Science.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2073, 27 May 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

Science.

Boiler Anti incrustation— A* the pumpInsrstati n..[ the Southwark and Vaushall Water Co. at Battersea, Eng., experiments have been made within the last few months with# boiler that h.n been supplied with water which bad been subjected to a process that is said to precipitate the mineral silts held in solution, ana thereby obviate the incrustation that is so common a feature of boilers fed with water in the ordinary way. The process is a simple one. It consists of infusing into the water a preparation described as anti-calcairc, the invention or application of Mr. I*. A. Maignen. In the case of the boiler referred to—one of Galloway's corrugated—it was found, at an inspection quite recently, that, after working for a month on the Maiimen system, a deposit was formed in the flues which, under the influence of a jet of water directed from a small india-rubber pipe, sjicedily disappeared, leaving the boiler entirely clean. This method of treatment is declared to be very inexpensive, and it seems as if it wore likely to effect a considerable economy and safety in reference to the use of boilers fed with hard water.

Lightning Flashes.—Lightning flashes have sometimes been observed which, starting from one point, have ended in several. S..me remarkable forms of flash have been lately described by Herr Leyst, of Pawlowsk Observatory, In one case a flash went a certain distance in a north-easterly direction, then divided, the two brandies forming an angle of about 75 deg. When these bad reached about 35 deg. from each other, they turned and united again to one line. The path of the lightning thus formed a quadrilateral figure, ft was further observed that the lightning flashed back in the same path, as if there wore an oscillating discharge. In another interesting flash, the path was not a crooked line but a wavy band, which was lit up four times in succession with equal brilliancy. The time between the second and third and the third and fourth flashes seemed longer than that between the first and second. The thunder which followed lasted about eighty seconds.

The Invention of the Cow Catcher It is curious to note how frequently important inventions are the result of accidental observation. The cow-catcher is a case in point. Tne inventor of lhat useful appendage is Mr. L. B: Davie? of tie Novelty Ironworks, Columbus, Ohio. According to his own statement, while holding the position . { ma«f>-r raechan’e in the simps at Columbus in Isj3, it frequently became his duty to run an engine, fn tires/ days the pilot or cowcatcher consisted of a row of iron spikes 4 feet long, placet! about a foot ariive the track and made fast to the. bump-rs. One day Davies noticed bow nicely the earth was thrown from the mould-board ofia plough, lie determined to put together two structures like the mould-board, and the arrangement worked so successfully that the superintendent of the C.dumbus and Xenia Railroad ordered the improved cow-catcher for every engine.

Reconstruction of Ancient Perfumes. Two ancient Egyptian perfumt s have bc -n reconstituted through the researches of a young Trench professor at Lyons, who l as devoted himself to studying Egyptian sepulture an) the plants of the Nile Valley. By bunting through tho papyrus texts aud the inscriptions on the wall* of the temple lavatories. he has found the receipts for ttie manufacture of ‘ tasi" ami "kypbi." The former was a temple perfume, used toanm.int the statins of the Egyptian Venus. “ Kyphi" wa- m. re important, and besides being used at limne for the rites of Isis and Serapis, was imported to Greece and Koine after the conquest of Egypt. It then became the favorite perfume among the luxurious Greeks and Romans, who were nnnointed with “kyphi ’ after the bath, and were sprinkled with the essence during the grand banquets, wbi! ■ sometimes it was used to perfume the wine.

Detection of Leaks in Water Mains. —The microphone is now being used in Germany for the purpose of detecting loss of water through leakage in town mains. Tho apparatus consists of a steel rod, which is placed upon tho cook in the neighborhood of which the leak is suspected, and a microphone attached to the upper end of the rod. Adry battery and a telephone complete the equipment. No sound is heard in the telephone if the cocks are closed and no leak occurs ; but a leak of even a few drops through a badly fitting cock causes sufficient vibration in the pipe to affect the microphone and to give audible sounds in the telephone. At a recent meeting of gas and water engineers in Eisenach, it was staled that the apparatus is so simple to handle that, with a little practice, ordinary workmen are able to detect and localise any leak.

Effluviography- —Tins euphonious name has nothing to do with the science of illodors, but has been applied by M. U. Tomassi to the effects produced by the si lent discharge upon a sensitized gelatine-bromide (date. After an exposure of some minute-' duration an image may be obtained from an electrified bo iy, although (if wo understand the author aright) the potential may not bo high enough to give any sign of life, and when all other light is excluded. Tic itn.ree may be developed in the usual manner. M. Tomassi considers that the silent driohar:-" pro’ucea the same effect a? the ultra-violet rays, and may form a connecting link between the two extremes of the spectrum, consisting of what may be called electric rays."

Electric Light and Vegetation —ln the neighborli-vd "f t.ie tower lights, with which so many of the American cities are now illuminated, the influence of the arc light upon vegetation is becoming very noticeable. A gentleman in Davenport, lowa, whose garden is within 100 feet of an electric light tower, says that hi? lilies, which ordinarly close their petals long before sunset, now again unfold a few minutes after the lamps commence to burn. It is also observed that the foliage of the trees in Detroit was more luxuriant this summer where the light has fallen on them.

An Electric Soldering Iron — A “ new" ? .Mo-ring iron has been introduced. It is d-s'-ribed as “ a kind of Jabloebltoffs candle, which is welded so that tho blindingly hot flame at its tip is made to melt Hie surfaces, or the edges of the surfaces which arc to be soldered together.” Tho effect is said to be very satisfactory, and the act’on as good under water as in the air ; the heat is so intense and localize! within such a small space. This is an idea which has been before worked out and patented by the late Richard Werdermanu.

Liniment for the Earache —According to the Cu milli MeiHi'iil /iV.-cre/, Pavcsi recommends a liniment composed of camphorated chloral 2J parts, pure glycerine Hit parts, and oil of sweet almonds 10 parts. This is to be well mixed, and preserved in a hermetically closed bottle. A pledget of very soft cotton is to be soaked in the liniment, and then introduced as far possible into the affected ear. two applications being made daily. Frictions may also be made each day with the preparation behind the ear,

The Anti-ruating of Screws— The Month nr liuUutrv lh states that a mixture of oil and graphite will effectually prevent screws becoming fixed, and will protect them for years from rust. The mixture facilitates tightening up, is an excellent lubricant, and re d -s the friction of the screws in its nut, Wi v n.it use clean fat with the graphite or bln kl. ad? Washed hog’s lard is the best •bin/.