SCIENCE, MECHANICAL INVENTIONS, ETC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10836, 20 August 1898, Page 4 (Supplement)

SCIENCE, MECHANICAL INVENTIONS, ETC.

, ..;'■,'■, . ':.., ■ COMETS DUE. -*'>< ; " , Three comets—Encke's, Winnecke's, and - Wolfs—are due to return .this year. The • Encke has already been found in Scorpio, i The period of this comet is only three and [ a-half years—one of the shortest known. • The Encke was observed for. the'first time : about 100 years ago, and it made its last 1 appearance in 1895, when it could just be , seen by the naked eye. ''■• - ! HOT WATER. A hot-water gas-lamp presenting some ' exceptional features is being set up in Lei- ' cester Square, London. It will be larger than those hitherto set up, and will be fitted with 'the Wclsbach incandescent mantles. This lamp will have a double boiler, in one department of which cocoa and in the other coffe will be kept hot, and one tap down below will supply either beverage at a halfpenny a cup. In the pedestal of the lamp standard there will be several slot arrangements, by which the promoters hope to distribute, in addition to the hot water at a halfpenny a gallon, little gelatine capsules of beef extract. These capsules are daintily packed up in crimplcd paper, and with them are wrapped up two small tablets of herb flavouring. So that a wayfarer who finds himself in the small hours of the morning with only the key of the street and a stray copper or two may make liis way to the friendly light, slip in bis ha'penny, and by another ha'penny lie can get the' hot water for making beef tea of it. It seems to be getting a very rosy world to live in—all but the getting of the coppers. A SUM) DRILL The main feature of a new seed-drill is a lever running by the side of the right-hand handle, and worked like a bicycle brake. By using this lever, the outflow of seed can be instantly stopped at any desired point, such its when the machine is being turned round at the headlands. By means of a thumbscrew the rate at which the seed leaves the machine can be regulated as required. A NAVIGABLE WALLOON, A new navigable balloon of oblong, fishshaped appearance and 60ft long, was recently trial at the Alexander Palace. It was fitted with a rudder and keel, and the latter could be used as a second rudder if necessary. The car, with an oil-motor of two-horse-power and an aluminium propeller, was placed at a distance of 20ft from the balloon. Mr. (landrail, the aeronaut, was confident that ho would be able, in good weather, to steer the balloon round the district, and bring it back again to the grounds. The balloon was got off without accident, and it floated quickly away in an easterly direction; but the wind was too strong, and instead of coining back it was soon lost to view, eventually descending at Chigwell, sixteen miles away. NATURAL ENGINEERING. . An interesting illustration of natural engineering is the well-known heavy dike on the Holland coast which was built by the winds themselves. The sand formed between the jetties becoming dry in sunny weather, and the surface blown ashore on the wind blowing in that direction, it was desired to build a strong dike to connect with the sand dunes, and this was accomplished by setting in the sand, in rows about one foot apart, tufts of dime sea grass near by. The tufts thus placed, consisting simply of little handfills of gross, were put each ono into a cavity dug out with the hands, the tufts being set into this and the sand pressed around. The whole surface of the dry, sandy beach above high tide was covered with this plantation, and just back of it, at tho highest point of the existing sandy area, one or two rows of ; reeds were set in the sand, their tops cut off i and the stalks left standing about four feet I above the sand—the latter drifting along over ; the surface, catching and hi one day almost ' burying the tufts of grass and standing up one foot along tho row of reeds ; then another plantation being made, and another, \ a massive dike was thus built up to the : height of tho adjoining dike. In high storm ! tides tho wares eat into the top of the slope ' and pull down the sand, but, by the same ] process of building, the dike is again re- ! stored to its former size.—lnvention. !

HOW LONG IT TAKES TO THINK. Professor Richet says that it takes a man about one-eleventh of a second to think out Kick note of a musical scale. He explains the practice that people will often follow of tending their heads in order to catch each minute sound by the fact that the smallest intervals of sound can bo much better distinguished with one ear than with both. Tims the separatencss of the clicks of a revolving toothed wheel were noted by one observer when they did not exceed sixty to the second, but using both cars he could not distinguish them when-they occurred oftener than fifteen times a second. Among the various ways in which Professor Richet tried to arrive at conclusions as to the amount of time necessary for realising any physical sensation or mental .impression was- the touching of the skin repeatedly with light blows from a small hammer. The fact that the blows aro separate and not continuous pressure can bo distinguished when they follow one another as frequently as 1000 a second. The sharp sound of the electric spark from an induction coil was distinguished with one ear when the rate was as high as 500 to the second. The sight is much less keen. When revolving at a speed no faster than twenty-four times a second a disc half-white and half-black will appear grey. We also hear more rapidly than we can count'. If a clock-clicking movement runs quicker than ten to tno second, we can count four clicks, while with twenty to the second we can count only two of them, .MISCELLANEOUS. An authority on microscopy states that the hair of a woman can be distinguished by its construction from that of a man. Mr. Tesla lias repeatedly declared that it would be possible to send out from the earth an electric vibration which would reach the planet Mars, so that if there were people and instruments there to receive it, telegraphic communication might be opened up between the earth and that distant world. _ The perspeclroscope is a new American instrument for giving a single photograph or picture the appearance of solidity as if seen in a steroscope. It is an arrangement of lenses and a pair of mirrors set at an angle such that the image of the picture is reflected into both eyes. The picture is at right angles to the eye-glasses. Paper is being used, instead' of guttapercha, by the telegraph department of the G. 1.0., in the construction of the underground cable between London and Birmingham. The cable consists of copper wires insulated by means of paper casign, which is cheaper and possesses many advantages over gutta-percha, which was formerly used. A Glasgow inventor has designed an apparatus, to inform billiard players when their time is expired, and for calling the inmates of an hotel at a predetermined time. It consists of an electric bell and sight signal in circuit with a clock whose hands sweep over contacts on the dial, and with dial switches set by hand to the required hour and minute.

An American scientist lias invented a new form of spectroscope, made by building up steps of equal thickness of. optical glass. With 20 elements, five' millimetres thick' the resolving power is 100,000, or about that of the best diffraction gratings. It is equally good for the examination of single lines, and the study of the effects of broadening the shifting or doubling of the lines. : i In the French quarries of St. Triphon stone is sawed with steel wire cables moistened with wet. sand, and passing in an endless rope over a series of pulleys. The wire, which runs, from 1000 ft to 1200 ft per minute, is charged as it enters the cut with' a jet of water and silicious sand, which forms the cutting ■ material. A running cable of 500 ft can make a cut 100 ft long, •

' '"' ' CHESS. • ~.•■"'. .•';'- —-r*- ~ '■'-• ; •:''.'• ■TO CORRESPONDENTS. , :.- ' ."'' '•'V-''. CHESS. •■ • "•'• Problem No. 1449.—Solved also by " S.M." " Problem No.' 1450.—Solved by " Sarnian,'' ( " X.X.X.," " S.M." and " Ajax." ' _ Problem No. Solved by "Pawn," I " Sarnian," and " X.X.X." DRAUGHTS. I Problem No. Solved by D.H.,,Papa- ; toitoi. , SOLUTION OF PROBLEM No. 1418. . ' WHITE. BLACK. \ 1 K-KtU SOLUTION OF PROBLEM No. 1449. White. black. 1 fl-Bs Kxlt SQ-K(tch KxtJ 3 Kl-Q4 mate J'xP 2 R-Km eh K-lio 3 Q-Il sq mate, etc. PROBLEM No. 1452. (By MAX J. MEYER. A prizewinner.) BUCK 7.

White, 11. White mates in two moves. PROBLEM No. 1453. (By A. W. MONGREDIEN.) , Black, 2.

White, 5. Whito to play and mate in tlirco moves. VIENNA CONGRESS. l'illsbury and Tarrasch tied for Ist place, and a deciding match of four games between the pair resulted in favour of Dr. Tarrasch. Janowski, the French master, won third prize, and the hardy veteran, Steinitz, scoured fourth place. The score of a game between the top scorers, played in the 14th round, is here appended:— ituv Lopez. White, If. N, Kllsbury; Black, Dr. Tarrasch. White. Black. White. Clack. 1 l'-Kl l'-K4 20 Bxlt KxlJ 2KI-KB3 Kt-lJI!3 27 QU-Q sq B-Usq 3 IJ-QKIS I'-QltS 28 H-Q4 P-Kt3 4 li-JU Kt-J!3 9KK-4)M|(OKt-Ktl Castle:) KtxP 30 lt-Q7 B-Kcsn OP-Q4 P-QKtl (i) (:i) 31KR-Q>q K-Kt»n 7JI-Kl3 I>-Q1 32 K-B Kt-lif SP-QlU(b) P-Ktfi 33 11-QH7 K-ltMi(l) 0 P-IIS (c) KtsQP 34 l'-KKt3 JJ-Kt.' 11l KtxlU PxKt 35 P-KI3 )!-ltl 11 <Jxl' P-fJB) 3D P-114 It-113 12Kc-Q>(<l) Kt-KU 37 11-48 11-Us is 11-114. IS-Q2 ss 11-Kl3 I'-nr, 14 K-K sq ell ICI-K3 3J It-KW 11-114 l.'i Kt-l'S \l-lii 40 P-lU4 it-Ql 10 (J-KI4 (o) Castles 11 K-Kl2 ]{-();, 17 KI-K6 Q-Bi 42 It-KtS H-ui 18 11-U1 li-Q3 43 RxK Ktxlt H)B-KKt3 I'.Klli(f) 41K-KI7 KUH(in) 2il w-12 Kl-114 4SKxKtP B-Q3 21 Ktxß QxlCtfe) 40 11-KtO fl-KS 22QxPch(li)l>x<i 47P-lU4 Kt-B6 23 KxQ Bxß 48Hxl> BxKtP 24 11-110 11-Q3 49 11-118 K-B2 25Bxl'ch K-llsq 50 P-llfl ltosigus. NOTES BY MB. GUNSBErtG. (a) This lino of defence was often played some years ago, notably by the German school of players. It was invariably adopted by Max Weiss, of Vienna, at the Now York Tournament in 1889. White's centre pawns become rather weak, and it was found by experience that with the best defence Black may hope to draw, or perhaps remain with his two Bishops against two other minor pieces of White in the ending, as the two Black knights in 'play are sure to bo oxchanged. (b) This is rather early, B to Kt 2 or E to Kt 1 would bo the proper defence against this move.

(c) The regulation move would be here 9 PxP but- owing to the weakness of Black's centre White deems it safe enough to give up a pawn for the sako of more rapid development, and to prevent Black from playing tho customary defensive movo at this stage, namely, 11 to K 3.

(d) In reply to the tempting move 12 R to K 1, which threatens 13 II x Kt in connection with 14 B x P ch imperilling the Black Queen. Black would have an ample defence at his disposal in B to K 3 with the move of B to Q B 4 to follow. (e) In tournaments, the person that can at all times exercise self-restraint is, on the whole, at an advantage, for while he might miss one chanco to win rapidly, ho might givo his opponents more chances to beat him. At this point, again, the temptation to many players would have been very strong to play 16 ft x Kt, 1' x K; 17 Q x Kt P, It to B 1; 18 Q x I', There is little doubt but that Whito would win back the exchange but it is all a matter of style and system. (f) Q H to Q 1 would have been a natural movo at this stage. , (g) Black could have played Kt x Kt with safety. The play which follows is of a highly .character. (h) He loses his Pawn, but gets two pieces for the Book; in effect, he gives Book and two Pawns for two pieces. If B x B P ch, KxB,QIt to Q 1,26 RtoKs,Kt to K 5 ch, 27 K to Kt 1. Kt to B 3, 28 R x B P, K to B 1, 29 B to R 4, R to B 4, 30 B to Kt 3 K B to Q 1, the result would probably be a draw. (i) If 29 R x P, Kt to Q 6. (It) If Kt x P, B to 11 7, to he followed by R to R 1. (1) If you have a weak pawn, try and get rid of it. P to Kt 6 should have been played. R to Kt 4" was not possible, owing to R x K R P. Black pays dearly for the want of activity at this point. (m) Black must sacrifice everything to prevent White gaining the R P. and thus passing his own pawn, but it is a hopeless attempt. . AMERICAN CHESS MAGAZINE. The number for July, (the first of the second volume), just to hand, is a most creditablo production, and in every department well sustains the reputation for excellence already established by this enterprising chess periodical. It is quite a bulky pamphlet of 52 pages, replete with varied matters, all of interest to chossists. Tho diagrams of problems and positions are clearly printed on good paper. There is,a lengthy report of the Vienna tournament, and the scores of the competitors to date, together with a number of games played, with notes by leading experts. The dry subjects of reports of clubs, etc., aro wisely relieved by a number of entertaining selections, calculated to interest those who arc not players, in the publication. A full indox to Vol. 1., is also given. Tho magazine is published monthly and may be obtained ' from tho publisher, Wni. Borsodi, 209. East I 23rd-street. New York. The subscription is 3 dollars 50 cents, postage paid. ' i As a result of the eighth game in the Aiis-! tralian Championship match, Mr. Jonas scored his first win; the ninth game was a l draw; making the present total score: . Jacobsen, 4 wins; Jonas, 1 win; draws (not ! counting), 4, ■ I The ages of the competitors in the Vienna : tourney are as follow:— 62; Blackburne, 56; Burn, 50; Schiffers, 48; Tschigorin, ' 48; Alapin, 44; Trent-hard, 41; Baird.'4o; i Caro, 39; Showalter, 38; Tarrasch, 36: Marco, 35; Janowsky, 30: Maroczy. 28; Walbrodt, 27: Lipke, 26; Pillsbury, 26; Halprin, 25; Schlechter, 24. • A championship meeting was recently held in Toronto, Canada. Thero wore 32 entries, and in the chief tournament the leaders wore:-J. P. Narraway (Ottawa), 8i; S. Goldstein (Montreal). 8: E. Saunders (Toronto). 7; Mr. Narraway has previously been a recognised champion, and wins outright this year a handsome silver cup ;• Next year the Canadian Chess Associatiqr. meets at Mon•treat..'* •• ■';'.- .; V. ' Baron Rothschild presented a' brilliancy prizo of £20 for the best, and moat brilliant gome played in the late Ladies' International Tourney. > Mr Pillsburj- was appointed adjudicator; and, 'after, a long and careful study of the specimens submitted, be has decided the.honours should be divided between' Mrs.-; Berry (Ireland), Mi 63 Forbes-Sharoe (Scotland), and Miss Hertzch (Germany). The first-named lady player was winner also of the sixth prize in,the tourney. ■'~'. ; Steinitz, in the ■ course of a speech given somo little time ago, remarked:— has often been compared with a gamo.of chess, and no doubt tho comparison fits in many respects, notably in this— life is now uni-versally-recognised amongst thinking men as a-deep scientific study similar to our game, which unquestionably is a splendid training of -our .'■ mental powers that i govern our thoughts and actions. The question of the influence of chess on morals has often been discussed, and, I . may therefore state that our noble game points in tho first place to the ; following moral :-Good nature is , the first element of a really strong intellect, and there is no really sound human brain without 'a" sound sympathetic heart. '. Further-! more, ■ that • purity of mind is essential to ! the ; preservation ■ of i intellectual health, j not alone among f women, who-'- recognise the truth by, instinct, as it may he called, but also among men."- - . v |