Volume 13 (1866) (424 pages)

Che Mining and Scientific Dress, 403 °. AMlechanicat. Titanium Trou, A valnable diseovary is reported in the Eng lish papers, wbicb consists of a cbeap process for sinclting titanie iron ore, which has hitherto defiod, or greatly perplexed, oll irunmusters aud scientific nicn in the tude. It ig a wellknown fact tbat tron made from titaniferous ore is most valuable, on necount of its harducss and tensile strength heing five times greater than ordinary iron ; this iron willhe odinirably adnpted for plating on iron-clads, rails, on account of its hurdness and strength, aod the discoverer will be prepared to test this jrou agninst nny other iron hitherto discovered fur these purposes, or for muking steel. If the discovery is uo which ean he cheaply introduced, or ono by which titanium iron enn be innnnfactured at bout tho eost of Lessemer stecl, it will be a valuable one indeed. A compony bns recently been formed in England for tho mnnufacture of titanic steel and iran nfter the modé devised by Mr. Musbet, which, we believe, is nearly ready to go into operation. We perceive frou the London Mining Journal, Inst received, tbat on extraordinary general mecting of tbis compnny line been called, to tnkn into consideration tbe ngrecinent entered into by the company with Messrs. Mushet & Claro, with a view to the modification thereof. This may possilly hnve sonie reference to the new discovery above spoken of. At oll events, there is a good reason to believe thnt the well-known nnd valuable properties of titnuium will soon bo cconomically introduced into the manufacture of iron, in such n manner us to work a most important iniprovemeut in this great agent of civilization and practical mechanism. Goop Morrar.—Many have sapposed that the superior endurance of nucient over modern masonry is duc, in a great measure, to some eeeret in the art of making the mortar used by the ancients. Analysis, however, shows that there is nothing remarkable in the composition of the mortar used hy either the Greeks, Ro, mans or Egyptians. The inferior quality of modern mortar is due to the dishonesty of builders and contractors, and the haste witb which it is applied after being made. What js essential in good mortar is éhoroughly burnt lime and clean sharp sand in the proportion of one of lime to two of sand; sand mixed with mud or slum won’t make good mortar. Moreover, the lime shonld be slacked as soon as possible after burning, before air-slack begins to set in to any extent. Care should be taken tbat no more wnter is used in making mortar than is necessary to work it. The mortar sbould be well worked, and after beiug made ebould be kept as much as possible from the air, by a covering as nearly impervious as possible. It is said that tbe Romans, for their best work would not use mortar that was less than two or threc years old, and which bad been kept moist in pits. Before being used, it should be thoroughly re-worked. Care, in these two last particulars will add much to its hardening pronerties, nod of course to its endurance. Some ancient mortar is as hard ns the stone which it binds together. 7 Hynro-vroputsion—In an article in the Engineer upon the new propeller Waterwitch, the editor says: “The first patent for hydropropulsion was secured by ‘Togood, in 1661, and his boat was tried on the Thames; since tbat year fifty-seven patents (English) have been taken out, all embodying more or less exactly tbe principle used by Mr. Ruthven.” Excine Caronomxrers.—Owing to the excessive ehaking experienced on the foot-plates of locomotives, it hae been hitberto a matter of extreme difficulty to obtain engine chronometers whicb willkeep correct time, but tbis difficnlty, it is reported, bas been surmonnted by Mr. Lewis Haslnck, who hneeupplied the Metropolitan Railway company witb a chronometer fixed to an engine, tbe fifteen days’ trial of whicb hns been most satisfsctory. Welded eotoet oints. Doring the past few years muny effurts have . —— been made to do way with the lap und rivet system of joining boiler-plates ; onu great cbjection tu the system of riveting being the corrosion of the plates on the interiur of the boiler, where the line of rivets join the plates together. When bvilers are umdo of a singe platy bent into a eirele and having only one longitudiual riveted juiat it is some improveinebt. as it does away with the longitudinal laps that oveur in the lap und riveted boilers built up of scetional plates. his may be called the first step in tbe improvements in hoiler working, nnd seems a sensible one that and niso for . Ouglit to have been adopted wheu the mana. facture of boilers first coumenced. But until the time shall come when wo will have seamless boilers ol steel, rolled liko a tube upon tho mochinery that “is to be” in tie future of mechanical skill, we are conteut to uso the old style of up and riveted boilers. Wo find in this style of boiler two evils to contend with; corrosion of the plates by a chemical suction, ond eorrosion and mechanical action combined. ‘l'ho first oceurs in various parts of the boiler, ond we Gnd tho eurface of the plutes irreculurly pitted. Bat the lastnamed evil occurs along the line of the laps, both tho longitudinal as well as the transverse jvints, and oceurs inustly below the water-line. Corrosion, it ia truc, can be necounted Tor by chemical principles; but when we find nnonlar grooves rmuning parallel or in the immediate vicinity of the riveted joints, we mnst look to sonle other cause, ond must attribute it to the effects of heat upon the joints, and tn the combined effort of mechanical and chemical action. We will suppose that a chemical action has commenced equally over the interior surface of tbe boiler; we find that the effects of heat upon tbe plates will be sneh that there will be unequal expansion where the lnps occur; perhaps tbis way be accounted for in consequence of the plates not being in the same line of strain, and as the contrnetion is succeeding expansion, tbe deposit of scale induced hy corrosiou is cracked and broken off. ‘Lbis lays the surface open to n similar succeeding action, which, iu process nf time, forms an anoular gronve, that destroys the strength of the plate at this point. Vhe corroding action of the water upon the plate is quite weak compared with the actiow tbat gocs to form these annular gruoves. Upon locomotive boilers this evil is much greater than in the stationary boiler, and for this reason ; the different supporte and braces of the hoiler are rigidly made, aud they offer a great resistance to the expansion and contraction of the boiler, whicb has a greater teudency to throw off this scalc and present new surfaces for corrosion than in nny other kind of boiler, The system of forming boilers of a series of hoops or loops, with but one riveted joint, overcomes part of this evil. Another plan has been used, with some success, of rolling the plates with the customary thickness of body, the edges tapering with a gradual thickness, by this means insuring an equal springing of the plates instead of the concentration of force acting upon them at a single line. In this mode there is a gain of strength where the lines of riveting occur, as the lozs of nictal consequently weakens the plates by the scries of rivet boles. but is compensated tor by the ndditionol thickness, It has been shown by actual experiment that boilers constracted upon thig plan have been successful ; no annular grooves being formed by corrosion consequent upon tbe mechanical action. Welded longitudinal joints have seen made with a fair prospect of success; but there 13 but little prospect of their ultimnte adoption. Iu all experimental hoilers of this kind that linve been made, the weigbt was greater and the expense mucb more than uny other kind of hoiler. Instead of adopting heavier hoilers, weare continually looking for n boiler tbat shall be lighter as well as cheaper, and conbining the same nmonut of strength. The great want seems to be a boiler tbat shall be light, constructed of Bessemer or some kind of steel that shall be perfectly homogeneous—made scamless, perfectly eyliudrical, and of length or diameter to order. When we call to mind the improvements made in steam hammers, and the huge forg. ingsthat are formed hy their aid; the rapid improvements made in the manufacture of wrought iron tubes, can we not look to the future as producing boilers made in this mnonner and upon these priuciples? It may he of no greater difficulty in the future than the making of iron tubing has been in the past. Where there is n demand, or where a demand can he created, dhere genius will finda means to supply all that is needed or called for,— American Artisan, Nov. 21. A yew English “safe-protector” is an arrongement by whicb any violence to the safe, even a hlow upon the top, will cut off the supply of gas from a peculiar lamp in the street in front of the building. This would nt once drow tho nttention of the watchman. Srientific Wlisceltany. Wilde's New Magneto-Electric Machine, The Octoher number of the London Quarlterly Journal of Science, contnins a further description, with illustrations, of Mr. Wilde's hew miagueto-electric innchine, Like most . practical applicutions of science, the iniportnat . results which Mr, Wilde has obtatued, depeud . hore npnn nn ingenious eombinntion of scveral well-known facts, united with considerable scientific und engineering skill, tbau upou any now and striking discovery in the scienen of electncity. ‘he priueiple of tbe muchine was quite lully nnd distinetly set forth in our issne 0] Deeember Lith. Tbe value of the discovery ie heyond qnestion. ‘Yho consideration of its economical opplicubility nt present, seems to be confined to tbn production of light. The extrnordinnory calorific aud illumiuating powers of tbo apparntus, ure certninly most astonishing. ‘be great advantago derivablo tberefrom, over the old system of magneto-electrie nncbiues, consists in its capability of nmplification to seemingly ony required power, by the mere enlorgemeut of the size of the differont parts, and the euntinuatioa of the electrie current gcnernted round a still greater numbor of electro-magnets. Tho only opparent limit to this multiplication of power, is the excessive hent evolved. It eould be inerensed uutil tbe hent would destroy overy materinl of whicb the apporatus could be constructed, burn up tbe wood work, melt the iron and brass, if, indeed, it did not previously result in the more sudden cadeath as wellas desolation nround. A machine might be constructed and safely worked, which would light up tea such cities a3 San Francisco, and make our night as bright as day, A writer in the Journal of Science, while reflecting upon the extraordinary results obtained in the evolution of sucb an enormons electrical force at the expeaditure of snchnpparently sinall mechanical power, cautiously remarks as follows: “ But, witbont for n moment deuying tbe truth of this doctrine, [the modern doctrine of tbe conservation of force] it must be admitted that there are certain phenomena conuected with this, which are in apparent contradiction to the law of conservation,” The first practical application of the invention, and one which possesses a considerable degree of interest, has been made by a photographer. Jor such purposes it is found more convenient, and even more effective, than tbe sun itself. Dy the aid of one of Mr. Wilde’s machines more than two bundred negntives can be exposed in a day to secure gelatine reliefs. Its constancy and perfect control reuders it far more valuable than on uncertain sunlight. A large machine is now in process of construction for a first class ligbthouse, thot will weigh, when completed, nbout tbree tons, nnd which without reflectors will produco ns much light as 4,000 wax candles, nt on expense not exceeding, if it even equals that of oil or gns, for aligbt of ordinary intensity, equal to, eny 1,000 wax candles. The nmount of coal, per honr, to keep up tbe mecbanical action of the revolving armotures, necessary to cause the macbine to blaze forth with an intensity of ligbt, before wbich even the rays of the sun himself appear pale and feeble, will he less than twelve pounds per hour! To the above must be ndded the expense of carbon rods for the lamps, which will be nbout ten inches per hour, worth perhaps two or three ecnts—and the somewhat increased expeuse of intcrest on tbe original cost andn little extrn care for tending tbe motive power, etc.; but no more necessary cost. Time has not yet eufficed to determine bnt faw of tbe uses to which so convenient and useful a light may be applied; or to the other economical purposes which itmay yet bo found scientific interest of the discovery has as yct tastropbe of a mighty explosion, spreading: been ecnreely considered. Philosophers and experimentalists of all classes, will doubtless scizo upon the diseovery and nmplify it, by repentiug und extending their resuarches iuto dia-magnetisin and the mngnetic condition of ull matter. We shall watch with inuch interest for luturn developments, and shall plneo them hefore our renders as fast ns they transpire. Tne Maaxesitm Licut~A New Mopr or Ouraintne Ir—-A new magnesium lump baa heeu devised in England, by which that metal is hurned iu the shnpe of a fino powder, instead of the ordivury ribbon. Tho maotollic powder is mixed with finc ennd as a dilueat, instead of the metallie alloy as heretofore employed ia the form of a strip or ribbon. The powder is placed ia n reservoir of suitable size, with a short tube at the bottom through whicb it flows to no small gns jet issuing from the snmo orifice, nnd by which it is kept iu aeonstant blaze. Tho flow is regulated by a valve, the same as in the use of gas. At the first soiree nt which these lamps were used, the ladies ecomplnined that a ghostly effeet wae produced upon tbn countenance, hy tbe effect of the burning mngnesium. At the next soiree, the dcfcet was ingenionsly obviated, and n most pleasnrablo change nffocted, hy the addition of n little nitrate of strontia to the mnognesium powder; tbe result of which was the communication of n warm roseata hue to tho light, which produced a most pleasing effect upon the complexions of the persons present. The ladies, especially, were deligbted witb the ingenious contrivance, and expressed the utmost satisfaction at this new evidence of the valne of science iu devising ways and means for beantifying the human complexion. TRanswission or Sounp tnrovon WatTsr.— It is a singular fact that musical sounds, however loudly produced, rapidly hecome extinct in their transmission tbrongh water. Tor instance an iron har, suspended perpendicularly in the air, aud struck anywhere along its length prodnces a musical eound which is heard to great distance—much furtber than when it is suspended longitudinally and struck against one of its euds. The exact reverse of this is true when suspended in the water. These facts have an importaut bearing in tbe traasmission of fog signals, when mnsical notes cannot be heard at so great n distance as those which are not musical. Extensive experiments in this direction are bcing made in England, with regard tothe cbaracter of sound which will pass the most readily tbrougb water or an atmosphere loaded with fog. Ixprom tn Zine Ovens.—Dr. Rudolph Wagner has ascertained that the rare metal indium is often to be met with in the flues of any furnace where zine blende has been roasted. ‘Ihe fact is worth bearing in mind, and it would be well for nny parties who mny be roasting ores containing auy considerable quantity of zinc, to have their flues or the dust from the same carcfully exainined for this mineral, by some competent chemist. Purr Bexzou.—tTo prepare perfectly puro benzol, Schorlemmer recommends thé treatment of the crude mixture of hydro-carbons with bromine, and subsequently with potnsh before rectification. In this way n product ie obtained which gives n nearly colorless nitrobenzol, and dissolves in concentrated sulphuric acid without moch coloration. Guacrer Icze.—M. A. Bertin has recently examined the constitution of glacier ice by polarized light. He has found that the superficial part of the higher glaciers is composed of agglomerated snow ; but lower down, where the water has eunk into the fissnres nnd become frozen, crystallization and true ice are found. Yur Cotor or Various Liours.—Tbe diffnse light of day is strongly reddish, just ae gas or lamp light is yellow. The only perfectly white light is tbe electric light from charcoal to suhserve in some one of ite convertible) points. The light from burning magnesinm, ns forms of light, beat or motion. ‘Tbe porely. well ns that derived from the combustion of pbosphorns in oxygen, is violet.

Che Mining and Scientific Dress, 403 °. AMlechanicat. Titanium Trou, A valnable diseovary is reported in the Eng lish papers, wbicb consists of a cbeap process for sinclting titanie iron ore, which has hitherto defiod, or greatly perplexed, oll irunmusters aud scientific nicn in the tude. It ig a wellknown fact tbat tron made from titaniferous ore is most valuable, on necount of its harducss and tensile strength heing five times greater than ordinary iron ; this iron willhe odinirably adnpted for plating on iron-clads, rails, on account of its hurdness and strength, aod the discoverer will be prepared to test this jrou agninst nny other iron hitherto discovered fur these purposes, or for muking steel. If the discovery is uo which ean he cheaply introduced, or ono by which titanium iron enn be innnnfactured at bout tho eost of Lessemer stecl, it will be a valuable one indeed. A compony bns recently been formed in England for tho mnnufacture of titanic steel and iran nfter the modé devised by Mr. Musbet, which, we believe, is nearly ready to go into operation. We perceive frou the London Mining Journal, Inst received, tbat on extraordinary general mecting of tbis compnny line been called, to tnkn into consideration tbe ngrecinent entered into by the company with Messrs. Mushet & Claro, with a view to the modification thereof. This may possilly hnve sonie reference to the new discovery above spoken of. At oll events, there is a good reason to believe thnt the well-known nnd valuable properties of titnuium will soon bo cconomically introduced into the manufacture of iron, in such n manner us to work a most important iniprovemeut in this great agent of civilization and practical mechanism. Goop Morrar.—Many have sapposed that the superior endurance of nucient over modern masonry is duc, in a great measure, to some eeeret in the art of making the mortar used by the ancients. Analysis, however, shows that there is nothing remarkable in the composition of the mortar used hy either the Greeks, Ro, mans or Egyptians. The inferior quality of modern mortar is due to the dishonesty of builders and contractors, and the haste witb which it is applied after being made. What js essential in good mortar is éhoroughly burnt lime and clean sharp sand in the proportion of one of lime to two of sand; sand mixed with mud or slum won’t make good mortar. Moreover, the lime shonld be slacked as soon as possible after burning, before air-slack begins to set in to any extent. Care should be taken tbat no more wnter is used in making mortar than is necessary to work it. The mortar sbould be well worked, and after beiug made ebould be kept as much as possible from the air, by a covering as nearly impervious as possible. It is said that tbe Romans, for their best work would not use mortar that was less than two or threc years old, and which bad been kept moist in pits. Before being used, it should be thoroughly re-worked. Care, in these two last particulars will add much to its hardening pronerties, nod of course to its endurance. Some ancient mortar is as hard ns the stone which it binds together. 7 Hynro-vroputsion—In an article in the Engineer upon the new propeller Waterwitch, the editor says: “The first patent for hydropropulsion was secured by ‘Togood, in 1661, and his boat was tried on the Thames; since tbat year fifty-seven patents (English) have been taken out, all embodying more or less exactly tbe principle used by Mr. Ruthven.” Excine Caronomxrers.—Owing to the excessive ehaking experienced on the foot-plates of locomotives, it hae been hitberto a matter of extreme difficulty to obtain engine chronometers whicb willkeep correct time, but tbis difficnlty, it is reported, bas been surmonnted by Mr. Lewis Haslnck, who hneeupplied the Metropolitan Railway company witb a chronometer fixed to an engine, tbe fifteen days’ trial of whicb hns been most satisfsctory. Welded eotoet oints. Doring the past few years muny effurts have . —— been made to do way with the lap und rivet system of joining boiler-plates ; onu great cbjection tu the system of riveting being the corrosion of the plates on the interiur of the boiler, where the line of rivets join the plates together. When bvilers are umdo of a singe platy bent into a eirele and having only one longitudiual riveted juiat it is some improveinebt. as it does away with the longitudinal laps that oveur in the lap und riveted boilers built up of scetional plates. his may be called the first step in tbe improvements in hoiler working, nnd seems a sensible one that and niso for . Ouglit to have been adopted wheu the mana. facture of boilers first coumenced. But until the time shall come when wo will have seamless boilers ol steel, rolled liko a tube upon tho mochinery that “is to be” in tie future of mechanical skill, we are conteut to uso the old style of up and riveted boilers. Wo find in this style of boiler two evils to contend with; corrosion of the plates by a chemical suction, ond eorrosion and mechanical action combined. ‘l'ho first oceurs in various parts of the boiler, ond we Gnd tho eurface of the plutes irreculurly pitted. Bat the lastnamed evil occurs along the line of the laps, both tho longitudinal as well as the transverse jvints, and oceurs inustly below the water-line. Corrosion, it ia truc, can be necounted Tor by chemical principles; but when we find nnonlar grooves rmuning parallel or in the immediate vicinity of the riveted joints, we mnst look to sonle other cause, ond must attribute it to the effects of heat upon the joints, and tn the combined effort of mechanical and chemical action. We will suppose that a chemical action has commenced equally over the interior surface of tbe boiler; we find that the effects of heat upon tbe plates will be sneh that there will be unequal expansion where the lnps occur; perhaps tbis way be accounted for in consequence of the plates not being in the same line of strain, and as the contrnetion is succeeding expansion, tbe deposit of scale induced hy corrosiou is cracked and broken off. ‘Lbis lays the surface open to n similar succeeding action, which, iu process nf time, forms an anoular gronve, that destroys the strength of the plate at this point. Vhe corroding action of the water upon the plate is quite weak compared with the actiow tbat gocs to form these annular gruoves. Upon locomotive boilers this evil is much greater than in the stationary boiler, and for this reason ; the different supporte and braces of the hoiler are rigidly made, aud they offer a great resistance to the expansion and contraction of the boiler, whicb has a greater teudency to throw off this scalc and present new surfaces for corrosion than in nny other kind of boiler, The system of forming boilers of a series of hoops or loops, with but one riveted joint, overcomes part of this evil. Another plan has been used, with some success, of rolling the plates with the customary thickness of body, the edges tapering with a gradual thickness, by this means insuring an equal springing of the plates instead of the concentration of force acting upon them at a single line. In this mode there is a gain of strength where the lines of riveting occur, as the lozs of nictal consequently weakens the plates by the scries of rivet boles. but is compensated tor by the ndditionol thickness, It has been shown by actual experiment that boilers constracted upon thig plan have been successful ; no annular grooves being formed by corrosion consequent upon tbe mechanical action. Welded longitudinal joints have seen made with a fair prospect of success; but there 13 but little prospect of their ultimnte adoption. Iu all experimental hoilers of this kind that linve been made, the weigbt was greater and the expense mucb more than uny other kind of hoiler. Instead of adopting heavier hoilers, weare continually looking for n boiler tbat shall be lighter as well as cheaper, and conbining the same nmonut of strength. The great want seems to be a boiler tbat shall be light, constructed of Bessemer or some kind of steel that shall be perfectly homogeneous—made scamless, perfectly eyliudrical, and of length or diameter to order. When we call to mind the improvements made in steam hammers, and the huge forg. ingsthat are formed hy their aid; the rapid improvements made in the manufacture of wrought iron tubes, can we not look to the future as producing boilers made in this mnonner and upon these priuciples? It may he of no greater difficulty in the future than the

making of iron tubing has been in the past. Where there is n demand, or where a demand can he created, dhere genius will finda means to supply all that is needed or called for,— American Artisan, Nov. 21. A yew English “safe-protector” is an arrongement by whicb any violence to the safe, even a hlow upon the top, will cut off the supply of gas from a peculiar lamp in the street in front of the building. This would nt once drow tho nttention of the watchman. Srientific Wlisceltany. Wilde's New Magneto-Electric Machine, The Octoher number of the London Quarlterly Journal of Science, contnins a further description, with illustrations, of Mr. Wilde's hew miagueto-electric innchine, Like most . practical applicutions of science, the iniportnat . results which Mr, Wilde has obtatued, depeud . hore npnn nn ingenious eombinntion of scveral well-known facts, united with considerable scientific und engineering skill, tbau upou any now and striking discovery in the scienen of electncity. ‘he priueiple of tbe muchine was quite lully nnd distinetly set forth in our issne 0] Deeember Lith. Tbe value of the discovery ie heyond qnestion. ‘Yho consideration of its economical opplicubility nt present, seems to be confined to tbn production of light. The extrnordinnory calorific aud illumiuating powers of tbo apparntus, ure certninly most astonishing. ‘be great advantago derivablo tberefrom, over the old system of magneto-electrie nncbiues, consists in its capability of nmplification to seemingly ony required power, by the mere enlorgemeut of the size of the differont parts, and the euntinuatioa of the electrie current gcnernted round a still greater numbor of electro-magnets. Tho only opparent limit to this multiplication of power, is the excessive hent evolved. It eould be inerensed uutil tbe hent would destroy overy materinl of whicb the apporatus could be constructed, burn up tbe wood work, melt the iron and brass, if, indeed, it did not previously result in the more sudden cadeath as wellas desolation nround. A machine might be constructed and safely worked, which would light up tea such cities a3 San Francisco, and make our night as bright as day, A writer in the Journal of Science, while reflecting upon the extraordinary results obtained in the evolution of sucb an enormons electrical force at the expeaditure of snchnpparently sinall mechanical power, cautiously remarks as follows: “ But, witbont for n moment deuying tbe truth of this doctrine, [the modern doctrine of tbe conservation of force] it must be admitted that there are certain phenomena conuected with this, which are in apparent contradiction to the law of conservation,” The first practical application of the invention, and one which possesses a considerable degree of interest, has been made by a photographer. Jor such purposes it is found more convenient, and even more effective, than tbe sun itself. Dy the aid of one of Mr. Wilde’s machines more than two bundred negntives can be exposed in a day to secure gelatine reliefs. Its constancy and perfect control reuders it far more valuable than on uncertain sunlight. A large machine is now in process of construction for a first class ligbthouse, thot will weigh, when completed, nbout tbree tons, nnd which without reflectors will produco ns much light as 4,000 wax candles, nt on expense not exceeding, if it even equals that of oil or gns, for aligbt of ordinary intensity, equal to, eny 1,000 wax candles. The nmount of coal, per honr, to keep up tbe mecbanical action of the revolving armotures, necessary to cause the macbine to blaze forth with an intensity of ligbt, before wbich even the rays of the sun himself appear pale and feeble, will he less than twelve pounds per hour! To the above must be ndded the expense of carbon rods for the lamps, which will be nbout ten inches per hour, worth perhaps two or three ecnts—and the somewhat increased expeuse of intcrest on tbe original cost andn little extrn care for tending tbe motive power, etc.; but no more necessary cost. Time has not yet eufficed to determine bnt faw of tbe uses to which so convenient and useful a light may be applied; or to the other economical purposes which itmay yet bo found scientific interest of the discovery has as yct tastropbe of a mighty explosion, spreading: been ecnreely considered. Philosophers and experimentalists of all classes, will doubtless scizo upon the diseovery and nmplify it, by repentiug und extending their resuarches iuto dia-magnetisin and the mngnetic condition of ull matter. We shall watch with inuch interest for luturn developments, and shall plneo them hefore our renders as fast ns they transpire. Tne Maaxesitm Licut~A New Mopr or Ouraintne Ir—-A new magnesium lump baa heeu devised in England, by which that metal is hurned iu the shnpe of a fino powder, instead of the ordivury ribbon. Tho maotollic powder is mixed with finc ennd as a dilueat, instead of the metallie alloy as heretofore employed ia the form of a strip or ribbon. The powder is placed ia n reservoir of suitable size, with a short tube at the bottom through whicb it flows to no small gns jet issuing from the snmo orifice, nnd by which it is kept iu aeonstant blaze. Tho flow is regulated by a valve, the same as in the use of gas. At the first soiree nt which these lamps were used, the ladies ecomplnined that a ghostly effeet wae produced upon tbn countenance, hy tbe effect of the burning mngnesium. At the next soiree, the dcfcet was ingenionsly obviated, and n most pleasnrablo change nffocted, hy the addition of n little nitrate of strontia to the mnognesium powder; tbe result of which was the communication of n warm roseata hue to tho light, which produced a most pleasing effect upon the complexions of the persons present. The ladies, especially, were deligbted witb the ingenious contrivance, and expressed the utmost satisfaction at this new evidence of the valne of science iu devising ways and means for beantifying the human complexion. TRanswission or Sounp tnrovon WatTsr.— It is a singular fact that musical sounds, however loudly produced, rapidly hecome extinct in their transmission tbrongh water. Tor instance an iron har, suspended perpendicularly in the air, aud struck anywhere along its length prodnces a musical eound which is heard to great distance—much furtber than when it is suspended longitudinally and struck against one of its euds. The exact reverse of this is true when suspended in the water. These facts have an importaut bearing in tbe traasmission of fog signals, when mnsical notes cannot be heard at so great n distance as those which are not musical. Extensive experiments in this direction are bcing made in England, with regard tothe cbaracter of sound which will pass the most readily tbrougb water or an atmosphere loaded with fog. Ixprom tn Zine Ovens.—Dr. Rudolph Wagner has ascertained that the rare metal indium is often to be met with in the flues of any furnace where zine blende has been roasted. ‘Ihe fact is worth bearing in mind, and it would be well for nny parties who mny be roasting ores containing auy considerable quantity of zinc, to have their flues or the dust from the same carcfully exainined for this mineral, by some competent chemist. Purr Bexzou.—tTo prepare perfectly puro benzol, Schorlemmer recommends thé treatment of the crude mixture of hydro-carbons with bromine, and subsequently with potnsh before rectification. In this way n product ie obtained which gives n nearly colorless nitrobenzol, and dissolves in concentrated sulphuric acid without moch coloration. Guacrer Icze.—M. A. Bertin has recently examined the constitution of glacier ice by polarized light. He has found that the superficial part of the higher glaciers is composed of agglomerated snow ; but lower down, where the water has eunk into the fissnres nnd become frozen, crystallization and true ice are found. Yur Cotor or Various Liours.—Tbe diffnse light of day is strongly reddish, just ae gas or lamp light is yellow. The only perfectly white light is tbe electric light from charcoal to suhserve in some one of ite convertible) points. The light from burning magnesinm, ns forms of light, beat or motion. ‘Tbe porely. well ns that derived from the combustion of pbosphorns in oxygen, is violet.