The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-11-27
CLEMSON COLLEGE
Organize an Association for Scien-
ti6c Study.
HELD THREE PUBLIC SESSIONS.
The Association Desires TO Foster Il
Spirit of Full and Hearty Co-Opcra-
tion Between the Various Branches
of the College.


Early in the present year, tho vari-
GUS scientific members of the faculty
of Clemson College and of the State
Experiment Station staff organized un-
der the name of the Clemson College
Scientific Association, for the pur-
poses, as stated in the constitution, of
promoting knowledge of scientific
progress, maintaining interest in the
literature of science and encouraging
original research. "The association
desires particularly to foster spirit OF
full and hearty cooperation between
the various branches of the college en-
gagged in scientific work and the useful
arts, with view to building up the
institution and increasing its useful.
ness"
Besides several preliminary and pure
ly business meetings, the association
has held three public sessions. The
large attendance at these meetings and
the interest manifested in the COM
munications presented clearly indicate
that the association is appreciated by
both faculty and students, and that it
has made good beginning in the ac-
complishment of its objects.
At the first public session (held In
June), an interesting and instructive
communication on acetylene, the new
illuminating gas, was presented by DR..
Il. n. Bracket, of the department of
chemistry. DIR. Bracket gave an alb
stract of an extensive paper on this
gas by Prof. J. NJ. Crofts, OF the Mass
achuset.s Institute of Techn ology. The
very simple method of preparing tho
gas was illustrated by pouring water
on calcium carholic and lighting the
gas as it is rapidly receivedi the more
water the larger the flame. Calcium
carbide is tho product of lime AMI car
bon in the electric furnace. The ex-
theme brilliancy and whiteness of the
light we're shown by using a quantity
of the gas in special burner. OF the
many interesting properties of the new
illuminant brought out by DR.. Brack-
ett, few may be merely mentioned.
The flame is quite cool, as compared
with ordinary gas flames, 1otwith-
standing its great hrilliancy. It gives
about eight times the amount of light
as the same quantity of water-gas or
coal-gas, and can certainly be produced
for much less than eight times the cost,
hence much cheaper for the same
amount of light. The small size of the
flame allows great variety of globes
and shades to be used, aud is of con-
siderable advantage in using the light
for stereopticons, headlights of en-
gines, or wherever it is to be placed at
the focus Of lens or reflector.
At the second public session (keld in
August, and abstract of a recent pub
lication on monazite, by II. b. G. Mite
(l6th annual report of the United
States Geological survey, was pre-
sented by Prof. J. V. Lewis. A brief
account was given OF the mineralogic
and geologic relations of monazite,
methods of mining it, and the use of
tho rare enrths found in it for the man
ufacture of Welsbach incandescent gas
burner. A number of excellent speci-
mems of the mineral was exhibited
from various localities in the monaZite
district OF North and South Carolina.
This region, embracing portions of
Cleveland, Rutherford and Polk coun-
ties in North Carolina and Spartan
burg county in South Carolina, is the
only commercial source of monaZite
in tho United States. The mining has
been chiefly since 1892, and practical
ly all the work is done by the farmers
of that region, evory man working his
own land. On the least estimate more
khnv, al Ia, u II. 90 4
by the close of the year 1895. Most
of this was used IN this country, but q
portion was exported to Germany and
Austria. The practical application of
the rare earths contained in the mon
azite was shown by two Wells
bach burners; and for compari-
son, an acetylene fame. an argand
burner using gasoline vapor. and
an incandcscent electric light were ex-
hibited along with the Weisbach lights
Following are some OF the points en-
phasiZed by the comparison: The
Welsbach gives O greenish white light,
always steady, but very hot, quite
large, and the burner is too fragile TO
stand jarring and jolting; hence it can
be used only as stationary light.
The acetylene flame is blush white.
+; comparatively cool, very small, but,
like other gas flames, unsteady in n
draft. The incapdescent electric light
is practically cold and steady, but has
n decidedly yellowish tint; hence it is
not nearly 80 well adapted to display
ing colors.
The third public session wss held
early in November, and was, devoted
chiefly 20 n paper by Prof. S. Tomp-
kins on electric transmission of power
Prof. Tompkins gave a most Interest,"
Ing account OF the principles involved