The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1904-04-23
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
scIENTIFIC MISCELLANY. =

Corysspondence Baltimore County Union.
SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.
Engineering in Biology-The Natural
SOAP Tree--Light Rays to Favor the
Eye--A Creature That Smells All
Over-A New Battery-Heat-R aoiating
Carpets-An Un,ooked-for Sanitarlan
Telephone for the Deaf.
Illustrations of the mastery use OF engineer
ing principles by living structures were pointed
out by a recent address in Philadelphia by Mr.
Henry Lehman. Numerous bones represent
the hollow column, with its greatest strengto
for the least material; the articulation OF the
bones give Joints, which have lubricating mem
branes, and tough intermediate structure In
the case of the knee-joint. The elbow exhibits
several forms Of motion, with an apparent de-
feet in the exposed position of the nerve-trunk
the .crazy boner-vhere it is likely to receive
blow. Hydraulic engineering is demonstrated
in the cfrculatory system, the heart being pair
of double pumps with its system of chambers
and valves, and an action very similar to that
Of the pistonless pumps of the pulsometer.
The large trunk artery, with its divisions ana
subdivisions. bears close analogy to large
gas or water main.
The tree "Sapindus utiis," which is to be Gull
tsvated in Algeria as source of natural soap,
has a fruit about as large as chestnut, with
dark-colored oily kernel. A cutting from the
tree reaches a height of six feet in two years,
and attains maturity in six years, whenit bears
from 80 to 200 pounds Of fruit Water or alcohol
is used to extract the soap, which is claimed to
be very superior.
Fatigue of the eye in light Of different colors
has been studied in France by A. Broca and d.
EuIzer. Light very rich in blue rays. such as
that from the electric arc or powerful mean
descent burners, proved Injurious, the most de-
sirable light being that from radiations nearthe
middle of the spectrum.
-
Catarrh, bronchitis and various ear and ner-
vous troubles are already recognized as effects
of automobiling.
good sense of smell in snails has been re-
corded by Moquin-Tandon. and he concluded
that the organ is the terminal button at the end
Of the large feelers. The interesting discovery
is now announced by NJ. Emile Young that the
sense of smell is located not only in the feeling
organs but over the entire body. Acamel's hair
brush dipped in odorous essence proved that
every part of the body not covered by shell
perceived odors, and when the four feelers were
amputated the snail could still smell food. while
it fed from disagreeable odors. Microscopic
examination seemed to indicate that the nerve
cells are all capable of receiving different sem
sations. such as shock, heat, odors, etc. The
strongest odors of food-such as that of very
ripe melon-are perceived by snails not more
r than l6 inches away, and most odors attract
little more than an inch.
~
convenient dry battery, so improved that it
may be transported in dry condition and quick
ly put to work, is the subject of a late German
patent. The dry cells consist each of a cylin-
der of zinc or other metal enclosing cylinder
or prism of carbon, the space between these
two electrodes being filed up with blotting
paper or other suitable absorbent. These cells
in the desired number are arranged in suitable
casing, with asphalt insulation. When needed,
the covers are removed from the cells, filed
with blotting paper soaked in ammoniac s0lu-
ton, or other convenient electrolyte, then re-
placed, and the battery is ready.
"a
Over-fatigue is regarded by DR.. Burton-Fan-
ming as the determining cause of ten per cent.
of his cases of pulmonary consumption. Even
single excess-as unusual bicycling, climbing,
hunting or even dancing, or tennis-may bring
into activity unsupported latent tuberculosis.
-.
The self lighting burner of German chemist
depends upon the igniting effect of pellet of
palladium sponge, which is passed over the es-
Gaping gas as the tap is opened.
AFA
The curious electric heater of M.Camille Herr
gott consists of conducting wires woven into
carpets and other fabrics, and it is designed to
give moderately high temperature to the fiber
hemp, cotton. linen or silk. 1t does not Affect
the pliability or appearance of the material. 1t
4I.,l t. oof 20 and
that the wires cannot be raised above a certain
temperature. The arrangement can be Applied
kept at the temperature Of tRe R0aE 80 81 sh5ess
easily at 1902 G. In the industries numerous
uses suggested, as in filters for fatty or gela-
tinous matters, and for warming carriages or
trains, etc.
A rather unexpected advantage of electric
railways has been discovered by an italian cleo
trician. He belives that the cars aid the health
authorities by serving as antiseptic agents, for
the electric sparks from the overhead trolley,
and from the car wheel when the rail is used for
the return current transformed the oxygen of
the air into ozone. The high discharges are fire.
quent enough to add a material supply of this
powerful disinfectant to the air, especially in
narrow streets.
A student of the ear has found that many per-
sons having impaired hearing due to disease of
the middle ear can hear perfectly in the tel
ephone, the cause being probably increased VIZ
bration of the membrane tympani. This sug-
gests an adaptation of the telephone'as an ear
trumpet. The acouphone seems to be the near
est instrument available but the investigator
believes this can be improved.
a.
Formic acid, secretion of ants, has been
found by DIR. Clement, of Lyons, to have re-
markabe stimulating effect upon the muscles,
keeping them long active without fatigue.
Eight or ten drops are taken three or four times
day.