Scientiftc.

Otago Witness, Issue 1584, 1 April 1882, Page 29

Scientiftc.

Electrical Methods of Search for Balls in the Body. Professor Bell lately brought before the Pans Academy tho modification; of Hughes induction balance, with which he proposes to find the position of a projectile in the body, and which consists essentially of two Hat coils superposed, so that the edge of one is over the axis of the other. The coils, mounted in a wooden case, are moved over the •body, and from tho nature of the sounds heard when the ball is approached the position of the latter can be inferred. A quite different electric method, however, has also been devised by Professor Bell, suggested, apparently, by M. louvuyes ingenious electric sounds or probes, in which two conductors are used, and the ball completes tho circuit. Professor Bell inserts a fine needle in the suspended region. It is conconnected by wire with one of the binding screws of a telephone, which the surgeon holds to his ear, the other binding screw being connected with a metallic mass applied to the skin. When the needle-point touches a ball an electric couple is formed, and the current generates a sound in the telephone. The sur geon may then use his knife with confidence, guided by the needle. He may make several insertions of the needle, if necessary, without danger, and any pain may be obviated by etherisation. This simple method (which should prove useful on the field of battle) was tried with success with a lead ball introduced into a piece of beef. Contact of the needle with bone had no effect, but a very distinct sound was heard each time the ball was reached. # A modification consists in inserting a vibrator in the circuit This gives a musical note in the telephone, at each contact of the ball and needle. Again, if the circuit includes a battery, the telephone sounds may be heard by several persons at once. A sound is heard, in this case, whenever the needle enters the skin ; but, on reaching the ball, it is much intensified owing to lessened resistance. A galvanometer may be used m place of the telephone. The Storage of tight. ! The Faure accumulator, which is producing such a change in the prospects of lighting by electricity, is a secondary battery, consisting of lead plates coated with a film of red lead or minium, with a layer of felt, and. steeped m chemicals. These electrical boxes are to the light-conveying mines what a water cistern is to the pipes, a gasometer to the gas-tubes, or the air-bag to the bagpiper. The bag once filled, the time will go on and the wind be supplied at the constant pressure until the bag be empty. The Faure boxes stored by the Societe d'e'la Force et la Lumere can be filled anywhere, at any time, and taken away to be used when wanted. People can thus store any number of hours' light, and use it up as required, just as one uses a bag of oxyhydrogen for light, and the light will never flicker, as it often does when the electricity flows direct from an engine. Still one can have an engine, if necessary, always replenishing the box, like water, always flowing into a cistern at one end, whilst it flows out at the other. The box then serves to regulate the current, making its supply perfectly uniform, and thus avoiding those fluctuations and winkings of the light which, when there is no electrical cistern, come from the irregularity of the driving-engine, change of resistance in the current, or any other hitch. The Edison and Maxim lights, burning in rows, burn soft and clear, the hard blue and violet rays so much objected to being merely the result of contact with the atmosphere. The Paris and Lyons train now carries its Faure accumulator for lighting, the axle of the train wheel beingingeniously used to produce the electricity. The lighting of the Pullman car is so successful as to encourage other companies to look into the matter, and in a short time we may expect all tho dismal night-lights— at present so exasperating—to be replaced by something which will at least enable one to read the newspaper en voyage. Some Foots about Comets. The multiplicity of comets during the past year has attracted an unusual amount of attention and study to this class of celestial objects. Emile Delaurier advances the hypothesis that the great rapidity of cometary motion causes the gethereal matter to vibrate, and transforms it into light and heat. He expands his _ hypothesis so as to account for all the variations of form which the great comets undergo, for the apparent solar repulsion and for the curvature of the tail. M. Prazmowski, from observations since 1858 by the spectroscope, concludes in regard to THE CONSTITUTION OF COMETS, that they are formed of a condensed portion, which constitutes the nucleus, surrounded by an incandescent gaseous atmosphere containing carbon and reflecting solar light, and of a swarm of disaggregated material. This latter is not controlled by the cometary attraction, but moves in obedience to universal attraction. In some comets the polarization of _ the light is strongly marked, while in others it is almost wholly absent. In the latter case he compares the structure to that of atmospheric clouds. Thollon has presented to the French Academy fan account of some comparative observations upon THE SPECTKA OP THE TWO RECENT COMETS, ' the continuous spectrum predominating in the first, while in the second the three carbon bands were very well defined and very brilliant, but gradually faded upon the side of the violet, and he was unable to observe any slight traces of a continuous spectrum until the night of the 21st of August. The brilliancy of the head and tail varies rapidly with the distance from the sun. In the absence of any precise photometric measurements, the variations seemed to be nearly in the inverse ratio of the square of the distance. If this law should hold rigorously it would probably follow that the white lights of comets are almost entirely due to reflection of the sunlight. Tt seems hard to reconcile the slowness with which the brilliancy of the band spectrum varies with the common opinion that the elements of a comet are raised to incandescence by the sun's heat. Comets, like nebulae, may have some heat and light of of their own, independent of that which may come from solar, mechanical, and electric action. Cellnloid. — A new celluloid Ib said to be obtained from well-pared potatoes, which are treated for 36 hours with » solution of eight parts of sulphuric acid in 100 piurtß of water. The mass is dried between blotting-paper and then pressed. It is further stated that in Franca smoking-pipes nre manufactured with fc'nis new material which fvro quite equal tv tn< orsoiiauKi. )iy heavy pressure the matenai , Hcquires ouch a hardnosa thttfc bJlUwKi'ittlUl can I ba tuauufuotug'tid from it, \

Thh pleasure of bathing is greatly Increased by mixing in the tub half or even a quarter of a bottle of Murray and Lanman's Florida Water. Instantly, the whole atmosphere of the bath-room is as fragrant as a blooming flower garden, the mind becomes buoyant, and the Dndy emerges refreshed and strengthened. —[Advt l

Fomb of the most horrible cases of ulcerous scrofula tha* ever existed have b3ei cured by Bristol's SarsapariWiA, >>hich, penetratiug to the bono, neutralises every atom of poisonoui virus, and restores the organs to a souud atata.— | Advt.]

Burnbtt's Coooaine allays irritation, remove* all tendency to dand'ull, and invigorates the action of the capillaries in tho highest degree. The Cocoaine has earned a deserved reputation for promoting the growth and pnjservi' g the beauty of tho human hair. Ladies droßsiug their hair elaborately for tho evening will find thit it imparts a healthy natural gloss to the hair and will cause it to retain its shapo for hours.— | Advt.

Burnett's Essence of Jamaica Oinqbr, a housohold remedy for colic, cholera moroua, colds, chills, and diarrbooi, warming and stimulating the whole system.—Bates, Siae, aud Co., agents.— [Advt.

Thames street Industries, by Percy Russell. Thia Illustrated Pamphlet on Perfumery, &c, published at 6d, may be had gratis from any chemist in the world, or John Gosxbll and Co , London.— [Advt.]

Smaiili capitalist* wishing to establish a business Bhoukl Hee if there is an opening for a Mineral Water Manufactory in their district. All inform»tlon and redipes for the purpose of making lemonade, sodawattr, &c, is given— previous knowledge Is not necessary. The demand for these drinka is so much on the Increase, in all parts of the world, that the outhy for the machinery in a'l caiei leads to a profitable and safe business. Catalogue forwarded free, or can be had at ihti office «-f this paper on payment o( Is.— Barnrtt and Fostkr, engineers, 280 Foraton street, London, N.— [Advt.

Adviob. to Mothkrs I— Are you broken In your rest by a sick child Buffering with the pain of cutting teeth f Go at once to a chemist and get a bottle of Mas WiNsiiOw's Soothing 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 awakes "as bright as a button." It soothes the child, it softens the gums, allays all pain, rolieves wind, regulates the bowels, and Is the best known remedy or dysentery and diarrhoaa, whether arising from tsethiog or other causes. Mra Winslow's Soothing Syrup is sold by modicine dealers everywhere at Is ljd per bottle.-JADVZ.I

Manufacturers and others desiring representation throughout the Province of Auckland should communicate with the undersigned, who has exceptionally advantageous facilities for Introducing "novelties" and ** apsoUlties " of every description, and is thoroughly 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. Bartlißbt Lanobbidob, Manufacturers' Agent and General Importer. " The Bureau." Auckland.— [Advt.J

PWRmWI !— FOK THH TBHTH AND BIWATH.— A few drops of the liquid " Floriline* sprinkled on a wet tooth-bruih 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 arltlng from decayed teeth or tobacco smoka. "The Fragrant Floriline," being composed in part of honey and sweet herbs, la deli oious to the taste, and the groatest toilet disoovery of the age. Price 8s 6d, of all Chemists and Perfumers. Wholesale depot removed to 88 Farringdon, road. London.— f Advt.] Ejtjot Lim.— What a truly beautiful world we live in ! Nature gives us grandeur of mountain*, 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 when there Is no occasion for thia feeling, aa every sufferer can easily obtala satisfactory proof that Grhrn's August Flower will make them as free from disease as whoa born. Dyspepsia and Liver complaint Is the direct cause of 75 per cent, of such maladies as Biliousness, Indigestion. Sick Headache, Costiveness Nervous Prostration, Dizziness of the Head, Palpitation of the Heart, and other distressing symptoms. Three doses of August Flower will prove its wonder, ful effect. Sample bottle, 9d. Try it.— Bole wholosal agents : Khmpthornb, Prossbb, and Co.— [Advt.]

ViiUABLB Dmoovbrt TOR thh Hair.— lf your hair is taming grey or white, or foiling off, mo " The Mexican Hair Eenewer. • for It will podtivtly rotor* in evtry ecue drey w Vnxitt Hair to its original colour, without leaving the disagreeable smell of most " Re> Btorero." It makes the hair charmingly beautiful, »a well as promoting the growth of the hair on bald ■pots, where the glands are not decayed. Ask your Chemists for "Thh Mbxioah Hair Brhbwsr." Sold by Chemists and Pertnmeni everywhere at Bfl 8d per bottle. Wholesale depot removed to 88 Farringdon road, London.— [Advt.]