The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-11-23
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.

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l-2O4, 700, 600 of an inch.
The role assigned by Pasteur to
earth worms of bringing bacteria to the
surface has received support from recen;
observations of Bollinger.
Pieces of rock crystal heated in a
platinum tube and dropped into water
ny all to pieces, but if drop of melted
crystal is allowed to fall into water then,
though there is great connection, it
does not break but remains clear.
In France they now use for steam
ana water-pipe joints, gaskets made of
wood pulp, which are boiled in linseed
oil. They give satisfactory results. and
are not subject to decomposition at high
temperature.
"A new material called "steel pig"
much stronger than cold-blast iron and
less expensive than steel, is now being
made at Sheffield. 1t is adapted for a
variety of uses for which the ordinary
Iron was unsatisfactory.
With alternating currents iron con-
ductors emit very loud sounds, which
increase with the frequency, whereas
copper hardly emits perceptible sound.
These mechanical vibrations in the case
Of iron conductors are thought to be
very injurious to the durability of the
Insulation.
THE fires used in blowing Venetian
Hass are made of wood, coal being use
$iess on account of its generating too
1nnch smoke and gas, which prevents
,thLdelicate ornaments used in decorat-
ing he various objects from adhering.
Ornanents and vases made by coal or
gas alne would soon separate into their
variousparts.
An electric drill is in operation at
the Brooklyn navy yard. Instead of the
slow paul aid ratchet hand-drill in COM
mon use, tbs one is set a-whirling by
an electric current sent through care
fully insulsed wires. A three-quarter
inch hole il a three-quarter inch plate
can be drilbd in less than minute.
I'm competition with the study of spec
trum analysis, photography has played
most important part, for it has recorded
lines not vtible to the naked eye-lines
revealed ony by the photograph in that
part of thespectrum in the violet and
lavender regions, and even beyond,
where all isdark to us.
1t has ben observed that the organs
occupying tie left side of the body are
more proneto disease than those of the
right, and the explanation has been
offered thatthe greater use of the right
side of the body determines nutritive
activity and vigor there while the me-
chanical passivity of the left produces
kind of vascular mealiness or predis,
position to breaking down.
By comparing modern skulls with
those of the same race in an old monas.
terry in the Kedron valley, DR.. Digit, OF
the American College of Beirut, Syria
has shown that thirteen centuries have
added two inches to the circumference
and three and a half cubic inches to the
capacity of Caucasian skull. The brain
has developed in the parts presiding ovel
the moral and intellectual functions
growing higher and longer, without in
crease of the lower portions, which give
breadth to the head and in which the
selfish propensities are conferred.
7 IA rev process for hardening plaster
:, Of Par1s, making tnaJ Substance Suitable
for flooring purposes, has been commu
nicated to the French Academy of Sci
ence by NJ. Julie. The plaster is mixed
with one-sixth of it's weight of fine
freshly-slacked lime, and used with as
| little water as possible. After becoming
thoroughly dry it is treated with a satu
rated solution of either zinc sulphate Oh
iron sulphate. With the first the hard
ened plaster remains white, while the
second, by gradual oxidation, yields the
color of iron-rust, which gives fine i'm
itation of mahogany under an applica
tiOn of linSeed oil