The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-09-12
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.


Illinois has most farm horses. l.
335, $50; Iowa comes second, with ,312,-
,79; Texas is third, with 1.O26, OO2.
The cotton-raising states show an
excess of wage-earners over the aver
age, this being due to the fact that in
these states the women and children
of the colored people work in the fields
and thus raise the general average.
1t is claimed that in ordinary cases
tin is quite equal to gold for filling
teeth. Chemically pure tin is run into
mold of proper shape, and when cold
is cut by lathe into very thin shaw
ings. These are used in the same way
as gold, and are said to be more adapt
able and cohesive, though not as dur
able.
Two more slabs of stones inscribed
with words and music have been found
in the treasury of the Athenians at
Delphia by the French. By using
some of the fragments previously dis
covered, a second Hymn to Apollo,
with its notes, has been put together.
The date is after the conquest of
Greece by the Romans. The Greeks
seem to have used twenty-one notes in
their musical notation, where we use
only twelve.
1t is reported-we know not how
credibly-that DIR. Berson last year
assembled alone to the highest point
ever reached by man. The reading of
his barometer was O. inches, the low
est ever recorded, and corresponding
to an elevation ofapproximately thirty
thousand feet. At this height of near
ly six miles, the aspirated thermometer
read 81 degrees below zero F., and one
exposed to the suns rays only II de-
grees below zero.
Thermometers made for taking the
temperature in moderately deep waters
have the tube encased in copper
cylinder, to protect it from inquisitive
fishes and from contact with rocks;
there is a ring at the bottom to which
sufficient weights may be attached to
sink it readily. The cylinder has a
long, narrow door in front Of the
scale, which may be opened for the
reading; and this door closes with
joints so tight that the cylinder brings
up the water from the bottom with it's
temperature practically unchanged by
the waters through which it passes.
The power of continuing notion
less with the lifted head projecting for
ward for an indefinite time is one of
the most wonderful of the serpent's
muscular feats, and is one of the high
est Importance to the animal, both
when fascinating its victim and when
mimicking some inanimate object. as,
for instance, the stem and bud of an
aquatic plant; here it is only referred
to an account of the effect it produces
on the human mind, as enhancing the
serpent's strangeness. In this atti-
tude, with the round, unwinking eyes
fixed on the beholder's face, the effect
may be very curious and uncanny.
The present indications of the
chief crops of the world are as follows:
America, 425, 900, 900 bushels, against
100000 900 bushels last year; Russia,
10000, 900 bushels, against 10000, 600
last year; Austria Hungary, rather
less than last year; Roumania and Bull
garia, rather more: France. 10000, 000
bushels less; Germany, about equal;
India, 10, 100000 bushels less. These,
as we have said are the present eX-
pectations; if they be realized it will
be seen that there is margin in pres
ent very low prices for a decided ad-
vance when the effect of this lessened
produ elton comes to be felt.