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    Scientific American, Vol. XXXIX.—No. 6. [New Series.], August 10, 1878
    Scientific American, Vol. XXXIX.—No. 6. [New Series.], August 10, 1878
    Scientific American, Vol. XXXIX.—No. 6. [New Series.], August 10, 1878
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    Scientific American, Vol. XXXIX.—No. 6. [New Series.], August 10, 1878

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    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherArchive Classics
    Release dateNov 27, 2013
    Scientific American, Vol. XXXIX.—No. 6. [New Series.], August 10, 1878

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      Scientific American, Vol. XXXIX.—No. 6. [New Series.], August 10, 1878 - Various Various

      The Project Gutenberg EBook of Scientific American, Vol. XXXIX.No. 6.

      [New Series.], August 10, 1878, by Various

      This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with

      almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or

      re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included

      with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org

      Title: Scientific American, Vol. XXXIX.No. 6. [New Series.], August 10, 1878

      Author: Various

      Release Date: July 22, 2013 [EBook #43282]

      Language: English

      *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, AUGUST 10, 1878 ***

      Produced by Colin M. Kendall, Juliet Sutherland and the

      Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

      Scientific American

      A WEEKLY JOURNAL OF PRACTICAL INFORMATION, ART, SCIENCE, MECHANICS, CHEMISTRY, AND MANUFACTURES.

      THE PARIS EXHIBITION.—A SKETCH IN THE PARK.

      Our engraving, which represents a portion of the park at the Paris Exhibition grounds, needs little mention beyond that it is one of those delightful retreats so refreshing to the weary visitor, who, tired out with tramping about the buildings and grounds, is only too pleased to refresh his eyes with some of that exquisite miniature water scenery which is scattered about the grounds. We take our illustration from the London Graphic.

      THE PARIS EXHIBITION.—A SKETCH IN THE PARK.

      Improvements in Silk Worm Breeding.

      Galignani states that a very curious discovery has just been made, which, if found as practicable in application as it seems to promise, may create a very considerable change in the production of silk. It is nothing more nor less than the possibility of obtaining two yields in the year of the raw material instead of one, as at present. The moth lays its eggs in May or June, and these do not hatch before the spring of the following year. But sometimes they are observed to hatch spontaneously ten or twelve days after they are laid. It was such a circumstance as this coming to the attention of M. Ducloux, Professor of the Faculty of Sciences at Lyons, that led him to undertake a series of experiments on the subject, by means of which he has found that this premature hatching can be produced at will. The means for effecting the object are very simple—rubbing the eggs with a hair brush, subjecting them to the action of electricity, or more surely still by dipping them for half a minute in concentrated sulphuric acid. M. Bollé, who has also turned his attention to the same subject, states that the same effect is produced by hydrochloric, nitric, or even acetic and tartaric acid. Finally, a submersion of a few seconds in water heated to 50° Cent. (122° Fah.) is equally efficacious. However, M. Ducloux states that the operation must be performed while the eggs are quite young, the second or third day at the outside. When this new hatching is accomplished the mulberry tree is in its full vigor, and the weather so favorable that the rearing of the worm is liable to much less risk than during the early days of spring, when the sudden atmospheric changes are very detrimental, and frequently fatal to the growing caterpillars.

      The Natural History of the Eel.

      According to the reports of shad fishermen, the chief enemy of the shad is the eel, which not only follows that fish up the streams and devours the spawn, but often attacks the shad after they are caught in the nets. Entering the shad at the gill openings the eels suck out the spawn and entrails, and leave the fish perfectly clean. The finest and fattest shad are the ones selected. It is a curious circumstance that of a fish so well known as the eel so many of its life habits should be in dispute. An animated discussion has been going on in Germany quite recently with regard to the natural history of this fish, and in a late number of a scientific journal the following points are set down as pretty well substantiated. Though a fresh water fish which passes the greater part of its life in rivers, the eel spawns in the sea. That it is viviparous is extremely improbable. The eel found in the upper waters of rivers is almost always female. At the age of four years it goes down to the sea to spawn and never returns to fresh water. The spawning process is somehow dangerous to the eel, thousands being found dead near the mouths of rivers, with their ovaries empty. The descent of the fish to the sea does not appear to take place at any definite period, but is probably dependent on the season for spawning. The male is always much smaller than the female, and never exceeds half a yard in length. The males never ascend to the head waters of rivers, but keep continually in the sea or in the lower reaches of the river. Nothing is definitely known about the spawning season, though it is probable that the eggs are deposited in the sea not far from the mouths of rivers.

      Established 1845.

      MUNN & CO., Editors and Proprietors.

      PUBLISHED WEEKLY AT

      NO. 37 PARK ROW, NEW YORK.

      TERMS FOR THE SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN.

      Clubs.—One extra copy of The Scientific American will be supplied gratis for every club of five subscribers at $3.20 each; additional copies at same proportionate rate. Postage prepaid.

      =>Single copies of any desired number of the Supplement sent to one address on receipt of 10 cents.

      Remit by postal order. Address

      MUNN & CO., 37 Park Row New York.

      The Scientific American Supplement

      is a distinct paper from the Scientific American. THE SUPPLEMENT is issued weekly; every number contains 16 octavo pages, with handsome cover, uniform in size with Scientific American. Terms of subscription for Supplement, $5.00 a year, postage paid, to subscribers. Single copies 10 cents. Sold by all news dealers throughout the country.

      Combined Rates.—The Scientific American and Supplement will be sent for one year, postage free, on receipt of seven dollars. Both papers to one address or different addresses, as desired.

      The safest way to remit is by draft, postal order, or registered letter. Address MUNN & CO., 37 Park Row, N. Y.

      Scientific American Export Edition.

      The Scientific American Export Edition is a large and splendid periodical, issued once a month. Each number contains about one hundred large quarto pages, profusely illustrated, embracing: (1.) Most of the plates and pages of the four preceding weekly issues of the Scientific American, with its splendid engravings and valuable information; (2.) Commercial, trade, and manufacturing announcements of leading houses. Terms for Export Edition, $5.00 a year, sent prepaid to any part of the world. Single copies 50 cents. =>Manufacturers and others who desire to secure foreign trade may have large, and handsomely displayed announcements published in this edition at a very moderate cost.

      The Scientific American Export Edition has a large guaranteed circulation in all commercial places throughout the world. Address MUNN & CO., 37 Park Row, New York.

      Contents.

      (Illustrated articles are marked with an asterisk.)

      TABLE OF CONTENTS OF

      THE SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN SUPPLEMENT

      No. 136,

      For the Week ending August 10, 1878.

      I. ENGINEERING AND MECHANICS.—The Manufacture of Wrought Iron Pipe. Bending the Sheets. Welding the Tube. Manufacture of Gas Pipe. Polishing and Smoothing. 4 figures.

      Improved Marine Engine Governor. 1 figure.—Improved Screw Steering Apparatus. 3 figures.—West's Reversing Gear. 1 figure.—Engineering in Peru. The Oroya Railroad over the summit of the Andes. A remarkable engineering feat. The famous Cerro de Pasco Silver Mines. Extensive Coal Fields.

      II. TECHNOLOGY.—Coal Ashes as a Civilizer. Grading. Coal Ashes as a Fertilizer.—Utilization of the Waste Waters of Fulling Mills and Woolen Works.—Suggestions in Decorative Art. Marquetry Ornaments from Florence. 3 illustrations.

      Useful Recipes. By J. W. Parkinson. Cream cake. Kisses. Apples a la Tongue. Mead. Bread without yeast. Biscuit. Doughnuts. Glaire of Eggs. Crumpets. Ratafia de Framboises. Ratafia de Cerises. To color sugar sand. Raspberry and currant paste. Cheese cake. Cocoanut macaroons. Orange slices. Ice cream. Fruit juices. Lady fingers. White bride cake. Scalloped clams. Iced souffle. Sugar for crystal work. To restore the fragrance of oil of lemon. Family bread.

      III. FRENCH INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION OF 1878.—Tobacco at the Exhibition. Manufacture of snuff. The two processes of fermentation. The grinding. The packing of the snuff. Manufacture of chewing tobacco, etc.

      New Cutting Apparatus for Reapers. 1 figure.—The Algerian Court. 1 illustration.—The French Forest Pavilion. 1 illustration.

      IV. CHEMISTRY AND METALLURGY.—A Reducing Agent.—Climbing Salts.—Chloride of Lime.—Action of Watery Vapor.—The Active Principles of Ergot.—Cadaveric Alkaloids.

      Outlines of Chemistry. By Henry M. McIntire.

      V. ARCHITECTURE AND BUILDING.—A Cottage Costing $150. By S. B. Reed, Architect. Plans for cheap summer residence for family of four persons. Dimensions, construction, and estimate for all materials and labor, with 6 figures.—Buildings in Glass. Improved method of constructing conservatories, 2 figures.—Buildings and Earthquakes. On structures in an earthquake country. By John Perry and W. E. Ayrton, Japan. Also a new Seismometer for the measurement of earthquakes.

      VI. NATURAL HISTORY, GEOLOGY, ETC.—Colors of Birds and Insects.—Microscopy. Minute and low forms of life. Poisonous Caterpillar. Sphærosia Volvox. An Australian Polyzoon.

      A Chinese Tornado.

      VII. MEDICINE AND HYGIENE.—Nervous Exhaustion. By George M. Beard, M.D. Symptoms continued. Mental depression with timidity; morbid fear of special kinds; headaches; disturbances of the nerves and organs of special sense; localized peripheral numbness and hyperæsthesia; general and local chills and flashes of heat; local spasms of the muscles. Suggestions and treatment. Electricity. Application of cold; kind of food; exercise; medicines.

      The Art of Preserving the Eyesight. V. From the French of Arthur Chevalier. Presbyopy, or long sight. Symptoms. Causes. Artificial light. Franklin's spectacles. Spectacles for artists. Hygiene for long sight, and rules. Myopy, or short sight. Dilation of pupil, and other symptoms of myopy. Glass not to be constantly used in myopy. How to cure slight myopy. Choice of glasses. Colored glasses for short sight. False or distant myopy, and glasses t o be used, 5 figures.

      VIII. MISCELLANEOUS.—The Repair of the Burned Models after the Patent Office Fire of 1877. By George Dudley Lawson. An interesting description of the importance and difficulty of the work, and the enterprise and care shown. Reconstructing complicated models from miscellaneous fragments.

      Verneuil, Winner of the Ascot Cup, 1 illustration.

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