Willamette farmer., March 17, 1876, Page 7, Image 7

WILLAMETTE FARMER.
A Novel Lecture on Electricity.
Prof. Tyndall recently delivered at the Koyal
Institution, London, a lecture on electricity,
which presented some interesting and novel
features for the lecture room. The novelty
consisted chiefly in simplifying all the ppa.
ratus connected with the lecture, so that the
experiments could be repeated with such simple
And inexpensive appliances as were within the
easy reach of any person.
As examples, the Professor did away with
brass balls by substituting apples; and instead
of insulated glass rods to support them, he
employed sticks of sealing wax. When he
required a long conductor, instead of using the
ordinary brass rods and wires of an electrical
machine, he substituted" a carrot; and in one
of the experiments where two hemispheres
were required, he used the halves of a turnip.
He t-nid that he did not know what philosoph
ical instrument makers would think of this plan
of doing away with the "pomp and circum
stance" of experiments by the introduction of
simple apparatus a remark which was received
witU npplause by the majority present.
In the course of his lecture, Prof. Tyndall
stood upon an insulating stool, and made his
assistant, Mr. Cottrell, who remained upon the
ground, dbss a comb made of India rubber 20
time through bis (Prof. Tyndall's) hair. The
lectnrer then placed his knuckles near the end
of a long wooden lath balanced on the top of
an egg, but the hand did not attract the rod.
He explained that to get an electrical effect,
the electricity upon the comb ought to have
been removed by his assistant belore each fresh
stroke was made through the hair. Mr. Cot
trell then made another 20 strokes with the
-comb through Prof. Tyndall's hair, and passed
the comb between his own fingers before each
stroke. The result was that the body of the
lecturer became so strongly eleotrified that the
wooden lath was attracted and began to spin
ronnd when his hand was placed near it. He
illustrated the nature of electrical conduction
by a repetition of the experiments once made
by Stephen Gray. In the course of bis illus
trations one of the boys from the audience was
placed horizontally upon a wooden plank sus
pended by silk cords; when an electrically ex
cited glass tube was held over the legs of the
boy, a lever arm of straw placed near his head,
to serve as an electroscope, was drawn down by
the iuduced electricity. In another experiment
he held a glass tube near an insulated boy, and
the electrical disturbance proceeded through a
long copper wire suspended round the theater
by means of silk threads until it readied the
fnrtber end of the wire, which was attached to
a gold-le if electroscope. Every time the glass
4ubo was placed near the lad, the disturbance
passed through the wire, and the leaves of the
electrosoope diverged. By these and other
simple experiments ho sustained the interest of
his listeners for the hour during which the
proceedings last'd.
Birds With Teeth.
Late fossil discoveries have fully shown that
toirds having perfectly developed teeth, in
sockets, have existed on the earth. Birds,
owing to the destructible nature of their re
mains, are among the rarest of fossils, and
none are known to have existed earlier than
-during the cretaceous formation, the three
toed footprints found in the trinssio being
probably all made by the huge saurian reptiles
o that age. ,
The fossil remains of the first species of birds
discovered, which were unmistakably provided
with teeth, were described by Prof. Marsh, in
the Am. Jour, of Science, in 1872, One of theBe
specimens was fortunately in a remarkable
-state of preservation. It was an adult bird,
about as large as a pigeon. The skull was of
moderate size; the lower jaws long and rather
slender, in each of which are twenty-one dis
tinct sockets. The upper jaw also contains
teeth. The teeth remaining in the sockets are
small, compressed and pointed, are all directed
more or less backward, the upper portion being
covered with enamel,
Tbe remains of several other species of birds
with teeth have since been discovered, the most
interesting of which is a gigantio diver. Some
of these birds with teeth were such as lived
almost exclusively on tbe water, being provided
with only the rudiments of wings, but having
powerful swimming legs and feet. Birds with
teeth have been divided into two classes first,
those having their teeth in sockets, and second,
those with teeth in grooves. All these discov
eries have been made in Kansas, by Prof.
-Marsh and the Yale College exploring party.
The fossils have been placed in the Yale Col
lege museum.
Foundry Charcoal.
The part which the charcoal plays in the
molds is to give porosity and facilitate the
escape of the gases and steam caused by the
molten metal. There are three sorts in nse in
French foundries, known as mineral charcoal,
-vegetable charcoal, and stove charcoal. The
first of these is made from coal finely pulver
ized, and is mixed with the sand need for cast
ing pieces of small dimensions and little thick
ness; these are called green sand molds. Bat
all Borts of coal are not equally good for the
purpose; some kinds give a white appearance
to cast iron, and produce on the surface, and
chiefly at the extremities of tbe castings, rough
spots which the file will not touch, and which
have tbe appearance of having been run at too
low a beat. M. Malifert has tried many kinds,
and finds that gras or bituminous co'al is the
best, and says that, when used in small quan
tities and finely sifted, its action is perfect, and
it gives to the casting that bluish luster which
is highly esteemed.
Tbe vegetable charcoal is made from care
fully selected wood, burned in a special man
ner. The principal quality demanded In it is
that it shall not take tire, and it is used princi
pally for powdering tbe surface of the mold,
so as to prevent the contact of the molten
metal with the green sand. It is reduced to
such impalpable powder that tbe spatula used
for spreading it in the mold gives ir a surface
almost as brilliant as glass; it is called gras, or
fat charcoal, a quality derived from tbe mode
of burning, and it will neither roll before the
trowel or spatula nor stick to it.
Stove black is used for the same purpose in
the case of large castings, as tbe other materials
will not bear excessive heat. This is simply
mixed with water and applied rather thinly. A
thiclc coating is not considered good.
A Pebfetcax. Clock Ru.v bt Electbicitt.
We have heretofore made mention of tbe per
petual clock, the invention of Mr. E. Clark, of
this city, and spoken of his having applied for
a patent. This patent has been granted, and
Mr. Clark is turning out these time-pieces as
fast as ha can, but the demand is far greater
than be is at present able to supply with the
facilities now at bis command. These clocks
are run by electricity, and consequently the
trouble of winding up is obviated, the ma
chinery running until it wears out. We
noticed one tbe other day that had been run
ning steadily since April, although the works
bad not been boxed in. the dust not having the
effect of causing tbe sligbest variation. Paris
(A'y) Keniuckian.
Pacific Mail Steamship Co.
New York to San Francisco, via Panama.
BATES OF PASSAGE.
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T8The Rates include the transit of the Isthmus of Panama via Panama Railroad. Also, Bed
ding, Board and all necessaries for the voyage. An experienced Surgeon is on each ship, and no charge is made foi
medicines or medical attendance.
Steamers leave New York every Saturday at 12 o'clock, Noon,
And Make the Trip to Sa.n "Francisco in Three Week's.
This Route offers Special Inducements to EMIGRANTS, who will avoid the delays,
discomfort and expense of the tedious trip overland by rail.
THE STEAMEES OF THIS LINE CONNECT AT NEW YOEK WITH ALL THE TEANS-ATLANTIC LINES FEOM EUEOPE
Also at the Isthmus of Panama with Steamers of the
Hamburg American Packet Company, from Hamburg and Havre,
The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, from Southampton,
The West India and Pacific Steamship Company, from Liverpool,
And the General Trans-Atlantic Company, from St. Nazaire.
All information regarding Through Rates of Passage, can be obtained from the Agents of the above Lines at any
port in Europe, from whom Through Passage Tickets can be purchased.
THE OFFICE OF THE PACIFItf MAH. STEAMSHIP COMPANY, IN NEW TORK,t IS ON THE WHARF,
PIER 42 NORTJEI RIVER, FOOT OF OA.3tf.AjL STREET.
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GRlE
SEEDS
or
Vegetables,
TREES,
E. J. Trumbull, Dealer in and Grower of
csto
isifv - O lrtJ&vmSt
'MW
FLOWERS,
Shrubs,
BULBS,
Kto.,
Fir tho OABnrar, T'.A.nM', unci rA.NION',
427 Sanioine Street, San Francisco B7De rlptlvo Cats' Hues on application.
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3!-iiiiU--
l'iKIJIiJlljARiUl'llliH
uiimm
IWos. 337. 139 and 831
sa nuxonoo.
atatifrf Strait,
jTHE XKW I1IP110VED
HOME SHUTTLE
Sewing Machine.
MtI033, - - S4S.OO.
WE ALSO BELL
The Home Sewing Machine.
These machines uia a shuttle, strslght needle,
and make tho Lock Btltcb.
Tbejr are surpsssed by none.
TAy art tAt ttmptett and UgiuUrunnlng ma
cAin'f in tkt twrttt.
Bend for circulsrs.
Mme. Demorest Reliable Patterns.
BEND FOB A CVTALOOUK.
Itoyal Charts, IJ.M.
E. W. lUIXEA. Agent, IT Hew Montgomery
Street (Grand Hotel UullUluu), San Francisco.
Pelton's Six-Fold Horse Power.
ggjia z0r
Having made new arrangement! with Mr. McKenzle, I am prepared to supply my powers to all persona
favoring me with their order. All powers borcafter manufactured can only be obtained of me or iny agents.
In future they will be made under my directions and specif cations, and nothing but a prime quality
Machinery Iron will be used in tbclr manufacture.
I bave greatly Improved tbe application and bracing my Lovera which will give them ample strength.
All pon ers fully warranted. For further Information, Bend for Circulars and l'rlce List to
Address,
Wv9-lam
S. PELTON, Patentee.
Salem, Oregon.
iPtoowiGflP
I will Tid 12 Klnwfrlns Plants for One Tlollar
(your chc-ce from 100 sorts), by MAIL Oil KXHIt KS.
-,? MV ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUF,
SrKII )ftrlh-.ehf niiinreof Plants A Seeds,
WmTEiKii DIUII, 016 Warren St., Ho. tun. Mass.
.20 FINE VERBENA8 FOR $1.
Anvof thAfollowlftcr named Dlintiient Dvmill.
pontage paid, t WcnTMCb. An three tmrti for
29 cent, or iTfiftn tor fl. Nourder received fur
lets than 1 tent KuckrUs, tiemilunii (Double
Zonal?. Htt-nteil and Ivy). Uf-eonlai. C'aruatluna.
Plnkt. Ciltnilureas, llaaket Flanls, Ageratuim,
A but lion, Actoruiiitiiu, Coitus. Cairn a, Ctuyaan
tbeinunti, Jlanty Jiilox, C'lipbea, hupatoreuroi,
SteWit, 'ctrrtw, lltllbtni!, neteroorntrum,
IJLonld. Ifdlu rtila. Pllea.Mlatllav. TVtuMw VatMtilaa
&UiinX'aik ui truiii,Vt-ro, ileal One huckflAft
UT, Jfal&ui, I'ltunla, Phlox and VerUim for Z)
cenU. My Illuitratt-d Catalogue of New Plant
Beedi tor 187 and any two pacta U o tbe above
oeua atruv va t iv ijh vi lucema. AuartM
v. . a&um w. -, ra.
Published Quarterly.- -Jamukv Ktwrru jutt
iucd, andtoni.uruuvcr 100 P auks. 500 Kw.it ain(.s
uiftcn prion ot mure ilian 500 of our ln-t Flowera
and Vegetable, with Direction mr Culture, Coujmld
1'latb, etc. licnii)t lucful ami tlrg-nt work or
the kind m the wurld. -Only 35 ccnti for the ea.
PuUuhed in Dnctitli and (Icnuait
Adlrri IAMES V1CK. Rochester, N. Y.
Myj-T?
SHealSS
yvJBRYANT STRATT0N TTR
BUSINESS COLLEGE
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