The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-04-02

obtained is slightly above that recorded.
The heat obtained by Professor Tucker
was $500 degrees; it is not improbable
that it was nearly 6,S00.
Professor Tucker is instructor Of COM
mercial chemistry at Columbia, and the
main object of the experiments he con-
Quoted was TO determine the commercial
value OF the extreme degrees Of heat OBJ
tainable from an electric furnace. Moisson
of Paris, made furnace in which two
carbons connected to a heavy current
dipped directly into crucible. The one
which Professor Tucker used is an i'm
provement on this.
As constructed by Professor Tucker the
Electrical furnace consists of heavy IRE
clay walls. through which pass a number
of carbons, resembling those used in arc
lamps, except that they are very much
thicker. etween the protruding ends of
the carbons the materials are put which,
when subjected TO heat, will yield the
compound required In the case Of the
siIicium carbide the materials used were
sand coke, salt and sawdust.
Through that mass Professor Tucker
passed the electric current, and when,
after some time, the current was dropped
and the heavy covering Of the furnace
removed, il was found that the top Of the
supel was heavily coated with the purple
crystals of slicium carbide.
Then professor Tucker announced that
he intended TO initiate another operation
Of nature, and, if possible, produce a dia-
mond. He pointed out to his audience
that the diamond and a stick of black
carbon he lifted from the table were first
cousins. the apparent differences be-
tween them having been brought about IN
the laboratory Of nature.
Heat and pressure, both Of almost i'm
measurable force, manufacture the dia-
rnond. Professor Tucker tod his audience
re might not duplicate the pressure, but
he thought he could manage the heat.
In the middle of a block of chalk he
placed crucibe made of plum5ago. He
explained thar the chalk would not melt
under the heat to be applied, and that the
black-lead crucible would also probably
survive. Cast-iron, in flakes, was put into
the crucible. and the two carbons which
were to furnish the heat were brought
neart IT.
When the current was turned on there
a
hiss. and the iron became a rudy liquid.
Little by little the current was increased,
until it was impossible for the eye to look
at the light produced. Then carbon was
added to the contents of the crucible. The
ordinary insoluble material melted like so
much lead.
Under protection of a fireproof cover the
temperature was increased and maintain
ed until thorough fusion of the ingredi-
ents had taken place. Then the cleaning
crucible was suddenly withdrawn, and its
contents dumped into ice water.
Everybody saw and smelled what hap
pened. but Professor Tucker fastened to
explain the meaning of what had been
done. He said that the interior pressure
in the iron. caused by the sudden contrac-
ton of the metal as it became solid, was
so enormous that it would crystalize the
carbon that had been mingled with il, and
therefore produce diamonds.
When, later on, the mass of iron was
opened and examined, it was found that
this had actually happened Diamonds
had been formed and one Of the crystals
was a sizable stone. Those previously
made had netded the assistance of a mi
croscope to make them visible. The
amount of material used in the expert
ment was very small. because of the capa-
cities of the furnace The success of the
process, however, is held to be sufficient
warranty that a larger furnace. a larger
crucible and a larger amount of material
would yield much more valuable results.
Professor Tucker says he sees no reason
why. with powerful electric furnace,
diamonds should not be man
ufactured Experiment alone will show
the correct proportions Of the materials
used, but once these are obtained the re-
suit can be counted upon ase certain.
Turning from heat to cold it has been
that extreme cold is almost
as valuable from a commercial standpoint
as extreme heat. Charles E. Tripler sue
ceeded in Iiquefying air by its means, and
has thereby added a new force to those at
the command of man. Professor Dewar
has succeeded in liquefying hydrogen, and
in doing it. has produced the lowest cold
yet obtained-461 degrees below zero.
Postal Independence for Porto Rico.
Washington, D. c., April First As
sistant Postmaster General Perry s.