The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1895-11-29
written for the CITIzEN.)

How it is possible to measure wind
by its sound has been told by Prof.
Carl Barus to the National Academy
of Sciences The whistling of the
wind as it crosses a wire varies with
the velocity, and this can be computed
from the pitch of the note observed in
case of given diameter of wire and
for given air temperature. A special
micrometer attachment can be made
to convey the sound, isolated from the
other noises, to the observer at dis
tauce. Every gust and variation of
the wind can be studied in this way,
and an idea OF the direction of the
gust can he had from the sounds OBJ
tanned from three wires placed at right
angles to one another. Micro-aulmom-
etry is the name proposed for observa-
lions by this method.
incubation with gradually increased
doses of venom to induce immunity
from s.lake-bites ha- proven very sue
cessful in late experiments In India,
but it is now pointed out that this is
probably no new achievement. The
immunity of the Indian snake-charm-
ers is evidently due to the fact that
these individuals have survived acct
dental bites from cobras and karits,
being thereafter proof against further
bites. A Mahommedan fakir, who
claimed that scorpions could not harm
him, seems TO have been similarly pro-
tected by previous introduction of
scorpion venom insufficient to kill, and
he was seen to be stung by several
scorpions after precautions making de-
ception practically impossible, the
stings having no apparent effect.
A substitute for natural skin for
wounds, which is entirely absorbed
during the healing process, is made in
Germany from the muscular cnating
of intestines of animals. This is d.
vested OF mucous membrane, half di-
/
ed with tannin and gallic acid.
Chalk slabs are now converted into
maj bic in the workshop by an imita.
ton of natures processes-coloring
with mineral stains, and hardening
and crystaIlizing in a suitable bath.
Strange sounds of nature have at.
tracted attention in all ages. I'm
taught man gave supernatural inter-
probation, aud heard battles of the
gods, voices of miraculous meaning,
the cries of mysterious huutsmen, the
balking of dogs of the air. Some of
these sounds are becoming better un-
| derstood. 1t is to be remembered that
waves of sound from a single impulse
have the property of putting other
waves in motion, thus prolonging the
effect and producing tone from the
combined wave movements. Sweet
melodies of the cave of Staffa are due
to the pattering of water-drops; the
| Joyous ringing of church bells IN a des-
ert is supposed to have been an effect
of extreme dryness III vibrating the or.
gans of hearing; the music of harps OF
organs is in some places-as in Tartary
aud Sweden-the echoi;g Of vibrations
set in motion 10y wind aud sea on a
rocky coast; the musical sounds of q
rock on the Orinoco begin at sunrise,
aud are ascribed to changes of temper
AZURE; the bell-tones of rock in the
Red Sea and thunder-like noises in the
region of Mt. Sinai are caused by the
rolling of sand among the rocks; and
voices in the air-like the "Devips
voice" of Ceylon, which passes from
place to place on a clear night, some
times as the bark of dog, again a.
mournful human voice. have
been connected with heat OF
dryness. Accounts of artillery-liks
sounds have been called for b,
Mr.. g. HI. Darwin. the British phvsi
cist, who would have their geographic
cal distribution determined as the frs
step toward systematic investigation
The "Barisal guns" of the delta of tn,
Ganges-dull sounds often heard there
and more of less resembling distant ar
tillery-are instanced; and letter il
given from nj. van der Brock. of tn,
: Museum of Natural History of Bel
GUM, mentioning the similar anC
pretty common phenomenon of tn,
Belgian coast known as "mist pouff
ers," or fog dissipators. Nj. van de
Brock believes such noises to he wide
ly distributed, but overlooked as dis
charges of guns. The detonations ar,
dull and distant, usually heard in tn,
day time when the sky is clear and es
pecially toward evening on hot day
and the noises do not at all resembI
artillery, blasting in mines, or distau
thunder. This observer regards th
noises as peculiar electrical discharges
but nj. Rutot, of the Belgian Geologi
cal Survey, thinks their origin may b.
subterranean-suggesting wave-beat
OF the earth's fluid interior.
A physician asserts that SO per cent
5 of what are termed colds are nothin,
more nor less than the poisoning of tn
mucuous membrane by impure air
F: Much is expected by M. Paul d
Humy, French naval engineer. a
results from his experiments in tn
conversion of petroleum and other oil
into solid mass suitable for use a
fuel on ocean vessels. BY mixing tn
oil with an ingredient not stated. an,
q submitting the mixture to heavy pres
q sure. he has succeeded in obtaining
q hard, homogeneous substance. that IN,