Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-25
WITH THE SCIENTISTS.
E,rtbounLe studies in Itnly-An
Electric Fish-Other Notes.

The Italian chronological Society has
published in a recent bulletin study by
DIR. A. Cancani on the Adriatic earth
quake Of September q, 1897. This earth
quake was the most severe Of any oc-
curing in Italy during that year, ana
was felt over an area Of about S51'J'o
square kilometres. Its origin, according
TO the observations, was in the Adrlatlc
at a distance of some twenty kilometres
from the coast, and between Pesaro ana
Aucona. The undulations took two DIS
tinct forms-a rapid vibration with
period of one-ffth to one-half second,
and slow oscillations with period ABOUT
ten times as long. In the area Where the
disturbance was felt, the velocity OF inc
earthduake-wave was found TO De 10
metres per second and as the distance
from the origin increased 1t was FOUND
that the velocity diminished, as at
Utrecht. at a distance of 1880 kilometres,
a mean velocity Of $40 kilometres was re-
corded According to DR.. Cancani the
earthquake in question is one of series
that is probably connected with the
bradvseisns of the Adriatic coast of
italy the existence of which is said 10 be
proved. DR.. Cancani also points out that
the stronger earthquakes OF this series
appear to recur at intervals OF about
century. and others at an average OF
about twenty-three years.
The Meteorological Council of Great
Britain, in it's yearly report just publish
ed. makes statement or the success Oh
it's weather forecasts during the year.
OF those appearing In the morning news
papers. 81 per cent show complete or par
wears being a3 per cent. Special fore
casts were issued in the hay-making sea-
son. of which 80 per cent proved success
ful The best record was obtained with
the storm-warnings publisher at the va
rious seaports, where 9l.S per cent. turned
out correct.
An interesting fish that inhabits the
waters of the Nile is the malapterurus
electricus, which is considered about the
hest species Of electrical fishes; Tor, I'M
like the gymnotus and torpedo, It's cleo
tric organs do not affect its motion. IN
a paper recently presented TO the hoya'
Institution at London, the theory Is al
vanced nv Professor Gotch that the seat
of the electro-motive force is the nerve
centre itself. and not the collection oil
mates which nave hitherto been consld-
cred the electric organ Of the fish. These
mates number about two million. and con-
eist Of a modified muscular substance,
separated by an albuminouS composition
while each is connected by single
nerye-fibre to the nerve-centre. A mea-
surement of the electrO-motive force OF
the cells by capillary electrometer re-
yealed the fact that the elecro-notiFe
force was of the same order as lhal pro-
duced by the contraction or a muscle
and amounted to about .O4 or 10 volt be
tueen the excitation of the nerve ana
the maximum electro-motive force there
&c a time-lag Of about 1-l,OOO OF a second
cd on oscillatory electro-motive force is
generated by a single momentary excl
| tation of the nerve. AT the lecture before
| tho ROYAL Institution already referred
IA the electric current from two OF these
| live electric fishes was shown with
| telenhone. and also shocks given TO many
| ~ Tho audience. Some of these fishes
! were procured by the Senff expedition OF
| Columbia University while at the Nile
! last summer. and are exhibited In the
museum Of the Department Of Zoology
| of that institution
A firm, In Vienna has recently obtalheu
municipal concession to operate tele-
nhonic news agency business throughou'
| maj CITY The plan is modelled AFTER q
| eir,ilar concern which ~ now In exist
ence i'm Budapest. and its object is TO com
municate the news of the day to SUD
scribers at certain hours during the day
time. and at other times Rotations
music. and other forms of entertainment
| The concession has been granted for
| twenty-five years, the corporation giving
| annually TO the city $500, % cents per SUD-
scriber for the maintenance OF the nhes'
| and a tax of 5 per cent. on the net re-
| CENTS After twenty-five years the wires
and apparatus become the property oil
the city. but in return the corporation Is
protected against competition for the nrsl
| five years.
new form Of spectroscope has recent
w been devised by Lord Rayleigh, IL
which simplicity Of construction Is com
bined With high dispersive power. In thu