Brenham weekly banner. [volume] (Brenham, Tex.) 1877-1907, 1891-05-14
SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.
THE PERSONAL EQUATION.

EGnoOGNGA ESOAAkO2ts
Modern astronomers recognize
the impossibility OF determining by
sight the exact instant of certain
phenomena, such as the transit of
star, the slight error peculiar to
each individual being known as his
personal equation" A curious fact
in connection with this error of OBJ
servation has been noticed by the
astronomers who have been estimat-
ing the difference in longitude be-
tween Paris and Greenwich. It was
found there was a change in the
personal equation of the English OBJ
servers during their stay in Paris,
and also in that of the French OBJ
serversiwhile at Greenwich, This is
not yet accounted for, but to deter
mine whether the instruments used
have affected the personal equation,
the observation will be repeated, the
French observers taking their in
struments and chronographs to
Greenwich and the English obser-
vers using their own instruments in
Paris.
The hygienic character of the
streets of large cities has been stud
led by Signor Manfred, who has
found mud scraped up in Naples to
be almost as rich in bateria as sewage.
The specific bacilli most frequently
found are those of lockiaw, dropsy
and consumption.
Gum-chewers' cramp Is added to
the list of diseases produced by over
working single set of muscles.
Last winter was the most extraor-
binary one of this century in England
and NJ. Mares reports that the wealth
er in Algeria was quite as remarkable
as in Europe. In many places
sowing was prevented by excessive
rainfall, and in others the torrents
swept the seeds away. A heavy fall
of snow lay on on the mountain sides
for two whole days, the first snow
NJ. Mares had seen in 35 years that
did not melt the instant it reached
the ground.
ALLoTRoPIo FORMS OF METALS.
Mr.. W. G. Roberts-Austen re-
marks that the Importance of the is
omeric and allotropic states has
been much neglected in the case of
metals. Joule and Lyon Playfair
showed, in 1916, that metals in diff
ferent allotropic states possess diff
ferent atomic volumes, and Mat
thiessen, in 1860, was led to con-
clude that in certain cases where
metals are alleged they pass into
states. Instances of al
lotropy in pure metals are: Bolley's-
lead, which oxidizes readily in air.
Schutzenberger's copper; Fritsche's
tin, which falls to powder in very
cold weather; Cores antimony;
Graham's palladium; and allotropic
nickel. Joule has also proven that
when iron is released from its ANAL
gam by distilling away the mercury,
the metallic iron takes fire on ex-
posture to air, and is, therefore,
clearly different from ordinary iron.
More recent examples, it will be
remembered, are the two curious
allotropic forms of silver just de-
scIibed by Lea.
NEW SWEDISH INDUSTRY.
A plan for converting peat into a
more convenient form of fuel has
been doubtfully received in Sweden,
but has been tested with results
that seem to be very satisfactory.
Several new manufactures are to be
started soon in different parts Of the
country, and 'peat coal' is likely to
prove an important product, and to
have a stimulating effect upon other
A STAGE ILLUSION.
In Partisan theatre three horses
each carrying a driver, participate
IN a genuine race upon the stage.
The effect, partly due to illusion, is
very real. Each horse is made to
gallop upon an endless belt moved
backward upon electrically-driven
drums under the stage, so that the
racers, even when going at full
speed, are kept at point in the
,entre of the audiences field of view.
The illusion of travelling around
rack is made complete by moving
panorama, 95 yards long, which is
lnrolled from one cylinder at the
pack of the stage to another on the
opposite side.
A new estimate places the earth's
at 1,510,280,00O, dis
as follows: Asia, $50, $685.
100; Europe, 349,S73, 900; America,
L21, $4,000; Africa, 203, 321, 900;
Australia, Polynesia and Polarland
ooether 4. 200 ono Eurone has an