Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1889-01-31
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY,

"A noted chemist has invented d
solidiGed gas which can Be Immediately
vdlatilized for the special use of bal
loonists.
-Lithium is the lightest metal
known, and it is worth $50 per ounce.
Gallium is the costliest metal known,
and is worth So, $50 per ounce.
"A patent has been granted in En-
gland for new process OF purifying
alcohol by means of hydrocarbons. 1t
is claimcdby this new method that
pure spirit can be readily obtained by
removing from the crude alcohol its
fusel oils and other noxious ingredients.
China crapeI as its name would I'M
dictate, WIS originally manufactured
III China, where the process was kepta
secret and for long time batfied all
attempts at imitation. NJ Dugas was
at last successful ih discovering it and
introducing the manufacture into
France.
-Wood-crcosote oil is recommended
by Captain w. II. Bixby, in the For
estry Departments Report on the Re-
lation of Railroads to Forests and For
estry," as possessing valuable antiseptic
properties. 1t is an efficient poison to
animal and vegetable life; it thoroughly
repels moisture, and its tar acids pos
sess the power OF coagulating albumi-
nous and other fermentable matter.
"A new process has been invented
in Chicago by which cold can be as
readily conveyed to buildings and as
easily controlled as water and gas.
With anhydrous ammonia sixty degrees
below zero can be maintained. Eleven
years ago a chemist named Lucas dis
covered the peculiar cold-producing
properties Of ammonia. Beef can be
solidly frozen after having been placed
in refrigerator cars for transportation.
Lead in the form of filings, under
q pressure of 1000 atmospheres, or
thirteen tons to the square inch, be-
comes compressed into a solid block,
in which it is impossible to detect the
slightest vestige OF the original grains.
Under pressure of 5000 atmospheres
it liquities. Tin when compressed III
powder, becomes solid under pres
sure of ten tons on the square inch
zinc at thirty-eight tons. antimony al
thirty-eight tons, aluminium at thirty
eight tons, bismuth at thirty-eight tons
and copper at thirty-three tons.
--Quicxsand Is composed chiefly o
small particles OF mica mixed largely
with water. The mica is so smooth
that the fragments slip upon each Other
with the greatest facility, so that any
heavy body which displaces then
will sink and continue to sink
until solid bottom is reached
, When particles of sand are jagged ant
angular, any weight pressing on then
will crowd them together until they are
compacted into solid mass, A sane
composed of mica or soapstone whel
sufficiently mixed with water seems in
> capable of such consultations.
1t is claimed that cotton OF low
Z grade is perfect substitution for jut
in bagging cotton bales. The New
! Orleans Tines Democrat says! 9Th
bagging is as elastic as jute, as strong
! as well adapted to covering cotton; i
; will stand hooks congresses and hand
> ling OF every kind; it will protect tn
a cotton bettor from dirt and from water
a and affords it ample ventilation L
:, the matter of price it can compete wit
: jute, ami as it can be used again, it vii
: actually prove cheaper to the plante
than the Indian nroduct,n