The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-12
POPULAR SCIENCE.

Professor Ramsay thinks that co,or-blindness
is a defect of the brain instead of the eye.
According to naturalists wasps remember the
locality of their nests just nnety-six hours.
It has been discovered that WOO, saturated
with 10 per cent solution of glycerine can
bear prolonged heat of 275 degrees witho ut in
jury.
Immense steel or iron in a solution of carbon
ate OF potash for few minutes, and they will
not rust for years, not even when exposed to
damp atmosphere.
Seven varieties OF fishes examined by natural
lists Of the Challenger expedition are found to-
tally blind IN the deep sea, but have eyes when
inhabiting shallow water.
A powerful disinfectant. adapted to all pur-
poses has been obtained in Paris from coal oil.
IL is syrupy brown liquid, OF not disagreea BILE
odor, resulting from peculiar saponifcation of
the oil by caustic soda. 1t destroys moss and
fungus on trees. and sponging with a weak solu-
ton keeps flies from horses.
To restore the 1uster of dead siver-work gilt
bookcases, ETC., dissolve one ounce of cyanide
of potash in one quart of pure water, empty into
bottle, and label it poison. "iWhen to be used
over with the solution, and in five minutes the
lusteriess appearance will be removed. Preserve
the fluid for future
The proportion of water held by different
woods varies greatly. According to Schenbier
and Hartie, freshly cut hornbeam contains 1876
per cent. of water; willow, &c per cent; ash. 2S7
per cent pine 1871 per cent? red beech, 39.7
birch, 308 per cent; oak, BAT per cent:
elm, AS per cent; 1arch 48.6 per cent; and
white poplar, so g per cent
A curious acoustic phenomenon sometimes
observed at sea, has been termed By NJ Ffzeau
the mirage of sound" from its analogy to GER
tain wel-known phenomena or light The sound
waves DETECTED upward TO a very marked
extent under the influence of strata of air of
various temperatures. and to this effect are
ascribed numerous collisions between vessels
having powerful fog-signals.
A new invention to take the place OF stained
glass is made of cotton and linen paper which
10 dipped into preparation of alcohol and cam
phor, which makes it like parchment. From
this point it be modelled ana cut into re-
markably tough sheets, entirely translucent
and it can he dyed with almost the whole out
line colors, the result being translucent sheet
showing far more vivid hues than the best glass
exhibits.
DR.. G. A. White thinks he has solved the mys-
terry of what becomes of all the antlers that
deer shed every year. Although the antlers
when the deer is killed before they are removed
viii withstand all weathers for years. it is very
rarely that pair that have been shed are
found. Dr.'White asserts that he has discov-
cred small insect that attacks the antlers and
within q short time after they are she ed destroys
them by burrowing through and through them.
An electric dog-cart has been astonishing the
visitors we'll as the natives of Brighton, Eng
land 1t 10 driven by an electric motor. which
receives its power from sixteen cells OF storage
battery. 1t 10 stated that in order to make the
apparatus light enough. scarcely sufficient power
has been given 1t, SO that. although it runs nine
miles an hour on asphalt 1t only go four
miles an hour on soft macadam, and refuses to
climb hills with . sleeper grade than one to
thirty, when loaded with two passengers.