3fV Y eeh AhANMa
A New York paper says; 1t is estimated
that at the present time not less than
IA, 900 horse power, derived from water
falls, is In use in the United States and
Canada for driving dynamo machines.
Nearly the whole OF this power is EN-
ployed for arc lights.
A new fusible alloy, which consists of
bismuth, 48; cadmium, IS !. lead, IS tin,
30, melts at the low temperature of 100
degrees Fahrenheit. This is the tempera-
ture of moderately hot water, and much
below that ut which the magic spoon
used TO melt in y cup of tea
The alleged process of producing arti-
fetal quinine, which at first created con-
siderable interest, does not stand the test
| of investigation. The London druggists
have failed to obtain even the suan
amount of the new drug necessary for ex
pertinent, and they are unanimous in
their belief TINT the supposed discovery
| is humbug.
A company in Paris has introduced its
system OF distributing compressed air
throughout that city. Among the many
uses which may be made of compressed
air are the running of light machinery,
the producing of ventilation and reduo-
ing the temperature. By introducing
the air into the burning gas remarkably
brilliant light is obtained. The problem
of heating by gas may be considered as
solved il compressed air is introduced
into houses. The company is now en-
deayoring to obtain permission to 10y
its pipes in Berlin.
An appropriation has recently been
mode by the Paris authorities for the iron
tower which is to be erected on the
grounds OF the coming international ex
hibition. The tower will be 9S4 feet higt
and will be supported by four pillar
which will be higher than the magnificent
towers of tho Cathedral Of Note Dame
which have m altitude OF 1872 feet, The
structure will cost $l,O00,0O0, and viii
be surrounded by a powerful electric
!, light that will be visible, II is believed, al
far as Dion, which is 1877 miles south
. west of Paris. If the French electrician
are not more accurate iii their estimates
= than those who have recently attempte,
TO light the Statue of Liberty in our har
Dor, the supposed distance of visibiiit.
will have to be shortened.
/, III predicted that within five year
the magnesium light will be- as familiar
4 sight in many places as the electric ligh
| OF JO-uhN. Only tno blBu CoNb VI hihS
nasium has hitherto kept it from exten
8 sive use and its price, which was $40
pound few years ago, is said to hav
been reduced to 90 pound by De1
a German process, with a prospect of
e still further reduction. wire of mod
crate size equals the light of rs stearin
q candles, making the cost at present bu
little more than that of gas, while no eS
pensive works or street mains are re
. quired for i.a use. The magnesium
!: simply burned in lamps provided with
i. clock work movement to feed the ribbo
of metal regularly. There is no danger
as with electricity.
The highest chimney yet built in til
world has recently been completed at tn
Mecherwich Lead Works, in Germany
The whole hight of the structure is 81
proximately 440 feet, II feet Of whie
are under ground. The subterranea
portion is of black stone, 81 feet squar
in plan; ali the rest is of brick. Fo
about "a feet the chimney is built square
then becomes octagonal in plan for
little distance, and finally changes to
circular form, retaining this shape to tn
top. The exterior diameter of the sbat
at the top is about III feet. The hue
III feet in diameter at the bottom at
feet at the top. Until the completion {
the chimney that of the St. Roll
Chemical Works, near Glasgow, which
434 feet high, was the tallestin the work