The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-01-26

miles TO the inch, are being made In London by
Mr.. III. +. Bron.
Assuming the average depth of the Atlantic and
Pacific oceans TO be S-4 miles, Prof George Nc
Gowen calculates that there is 81 $50 900 tons of
salt I'm the water under each square mile of surface
A NOVEL BooK.-In a unique and beautiful pub
lication, Mr.. Romeyn Il. Hough, of Lowville N j.
expects to exhibit the structure of all important
American woods by actual specimens Part of
the work was lately completed, and gives 81 spec-
mens-each consisting of three thin slces-mount-
cd in black cardboard frames six by nine inches In
size. The scientific names and the popular names
In four languages are printed on the frames. An
accompanying pamphlet fully describes the species
represented, and states their range properties uses
etc. A well-made case, having the appearance of
an elegantly bound octave volume, contains the
whole.
SEA TEMrERAruRE-Ina recent paper before the
London Society of Telegraph Engineers, Mr. w.
Lent Carpenter mentioned that the temperature of
the Mediterranean was found TO be 81 degrees +.
at depth of 2000 fathoms while in the Atlantic
at no great distance, 36 degrees met with at
| the same depth. Other instances of thermal
differences between partially land locked seas and
the ocean were given, among them the Red Sea, in
which the minimum temperature Is II degrees.
In the Sulu Sea the lowest temperature was found
to be 800 degrees at $3.50 fathoms while the tenn
perature was 30 degrees to SO degrees at the same
depth in the Indian Ocean.
| FLAMES FROM WATER.-It seems rather paradox
ical to speak of water excitant of combustion
yet Mr. Brereton Baker showed the London Chem
ical Society IN 1892 that carbon burns less freely
in dried than in moist oxygen. Continuing his
researches, the same investigator has found that
selenium, tellurum, arsenic and anthony burn
with equal readiness in dry and moist oxygen; but
that the combustion of carbon, sulphur boron, and
both the red and yellow notifications of phos-
phorus, is greatly modified by the amount of
moisture present. Some oxidation took place in
all cases. but its extent varied with the degree of
dryness of the substances, and no flame appeared
when most of the moisture had been excluded.
Yellow phosphorus was obtained of such purity
| that il did not even glow in dried oxygen though
the addition OF water caused rapid combustion.
! VIBRATIoNs-On of the most striking concep-
tOns of modern ply sizes is that matter is eternally
| trembling with vibrations, to the variations of
which are due our sensations. Migratory law, said
Mr. &. e. Haskns in a recent thoughtful paper lies
at the very bottom of all vegetable and animal life
To ii indebted for all that is beautiful in art
and in nature. 1t gives all our magnetic and
and electrical actions. 1t actuates our telegraphs
and telephones the fire alarm and the electric light
Our batteries would be powerless without il.
Nay, more without these minute movements, which
pervade the entire universe there would be neither
heat, nor light, nor color. The stars would cease
to shine and the would be a blank, invisible
The earth would refuse to move all sound would
cease darkness, and death, and chaos would
instantly succeed to the present beautiful crea-
| ton.
AN ELECTRIC Com CATCHER-Automatic weigh
| ing machines, ana power testing mAcnlnes anu
dispensers of chocolate cakes, Walls of perfumers
and other wares, have become a familiar sight in
many lands during the past few years. new
development of the idea has been introduced by
French society, and has already found favor in the
waiting rooms, gardens and theaters OF Paris. IL
is called the Electric Magic Lantern" and serves
something of the purpose of an illustrated daily
paper. 1t is in the form of highly ornamental
box pillar seven feet tall, bearing conspicuous
invitation to "Give ten confines and see." The
person accepting the invitation looks in fve-inch
lens in the front of the apparatus, drops his coin
in the slot, and sees pass upward series of
drawings illustrative of current events, each picture
pausing for a few seconds to give time for q good
view of il. A Swan electric lamp illuminates the