OLLA PODRIDA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 844, 4 May 1888, Page 6

OLLA PODRIDA.

•SAL.’ To track the history of the word sal is to discover that salt was in piimitive times esteemed above all other earthly possessions. The ancient greetings ‘ Salve ’ is, ‘ May you have salt;’ salary is the wherewithal to procure salt. A sale is a barter for salt, aud selling a negotiation for salt. To say a man ‘ earns his salt,’ is to say a man gets his living. When we pronounce a place to be salubrious, what do we mean but that it abounds in salt ? To salute a man is to express a hope that he has enough salt. To be in safety is to be within reach of salt. A savionr is only another word for one able and willing to furnish us with salt which all neod, and salvation is the happy condition of possessing as much salt as is required. In like way every word is to be traced to its root; given the root the rest will follow.— The Globe.

FLOGGING BY ELECTRICITY. The latest advance in applied science hails from La Belle France. A French schoolmaster has freed himself from the trammels of conventionalism, and added a new chapter to the history of flagellation by inventing an electric birch. There are two properties of thi3 electric birch that do not belong to the bundle of birchen twigs, heretofore orthodox; and in themselves they have certain claims to superiority. By the employment of electric punition no mark or sign is left upon the body skin. Again, by the use of easily-adjusted machinery, the force of the blows can be regulated to a nicety throughout their infliction. This is a boon to the boy, for it is a protection from the master, who may be a bad-tempered man and warm to his work as he proceeds. It will be some time, howeyer, before this invention is adopted by our school boards.

TEMPERATURE OF THE EARTH. At a recent meeting of tho Berlin Physical Society, Dr. Stapff spoke on his measurements of tho temperature of . the earth in South Africa. From his observations on the temperature in the St. Gothard Tunnel, and a comparison of these with the t-.mperatures observed at the earth’s surface, he had deduced an empirical formula for the difference of temperature between tho air and the earth ; according to this formula, the difference is greater the lower the temperature of the air, aud disappears when the temperature of the air rioes to 11 deg. Cent. It hence became a matter of interest to determine whether the difference is negative when the temperature of the air is very high. Dr. Stapff had made use of a sojourn in South Africa, near Whale Bay, while engaged in geological studies, for the purpose of carrying out observations on tho temperature of the earth, the district in which he worked lies in the Tropic of Capricorn, about in the same meridian as Berlin, and the Boil is sandy with a current of water running beneath it towards the sea. The observations were made in borings with English mining-thermometers, which were allowed to remain about twelve hours at the depth where the temperature was to be determined, thus insuring that they had taken up the temperature of the surroundings. The measurement of the temperatuie at the earth’s surface presented very great difficulties, and was only rendered possible by covering the bulb of the thermometer with a layer of sand 5 centimetres thick. The greatest depth at which the temperature of the earth was measured was 17 metres. Prom the determinations thus made it appeared that the temperature diminished down to that depth, a result undoubtedly dependent upon the fact that the measurements were made during the hottest port of the year. The speaker found that the depth down to which the temperature varies with that of the air is about 13’6 metres, the temperature at this depth being about 25 deg. Cent. The changes in temperature of the earth were very considerable, greater than those of the air, amounting in the sand to some 30 deg. to 40 deg. Cent. His measurernents, however, did not show any negative value for the differences in temperature of the air aud earth.—English Mechanic. WAVE-POWER MOTOR -The San Francisco Call gives an account of a new wave-power motor. The construction of this machine or apparatus, which was begun in July, 1886, was at the time considered a hair-brained scheme, but the projectors stuck to their plan, and seem now to be in the fair way to success. Great difficulty was experienced at first in getting the materials to withstand the force of rocks thrown against them by the waves, and the pipes which conduct the water up the bluff were broken and carried away no fewer than 14 times. The motor, which was designed and built by E. T. Steen, is a very simple contrivance, and still is capable of exerting great power. Across a ohasm in the rocks just north of Parallel Point, a bridge of heavy timbers was built. Suspended from this is a huge fan or paddle of oak timbers with the spreading portion downwards. This is fastened to the bridge by immense hinges, which allow it, when in optration, to swing back and forward a distance of 6ft. as the waves strike it. The handle or upper portion of the fan ia connected a gelid

plunger pump 12in. in diameter, and having a stroke of 9ft. to 12ft. This pump, in turn, is connected with a suction pipe running out into deop water. When a wave comes iD, the fan is thrown forward and forces the air out of the pum'p barrel in which the plunger works. On the wave receding, the fan is carried aeaward and the plunger drawn out, causing a vacuum, and cau ios a quick rush of water into the suction pipe. The force with which the water in drawn up is sufficient to raise it to an elevation of 350 ft. above the sea level. This motor is capable of raising 12,000 ft. of water 350 ft. high in every twenty-four hours. The uses to which the water will be put are various. A 35in. pipe will be conducted to the city, and water will be-supplied to all branches of industry where machinery is used. Bathing houses will also bo supplied with salt water, and sewers flushed where it is necessary. The immense fan of the motor generates a large amount of energy which is not used in working the pump, and, when everything is in shape, electric dynamos will bo erected to utilise the energy for heating purposes and the like.

THE HIGHLANDERS AT THE BATTLE OF ALMA-

Our fine brigade of Guards was severely cut up when the Highlanders drew near, and then, as Kinglake tells us, a man in one of the regiments reforming on the slope cried, in the deep and honest bitterness of his heart, * Let the Scotsmen go on : they’ll do the work!’ and with his three kilied battalions, Sir Colin, whose horse was shot under him, advanced to meet twelve of the enemy. ‘Now men,’ said he, ‘you are going into action ; and remember this, that whoever is wounded —I don’t care what his rank is must lie whore he falls. - No soldier must carry off wounded men. If any man does such a thing, his name shall be stuck up in his parish kirk. JBe steady—keep silence — fire low ! Now, men, the army is watching ns ! Make me proud of my Highland Brigade V' So beautiful does the author of 1 Eothen ’ —an eye witness of this part of the battle—describe their movements, that we cannot resist quoting him again. ‘The ground they had to ascend was a good deal more steep and broken than the slope close beneath the redoubt. In the land where those Scots are bred there are shadows of sailing clouds skimming up the mountain side, and their paths are rugged and steep ; yet their course is smooth, easy, and swifr. Smoothly, easily, and swiftly the Black Watch seemed to glide up the hill. A few instants before, and their tartans ranged dark in the valley ; now their plumes wore on the crest.’ Another line came on in dehelon, and another still—the Cameron and the Southern Highlanders. And now, to the eyes of the superstitious Russians, the strange uniforms of those bare-kneed troops seemed novel, and even terrible ; their white, waving sporrans were taken for the heads of low horses ; and they cried to each other that the angel of life had departed, and that the demon of death had come. A close and deadly fire was now poured into these ‘grey blocks,’ as Bussell calls the Russian squares. No particular sound followed, save the yells of the wounded, while the Highlanders ‘ cast about ’ to reload ; but after their next volley a strange rattling noise was heard, as the bullets fell like raiD among tbe tin canteens and kettels which the enemy carried outside their knapsacks, for they were all right-about-face now. A wail of despair floated over those grey-coated masses of Muscovite infantry as they broxe and fled, throwing away muskets, knapsacks, ana everything that might encumber their flight; and now for the first time rose the Highland cheer.—Cassell’s ‘British Battles on Ban'S, and Sea,’

STEEL ARMOUR AT ITS BEST. The finest armours were made from 1440 to 1460. They were marvels of suppleness, lightness, and elegance, the iron shell waa modelled on the body beneath it, and followed every movement of the torso and limbs, protecting without confining them ; the steel envelope had become individual, and was, like hose and jerkin, made for its • wearer, instead of the clumsy greaves of the fourteenth century made to fit any man. In these leg-pieces, carefully articulated at the thigh and above the knee, personal peculiarities appear —legs slightly bowed and more or less heavily muscled at the calve 3 ; iu the flexible comlet the body enjoyed comparative freedom ; under the armlet or round helmet the head turned easily ; the pointed toes of the sollerets could be unfastened in a moment if the knight were obliged to dismount; the gauntlets were as supple as silk gloves, and the weight of the whole armour composed of very thin plates of well-tempered steel, was so carefully distributed that it appeared comparatively light. This armour moulded on the forms of the body beneath it, composed of polished steel, was the * white harness ’ so often mentioned by the chroniclers. In France it was worn without ornament, but the Italians decorated it with lions’ heads and antique masks ; a little later the armourers of Nuremberg, then very popular in France, introduced fluted steel—it was stronger, not heavier, and offered more resistance to lancethrusts than the smooth metal. Many beautiful specimens remain of this Maximilian armour, as it was called. No further progress was possible ; comparative lightness, resistance, convenience, and elegance of form had been attained. After this time the shape of helmet and corslet were varied according to individual caprice or the latest fashion, and the steel was gilded and ornamented ; but armour, having attained its development, steadily declined,—Scribner’s Magazine. SPECTACLES FOR HORSES. The Scientific American states that a correspondent of the Manchester Sporting Chronicle tells the readers of that paper some interesting circumstances in connection with a ‘ good gray steed in his own possession. ’ He came to the conclusion that this equine friend of his was short-sighted. * He couldn’t see a carrot two yaids off,’ he tell 3

us. So he took the quadruped to an oculist living in the neighbourhood, who made the necessary inspection and certified that the horse had a No. 7 eye, and required concave glasses. The concave glasses thus indicated were obtained and buckled on the head-stall, ‘ The horse scorned a little bit surprised,’he says, ‘when I first put them on him, but bis amazement rapidly gave way to demonstrations of the keenest pleasure. He now stands all tko morning looking over the half door of hi 3 stable with hi 3 spectacles on, gazing around with an air of sedate enjoyment. . . . "When I take him out for a drive,’ continues the veracious narrater, ‘he capers about as fresh as a kitten ; his maimer is altogether changed from bis. former timidity, and he has got over a bad habit of shying which once troubled him.’ A week or two ago,, however, he turned the animal cut to pasture for a few days, of course without his specs, and he at once appeared to be uneasy aud uncomfortable. All day long ho hung about the gate leadiug into tbe meadow, whinnying in a plaintive minor key, until his master,seeing what was the trouble, sent up to the stable for the headstall. As soon as the spectaelea wore placed upon his nose, ho was so glad that he rubbed Ilia master’s shoulder with his nose, then kicked up his heels and danced down to the pasture in a paroxysm of delight. Staffordshire was the scene of this history. We do not know the locality more definitely.

A TOWN DESTROYED BY A MONKEY. A circumstance probably without a parallel even in the history of the Uuifced States is just reported in advices received from Askland, Wisconsin Territory—namely, the destruction of the town of Wakefield by fire through the mischievous act of a monkey. The animal was kept in the Vaudeville Theatre, and had the freedom of the place. During the evening of the 25bh lilt, the animal got to some kerosene, covering itself with the oil. It next set fire to itself with a lamp which was burning in the room, and then appeared at the window of the theatre, its antics while there amusing the people. Presently the building was in flames, and the monkey, running about in its frenzy, set fire to other places. The buildings were of wood, and the conflagration spread from place to place until the whole town was in ruins. Gangs of roughs daring the progress of the fire looted the stores, and in some instances the flames had scarcely reached the places before the robbers commenced sacking the premises. The owners tried to protect their stores, and in the encountersmany pistol, shots were exchanged. The owner of the theatre was a man named O’Brien, and between him and a storekeeper named Lewis, whose premises were destroyed, an altercation took place, Lowis blaming O’Brien for allowing the monkey to be in the theatre. O’Brien becoming enraged, shot Lewis twice with a revolver, wounding him mortally. The damage to property is said to bo about 75,000d015., only about 2,000d015. of it being covered by insurance.

NINE MONTHS ON A DESERT ISLAND-

A story of Adventures upon a desert island is related by two survivors of the schooner General Siegel, who have arrived at Honolulu. The men state that the General Segiol left Honolulu on September 1, ISB6, for French Frigate Shoals on a shark-fishing expedition. Her crew were composed of Captain Aberdine, Adolph Jorgen, the mate, Olsen and Timpe, and Peter Larkin, Peter Brown, Martin Neilson, and Charles Clemons. On September 23 they arrived off Medway Island. On the night of September 26 the vessel was riding at anchor off this island, the whole of the crew were camped on shore. Towards midnight a gale of wind arose. The vessel drifted ashore aud became a wreck. The crew thus found themselves, cast upon a desolate island in mid-ocean, ■ their only means of subsistence being seabirds and their eggs and fish. About ten days afterwards a painful accident happened to Peter Barker. While engaged in killing fish with giant powder one of his hands was blown off. He died from his injuries in a few days. After this a feud appears to have arisen between the mate Jorgen and the others. William Timpe, one of the survivors, says that while he was alone in the hut Jorgen crept behind him and tried to strangle him with a rope. The lad called for help, when the mate desisted from the attempt. While the captain and Brown were after eggs Jorgen murdered them. When the others heard of this they taxed Jorgen with it, but he said the two had committed suicide. Olsen and Timpe then resolved to leave the island. They accordingly destroyed the ship's boat, and then sailed away on June 28 in a scow and left the mate alone. They headed for Marshal Island, which they reached after a voyage lasting two months and a half.