Amador ledger., 1909-05-07

The production of electric current
from the direct heat of the sun is a
tantalizIng problem, aud the claim of
q. II. Cove, a British experimenter,
that he has succeeded in transmitting
sunshine into electric energy for his
workship must reawaken old visions
AS the apparatus is described, steel
framework receives the solar rays.
This is divided into 16 squares of one
foot each, and each square contains
81 metallic plugs of secret compo-
sition, which are set with one end
under glass, the other being exposed
to air and screened from the sun.
The difference in temperature be-
tween the two ends of the plugs
generates a thermo electric current,
which charges a storage battery.
When the voltage drops below that Of
the storage cells, on the setting of the
sun or Its passage behind O cloud,
they are cut out automatically.
The new smokeless fuel of Sherard
Cowper- Coles is made by mixing one
part by weight of wet peat with two
parts of bItuminous coal, and heating
in retort five hours at about $50
degrees +. The temperature, aided
by the steam from the peat, is just
sufficient to drive off the hydro car
bons that produce smoke. The coal
binds the peat into a coherent mass,
and this fuel has high caloritic
value, igniting readily in an ordinary
CRATE and burning economically and
without SUI moke. Ihe tar and other
products distilled over in the watery
extract may be condensed into a
superior pitch, while the gases may
be burned to supply the heat required
by the process.
The unique policemen's spectacles
provided by Commandant Souie, of
Paris, are ingeniously designed to
show his men what is behind them.
Small concave mirrors are attached
to the outer corners of ordinary
glasses, and in the tests made these
did not interfere in any way with
forward vision, but gave the wear ers
a good view of what was going on IN
the rear, thus adding to their
efficiency as watchmen.
A remarkable "Palace of Mirages, ="
an improved form of an exhibit at
the Exposition of 1900, is a feature
added by Eugene Henard the French
architect, to the Musee Grevin of
Paris. II is hexagonal room, with
six mirrors as walls. and at each of
the six angles is an accurately fitted
rotating drum, with three pairs of
mirrors arranged to give three differ
ent corners as they are turned into
place. Standing IN the centre of the
chamber, one sees it surrounded by
six Identical rooms these in turn
surrounded by second ring of
twelve, this again by ring of eigh-
teen, aud SO On indefinitely. Three
sets of pillars have been prepared to
mount in the angles of the corner
pairs of mirrows; the reflections from
the first set give the SPECTATOR the
impression of vast Hindoo temple,
with statues of Brahma, silva and
Vishnu; as the drums are turned one
third, an Arabian palace is present
ed; and another third of revolution
gives an eudless forest. The scenery
on the pillars Is very simple-the
forest growing in the mirrows from
single tree.trunk and one branch of
leaves in each Of the SIX corners. For
fantastic effects In ilumiuatioc.
$500 colored electric lamps have been
provided, of which 1900 are lighted
at once, and the lights produced in
the 3G rooms due to this first three
reflections mum ber Ga, 200, A mirrow
ceiling adds to the reflection made
visible.
The hygiehic and curative effects
of sunshine have been found In the
rays of the incandescent electric lamp
by Miramont de Laroquette, French
medical man. These rays increase
the growth of plants, while destroy
ing low forms like bacteria; aud in
men and other animals they cause
marked stimulation of circulation
and skin, increase sweating and
cellular activity, and reduce pain.
They may heat the air to $50 degrees.
The light baths have a sedative
action in nervous disease and lower
the blood pressure, aud are parti
cularly useful in chronic inflam-
nation. the after effects of Infectious