The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-06-06
SCIENTIFIC DROPS.

| A genius in Berlin has invented an ap-
| paratus by means of which daylight can
be distributed into the darkest rooms. The
power of lighting any room-by this appar-
| atus is said to be unsurpassed. 1t retains
that power for years and requires no re-
pairs or attendance while being in function
all day.
A refrigerator has been designed for use
without ice the cooling effect being secur-
ed by the evaporation Of water carried
from trough to trough by cloths by capil-
larry attraction, and the apparatus being
formed by suitable framing having its
sides closed in with wire gauze to permit
the free circulation of air and exclude
insects.
A German scientist has discovered new
alloy OF copper, platinum and zinc which
has been found to be an economical and
efficient substitute for gold in the ceramic
art. The metals are taken In the proper
ton of sixteen parts of platinum, seven
parts of pure copper and one part of zinc,
and after being placed In crucible are
covered with a layer Of powdered char
coal.
Mica is now used instead of glass In
Germany for the support of gelatine
Photographic films. 1t is reported to DO
much cheaper than either glass or cellu-
loid, and has the advantage possessed by
the latter material of being printed from
either side. The sheets, either during or
after development, show no disposition to
turn up, remaining perfectly fat ut all
times.
A recent microscopical study by Herr
Schultz Of Berlin Of the skin of toads and
salamanders has yielded some interesting
results. There are two kinds OF glands,
mucus and poison glands. The former
are numerous over the whole body, while
the latter are on the body and limbs and
there are groups In the ear region behind
the eye, and In the salamander at the
angle Of the jaw.
Marmoreine is the name of newly In
vented liquid possessing the quality OF
hardening plaster, a single application
being claimed to render plaster as hard as
marble and unaffected by repeated wash
ings. This result IL accomplished, not by
mere formation of an impervious coating,
but by an actual chemical change In the
constitution Of the plaster. This treatment
is in extensive use In England and France
The electric light Is being turned to a
very artistic use by a prominent wall paper
manufacturer In London. The dark, clear
cut shadows caused by the play OF the cleo
trio light among the foliage of trees has
ofteh been remarked and the gentleman In
question has been for some time making,
by means Of photography, series OF rec
ords of these beautiful effects, which he in
tends to use in connection with his bust
ness.
DIR. Knbierski of Breslau has invented .
novel precursor In the form Of tuning
fork with a'cylindrical stem, which is held
between the finger and thumb, with thin
prongs, with rounded free extremities for
striking tho surface OF the body. He has
mapped out by its means the varying
movements Of the apices Of the lungs and
believes that he has shown that results
heretofore obtained should be considerably
modified
For many years engineers have been 81
the opinion that salt considerably lessons
tho strength Of cement mortars and con
cretes, and consequently builders at th'
seashore have gone to considerable ex
pense TO obtain fresh water for mixin,
mortar. Extensive tests have, however
been made recently at Governor's islan
| for Col. ID. Q. Houston, United States %
| gineers, and the result proves almost Coz
clusively that salt water materially Il
creases the strength Of dement's instead Z
| descreasing Il,