Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-05
Notes on Science and Industry.

| notes on science and Industry.
The method brought forward some
time ago by A. Dausson Of Russia for
the conversion of mineral oil into candle
material is now explained at length by
the journals of that country. 1t con-
sists, briefly, in mixing with such oils
l per cent OF nut oil or mutton tallow
in the warm, and, when the temperature
has obtained $50 degrees c., adding 4 per
cent. of soda I've. well stirred in to keep
the mass from frothing up, as well as to
| prevent the constituents from separating
when cooled. At 200 degrees the whole
should again become liquid and be then
transferred 10 a second vessel, where 1t
Is distilled by steam. The lighter portions
Of the oil are thus driven off; the solid
residue is moulded into candles.
| The conclusions arrived at by DR.. See
| OF Lowell Observatory, in discussing the
| question as to whether there are other
| habitable worlds than our own, differ
| from that Of Garrett u. Serviss. In his
| account OF his most recent observations,
| the fact is stated that there were dis
closed stars more difficult than any which
astronomers had seen before-among
| these obscure objects being about half
| a dozen OF a truly wonderful character.
| in that they seem to be dark, almost
| black in color and apparently shining by
dull, reflected light, and, as it is
unlikely they are self-luminous, 1t may
be said that, If they should turn out
dark bodies in fact, shining only by the
reflected light Of the stars around which
they revolve, they would be the first
case Of planets, or dark bodies noticed
among the fixed stars. Mr.. Serviss is
not OF the opinion, though Professor See
appears to hold IL, that there are no real
planetary bouIes In the universe, reyolv-
ing around other suns than ours; and
he argues that the fact that these OBJ
scure objects. named by Professor See,
are visible proves that they are enor-
mously larger than Jupiter, and, though
it is by no means certain that the latter
is habitable planet, it is quite certain,
unless terrestrial analogies are abandon
ed altogether, that these enormously
larger bodies cannot be habitable.
A commercial invention of decided
practical convenience in its purpose and
operation has been brought forward by
Clarke Chase of Fall River, Nassau
apparatus of simple construction, design |
ed to unload coal or grain from vessels |
and to convey Ii into bins In yard or |
shed or into other vessels. The bucket |
or scoop of the machine is worked upon |
a wire cable and can be moved at any
angle, and among the advantages claimed |
for the arrangement prominence is given |
TO the fact that 1t will raise coal fifty
feet in the air. carrying it 500 feet
distant, then lower it TO the surface and
dump it without any breakage, this,
being, OF course, a very important gain
over the usual method. 1t will also take
up the same coal and carry IL back into
the vessel when desired, or load IL into
cars or teams, carrying 1t In any direc-
ton. 1t will likewise take coal from
any bin in the shed and convey to a
hopper, where 1t can be screened, thus
saving all hand screening in the yard:
and, in addition, is adapted to coaline
ships from cargoes at sea or in harbor.
and will take coal from piles at coal
stations for deposit wherever desired.
A novel feature OF great practical
value in the armor plate furnaces at
Pa, which is certainly quite
a mechanical achievement In its way.
namely tho movable beds or floors. is
upon in the Pittsburg
Telegraph. This arrangement was made
necessary because OF the great weight
of the plates, the plan being 10 draw the
bed to the outside OF the furnace. so
hat crane may be readily used. as the
armor Is much too cumbersome to be |
irawn in the ordinary manner. The
liquid contained in the oil tank IL a
mixture Of crude petroleum, fsh-olI and
'osn, fsh-oil predominating. When a
'late Is ready TO be tempered 1t is placed
II one OF the furnaces and submitted
o severe heat, the size of the plate
determining the degree of heat, and the
ength OF time required; meanwhile the
QnOlaH "A |
% degrees. it being usually much above
hat, owing to frequent use. The plate
3 then drawn from the furnace and
ubmerged in the tank 10 a depth of six
r eight feet. where It is designed TO
emain until the oil has Thoroughly
ooled. AT this stage II is replaced in |
ne furnace and annealed, after this
eing placed in pit and covered with !
!nders. thus allowing the heat 10
ldiate uniformly.
A welcome announcement to many. /
this season, in Chambers's Journal. Is i
le invention or new life belt of a
escription which meets the deficiencies
ltherto characterizing devices OF this ~
'rt. The difficulty with most contrlv- y
lces for this purpose is. primarily
specially in tha case Of cork waist
1pede action 10 a very considerable
gree, IL not altogether, but this is
Ioided in the new belt. known as the
button float. which. as explained and
ustrated In the French journals, has
e appearance OF conger eel with
nical ends. Made OF sheet rubber, II
Isses round the neck. across the chest,
ID round the waist, and can be inflated
one minute by the mouth; It's weight
about one pound. and II is alike
xible. light and easily placed in posi-
IN.
FOR the more perfect printing Of fabrics
method has been invented by Provi-
nee. X. l.. genius, and. according TO
Q Journal OF that city. II has some
lrked advantages. II consists. prlmari-
In producing black or some other
TX ground pattern on the fabric and
nting upon 1t a pattern Of bright color.I
, figures Of which do not register with
ut the black, and the bright pattern