The Opelousas courier., 1891-04-11
SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL.
A new machine makes paper boxes.

A new machine makes paper boxes.
Tough paper is made by mixing
choloride Of zinc with the pulp.
It has recently been found that certain
fungoid growths have the power of re-
moving gold from water containing it in
suspension.
Contracts for the new Cunard steam
ships of the Atlantic service ~stipulate
that they must make not less than twenty
two knots an hour.
It is stated that as a result of the
recent experiments several italian war
ships are to be altered to enable them to
burn petroleum in their furnaces instead
of coal.
Celluloid in solution is now being ex-
tensively used as a lacquer for all kinds
of fine metal work and as a wood varnish
with results that are said to be superior
to the old methods.
A new invention is a simple apparatus
by which the street car trolly may be
guided without disturbing the connec-
ton in cases where changes are neces-
sary. The object is to keep the cars
lighted during the operation.
Observations seem to show that a de-
crease in the earth's latitude is in prog
ress, implying an alteration in the direc-
ton of the earth's axis. The ~fuctuation
is thought to be due to a minute oscilla-
ton caused by some changes in internal
wars of the earth.
In the electric gyrosc ,pe for use in cor
recting the error of a compass neither
rolling nor pitching need be feared. 1t
is said to be adapted to correct the com
pass with certainty, as les axis of rota-
ton remains fixed as long as it is neees-
sary to prolong the observation.
A new method Of testing the hardness
Of metals consists in conducting an cleo
trio current through the test piece until
it melts, and then comparingt the strength
of current required with the current
necessary for the fusion Of a standard
piece of metal Of known hardness.
Professor Thurston says: "The as
sumption seems fair that the locomotive
engine will have been superseded whel
we double o u speeds, and that we mus
find ways to utilize the weights OF tn
cars themselves ror adhesion, and t
make each to carry its W motor"
One of the greatest problems OF tht
future is thought to be the transforma
ton of carbon energy into light upon tn
same principle that the glow worm az
FREELY give their light, AMI when a singh
pound Of combustible material will fur
nish as much light as Is now obtaine
from q ton of coal.
An American inventor has brought on
q process for making soap from the res
inous matter in th{l needles of the PIN
tree. The resin is extracted by mean
Of alkali, and the woody fibre IS re
|, i moved from the product, which, on ad
dition of fat, yields an ordinary soaI
containing resinous and fatty ACIDS.
M. Camille COMFY, proprietor of farm
In the commune Of Millas (Wester
. Pyrenees) to the extent of 1900 acres, ha
utilized the power of a neighborlnl
waterfall TO generate elecblicieys y
to light his property, but to work . WIZ
press and to pump water for irrigatin
!. the vines. Some sixty-tWo miles OF tel
: phone wires are required to connect a
the apparatus.
The pulsometer is now used for film
the tenders of locomotives with waite
The pulsometer itself is Of the ordinal
pattern, connected with the steam tanl
: and feed valves by flexible piping, an
: when not in use is carried on the tende
: When about to be brought into requis
ton it is simply lowered into a conve
lent streaneesplake by suitable mean
and its application to this purpose is So
9 to be extremely satisfactory.
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