The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-04-19
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.

-Cryolite for making candles is
brought from Greenland. where inn
portant and little known mining oper-
ations are carried on.
To the changed condition OF n 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
10 hang on button OF ones coat, aud
with parabolic reflector 10 concentrate
the light, with storage batteries weigh
ing ! J pounds each. are made TO enable
persons 10 read In railroad cars by
night.
The Paris Academy OF Science has
been excited over "A plant called colo
casia. This plant often exhibits "A
trembling or vibrating motion without
any apparent cause, and as many as
100 or l20 vibrations have been OBJ
served In single minute.
1t is believed that the Oldest tim
ber In the world that has been used 10y
man is found In an Egyptian tomplo
which Is known 20 be at least 1000
years old. The wood is In the form OF
ties, holding the end OF ono stono 10
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 copper
wire running down through the cork.
mir tight; stand the whole In n sunny
place for two or three weeks, aud then,
on removal. IL verdigris or green rust
appear on the copper, an acid is In tho
oil.
The number OF oggs "a hen may lay
has been estimated by a German nat
uralst as follows: Tho ovary OF hen
contains about 600 embryo eggs, OF
which not moro than % are maturod in
the first year. Tho second year pro-
duces l20; tho third, 1856; the fourth,
ia; and in the following four years tho
number decreases by 20 yearly. In the
ninth year only 10 eggs can DO ex-
pocted.
-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 "A 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 90 the FL
jams, from whom tho Samoans first,
and then the Tongans, learned the art.
The process consists In rubbing and
kneading tho part, tho operation being
sometimes continued for hours; 10
stimulates the circulation and relieves
pain, and Is commony used In abdomi-
nal disease. The native doctors have
great faith in massage, and IL Is always
practiced by them. London Medical
Recorder.
1t is common opinion that ma
chinery works with an oxactness and
steadiness Of movement not 10 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, aud this Is proved In
the trimming OF roofng-slates. Tho
splitting process Is performed with
great nicely by means OF chisels, but
the shaping is moro remarkable, and
can not be properly executed by any
who have not been trained 20 10 from
youth. The workman sits on n stool
with pad on one knee and lodge by
his side. He lays the slate on tho pad
on his knee, and allowing tho part 90
be cut TO rest on the ledge, strikes IL
with heavy knife, and separates II In
stantcously with the greatest accuracy.
Youths Companion.