The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-08-24
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.

The number of telegraph stations
in the world was increased last year
by 1900.
Spain furnishes nearly a third of
the worlds production of lead. The
deposits are extremely numerous. and
the ore is of exceptional purity.
"A curious use is found for molasses
by iron founders. They mix it with
sharp sand or gravel to make the
cores for certain kinds of work.
Electrical coal mining machines
are being introduced into English
mines which can do as much work as
four men. Electricity is also used to
haul coal out of mines.
"A thermographic printing press,
capable of turning off 1000 impress
sions an hour from hot type on wood,
IS new French production. 1t is said
to yield results equal to Autograph.
The practical results of the appli-
cation of electricity to tempering steel
are said to be very satisfactory, both
in regard to the cost and also uniform
ity of the product, as well as its ap-
plication to tempering lower grades Of
steel into good spring steel.
The Electrician reports rumor
from Berlin to the effect that means
has been discovered Of using electricity
for ascertaining the true north, instead
of the magnetic needle; that, in short,
compass, and is likely to supercede it.
There are 5,747 central stations,
with isolated electric light plants in
the United States. showing an increase
of 2,067 plants in year. There are
also 2,504,490 incandescent lamps in
use, or 754, 800 more than twelve
months previously.
Experiments again made in Lon
don with carbo-dynamite, one of the
latest explosives, would seem to show
that it possesses some important adj
vantages over ordinary dynamite,
among others that of considerably
greater power, and the generation OF
much less noXious vapor when eX-
ploded in confined places. 1t is COM
posed of nitro-glycerine absorbed by
ten parts of variety of carbon and is
claimed to be entirely unaffected by
water.
1t is well known that oil or fat is
an important ingredient in the food OF
the EsquimauX to support the animal
heat. 1t is not so widely known that
oil is quite as essential, though for q
different purpose, for the native races
of the tropics. Among other possible
functions it supplies an oily secretion
in the perspiration necessary for the
protection of the external horny layer
of the skin when exposed to strong
sunlight and heat.
The new sugar produced from coal,
called saccharine, has been condemned
by Paris doctors, because it seriouslf
impairs digestion. They recommend
that its use as an article of diet be for
hidden by law, and an ordinance to
that effect is said to have been enacted.
The good old cane sugar seems likely
to retain it's place for while yet, in
spite of new inventions and artifcially
high prices.
1t is well-lNown that in observing
transits, and other delicate astronom'
ical operations. the operator stretches
spider web across the inner surface
of the glasses because no thread Car
be manufactured fine enough. Bu
even the web of the common spider il
too coarse. and as it is really rope o
eight strands, it has to be UNFINISHED
very difficult and delicate operation
and only one strand is used. But ,
variety of spider has been found il
Melbourne, Australia, whose thread
has only three strands, and the preciou:
creatures are considered a great treas
ure. They are brought up very care
fully, fed and taken care of. and mo-
allowed to come in contact with theii
plebian cousins.