Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1892-12-23
Scientific Miscellany.

OF Hamburg is built entirely of COM
pressed wood, which is as hard as iron,
and by chemical treatment has been
proof against fire and insects.
The Modernized Clock.-An extern
sion of the clocks usefulness has been
sought by Il st. PetershurgA inventor.
His dial is human face, whose
mouth. by monograph attachment,
is made to call out not only the hours
but any directions that may be left
with the apparatus.
Peanut Bread.-lIealth authorities
in Germany, finding that the refuse
left after extracting the oil from pea
nuts contains four times the nutritive
matter OF wheat and rye Hours have
used mixtures of peanuts and OF pea
nut refuse with rye flour for makinga
very nutritious bread.
\ Nations Photograph "A national
photographic survey has been pro-
posed to the Photographic Society of
Great Britain, an account being given
of a local photosuryey of Warwic-
{ cliiIc aiIt"iN III lioSiOSS' iS i''s.A -
to secure the cooperation of all
photographers in the preparation a
pictorial record OF the cOuntry's pres.
ent condition.
An Application of Electric Heat
The warming of Conservatives by cleo
| tricty, the idea OF two Swiss electri-
clans, gives promise of good results
wherever, as in Switzerland, cheap
motive power may be had. A dynamo
sends the current into receivers OF
special metallic composition, which
become rapidly heated to moderate
temperature only, and give forth the
heat like steam-radiators. The adj
vantages are considerable. The appa
ratus is very simple and clearly, inju-
rious gases are avoided, and the tenn
perature can be readily controlled
without risk of fire.
Taste and Smell.-Recent curious
observations indicate that our appre-
citation OF flood depends largely-if not
chiehy-upon the sense of smell. A
student 81 years old had inherited
from his mother the defect-acquired
by her in childhood-of complete alb
sence of smell. taste and other sensa-
tons being unaffected. He could de-
tect no difference between tea, coffee
and water. In three trials out of five
he confused bitter almond water and
water mOnia. Fruit syrups were SIM
ply sweet, with no difference of flavor.
Cloves and cinnamon were recognized,
but mustard and pepper gave only a
sharp sensation on the tongue.
Variable Stars.-Over 200 stars are
now known to vary in brightness.
Differences in the phenomena observed
have led to the following classification,
proposed by Prof. Pickering, of the
Harvard College Observatory: l. Tenn
} porary or new stars, Of which only
} very few have been recorded. They
blaze out suddenly, remain visible for
short time, then disappear, never to
! return. A small temporary star dis
covered in 1913 in Ophinchus is still
perceptible, but has faded from the
fourth magnitude to the thirteenth.
2. Variable stars. with regular periods
J of considerable length. The periods
. range from about 100 to 700 days, and
the fluctuations in brightness from
about one to more than eight magni-
tudes. 3. Irregular variables, having
} no definite period, and usually only
slight variation. 4. Variables Of short
period, most of them under eight days.
5. Variables of the type OF Algol, oil
. which only ten have been discovered.
, At regular intervals the light suddenly
fades, and continues diminished for
! only small portion--a few hours-ol
the stars period.
Recent Telephony.-During the last
two or three years, trials have been
made in the French army of the quite
remarkable telephone system Of Capt.
Charollois, which depends upon the
use of the Martin bi-metallic wire OF
steel core covered with copper. This
wire is stronger and rusts less readily
than that ordinarily used. With a
magnetic receiver at either end, the
wire is unwound upon wet or dry
earth, or even in water, and without
insulation-contrary to usual theories
conducts sounds to considerable
,, distance. The military telephonists
are organized in sets OF two men, each
set having equipment for mile line
The simple receiving and transmitting
apparatus are fixed to the military
cap; and the wire is carried on reels
in a sort of breast-plate, being so light
that a mans ordinary equipment
:. weighs less than six pounds. The
wire is rapidly laid by foot-soldiers
cavalrymen or bicyclists. By success
!, sive sets of operators line fourteen
miles long was established in five
! hours and taken up in one hour; anC
: an order of assault, setting in motion
two army corps, was received and pu
= in execution in ten minutes.
q Observation-Disclosures physiol
: ogists have been able, with injected
fluid, TO wash out the system through
Q the natural channels of circulation
j. and DR.. Max Hldebrand, of San Fan
: cisco, states that it is possible to infus'
o into the veins, without danger to TIT
y organism, an amount of fluid equal Il
i four times the normal quantity o
l. blood. In experiments made abou
g three years ago, OF per ceut. solu
y ton of salt was injected directly int
n the veins of dogs and rabbits. At
certain rate, the salt water could b.
y forced for hours, and was prompt.
IS DISCHARGED in the urine, but too grea
pressure was fatal, and the injection
was safe only when the heart wa
healthy. BY new method, due t.
/ Cantani, the injections are now mad
. hypodermically without risk, this pro
. cess being called "hypodermoklysis,
= 1t was first employed so prevent dry
> ing Up of the tissues after great loss Q
u blood and in cholera hut has give