The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-03-30
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.

-Cryolite for making candles is
brought from Greenland. whore i'm
portant and little known mining oper-
ations are carried on.
To the changed condition of q YES
sells magnetism by induction during
lengthy voyage may be attributed the
loss of more vessels than is usually
thought to be the case among maritime
men.
Portable electric lights, arranged
to hang on button of ones coat, and
with parabolic reflector to concentrate
the light, with storage batteries weigh
ing j pounds each, are made to enable
persons to read in railroad cars by
night.
The Paris Academy of Science has
been excited over a plant called colo
casia. This plant often exhibits
trembling or vibrating motion without
any apparent cause, and as many as
100 or 120 vibrations have been OBJ
served in single minute.
1t is believed that the Oldest tim
Der in the world that has been used by
man is found in an Egyptian temple
which is known to be at least 1000
years old. The wood is in the form of
ties, holding the end of one stone to.
another. The ties appear to have been
made of shittim wood or acacia
Acids in lubricating oils may be
detected by analysis in a laboratory,
or by putting the sample to be tested
in clear glass bottle with a copper
wire running down through the cork,
air tight; stand the whole in a sunny
place for two or three weeks, and then.
on removal, if verdigris or green rust
appear on the copper, an acid is in the
oil.
The number of eggs hen may lay
has been estimated by German nat
uralist as follows: The ovary of hen
contains about 600 embryo eggs, OF
which not more than 20 are matured in
the first year. The second year pro-
duces 120; the third, 1856; the fourth,
ia; and in the following four years the
number decreases by 20 yearly. In the
ninth year only 10 eggs can be ex-,
pected.
-Quicksand is composed chiefly of
particles of mica mixed largely with
water. When particles of sand are
jagged and angular any weight press
ing on them will crowd them together
until they are compacted into solid
mass. A sand composed of mica or
soapstone, when sufficiently mixed
with water, seems incapable of such
consolidation, and any heavy body will
displace them and sink until solid
bottom is reached.
From time immemorial the practice
of massage has been known to the Fl
jams, from whom the Samoans first,
and then the Tongans, learned the art.
The process consists in rubbing and
kneading the part. the operation being
sometimes continued for hours; it
stimulates the circulation and relieves
pain. and is commonly used in abdomi-
nal disease. The native doctors have
great faith in massage, and it is always
practiced by them.-London Medical
Recorder.
1t is Il common opinion that ma
chinery works with an exactness and
steadiness of movement not to be ac-
quired by the laborer's hand. This is
not really true. The workman can suit
his stroke to the needs of the case as no
machine can do, and this is proved in
the trimming of roofingslates. The
splitting process is performed with
great nicely by means of chisels, but
the shaping is more remarkable, and
can not be properly executed by any
who have not been trained to it from
youth. The workman sits on stool
with pad on one knee and ledge by
his side. He lays the slate on the pad
on his knee, and allowing the part to
be cut to rest on the ledge, strikes it
with heavy knife, and separates it in
stanteously with the greatest accuracy.
Youths Companion.