Odds and Ends.

Otago Witness, Issue 1583, 25 March 1882, Page 29

Odds and Ends.

The tunnel under the Hudson is progressing rapidly and securely by improved methods, work going on from ooth shores. Steady progress is also making in the excavations under Hell Gate for the removal of Flood rock. Freezing Alcohol.— The question has been asked whether it is possible to freeze alcohol, or pure whisky. Alcohol could doubtless be solidified, but it would require a temperature lower than any yet attained by artificial means.

Light from Wave Power. —An iron buoy, fitted with apparatus, intended to convert the power of wave motion into electricity, which will, in turn, supply an electric light, has been anchored in the lower bay outside of New York harbour.

A New Colouring Matter. — A Vienna chemist has succeeded in producing a new colouring matter on silk, which is a nice blue by day and a beautiful pink by artificial light. The alcoholic solution of this colour is dark violent in a refracted, but red in a direct light. A Dangerous Hypnotic— lt appears that bromide of potassium, which is so extensively used as an antidote for sleeplessness, is largely composed of lead, and those who employ it are exposing themselves to lead poisoning. This statement is made by a German chemist. A writer in the Lancet strongly advocates open carriages for doctors :— ' An open vehicle enables the doctor to purify himself, even to his hair, after quitting each sick room, thus ensuring safety not only to patients, but also to the members of his family.'

The electric light which has been placed upon one of the trains of the London and Brighton railway, is supplied by 'accumulators ' placed upon the car at the storting place. But it is not difficult to perceive_ that ultimately railroad trains may be .lighted by electricity generated by the motion of the engine and cars. Sheet zinc is largely used for ceilings in Germany, especially where the beams of the upper floor are made of iron. The use of wood is entirely dispensed with, and excellent decorative effects are produced by stamping, painting and gilding, or bronzing a part of the ornaments.

It is stated that all the needed capital has been raised for Mr Jacob Lorrilard's proposed express passenger line of steamers between New York and England, by which it is intended to make the trip from port to port in six days, thus effecting an important saving of time over the present ocean voyagers,

A New and Important Cement.— lt is said that Dr Gehring, of Landshut ; in Bavaria, by means of an enameling liquid, renders any species of stone or cement harder than granite. The process, it is further reported, admits of being applied to metal, which is completely protected from rust. A boat with electric power is in course of construction at one of the yards on the banks of the Seine. It is to be 18 feet long and 5 feet wide. The proprietor, Mr Teller, proposes to cross the Channel in it— namely, from Boulogne to Folkestone. If he is successful, he will be able to claim the distinction of having inaugurated the application of electricity to maritime traffic.

In New York the lighting of streets and squares by electric lamps was begun less than a year ago. The work of putting down mains for the conveyance of electric conductors as' a general system of incandescent electric lighting for stores, offices, and dwellings is going on rapidly. And the same may be said of mains for steam heating from central stations.

M. d'Arsonville, in the Review Scientific* is very sanguine about the future of electricity. He says that it will supersede all the motive powers by man and surpass them in every way, and he promises to prove, in an early article, that, whatever natural force may be employed, it is electricity alone which can store and transport it to any distance in a practical and economical manner. Why Grass will not Grow nnder Trees.— M. Paul Bert has shown that green light hinders the development of plants. Plants inclosed in a green ,glass frame wither and die as though they were in darkness. M. Regnard finds that plants specially require the red rays. If sunlight is deprived of the red rays, the plants soon cease to thrive,

Interesting Discovery.— Some fine carvings in ivory, discovered in Nineveh, showed signs of crumbling on arriving in England. Prof. Owen concluded that the decay was caused by loss of albumen in the ivory, and therefore boiled the articles in a solution of albumen. The experiment was a success, and the ivory became as firm and solid as when first entombed.

Cloud Indications.— When the whole sky_ is covered with clouds, their, further formation and increase in bulk and density is indicated by their descent to a lower level, and their decrease by their ascent. Accordingly, when clouds begin to, sit down upon the tops of the hills, it prognosticates rain, and when they begin to rise above the hills, it prognosticates dry weather. A scientist in the Magazine of Pharmacy asserts that the usual physico-chemical methods for determining the potable nature of water have proved themselves to be quite insufficient, and he says that ' recourse must be had to the microscope and to the culture-glasses used by physiologists in their innoculation experiments before any really sound and valuable knowledge can be gained by the examination of waters ' as to their purity or impurity. Life of Steel Rails.— An engineer of the Rhenish railway, which has had the longest experience in steel rails, has made a calculation according to which the average duration of steel rails, when 24 trains pass over them every day, is 30 years, while that of iron rails, with a traffic of 17 trains, is 11 years. Steel rails, according to this calculation, last four times as long as iron rails^ although they are but onethird more expensive. Solid Petroleum. — Accordingto a St. Petersburg paper, a German, Herr P. N. Dittmar, has practically solved the problem of rendering petroleum solid — a problem considerably studied by chemists of late, in view of the large question of transport. A company has been formed in Russia to work the patent when completed. The mode of treatment is not yet disclosed, and chemists to whom small samples of the solid petroleum have been sent have not been able to make out the nature of the foreign substances that are added in a proportion of 2, or at most 3 per cent., to solidify the petroleum.

A Whole Forest of Stone Trees.— From twenty to thirty-five miles from Denver, between Cherry Creek and Running Creek, the Denver and New Orleans Railroad forces struck an unusual obstruction, it being nothing less than a buried forest. The trees are all petrified and agatised, are of all sizes, and lie buried at various depths from ten to twenty feet, which is as deep as any excavations wore made by the workmen. Thoy came upon these relics of a bygone age in at leaat half a dozen localities, and have met with not a little difficulty on their account. The trees are very perfect, and could be taken out nearly whole if builable, machinery w employ od,— Denver Times,

For more than a year and a half my f aoe was covered with pimples and blotches. Four bottlos of Bristol's Sarsapakilla, and three of Pills, have entirely ourod me.— David Barr, Sandhurst, Victoria.- f adyt.]

Murray ahd Lanman's Florida Watbr'ls prepared exclusively of the very finest and purest floral ingredients, all of which are selected in the best markets, and we are safe in saying that it is impossible to produce a fragrant water of a better quality.—. [Advt.l Burnett's Aqua db Florimbli, as its name implea is the honey of flowers, highly concentrated, andjimparts a peculiar and most agreeable fragrance., It combines the virtues of cologne, the pungency of a handkerchief perfume, with an adaption to daily me in the bath which commends It to general use. In the Sick room this delightful perfume will prove invaluable. Its Invigorating qualities will disinfect the atmosphere, relieve the tired brain, soothe and-re-fresh the restless patient, and revive his drooping energies.— Bates, Sise & Co., Agents.— [Advt.] \ .

Bujeinetx's Coooaink curea dandruff, allays' irrl tatoon.-[ADVT.]

Thamss street Industries, by Percy Bussell. This Illustrated Pamphlet on Perfumery, &c, published at 6d, may be had gratis from any chemist in the world, or John Gosnelii and Co., London.— [Advt.] . ; Smalli capitalists wishing to establish a business ' should see if there is an opening for a Mineral Water Manufactory in their district. All information and recipes for the purpose of making lomonade, sodawater, Ac, is given— previous knowledge is not necessary. The demand for those drinks is so much on the Increase, in all parts of the world, that the outlay for the machinery in a'l cases leads to' a profitable and safe business. Catalogue forwarded free, or can be had at the office of this paper on payment of Is.— Basnbit and Fostbr, engineers, 280 Forston street, London, N.— [Advt.

Advioh to Mothhrs !— Are you broken in your rest by a sick child suffering with the pain of cutting •> teeth I Go at once to a chemist and get a bottle of > Mrs Winslow's SoOTHnra Syrup It will relieve the ,. poor sufferer immediately. It is perfectly harmless, , and pleasant to taste. It produces natural, quiet sleep, „ by relieving the child from pain, and the little cherub ' awak«B "as bright as a button." It soothes the child; ' it softens the gums, allays all pain, relieves wind,'? regulates the bowels, and is the best known remedy," or dysentery and diarrhosa, whether . arising from. ', tsethisg or other causes. Mrs Window's Soothing Syrup is sold by medicine dealers everywhere 1 at Is l£i per bottle.— J Advt. 7 ■ ! ' • ;. ■ Manufacturers and others desiring representation "" throughout the Province of Auckland should com* municate with the undersigned, who has exceptionally advantageous facilities for introducing "novelties"., and "specialties" of every description, and is tho-> roughly acquainted with the trade of the district and its standing. His business premises are simply the , most central in Auckland, and his representatives' travel the country. Highest references. W. Bart- ' libbt Lansbridoe, Manufacturers' Agent and General Importer. " The Bureau." Auckland — TAdvt.) t ! FiiOßanri!— Fo* xhh Thhth and Brbath.— A few drops of the liquid " Floriline* sprinkled on a wet tooth-brush produces a pleasant lather, which ; thoroughly cleanses the teeth from all parasites or impurities, hardens the gums, prevents tartar; stops decay, gives to the teeth a peculiar pearly-whiteness,' and a delightful fragrance to the breath. It removes 'all unpleasant odour arising from decayed teeth or tobacco smoke. "The Fragrant Floriline," being composed in part of honey and sweet herbs. Is dell clous to the taste, and the greatest toilet' discovery of ' the age. Price 2s 6d, of all Chemists and Perfumen. Wholesale depot removed to 88 Farrmgdon, road, London,— [Advt.] , ■*>

Enjot Lira.— What a truly beautiful world we live • in ! Nature gives us grandeur of mountains, glens, { and oceans, and thousands of means for enjoyment.'; We can desire no better when in perfect health ; but ■ how often do the majority of people feel like giving It up disheartened, discouraged, and worried out with" disease whan there Is no occasion for tbil feeling, aa every sufferer can easily obtain satisfactory proof that; Obxbn's Aransr Flowxr will make them as free from disease as when born. Dyspepsia and Liver complaint, la the direct cause of 75 per cent, of such maladies as Biliousness, Indigestion, Sick Headache, Gostivetiess" Nervous Prostration, Dizziness of the Head, 1 Palplta. ' tion of the Heart, and other distressing symptoms 'Three dosea of August FiiOwxb will prove its wonder*' ' ful effect. Sample bottle, Od. Try it.— Sole wholesale agents: Khmpthornh, Prosshb, asd Co.— [Advt.)

Vahfabm Diboovbot fob ihb Haul— ll yonr tmJr is turning grey or white, or foiling off, tuo "The Mexican Hair Renewer. ' for it will porittvdy rettor* < in entry eats Qrey or ft /tile Hair to its anginal colour, \ without leaving the disagreeable smell of moat " BeBtorera." It makes the hair oharmingly beautiful, v well as promoting the growth 01 the hair on bald spots, where the glands are not, decayed, Ohemijts for "Thb Mmioah Hair Bnirawia;" SolcT by ChemJitsand Ferfomers 'everywhere at 8> 0d per bottle. sWholesale depot removed to 88 Faxrinnon road, London.— £Advt.] ;, " ' ",. "-..,*.