The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-05-05
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.

New silk mills are springing up
everywhere, and the immigration of
foreign weavers has almost stopped.
-Cavendsh in 1866 discovered hydro
gen; and between IVA and 1879 Priest
ley discovered oxygen, azote and nitrous
gas.
"A new attachment to the micro
scope has been devised, the object of
which is to observe the melting points
of minerals while under tho process of
examination.
1t is estimated that the sum spent
on new buildings in this country last
year was $4,000 600, 900, and that the
transfers of real estate amounted to
$4,000, 100000.
Careful experiments have shown
that waste silk is the most effective of
all non-conducting coverings for steam
pipes, and the demand for this purpose
is great in spite of the cost
The values of the exports of min
eral oils from the United States for the
year ended December 81, 1887. showed
a decrease of 81, 5S4, OFT from the values
of the corresponding period of 1886.
The process of manufacturing gas
from water at Los Angeles, Cal. is 4
magnificent success. Its bright, steady
light has been pronounced decided
improvement over electricity.
"A simple formula for the prepara-
ton of hektograph ink is given by d
competent authority. Take one part
of aniline, of the color desired, dissolve
in about seven parts of water, and add
one part of glycerine.
-Meteorites sometimes attain n We
locity of $50, 900 feet per second. When
passing through the air at this rate the
| friction is so great that the air is heated
up to a temperature of 10000 degrees
Fahrenheit.
The French national printing office
employs girls as type-founders. print
ers, book-sewers, book-binders, ETC.,
the wages ranging from fifty cents to
one dollar per day. After thirty years
service both men and women are re-
tired upon pension.
Civilization is spreading rapidly
beyond a doubt. African rubber is now
Systematically adulterated with saw
dust, bark dust, etc, and after purify
ing does not contain moro than thirty
three to fifty-iive per cent. of pure gum
The natives add this substance to over
come the sickness.
AS q wood prescrvative naphtha-
line is now largely used in Scotland, its
action being to destroy all albuminoid
compounds in the wood. leaving it dry
and clean to handle, and with only q
faint, aromatic smell. The naphtha-
line is melted in vessel capable of be-
ing tightly sealed, and in this the wood
is saturated.
Extensive use is now being made
in France of the unique article known
as wood wool, consisting of extremely
thin and slender shavings Of wood, that
are comparable to paper cut for pack
ing. 1t weighs some forty or fifty pei
cent. less than the materials generally
: used for such purpose, and its beau
full appearance, fneness, and exceeding
; cleanness have brought it into great
favor.
"A recent chemical examination oil
several prominent brands of family
lard" showed them to be variously
constituted of different ingredients, and
in one case not trace of real lard
could be found in the sample analyzed.
A prominent lard manufacturer ties.
; titled before the Senate Committee OF
Agriculture, at Washington, that sc
far as he knew the lard thus manufact.
ured is more popular with the people
than the genuine article is.