The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-24

off, were practically bottled up. The gas
was then cooled by liquid air until vapor-
itself became liquid.
This liquid, when reduced to an intense
degree OF cold, sheds light that would
put an electric light to shame. 1t is now
claimed that a process has been discov-
erej whereby the gas can be kept in a
LIQUID form for great length of time,
SO that tube of light can be carried in
q mans pocket.
But the light itself has astounding
properties. 1t will render brass, iron,
copper, stone, or in fact any opaque sub
stance, transparent.
One can readily imagine the burglar of
the future bending down before safe and
holding a tube of this light before it. In
stantly he can see what it contains and
In a second will be able to decide whether
the task of blowing of the cover will be
worth the trouble.
Or the imagination can be stretched a
little further In few years, perhaps, we
xviii hear of Mrs. Smith borrowing tube
OF light from her neighbor with the ex-.
cuse that Mr.. Smith forgot to order in
fresh supply of the luminosity while
downtown.
AS for causing diamonds to shed a bril-
liant light, the fact that it can be done
has been demonstrated several times. By
process known only to a few, diamond
can be made to absorb certain produc-
tion Of radium, which causes them to
throw out flashing rays of lights for over
twent y-four hours.
This same process has been applied to
animals such as dogs, cats and guinea
pigs. Their bodies then issue, a soft kind
of a glow, which has an especially weird
effect IN dark ROOM
This latter experiment, however. has
proved 10 be harmful, the application OF
.he light giving substance causing severe
eruption of the skin of the animals.
Like all new discoveries these have the
drawbacks and difficulties to he over
come. The production of the luminous
gas, for instance, is both difficult and ex-
:,ensive, and it will probably be a good
many years before it will come into gen
eral use.
Prof. Charles Baskerville is the first
American chemist to discover new ele-
ment. The two he has produced have
been named by him carolinium and bcr-
zelium.
although his discovery is of no practical
value to any ore but a scientist. it has
created furore among the chemists Of
che world Prof. Baskervlle's discovery
means that he has virtually found that two
substances exist in the earth which no
enc knew anything about.
He is about SO years DID, youthful in
appearance and a man who is both genial
and fun-loving For 10 years he iabored
with thoriun dioxide, working on the
principle that the substance contained
properties of which the scientific world
know nothing about.
When he finally discovered that thof'ln'
could be made to produce elements TN
heard of before. he stopped his work aud
began to think of seeking a rest. This
was not to be, however. as it Afterwards
proved.
No sooner had his discovery been
noised about than Sir William Crooks,
the eminent English chemist, became in
terested and asked to be permitted to
make a spectrum analysis of the two
new substances. Prof. Baskerville sent
Sir William some of The stuff and he is
at present experimenting with it.
DIR. Baskerville then left the Eniversi-