The morning call., 1891-10-04
IN THE LINE OF PROGRESS.
Experiments Upon Flowers Aluminium for
icyCleS-LitS-SaViHg Rail-

An interesting paper detailing obserya-
tons ON the variation of the intensity OF the
blueness of the sky wasSeeently read before
the Academic des Sciences, Paris. The OBJ
seryations were made at Montpelier, France,
and may be summarized as follows: The
sky is bluest in the months Of December,
January, March and September, and least
blue in February, July, August and Novem-
Der. Speaking i'll general terms the SKY Is
deepest blue in winter, palest blue in sum-
mer and Of Intermediate depth Of color IN
spring and autumn. With regard TO eacn
day, the sky is bluest in the morning anu
palest during the hottest hours. lo"alu
evening the blue intensifes again, Dut uoes
not equal that of the morning.
A French scientist has announced the re-
suits of some interes ting experiments IlIaue
upOn flowers when under the influence OIL
suIuhuric ether and ammonia. Nnen SUP
iected to this mixture vloletS ana roses
turned green. A glassIs hlied Win 1ne mkt
ure the proportion of sulphurlc ether 10 the
ammonia being as nine to one. ana the now
ers are plunged into the liquid. White
flowers turn yellow, red geraniums turn
bIue. the upper petal of the sweet pea turns
dark blue and the lower petal DrlSht
green, The flowers may be very PRETTY
spotted with the mixture by placing drops
OF it upon the flowers where desired.
When the flowers are plunged into pure
water they retain their new col0rs Tor sew
eral hours. After that they imperceptlbly
regain their natural colors.
The national emblem of Ireland grows
very close to the ground at the season OF
the year in hich ST. Patrick's day occurs
and has to be carefully hunted Tor among
the grass. Later it puts forth small,
whitey-brown blossom, and, unlike other
varieties of the plant, the leaves remain
bright green until the plant wltherS-
The fag-pole on the Equitable Building
in New York is said to be the largest in the
world. 1t is 106 feet long, weighs 50OO
pounds, and cost, when placed In position,
$500. 1t took fifteen men nine DAYS TO
place 1t in position, and in order to make II
verylsecure the butt runs through the two
highest stories of the building.
A well-knOwn manufacturer of Paris has
been experimenting with aluminium in the
production of bicycles. In order to make
it applicable 1t was found necessary to al
10y it with copper, as it can only be used in
its pure state for guards and cranks, where
its extreme lightneSS gives distinct ad-
vantage over steel.
The latest Continuance for lfe-saving at
sea is raft or ladder made Of cork; the
rungs, six in number. Of light wood. The
idea is that five Shpwrecked persons might
safely ride the seas, each occupying his own
compartment.
China is losing her hold on the tea trade.
as CeylOn, Assam and Japan are vigorous
competitors. In Japan alone the increased
output of tea amounts to three and half
million pofhds per annum.
The largest hammer in the world is
in this country. Its weight is 125 tons. and
is used in forging armOr plates for our new
navy.
Many telegraph lines are now being ex-
tended into the heart of Africa.
Cotton having beautiful red color is be-
ing grown in some parts OF Georgia.
The cork-oak tree is now being success
fully cultivated in California. from
Cincinnati Enquirer.