SCIENTIFIC.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4137, 24 June 1874, Page 3

SCIENTIFIC.

DERANGEMENT OE COMPASSES AND CHRONOMETERS AT SEA. The sad loss of the British Admiral is attributed either to derangement of the chronometer or variations of the compass ; probably the latter were caused by the iron of the vessel, but local causes are known to bring about the same results. Captain R. B. Forbes, of Boston, Mass., states that the compass in iron is specially affected in certain localities on the coast of Nova Scotia, which accounts for the loss of steamers in that region. He further states that in spite of corrections applied in England whereby iron ships may be safely navigated in a given course approximately west south-west, and north north-east, when they come to head more to the north or south by the American coast, their corrections, good on tlie coast of England, are valueless on some ships. It is well known, also, that the concussion of the waves upon iron ships has an important effect on the compass, and probably upon the chronometer also. The latter instrument, at any rate, is liable to get out of order, and the more means at the disposal of sailors for testing its accuracy the more is it to be depended upon. If the means at our disposal are to be improved and fresh ones discovered it will be by a series of proper and well arranged observations of all collateral phenomena. The money, therefore, expended for these purposes is not altogether thrown away, although for a time the ultimate use may not appear. A proper magnetic and astronomical observatory may seem an extensive toy to many persons, but if the labors of its principal and attendants eventuate in devising some means af averting such terrible calamities as the recent wreck, they certainly will not have worked, nor will the work have been paid for, in vain.—Melbourne Leader. NEW ZEALAND BIRDS. At the last meeting of the Otago Institute, Captain Hutton read a paper, entitled “ Preliminary Remarks on some New Zealand Birds,” by Otto Finsch, Ph. H., of Bremen, Hon. Member of the New Zealand Institute, &c. Captain Hutton having read Hr. Finsch’s paper, said he would draw particular attention to its very great importance. He considered it one of the most important contributions to New Zealand ornithology since the voyage of the Erebus and Terror. Captain Hutton mentioned a few cases of birds which he considered were not placed in their proper families; but : this paper of Hr. Finsch was the first which gave a critical view of birds as regarded their specific character, and which, if it did not quite settle, very nearly settled, the position of a great many of them. In the smaller birds, he had made a great number of alterations, and he (Captain Hutton) thought there would be little doubt they would all turn out correct; and that was certainly doing more than any description of new species. This paper was merely the forerunner of a work by Hr. Finsch, to appear in a year or so, and which would contain a full account of New Zealand birds. The cost of this book would be about 10s. It would not be illustrated, but would contain full descriptions. The points now to be settled about our birds were very few to what they were a few years ago, AUTOGRAPHIC TELEGRAPH. Some of the reports that have leaked out about an autographic telegraph just patented in Washington, but withheld from publicity until patented in other countries, intimate, says a contemporary, an improvement that must bo very convenient, and sometimes exceedingly so, and may lead to a radical change in telegraphing. The principle is apparently analogous to that discovered by a Mr. Bakcwcll in England several years ago, and that has been employed with imperfect success in France—perhaps elsewhere. At each station a cylinder is attached to the transmitting and receiving instrument. The manuscript to be sent is wrapped around one and instantly duplicated on the other, no matter how distant. The process is almost an eqxiivalent of photography, and is instantaneous. It is perceptible at a glance that, long despatches now sent at so much cost would be forwarded by this means as cheaply as the shortest, as they would occupy no more time nor any more labor. It is rather fearful to think what amounts of crude news with all the worthless details, may be skurried about when this method is in operation ; but there is an equivalent in the expectation of receiving Presidential messages, loyal speeches, official and business reports and statistics in accurate form and without delay. Something like this lias been needed. If the American improvement or discovery surmounts the European difficulties, it will not be long before it will revolutionise the existing state of affairs.