Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-03-06
SCIENTIFIC SKETCHES.
SCIENCE, THE BASIS OF CIVILIZED LIFE.
BROUGHT WITHIN THE VISION OF ALL
WHO WILL READ.
Reported Solely for Tile Western Kansns
World

WHO WILL READ.
Reported Solely for The Western Kansas
World.
TMLAsLH LAKEs.-Prof. Schwalbe
mas drawn the attention of the Berlin
Physical Society to two interesting phe-
nomena observed in the gypsum OF the
Southern Hartz, viz: the sinking OF
rivers, often accompanied by loud up
roar, and the occurrence of intermittent
lakes. The so -called Peasants Ditch"
near Rosslan, was, in the last century, as
the old contracts between the two neigh
boring villages prove, sometimes lake
serving one village for fishing purposes,
and sometimes dry land which was then
titled by the other village. Several
channels at the bottom of the lake lead
to the interior Of the gypsum rock, yet
the water, when it gathered here, stood
for several years at depth of thirty to
fifty feet. when it suddenly disappeared
again. In the years 1876, 1877 and 1873,
this lake was filled with water, and since
the last date has been dry land.
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METAL IN PLANTs.-Late investiga-
lions indicate that the chlorophyll, or
green colo ring substance of the leaves, is
most liable to pick up metallic matter
absorbed by the roots Of plants. When
vines have been MANFRED with sulphate
OF copper, most of the metal is deposited
in the leaves, merely doubtful trace ap-
pearing in the juice of the grapes. Tea
leaves contain much iron, doubtless due
to the ocherous soil Oh which they best
grow.
In paper on harbors, Prof. L. NJ.
Haupt mentions that from New York to
the Gulf of Mexico there are only four
natural entrances where the depth at
mean low water is over sixteen feet,
while the largest ships draw from twen-
ty-six to twenty -eight and half feet.
%**
It appears that there are now inhabited
cave-dwellings in Saxony. They are dug
in sandstone hill, have different rooms,
light and dark, as we'll as chimneys,
windows and doors, and are said to be
very dry and habitable.
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An ENGINEERING FEAT.-In the con-
struction of tunnel at Stockholm, cold |
air has been applied in novel manner.
In passing under hill of light, wet
gravel, it was found practically impos-
sible to underpin the houses overhead.
It was therefore decided to freeze the
gravel by means OF cold air, and put in
the lining while the material was solid, |
the undertaking having now been sue
cessfully carried out by the use of cold
air machines. None of the houses pass
ed under have been injured
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A NEW GENUS OF Doa.-The remains |
of distinct type of dog, widely differing
from any of the ordinary wild or domes-
tic dogs, have been described by Mr.. J.
A. Allen. The bones were found in Ely
Cave, Lee county, Virginia In general
form the animal was short-limbed and |
heavy-bodied. resembling in its proper
hons badger rather than a dog. 1t is
proposed to consider the remains as be-
longing to new genus, which has been
named Pachyryon ro6nstus.
~
The larger animals are being rapidly
exterminated in Algeria, and the lion of
the desert is fast becoming myth.
During the eleven years from 1873 to
1884 bounty was paid on 2O2 lions, 1214
panthers, 1882 hyenas and $4,000 jackals.
~.
An unusual number of white varieties
of animals have been noticed in Ger
many this winter. A white channels was
shot in the Totengebirge, a white fish
otter was caught near Luxembourg, white
partridges were shot near Brunswick, and
a white fox was killed in Hessen.
~
It has been demonstrated by Mr.. J. W.
Slater that caterpillars are affected by
magnetic currents, which hinder their
development and even kill them.
~
A study of $50 Italian thunder-storms
has shown Signor Ferrari that every
thunderstorm is behind a depression of
barometer and hydrometer, and before
one of the thermometer.
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SENSES FOR HEAT AND CoLD.-Vivi-
section experiments upon cats and dogs
lead Mr.. A. Herzen, German author, to
the following conclusions: l. The So
called sense of heat and cold is composed
in reality of two senses quite independ-
ent both anatomically and physically.
2. Observations on healthy and diseased
subjects show that the sensations of
heat and cold are transmitted through
different nerves, by different routes, and
to different brain centres. 5. The
gyras sigwoideHs contains the centre (or
The centripetal branches leading thereto)
Of touch and cold perceptions. L. These
sense perceptions are transmitted
through the posterior columns of the {
spinal cord, while those of the senses of
pain and warmth are conveyed through
the gray substance.
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PHOTOGRAPH OF TIGER AND PREY 8
accident, q photograph of a