The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-26
SCIENTIFIC.

The use Of argon for high-temperature
thermometers has been proposed, as the
new gas appears to offer advantages over
the hydrogen and nitrogen generally en-
ployed.
The doubtful assertion is made by Profess
sor Hebra, of Vienna, that children under
six or eight years of age-whether ex-
posed to the sun or not-do not have
freckles. The sun. he says. does not pro-
duce freckles.
A singular phenomenon appeared last
winter on the frozen surface of Lake
Neuchatel, in Switzerland. Professor Du-
four, of Morges, describes this as consist
ing in the formation of cones of ice more
than six feet high, each with a crater
large enough to hold a man. No explana-
ton Is offered.
In what is known as the Zerener system
of electric welding, the electric arc is
detected in any desired direction by means
of an adjustable horseshoe electromagnet.
The arc is drawn out like blowpipe flame
of extraordinary entesity and is made to do
welding and brazing in positions ordinarily
quite out of reach.
The highest temperature recorded in the
British Empire in 1S94-for which year a
summary has just been published-was 10
degrees, at Adelaide, on Nov. 26, and the
lowest was 4s.1 degrees below zero. al
winnipeg, on Jan. III AOelaluc was also
the driest station. The dampest station
ives E5quimault, where the mean humidity
was % per cent, the next being London,
with 81 per cent. These places were the
the sunniest The greatest annual rainfall
was rs inches, at Colombo; the least, 49,
inches, at Winnipeg.
= A disadvantage Of the metric system is
found in the use of the centigrade scale
on the thermometer. Prof. H. A. HaZen
points out that the degrees in this are
twice too large, while weather records are
complicated and filled with errors by nav
ing half the temperatures with minus
signs before them. Professor HaZen sug-
gests that both the centigrade and Fab
renhet scales have their zero point dropped
to forty degrees below zero of the present
scales. This would obvate the difficulty
of the minus sign in meteorology, but the
Fahrenheit degree would remain the bet
ter.
Volcanic action, Prof. N. S. Shaler con-
tends, has played more important part
in the sedimentation of the globe than has
been supposed. A study of the Java dis
trict makes 1t probable that the rock ma
terial thrown out as pumice and dust may
exceed that which is carried to the sea
by rivers, and possibly equals that con-
veyed TO the ocean by all other actions
The volcanoes of Java and the immediate
vicinity have contributed $50 cubic miles 70
the Mississippi river would require aboui
three thousand years. Pumice is found
along the sea shore Of the United States
forming 3 per cent. of the coast deposits OF
Florida, but diminishing northward to a
barely perceptible amount on the Massa.
chusetts coast.
The whaling and sealing industries OF
Alaska are practically exhausted. reports
Mr.. w. II. Dali in Science. The fur trade
is in its decadence, the salmon canning In
the full tide of prosperity. but conducted
in a wasteful manner. which cannot bs
continued with impu'lity. The cod and
herring fisheries are .mperfectly developed
but have a SUBSTANTIAL future with proper
treatment. Mineral resources and timber
have hardly been touched. No business
like experiment with sheep or cattle on th'
islands has been tried by competent hands
while the introduction OF reindeer, though
promising well. is still in the experimental
stage. Socially, the Territory Is in I,
transition state. The magnificent scenery
glaciers and volcanoes make II certain
that Alaska In future will be to the rest o