Year: 1876

A SAVANT MAKES AN EGG AND MATCHES


THERETRoM A LIVE BIRD.


The annexed account of a wonder
FIJI discovery made in Germany is
condensed from an article in late
number Off German paper, the Al
gemiene Xeilung, received by the
Cambria. The editor, in his intro
ductory remarks that at is with no
ordinary feelings we sit down to make
public the astonishing facts which tol-
low, well knowing, at first, we
shall but excite the smiles of the in
credulous, yet as independent journa-
lists, we feel it our duty to lay before
the public such matters of fact as may
come within the scope Of our own OBJ
scrvation, and Others may draw such
conclusions from them as they may
see tit.


Some years since," he continues,
1.-THE who'e world was thrown into a
fever Of excitement by the announce
ment that Mr.. Cross, an Englishman,
had read before the Royal Electrical
Society of London, u memoir in which
he detailed Il process by which he had
succeeded in calling into Life, by means
Of voltaic electricity, minute insect
of the acaria species. The substance
from which these insects were revived
or created was the silica of potassa, a
perfectly colorless and transparent
liquid. Mr., Cross experiments We're
substantially tiled by Mr.. Walker, sec
retary to the society, with entire sue
cess, aud with every precaution as to
the introduction Of any foreign sab
stance that might contain the eggs Of
these insects. He was also equally
successful when the experiment WAS
conducted in an atmosphere Of pure
oxygen gas. These experiments have
been certified to 10y the most respecta-
ble authority and yet there are per-
sons Obstinate and ignorant enough to
deny the possibility of the produc
ton Of life from such substance as
flint


"As what we are about to mention
is OF a similar nature, we expect that
the same class Of persons will be in.
creduous,a as to the truth OF our state
ment. But truth is mighty and must
prevail, and we trust soon tc give
,cular demonstration of the facts de-
tailed"


We shall not follow the language
of the paper, but give brief outline
of the facts recorded. 1t seems that,
for more than fourteen years, Prof.
Ceiling of Brenenbergh, man well
known in the literary and scientific
world, had had his attention directed
to the production of animal life by
means of galvanism. This was dar-
ing thought; bus the professor, with
the zeal and devotion worthy the old
alchemist in whose footsteps he was
following, ptrsel cred against obstacles
that would have discouraged any man
less sangnine than himself; and at
last has had the satisfaction of seeing
his patient labors crowned with sue
cess, that will place his name in the
foremost rank of that galaxy of bright
stars VIII preceded him in the great
field Of discovery. Tho professors s
first experiment was to.Aetch chickens
from the egg by the employment Of
artificial heat, after the manner of
Egyptians. In this he was entirely
successful, and perfected a simple and
compact apparatus to maintain, by
means of hot water, IN equal tempera-
tUre for any period OF time. This be.
ing accomplished, he turned his at
tention to the production OF the egg!
This was no easy matter; but after
innumerable experiments during a pc
riod of ten years, the detail, Of which
would fill q volume, he succeeded in
making correct analysis of an egg.
One step was accomplished but the
most difficult was yet to be taken
the mysterious combination of the ele-
ments SO as to form compound sim
liar to the natural article. Encour-
aged by his success, the doctor set
about his almost hopeless task with a
determination to surmount every OBJ
stacle. He felt satisfied that it was
only by means Of galvanism that his
object could be accomplished, and d.
rected all his energies to the coastruc
ton of a battery of constant, equal
and moderate power. After trying
nearly every kind OF battery in use, he