The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-10-06
SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.

54" will INV UbtooLLLEhlNAt ..#-e
Nineteenth Century Botany = Origin
Of Coal-Another Use for a New
substance-Life-Like Activity Of
Mercury - Electrolytic Drilling.
Ant Cities Under Observation.
Critical Periods in Earth Evolution.
Collectors Of Tree Sweets.
In the century now closing. according
to Professor 8. II. Vines, F. r. S., the
number Of recognized living species Of
plants has Increased from the 10000 OF
llnneus TO 1856. made up of 105.S21
Towering plants, a.S52 ferns and fern
allies, 1850 MOSES and moss-llke plants,
and 1928 fungi. llchens and algae,
Professor saccardo estimates that the
number OF species existing Is more than
twice those yet known. or about 400. 600.
The growth In number OF species has
not been due to the discovery Of any
essentially new type OF plants. and the
only extension OF the bounds OF the veg
etable kingdom has been through The
annexation Of groups formerly assigned
to zoology. The bacteria. discovered
200 yeurs ago, form the most notable OF
such groups. having been regarded as
infusorian animals until their affinity
with the fungi was recognized by Cohn
In 1858.
Important as Is our coal. It's forma-
ton is not yet clearly understood. Con-
sidering the evidence furnished by long
study. DR.. A. c. Stewart. F. R. s., states
that the microscope shows ordinary co u
TO contain spores. fragments of tissues,
bacteria, and the ground substance OF
coal. The seams alsoi include bouldrrs
and coal-balls. From this he liners
tina; the seams are not the result Of
growth In one place, nor Of drifting. but
OF the accumulation Of vegetable debria
derived chiefly from plants growing on
the surface near the edges Of large lakes
and pools. The dead plants were car
ried outward by gentle currents. sink
Ing over the entire water area r.
Calcium carbide Is suggested US use
full deoxldant in foundries. 1t is ndded
to the metal before pouring. and IT.. ef-
feet Is Increased by mixture with q me-
talllc chloride. Aluminium bronze may
be produced by gently heating q mix
ture OF alumina and copper chloride in
contact with calucium carbide.
A serious fact for British stomachs Is
found by Major P. G. Cralgie In the es.
innate that the United Kingdoms con-
sumption OF meat has risen from 100
pounds per head per annum thirty years
ago TO 132 pounds.
a curious property possessed by such
living forms rs amuebae, bacteria and
Infusoria Is chcmotnxis, or attraction or
repulsion by various chemical sub
stances. 1t may be illustrated by plac-
Ing the end Of capillary tube of;weals
potassium chlorate in drop. of water
containing any Of the organisms. which
at once collect ut the mouth. OF the tube
and 1t doubtless serves TO keep the
creatures near food supplies, and ap-
pears to aid bacteria in such processes
as suppuration. Pcrfectlng an expert.
mcnt made by Paalzow In 1858. Frofes.
scr Julius Bernstein. OF Halle. la.
caused drop OF mercury to Initiate ii
n very singular manner the movement:
Of the living organisms. In 4 level.
bottomed vessel OF dilute. nitric acid h:
placed n small mercury globulc and laid
n piece OF bichromnte OF potash at Il lit
tic distance away. When the circle, OF
solution from the blcliromate reached
the drop. the latter started directly to-
ward the crystal, reaching 1t In q few
seconds As the crystal rcceded tht
drop followed, continually changing II.
shape, and darling forth and withdraw
ing long tentaines In exact imitation o.
the movements OF living amocbas. Tn,
motions Of the mercury are explained
as result OF lesscning OF surface ten
sion on the side toward the chcmica
action. the experiment confirming tn,
theory that chemotaxis in living forms
Is due to the same cause.
Elec,rolysls is ingcriously applied b.
Mr.. Cooper Coles TO the drilling ans
sottlng OF metals. a Jet of an electro
lyte--either dilute sulphuric acid or
solution of common snlt-7is caused t
impingc upon the plate, or other obJec
to be drilled. the latter forming th'
positive pole OF an electric circuit Will,
the nozzle from which the Jet flows Is
the negative pole. The plate Is worI
liaway where the jat lmninges upon 1t