The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-16
SCIENTIFIC,

Iu6 yOuIlS 16dNGS anu TOOlS VI lcIuS sup
ply a considerable portion of the food in
mountain districts of Japan.
The phenomenon of a milk-white sea,
much more luminous than the starry sky,
is reported by correspondent OF Nature.
1t was witnessed on the morning of Aug. Il
In the Indian ocean, and continued to be
seen throughout fifty miles OF the vessel $
course. The sea was calm, while a bucket
of the water showed nothing unusual
An English Typographical novelty is map
stamped in timed steel plate. The first
experiment is a raised map of London and
vicinity, representing about 800 square miles
on a horizontal scale of an inch to a mile
and vertical scale Of an inch to LOCO
feet. such a map being sold for ID shillings.
Tie surface, showing all natural undula-
tons, is enameled in colors
The scheme of electric canal haulage pro-
posed by Mr. A. H. Allen to the British
Association consists of a pair of overhead
electric railways-one above the other-sup-
ported on standards on the towpath These
lines would carry small electric motors
n anaged from the barges. No change in
existing barges would be needed, no motor
attendant would be required on shore and
the cost of haulage per ton would be re-
duced to about three-sevenths OF that with
horses.
A connection between the set of the
human ear and the pitch of the voice in
singing has been pointed out by DR.. Alex.
Wallace, of Colchester, England. Amusing
himself by forecasting how vocalists he had
never heard would sing, he has found that
when the ear is set vertically on the cheek
a deep-toned voice may be expected and
that a tenor or soprano voice accompanies
a slanting downward and forward of the
ear. He is unable to offer any anatomical
explanation.
Another curious discovery concerning the
atmosphere is recorded. A German chem
list, H. Teudt, has noticed that when air is
first heated its expansion deviates 2 per
cent. from Gay Lussac's law at 400 degrees
and per cent. at $50 degrees, this anoma-
lous expansion being shown only by atmoS-
pheric nitrogen, and not by oxygen, car
bonic acid, chemically prepared nitrogen,
air previously heated, or air collected after
rain. A suggested explanation Is that nitro,
gen must have an allotroPic form, changed
to the ordinary form by heat.
Leprosy is a disease of the Chinese, ac-
cording to the results of important in
vestigation in China and the Pacific ISL
ands by Mr. Sidney B. J. Skertchly, and
the black races are quite free from it. In
no place has it been found where there had
been no Chinese 1epers to introduce it. 1t
is not distributed throughout China, whole
provinces being free from 1t, but 1t has It's
snreed;ne With diminishine Intensity in ali
directions, and in Hawaii it has new focus
of unparallel virulence. Neither the topog-
raDhX. climate nor BeOlOSlCdl cOUQlllOilS
appear to influence its distribution. 1t has
followed coolie immigration, and its spread
can only be stopped. so Mr.. Skertehly be
lieves, by SURPRISING the coolle trafnc from
the infected provinces.
The remarkable discovery of dark
photography or of the action of uranium
and other substances on the sensitive plate.
has suggested that living organisms might
produce a similar effect. Experimenting
along this line, Prof. P. F. FARMLAND, F.
r. S., has shown that civilizations of bac-
terra give impressions on the Photographic
film similar to those produced by the
touch the finn and when placed a short dis
lance from it, but not when a plate or
glass ntervenes. The effect is thought,
radiation. In direct contact definite pic
lures of the bacterial cultures were pro-
duced and the much more vigorous action
of bacteria that are luminous in the dark
aid in distinguishing the different kinds of
bacteria 1t was made to appear possible
also that all living structures may be able
light.
Electric horticulture, Prof. S. Lemstrom
assures US. is now practicable. although not
fully understood. In his experiments Of last
year, the application Of the electric current
increased the yield of seeds at least 40 per
cent, and of roots from Is to 70 per cent.
the results varying with the kind Of plant
and the nature of the soil. The production
OF Strawberries and raspberries was raised
as much as IS per cent, while the time of
ripening was shortened one-third. 1t was
proven, among other things. that electricity
might damage plants on clear hot days in
the absence of an abundance Of water.
Professor Lemstr0m is uncertain whether
his identification of the air benefits vegeta-
ton by producing ozone and nitric oxides.
or by inducing the juices of the plants to
ascend more rapidly in their capillary tubes.
He has applied the current four hours In
the morning and four in the afternoon. In
his Finland experLments e this year. giving