Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-06-07
scrENrIFIc AND USEFUL.

Structed Tor the transportation OF ban-
anas and other perishable fruit
A German doctor has discovered that
coffee destroys microbes. All that he
experimental upon with it We're killed.
Electricity moves 2Ss, miles per
second; light moves 10000 miles per
second; rifle-ball moves AGO feet per
second
When mines are lighted by incandes-
cent light il is claimed that dangers from
fire-damp and explosive gases will be
minimized.
A new mineral oil lubricant having
the consistency of butter and without
appreciable odor is being extensively
used in France.
A rotary arc lamp having revolving
carbon disks instead of the ordinary
pencil carbons will, it is claimed, run
continuously for forty hours without the
renewing of the carbons.
A medicament more powerful than
quinine in counteracting fevers is said to
have been discovered in Mexico. 1t is
plant called the pombolano, the root of
which contains substance analogous to
quinine.
It is claimed that Wallpaper can be
made in such way that the passage of
a low-tension electric current will heat
it moderately warm to the touch and
diffuse throughout the room an agree
able temperature.
The first German Catholic church to
be lighted by electricity is the Strasburg
Cathedral, and although the dim relig-
ious light Of former days is somewhat
interfered with the effect as whole is
highly satisfactory.
In library in Paris, said to be the
largest in the world, is Chinese chart
of the heavens, in which AGO stars are
found to be correctly placed according
tc the scientists of the present day. The
chart was made in 600 B. G.
The electrical process has been success
fully adopted in South Australia for the
recovery of the minute particles of gold
dust that have hitherto been lost in the
work of separating the metal from the
ore. The economical value of the pro-
cess has been abundantly proved.
A new photograph, said to be much
simpler than any other so far introduced,
has lately appeared in Milan. 1t can re-
produce music and the human voice in
most marvellous manner, and one of its
features is its cheapness, the wax cylin-
ders used costing only % centimes.
American inventions have cheapened
and facilitated canal construction, both
as to excavation and locks. to such an
extent that the Nicaragua canal will be
completed in half the time and at half
the cost that the same work would have
demanded fifty years ago. Inventive
Age.
An automatic card-shuffler is the latest
English invention. The cards are dropped
into the sloto of the machine, which works
itself, and by turning handle they are
brought back to the surface of the table.
The process, which changes the position
of each card, occupies only twenty sec
onds.
The alarm girdle for men-of-war or
harbors, to protect them from the sudden
attack of torpedo boats at night, as pro-
posed for use in France, consists of wire
supported by buoys placed at intervals
all around the vessel. Should an enemy
break through the line at night light
flares up and discloses his position.
An English photographer claims to
have obtained photograph in which the
natural colors were reproduced when the
exposure was made, by accident, just at
the moment when there came binding
flash of lightning. He says that friend
of his once got colored plate under
similar circumstances, and believes that
electricity has to do with Photographic
colors.
A moustache trainer has appeared in
England. 1t is an elastic curved strip
of thin metal, at either end of which is
secured an adjustable plate, faced on the
inner side with soft cloth, in order that
the machine may comfortably clasp the
ends of the moustache. The latter is
carefully arranged at night or during
periods of seclusion and the trainer fixed
upon it.
A new mineral has been discovered in
the vicinity of the little town of Homer,
KY, and the inhabitants of that place
expect to realize millions. The substance
discovered is black pitchy formation,
and is Of a loamy appearance When
placed In the fire il burnN with a clear
steady flame, and makes brilliant white
light. 1t is entirely consumed by burn
ing, and leaves no ashes or clinkers.
An Austrian photographer named
Verens has succeeded in producing
certain range Of colors, running from
ruby red to light orange. He has caught,
also, aviyid French blue. Green, brown,
violet, and the variations Of blue have
thus far eIuded him. But scientific men
who have followed his experiments pre-
dict that all colors are obtainabIe, and
that a revolution in camera work is at
hand.
The question whether or not electricity
Is manufactured is now being tried IN
certain courts. If it is manufactured
the producers IN numerous States are
liable for taxation. BENJAMIN Franklin