SCIENCE NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2004, 21 July 1892, Page 43

SCIENCE NOTES.

— The aluminium water bottles issued to the German army have proved their efficacy as dangerous weapons rather than useful articles. A soldier belonging to an infantry regiment stationed near Nuremburg had his bottle partly filled with cognac, but after several sips he was taken ill and vomited. An analyst declared that the cognac had caused strong corrosion of the metal.

— The largest band-saw machine hitherto made is (says a Home paper) that which has just been shipped to New Zealand by the well-known makers of wood -working machines, Messrs Ransome, of Chelsea. The saw itself is an endless ribbon, sft long by Bin wide, and travels over pulleys Bft diameter at the rate of 7000 ft per second. The height of the machine over all is 20ft, and its weight just so many tons. It has been specially designed for the heavy and exacting work of dealing with New Zealand timber — namely, blue gnm trees, wbioh grow to an enormous size, and can only be satisfactorily dealt with by exceptional appliances.

— A French contemporary is experimenting with a new alloy for armour plates, projectiles, and guns — viz., a steel containing 1 per cent, of chromium, 2 per cent, of nickel, and not more than o*4 per cent, of carbon ; the steel is first melted in an open heartb, and in the ordinary way. When the silicon and manganese in the metal have attained their proper proportions the nickel and chromium are added successively in the form of Jerro-nickels and ferro-chromes, or in tho shape of a double f erro-chrome and nickel.

— Heating by electricity is, generally speaking, the most extravagant of the luxuries attainable from its use. Except in cases where intensity is required, therefore, the heating of large objects or spaces by electricity is out of the question. Where, however, the thing desiderated iB a perfectly controlled, safe, instantaneous, but moderate heat for occasional use, it is to be obtained readily, conveniently, and economically from the electric current. Flat or smoothing irons, for instance, can be heated and operated in a most satisfactory manner by making connection with any incandescent lamp socket. The iron in a very short time reaches a sufficient bnt not Fcorching heat, and remains at the same heat continuously. The cost of the flat iron is net great, and where the current is available, the cost of heating it will not exceed a few pence per hour. Various cooking operations, such as boiling eggs, making coffee, can be performed in a perfect and convenient manner, and the development of the use of electric heating for such cooking operations will be very rapid in the immediate future.