Volume 24 (1872) (424 pages)

April 6, 1872.] SCIENTIMIC PRESS. 217 working of a wire {0 miles lorg, which bad been constructed between Laltimore aud Washington. Honors have becn freely showered upon this greatest of American inventors botli at home and abroad. He was a niembor of a number of American aud Enropean scientific and art associations, and medals and crosses lave been presented to him by many European rulers. The most distingnished tribnte ever paid lim was by ten European governments eombined—those of France, Russia, Sweden, Belgium, Holland, Austria, Sardinia, Tuscany, the Holy See and Turkey, whose representatives assembled in Paris at the instanco of Emperor Napolcon to consider tho best means of giving him a collective testimonial, which resnlted in a yoto of 100,000 franes as ‘an honorary and personal reward to Mr. Morse for bis usefnl labors.” Professor Morse lived to see the system lie invented adopted in every portion of the globe, bringing its most distant parts withiu speaking distanco of each other, nnd all the nations of tbo world havo vied in doing him honor. Like all inventors he oxperienced considerable tronble in bringing bis method before the people,but when it was once understood its vast importance was nt once recognized and it bas been ever since one of the greatest of educators, the ehief aid of commerce, the highostconvenience of civilization, and one which revolutionized the cutire business of the world. He has gone from ng, notlike a meteor in a wild blaze of transient brillianey; but in the full effnlgence and glory, of honors as enduring as tho world. The Late Earthquake. The earthquake which occurred on tbe 26th ult. was felt the whole length of Califoruia and as far inland as Winnemuece. Tbe shock though comparatively a light one in this city, was one of the most severo on record in other Jocalitics, as well as one of the most widely diffused. A great varicty of opinion is expressed as to the intensity, and in the numerous deseriptions mnch discrepancy exists concerning the duration. The center or initial point of the shock seems to have heen at Lone Pine, in Inyo County, the center of a mining district of that nanie, situated on the western base of the Inyo Mountsins not far east of Mount Whitney. The country in which it is located is undoubtedly of volcanic origin and ahounds with ovidences of comparatively recent volennic action. From facts elicited by the late ‘‘ temhlor’’ it is roasonahle to suppose that the Kern or Inyo region is the seat of the greatest energy of the failing voleanic forces which raised the Sierra Nevadas and covered the surface of the country with the evidences of its power. The phenomena which occurred in that region were of the most appalling kind and some twenty three persons were killed and thirty injured hy the falling huildings. Eye witnesses describe the scene in a manner whicb leaves no donbt of the power of the shock, and makes it a subject of congratulation that this city with its thousands of inhabitants, lofty brick huildings, and crowded houses, was so far from the center of disturhance. It is said that an instant after the shock occurred ot Lone Pine (ahout balf past two in the morning) not a huilding was left standing. The houses appeared to crumble away and fall iuto ruins. Cries for help from the wounded filled the air, and shock succeeded shock, added to the already overwhelming fright of the people who had escaped the first disastrons effects. Different accounts place the number of shocks all the way from 500 to 1,000, and it is asserted that each was in variahly accompanied by au appalling noise, the reverberations of which throngh the mountains were as terrific as the noise itself. It sounded like the thunderiug explosien of a thousand heavy cannon fired at the same time. It scemed to be directly under foot, and at Independence the noise could be heard advanciug from Lone Pine, and as the shock came on, thonsands of huge rocks tumbled from the erags on either hand and crashed into the ravines and npon the edges of the valley below. Big Owens Lake is snid to have risen some four feet, and the Oweus river overflowed its hanks, whilst Little Owens Lake, 24 feet in depth, has entirely dried np. The earth is) cracked and seamed in many places, and old springs dried up, while new ones were created, Notices of Recent Patents. Anong the patents recently obtained throngh Dewey & Co’s. Scientific Press American and Foreign Patent Agency, the following are worthy of mention: MacmNe ror Parstrxyo Wire Croryu.— Samuel Graves, §. F. Tho object of this invention is to provide a machine by which fibrous substances, and wire cloth especially, ean be rapidly and thoroughly painted, Itceusists in passing tbe long strips of cloth from a reel, throngha bath of paint where it is thoronghly coated, and tbenco between one or more sects of clastic rollers which squeeze out all superfluous paint from tha moshes, but Icave the wire thoroughly coated, Permetation Lock.—Wim. C. Bussey, 5. F., Cal. Tho object ofthis invention is to provide an improvement in that class of locks which are eommonly employed for safes and bank-vaults. It is called a detached cylinder lock, and consists mainly in the employment of operating devices which rondcr it possible to remove the lock to a considerable distance from tho knob, and also in tho nse of novel dovices between the knob and the lock proper by which tbo combination is set and operated. Au elastic connection is employed so that it will bo impossible to tamper with the lock from the outsido, Brick Kity.—Francis F. Boudrye, 8. F., Cal. The object of this inventiou is to provide such an arrangement of the lines. of bricks and the conducting passuges for) heat, that all parts of the kiln shall be exposed uniformly to the heat and thereby the burning and spoiling of many brick in. every kiln is avoided. IMFROVEMENT IN TRaAcTION ENOINES.— . W. W. Hanscom, San Francisco, Cal. This invention relates mainly to improvements in applying power to the wheels of trac-. tion engines so that all gearing and com-. plicated machinery are dispensed with. Microscopic Wonders. The uses and advantages of tbe micrescope crewd upon us in snch prefusion that a velume would be required to merely enumerate them. There is no department of science, artor manufactures for the benefit of which it is not called into requisition. Itis ne lenger a costly toy, as at its first introduction, but it is a genuine and practical aid te man in ahnost overy research or employment in which he is engaged. Perhaps in no direction has its wonder-revealing powers been more fully exhibited than inthe world of microscopic life which it has made known tons. Equally interesting and useful is the assistance which it has rendered in the study of the various orders of insects, not strietly microscopical, hut whose miuuteness rendered any practical study of their structure, habits, ete., utterly impossible, There is a cluss of insects known as Acurus, commonly culled mites, and belonging to the spider family, a more accurate knowledgo of which, than can he ohtained by tho uaked eye, is almost indispensahle to man, in his present advanced social condition. We allude to the perasitical insects which so seriously interfere witb him by their depredations upon his food, bis domestic animals, the feathered friends by which he is surrounded and most of the vegetables, etc., which he cultivates, and evon with his own person. We hove herewith figured two of these insects, the Acarus sacchari, found in uurefined or raw sugsr, and the Acarus scabici, sometimes found under the human skin in the pustules of @ well known cutaneous disease. There are, hesides these, great numbers of similar insects,some one of which is peculiar to nearly or quite every quadruped or feathered creature. A microscopical knowledge of tbe physical constitution, habits ete., of such insects is THE ITCH INSECT. almost indispensable in enabling us to rid ourselves and our damestiested friends of their annoyances, which if not arrested often lead to fatal and most destructive results. Many people were much startled hy the reports of the immense numher of mites found in raw or unrefined sugar, when their presence was first announced by Dr. Hassel in 1868. The Dr. found them in no less than 69 out of 72 samples of sugar examined; hnt he did not detect It consists in the employment of hy-/them in a single specimen of refined sugar. draulic pumps which are operated by. ‘The conditions of refined sugar are doubtless means of steam cylinders. cylinders which are operated by the pumps are connected directly with cranks, which are fixed upon the axles or wheel centers, The hydraulic . ungitted to their existence therein. In one sample of raw sugar he fonnd no less than 500 mites in 10 grains; equivalent to 100,000 in a and in such positions as to have no dead . single pound! When they sre present in great point. SULMARINE, AND OTHER Waxtis.—Wm. H. Foye, San Francisco, Cal. This invention relates mainly to an improved method of constructing walls, by which a system of ground and vertical rods are employed which @uide and assist in placing the stoues, and also serve to retain them firmly in place after they are there. It also relates to a device for attaching a cornice when cmployed upon buildings. Lirtzz and Big Cottonwood Districts, in Utah are still covered with snow. The Emma and other mines are working, however, with full sets of hands and good prospects. Wueat Suiement.—The large ship, Adviatic, cleared for England this week with 3,300 tons of wheat, the heaviest shipment tbis season. Tbe ‘‘Glery of the Seas” carried 3,200 tons. The total shipment since the Ist of Jnly amounts to 1,162,000 centals against 3,500,000 centals for the same time last year, The whole mechanism is much . numbers they may sometimes be detected by a simplified. good eye, unsided by a glass—sppcaring like little white specks. The ‘Grocer’sitch’’ is caused hy trausference of these mites to the human skin, Jfem.—Don’t eat raw sugar. A mere sight of the picture of the ugly looking little fellow which we have placed hy the side of the Acarus sacchari, will probably he all our readers will care for, at this time, and we will not inflict tbem witb any further reference. This class of insects have a rounded oval body, without the usual division hetween the head and body. They usually have four pairs of legs. Perhaps the most familiar type of this class of insects is the common head louse— Pedicule Capitis, and the inscct which infests the common barn-yard fowl--more easily detected on the head or under the wings of very yonng chickens. One of the cheapest microseopes extant is that advertised in another column, and known as Craig’s microscope. This instrument. will do very well for beginners, or for cultivating a taste for such studies; but we cannot recommend it as a very affective instrument for practical stndy. i The Coming Centennial Anniversary. Mr. Jehn Graham, of this city, has received a letter frem Judge J. D. Creigh, the California delegate to the Cemmission which was called to meet at Philadelphia for tho purpose of makiug arrangements for the approaching Centennial anniversary of our National Independence, Frem a perusal of that letter we infer that the preparations indicate that tho event will be made one of greater magnitude than anything of the kind which has yet entcred into tbe civil history of any nation en the glohe, The Commission, which cunsisted ef twentyseven memhers, has held several sessions, and has selected as a site for tbe celebration, the well known locality of Fairmount Park, upon which will he erected a main building which will cover ahout 50 acresof ground! The building will consist entirely of iron and glass and will cost ahont seven and a half millons of dollars! Other minor ond special huildings will also he erected. The Commission estimate that the entire cost of the celebration will reach fifteen millions or more. The city and entire State, in fact, is slive to the importance and magnitude of the eveut, and citizens of all classes are making every possible exertion to encourage and help on the enterprise. In consequeuce of some needed legislation hy Congress and the State of Pennsylvania, the committce has adjourned uutil the 22d of May, when they expect to meet again and make all hecessary arrangements to put in active progress the materiel preparations for the grand event. Very properly, and with a due apprecistion of the importauce of the feeling which should pervade the national heart, the most thorongh arrangements sre contemplated to unite all sections of the country in this demonstration; and every good citizen will hope that nothing may transpire to, in the least, interfere with the realizatiou of this purpose in its fullest and most compreheusive sense, Mr. Morrell, who was offered the Presidency of the Commission, has declined the honor in such amsnner as to give the whole conntry more time for consideratiou in its choice of a gentleman in whom might be centered such feeling and confidence as would command the greatest amonnt of admiration. Some gentleman will undouhtedly be selected for the office, who, by position and all the amenities of nature and other cirenmstances, will he able to conduct the first grand celebration of the birth of the Natiou in a manner worthy of the event and satisfactory to the people ss a whole. As we understand it, the design is not to make the occasion simply a grand gala-day, but in addition to the ceremonies, displays, addresses, etc., appropriate to snch an event, the day will also he made the grand opening of one of the most magnificent industrial displays which the world has ever yct witnessed. Tbe main huilding alluded to is designed for the reception and display of the industries of the country, and it is confidently expected that the United States will he able to show more strength and genius, in the mechanic arts and sciences, through the influence of that celebration, than has yet heen shown by any ‘' World’s Fair” or other similar means yet attempted by the nations of the earth. If tbe proper cnrrent is set running, the only difficulty will he for Philadelphia to find room for all that is offered to show the productive resources of the country, and the progress which has been made during the first century of onr national existence. It is confidently expected that the first centennial of the United States will be the grandest civil and industrial exhibition ever known in history. Canirornta MACHINERY FoR CoLORADO. A 15-ton mill is being built at the Union Foundry for Hon. N. B. Judd and F. W. Crosby of Georgetown, Colorado. This is a pioneer movement in that quarter, Californie machinery boing hitherto unrepresented in that Territory. The mining interests of Colorado, more especially her silver interests are now in their infaucy but are full of promise for the future. Our foundrymen haye had over 20 yesrs’ experiencoin building milling and mining machinery, and their work we think cannot be equalled, lot alone surpassed, in the world, and we believe that if the proper steps are taken they will find in Colorado a good customer. Numbers of miners are leaving Salt Lake City and going to Star and other districts south,

April 6, 1872.] SCIENTIMIC PRESS. 217 working of a wire {0 miles lorg, which bad been constructed between Laltimore aud Washington. Honors have becn freely showered upon this greatest of American inventors botli at home and abroad. He was a niembor of a number of American aud Enropean scientific and art associations, and medals and crosses lave been presented to him by many European rulers. The most distingnished tribnte ever paid lim was by ten European governments eombined—those of France, Russia, Sweden, Belgium, Holland, Austria, Sardinia, Tuscany, the Holy See and Turkey, whose representatives assembled in Paris at the instanco of Emperor Napolcon to consider tho best means of giving him a collective testimonial, which resnlted in a yoto of 100,000 franes as ‘an honorary and personal reward to Mr. Morse for bis usefnl labors.” Professor Morse lived to see the system lie invented adopted in every portion of the globe, bringing its most distant parts withiu speaking distanco of each other, nnd all the nations of tbo world havo vied in doing him honor. Like all inventors he oxperienced considerable tronble in bringing bis method before the people,but when it was once understood its vast importance was nt once recognized and it bas been ever since one of the greatest of educators, the ehief aid of commerce, the highostconvenience of civilization, and one which revolutionized the cutire business of the world. He has gone from ng, notlike a meteor in a wild blaze of transient brillianey; but in the full effnlgence and glory, of honors as enduring as tho world. The Late Earthquake. The earthquake which occurred on tbe 26th ult. was felt the whole length of Califoruia and as far inland as Winnemuece. Tbe shock though comparatively a light one in this city, was one of the most severo on record in other Jocalitics, as well as one of the most widely diffused. A great varicty of opinion is expressed as to the intensity, and in the numerous deseriptions mnch discrepancy exists concerning the duration. The center or initial point of the shock seems to have heen at Lone Pine, in Inyo County, the center of a mining district of that nanie, situated on the western base of the Inyo Mountsins not far east of Mount Whitney. The country in which it is located is undoubtedly of volcanic origin and ahounds with ovidences of comparatively recent volennic action. From facts elicited by the late ‘‘ temhlor’’ it is roasonahle to suppose that the Kern or Inyo region is the seat of the greatest energy of the failing voleanic forces which raised the Sierra Nevadas and covered the surface of the country with the evidences of its power. The phenomena which occurred in that region were of the most appalling kind and some twenty three persons were killed and thirty injured hy the falling huildings. Eye witnesses describe the scene in a manner whicb leaves no donbt of the power of the shock, and makes it a subject of congratulation that this city with its thousands of inhabitants, lofty brick huildings, and crowded houses, was so far from the center of disturhance. It is said that an instant after the shock occurred ot Lone Pine (ahout balf past two in the morning) not a huilding was left standing. The houses appeared to crumble away and fall iuto ruins. Cries for help from the wounded filled the air, and shock succeeded shock, added to the already overwhelming fright of the people who had escaped the first disastrons effects. Different accounts place the number of shocks all the way from 500 to 1,000, and it is asserted that each was in variahly accompanied by au appalling noise, the reverberations of which throngh the mountains were as terrific as the noise itself. It sounded like the thunderiug explosien of a thousand heavy cannon fired at the same time. It scemed to be directly under foot, and at Independence the noise could be heard advanciug from Lone Pine, and as the shock came on, thonsands of huge rocks tumbled from the erags on either hand and crashed into the ravines and npon the edges of the valley below. Big Owens Lake is snid to have risen some four feet, and the Oweus river overflowed its hanks, whilst Little Owens Lake, 24 feet in depth, has entirely dried np. The earth is) cracked and seamed in many places, and old springs dried up, while new ones were created, Notices of Recent Patents. Anong the patents recently obtained throngh Dewey & Co’s. Scientific Press American and Foreign Patent Agency, the following are worthy of mention: MacmNe ror Parstrxyo Wire Croryu.— Samuel Graves, §. F. Tho object of this invention is to provide a machine by which fibrous substances, and wire cloth especially, ean be rapidly and thoroughly painted, Itceusists in passing tbe long strips of cloth from a reel, throngha bath of paint where it is thoronghly coated, and tbenco between one or more sects of clastic rollers which squeeze out all superfluous paint from tha moshes, but Icave the wire thoroughly coated, Permetation Lock.—Wim. C. Bussey, 5. F., Cal. Tho object ofthis invention is to provide an improvement in that class of locks which are eommonly employed for safes and bank-vaults. It is called a detached cylinder lock, and consists mainly in the employment of operating devices which rondcr it possible to remove the lock to a considerable distance from tho knob, and also in tho nse of novel dovices between the knob and the lock proper by which tbo combination is set and operated. Au elastic connection is employed so that it will bo impossible to tamper with the lock from the outsido, Brick Kity.—Francis F. Boudrye, 8. F., Cal. The object of this inventiou is to provide such an arrangement of the lines. of bricks and the conducting passuges for) heat, that all parts of the kiln shall be exposed uniformly to the heat and thereby the burning and spoiling of many brick in. every kiln is avoided. IMFROVEMENT IN TRaAcTION ENOINES.— . W. W. Hanscom, San Francisco, Cal. This invention relates mainly to improvements in applying power to the wheels of trac-. tion engines so that all gearing and com-. plicated machinery are dispensed with. Microscopic Wonders. The uses and advantages of tbe micrescope crewd upon us in snch prefusion that a velume would be required to merely enumerate them. There is no department of science, artor manufactures for the benefit of which it is not called into requisition. Itis ne lenger a costly toy, as at its first introduction, but it is a genuine and practical aid te man in ahnost overy research or employment in which he is engaged. Perhaps in no direction has its wonder-revealing powers been more fully exhibited than inthe world of microscopic life which it has made known tons. Equally interesting and useful is the assistance which it has rendered in the study of the various orders of insects, not strietly microscopical, hut whose miuuteness rendered any practical study of their structure, habits, ete., utterly impossible, There is a cluss of insects known as Acurus, commonly culled mites, and belonging to the spider family, a more accurate knowledgo of which, than can he ohtained by tho uaked eye, is almost indispensahle to man, in his present advanced social condition. We allude to the perasitical insects which so seriously interfere witb him by their depredations upon his food, bis domestic animals, the feathered friends by which he is surrounded and most of the vegetables, etc., which he cultivates, and evon with his own person. We hove herewith figured two of these insects, the Acarus sacchari, found in uurefined or raw sugsr, and the Acarus scabici, sometimes

found under the human skin in the pustules of @ well known cutaneous disease. There are, hesides these, great numbers of similar insects,some one of which is peculiar to nearly or quite every quadruped or feathered creature. A microscopical knowledge of tbe physical constitution, habits ete., of such insects is THE ITCH INSECT. almost indispensable in enabling us to rid ourselves and our damestiested friends of their annoyances, which if not arrested often lead to fatal and most destructive results. Many people were much startled hy the reports of the immense numher of mites found in raw or unrefined sugar, when their presence was first announced by Dr. Hassel in 1868. The Dr. found them in no less than 69 out of 72 samples of sugar examined; hnt he did not detect It consists in the employment of hy-/them in a single specimen of refined sugar. draulic pumps which are operated by. ‘The conditions of refined sugar are doubtless means of steam cylinders. cylinders which are operated by the pumps are connected directly with cranks, which are fixed upon the axles or wheel centers, The hydraulic . ungitted to their existence therein. In one sample of raw sugar he fonnd no less than 500 mites in 10 grains; equivalent to 100,000 in a and in such positions as to have no dead . single pound! When they sre present in great point. SULMARINE, AND OTHER Waxtis.—Wm. H. Foye, San Francisco, Cal. This invention relates mainly to an improved method of constructing walls, by which a system of ground and vertical rods are employed which @uide and assist in placing the stoues, and also serve to retain them firmly in place after they are there. It also relates to a device for attaching a cornice when cmployed upon buildings. Lirtzz and Big Cottonwood Districts, in Utah are still covered with snow. The Emma and other mines are working, however, with full sets of hands and good prospects. Wueat Suiement.—The large ship, Adviatic, cleared for England this week with 3,300 tons of wheat, the heaviest shipment tbis season. Tbe ‘‘Glery of the Seas” carried 3,200 tons. The total shipment since the Ist of Jnly amounts to 1,162,000 centals against 3,500,000 centals for the same time last year, The whole mechanism is much . numbers they may sometimes be detected by a simplified. good eye, unsided by a glass—sppcaring like little white specks. The ‘Grocer’sitch’’ is caused hy trausference of these mites to the human skin, Jfem.—Don’t eat raw sugar. A mere sight of the picture of the ugly looking little fellow which we have placed hy the side of the Acarus sacchari, will probably he all our readers will care for, at this time, and we will not inflict tbem witb any further reference. This class of insects have a rounded oval body, without the usual division hetween the head and body. They usually have four pairs of legs. Perhaps the most familiar type of this class of insects is the common head louse— Pedicule Capitis, and the inscct which infests the common barn-yard fowl--more easily detected on the head or under the wings of very yonng chickens. One of the cheapest microseopes extant is that advertised in another column, and known as Craig’s microscope. This instrument. will do very well for beginners, or for cultivating a taste for such studies; but we cannot recommend it as a very affective instrument for practical stndy. i The Coming Centennial Anniversary. Mr. Jehn Graham, of this city, has received a letter frem Judge J. D. Creigh, the California delegate to the Cemmission which was called to meet at Philadelphia for tho purpose of makiug arrangements for the approaching Centennial anniversary of our National Independence, Frem a perusal of that letter we infer that the preparations indicate that tho event will be made one of greater magnitude than anything of the kind which has yet entcred into tbe civil history of any nation en the glohe, The Commission, which cunsisted ef twentyseven memhers, has held several sessions, and has selected as a site for tbe celebration, the well known locality of Fairmount Park, upon which will he erected a main building which will cover ahout 50 acresof ground! The building will consist entirely of iron and glass and will cost ahont seven and a half millons of dollars! Other minor ond special huildings will also he erected. The Commission estimate that the entire cost of the celebration will reach fifteen millions or more. The city and entire State, in fact, is slive to the importance and magnitude of the eveut, and citizens of all classes are making every possible exertion to encourage and help on the enterprise. In consequeuce of some needed legislation hy Congress and the State of Pennsylvania, the committce has adjourned uutil the 22d of May, when they expect to meet again and make all hecessary arrangements to put in active progress the materiel preparations for the grand event. Very properly, and with a due apprecistion of the importauce of the feeling which should pervade the national heart, the most thorongh arrangements sre contemplated to unite all sections of the country in this demonstration; and every good citizen will hope that nothing may transpire to, in the least, interfere with the realizatiou of this purpose in its fullest and most compreheusive sense, Mr. Morrell, who was offered the Presidency of the Commission, has declined the honor in such amsnner as to give the whole conntry more time for consideratiou in its choice of a gentleman in whom might be centered such feeling and confidence as would command the greatest amonnt of admiration. Some gentleman will undouhtedly be selected for the office, who, by position and all the amenities of nature and other cirenmstances, will he able to conduct the first grand celebration of the birth of the Natiou in a manner worthy of the event and satisfactory to the people ss a whole. As we understand it, the design is not to make the occasion simply a grand gala-day, but in addition to the ceremonies, displays, addresses, etc., appropriate to snch an event, the day will also he made the grand opening of one of the most magnificent industrial displays which the world has ever yct witnessed. Tbe main huilding alluded to is designed for the reception and display of the industries of the country, and it is confidently expected that the United States will he able to show more strength and genius, in the mechanic arts and sciences, through the influence of that celebration, than has yet heen shown by any ‘' World’s Fair” or other similar means yet attempted by the nations of the earth. If tbe proper cnrrent is set running, the only difficulty will he for Philadelphia to find room for all that is offered to show the productive resources of the country, and the progress which has been made during the first century of onr national existence. It is confidently expected that the first centennial of the United States will be the grandest civil and industrial exhibition ever known in history. Canirornta MACHINERY FoR CoLORADO. A 15-ton mill is being built at the Union Foundry for Hon. N. B. Judd and F. W. Crosby of Georgetown, Colorado. This is a pioneer movement in that quarter, Californie machinery boing hitherto unrepresented in that Territory. The mining interests of Colorado, more especially her silver interests are now in their infaucy but are full of promise for the future. Our foundrymen haye had over 20 yesrs’ experiencoin building milling and mining machinery, and their work we think cannot be equalled, lot alone surpassed, in the world, and we believe that if the proper steps are taken they will find in Colorado a good customer. Numbers of miners are leaving Salt Lake City and going to Star and other districts south,