Science Siftings

New Zealand Tablet, 20 July 1911, Page 1379

Science Siftings

By ‘ Volt.’

Strength of Beetles, Few people have any idea of the wonderful strength possessed by beetles. It has been shown that a common beetle can draw five hundred times its own weight, and a stag beetle has been known to escape from under a box weighed with a book one thousand seven hundred times greater in weight than the beetle underneath it. A New Fibre Plant. The zapupe fibre plant, similar in appearance to the henequen plant of Yucatan, has recently attracted attention in Mexico. It was used for centuries only by the Indians in the manufacture of lariats, bridles, cordages, etc., but attempts are now being made to grow it on a large scale, and it is believed by many that it will soon become a source of great wealth. German Toed Shoe. . A novel German shoe has partitions to separate the toes. These terminate in soft pads pressing against the foot, so that the thrust in walking is taken at the base of the toes instead of the point. Jamming of the toes into the toe of the shoe is prevented. It is expected that the deforming of the feet now so common will be avoided by this arrangement, and that walking will be made more comfortable. Making Marbles. Germany maintains a monopoly of making stone marbles in spite of various efforts made to wrest the trade away. In the marble and agate quarries there are innumerable chips and bits of stone from the cutting of the large blocks, and this refuse is broken into cubes about the size of a marble. An experienced worker produces these cubes of stone at an incredible speed and with remarkable uniformity. When about a bushel are ready they are dropped between a grooved bedstone and a revolving runner. Water is kept constantly supplied, and in half an hour the stones are turned out perfect spheres. With abundant water power the cost is slight, as a couple of men can keep a dozen stones supplied, and the raw materia] costs nothing at all. In other countries the cost of preparing the blocks eats up the profits and competition with the German-made product is impossible. Clocks. The invention of clocks is by no means a modern one. Clocks which were run by weights were used by the Saracens at the time of the Crusades, and some authorities state that they were invented by Pacificus as early as the ninth century. In the works of Dante are references to machines which struck the hours, and clocks must have been used in Italy about the end of the thirteenth century. The oldest clock of which there is any certain record was erected in a tower in the palace of Charles Y. of France in 1364. Why Gold is a Precious Metal. Pure or fine gold will stand any tests it may be put to in comparison with other metals. It can be rolled or hammered, extending it in any direction, until it becomes transparent. , It can also be drawn into threads as fine as human hair. It melts at about 2000 c eguees F., and, though it may be kept in a molten state for an indefinite time, it loses none of its weight even should the heat be increased. The color is unaffected by air, water, or heat, and will stand any test ot -oxidation. No simple acid will dissolve or attack pure .gold In conjunction with silver gold is the first metal with which man became acquainted, and is the most valuable by reason of the vast number of uses to which it is put. It is found in almost every country in a metalhc state, and nearly always in crystals. Tim o.d Egyptian symbol for gold signified divinity and perfection. The chemical term used to-day is aiirum.