The Princeton union., 1891-10-08
SCIENCE AND PROGkl SIS.
VALUABLE INFORMATION EtoR
ALL CLASSES.
The Earth a Blowing Out
the Gas--Wofk of a Camara--
Wrought by PRESSURE
Electricity In Agrl-
culture.
The Earth a DYNAMO

Line reCenC 'ulScOVefleS OIPrOt. Bige-
low appear to prove conclusively that
the earth is a dynamo,. and that it
generates electricity by revolving in
front OF that great magnet, the sun.
Since the day when Newton illustrated
by the fall Of an APPLE to the earth the
law Of gravitation and the retention
ofthe planets in their regular orbits
about the sun, solar science has made
wonderful strides. Patient investiga-
tors, aided by the marvellous products
OF human invention, have scanned the
depths Of space and widened our con
ceptions of the vast forces and activ-
tiles which pervade the universe. The
influence OF the sun and moon upon
the earth and the relations between
light and electricity have long been
favorite subjects for scientists, while
at the same time they are so intimate
ly associated with every form OF life
upon this planet that erything
which leads to a clearer understand
ing Of the principles involved in them
is of deep interest to all thinking
minds. Each recurring eclipse of the
sun or moon has been welcomed by
astronomers as affording fresh oppor-
tunity to study the composition of
that great luminary. The nature Of
the corona, which appears at these
times, has long been mystery,
but now that the spectroscope
and the camera have come to the aid
OF science we are gradually reaching
definite conclusions as to it's compo-
sition. Prof Bigelow finds that the
coronal streamers or rays correspond
to the lines of force in spherical mag
net, and if this can be demonstrated,
then the existence of sun spots can be
accounted for, as they are simply the
matter OF which the corona is COM
posed failing perpendicularly to the
suns surface. II the corona, then, be
OF magnetic origin, so also must be
the aurora borealis, and if it can be
shown that these auroral displays
conform to the lines Of magnetic force
emerging from the earth, we would
then, as Prof. Bigelow points out,
have more complete demonstration
OF their nature and Of the harmony
between terrestrial phenomena. We
might also find then, upon further in
vestigation, that not only does the
sun act upon the earth through the
medium OF interstellar ether, by mag
netic induction, but that the earth re-
acts upon the moon in similar man
ner-that is, magnetically. But it is
the Professors discovery regarding
terrestrial magnetism that is of the
greatest immediate practical impor-
tance, to say nothing Of it's far-reach-
ing results. To know that sunlight is
really magnetic, and that it exerts it's
influence upon the earth, will prepare
the way for an explanation Of many
phenomena the chow" and the "why"
OF which are yet mysteries.
Blowing Out the Gas. ...
"What would you think of gas
burner that would actually shut off
all flow OF gas if the flame was blown
out?" said a leading Milwaukee hotel
manager to his engineer a few nights
ago, when they had succeeded in re-
suscitating a guest who had ''blown
out the gas
II think,' said the engineer, 'that if
there was such thing the proprietor
OF this house would supply every gas
burner in it with one.''
"Well, there is such a thing and I
have seen it tested, said the manager.
Another manager and several other
persons also saw the invention tested
the other night in Manager Chase's Of
flee, at the Plankinton. The inventor
is G. H. Keeney, draughtsmanin in Bene-
diets patent office. After more than
year OF study. he appears to have
perfected just what is needed to save
! the lives of the countrymen who come
totown and blow out the gas"
Mr.. Keeney's invention is not dis
similar to an ordinary gas Jet in ap.
pearance, except that near where it
connects with the gas pipe it is some
what enlarged and there is a valve in
the enlargement which when closed,
shuts the gas off perfectly and when
open let's it on. II this valve is self,
operating the thing is success, and
Mr.. Keeney has made it self-operat-
ing or rather controlled by the inf1u-
ence OF heat and cold. To do this the
valve is simply operated by ther-
mostat-a delicate strip composed of
two or more kinds of metal, in thin
pieces brazed together, that on one
side is highly sensible to the influence
Of heat and the other side practically
unaffected by it. AS the thermostat
becomes warm, one side OF it is ex-
panded by the heat, and the expan-
sion OF that side springs the thermos-
tat and opens the valve, letting on the
gas. As it becomes heated the valve
opens to a certain point so that the
flow Of gas is perfectly even, as if
governed wholly by stop-cock in the
pipe. When the gas is blown out the
thermostat quickly cools, Strengthens
and closes the valve, shutting off the
gas perfectly. The valve may be open.
ed by pressing upon it with the finger
II one desires a light instantly, and
in five seconds the heat generated
causes the thermostat to operate the
valve. In the t1ial recently numer-
GUS tests were made. HOLDING light
ed match at the top Of the burner
five seconds caused the valve to open
and the gas to ignite. At the end of
IL. - q ~