The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-29
Science BrevitieS.

In the course Of some digging operations In
garden at Haslemere, England. a gardener un-
earthed a number of ancient vessels OF pecui-
lar shape. together with quantity of calcined
human bones at depth of about two feet
below the surface. The British Museum au-
thorities. who have examined the discovery.
pronounce the vessels to belong to the late
Celtic age. about b. C. 150. Only three or four
vessels found in perfect condition. He
computed that twenty-five urns and pots were
originally inferred at the spot.
Henri de Parville. in article in the Journal
des Debats. calls attention to the experiments
of q DIR. Clement, of Lyons. who has been
investigating the alleged properties of fornic
acid. a secretion of ants. Eight ten drops
of the acid taken three or four times day
had a marked effect in stimulating muscular
activity which, according to DR.. Clement. might
be continued for long time without resultant
fatigue THAT tired feeling also disappears
under the influence of the acid. = 1t is not
stated whether the after effects Of the acid
good. bad negative.
Bright colors assumed by naples. sumacs
and ampelopsis during the autumn months are
the result of the oxidizing of the color COM
pounds. color generators. of the leaf cells.
Long -protracted cool weather is most favor
able TO the production of autumn tints and
slight frosts that not severe enough to
kill the cells hasten the display of beauty
by producing an engine that brings forth the
bright puppies. oranges and reds Leaves con-
tanning much fannie acid give bright
autumn tints. while those containing sugar
give the very prettiest.
Biologists and others who have made a study
OF subterranean conditions of the Texas coast
country, especially that portion bordering on
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Galveston island. are of the opinion it IL under
laid by a vast stratum of aspEaltum. This
opinion has been confirmed. The United States
dredge boat General Comstock. which has been
dredging on the outer bar at the mouth of the
jetties during the pc week. at a depth of
twenty-eight feet below the surface cut into
stratum of almost Ture asphaltum-a smooth.
hard brittle substance. which breaks with a
polish
An italian scientist claims to have estab-
lished that electric tramways are great me-
diums in the disnfection of towns He points
out that the electric spark. which is SO fire.
quent occurrence to the overhead trolley.
and the emission of light from the car wheel
when the rail is used for the return current
transform the oxygen of the air into ozone
which has a purifying and disinfecting in
fluence. The high discharges. he says are
frequent enough to influence greatly the atmos-
phefic constituents. especially where the line
passes through narrow thoroughfares. They
become antiseptic agents
Consul General Richard Guenther at Frank
fort. Germany. reports that Notwithstanding
the difficulty in its production (many tons of ore
being required TO produce gram) a radium
industry has already developed in Germany and
France, and although gram is sold at a
little less than $1,000. the manufacturers are
said to have orders for several hundred grams
The demand for medical purposes exceeds the
supply. Radium possesses all the important
qualities of the Roentgen rays. in addition tc
the invaluable property OF being ready for use
at any time and furnishing it's rays without the
employment of apparatus.