A new process of bleaching by electricity is being tested. The current feom a dynamo taken to electrodes ina wooden box, in which has been pliced a solution consisting 64 Ibs. of calcined magnesia, 337 Ibs. of hydrochloric acid, and 300 gallons of water. The solution has no chlorine, and therefore possesses no bleaching power, but after receiving for 100 hours a current of 120 ampéres,- with a pressure of 6 volts, the solution contains one-fourth of one per cent of fixed chlorine. This bleaches yarn and tow ina fraction of the time hitherto required, and apparently without diminish-ling the strength of the material. The electrodes consist of three sheets of cupper, exch 27 in. by 18 in. counected with the negative terminal of the dynamo, and 72 plates of peroxide of lead, ench 7 in. by 4 in., connected with the positive terminal. The chemical reactions are not exactly known, but the bleaching is performed by the figed chlorine, without the usual loss of free chlorine, and the aystem seems to be regenerative.
A recent writer observes that electricity is gradually invading the whole domain of commercial chemistry. A factory for the manufacture of chlorate of potash by electricity has been established in Switzerland; soda is being obtained by electrolysis of sea-salt; the electric bleaching of paper is largely carried France; and the manufacture of elec-trio soap on a large scale is proposed in Germany. The transformation of wood into paper pulp by the electrolysis of a salt solution in which saw-dust or wood is immersed, has been proven to be practical ble, and the new industry is to be eatablished, Some sugar works in Havana have adopted appliances which greatly hasten the process of sugar-making.
By the use of vacuum tubes, a firm of English engineers produce novel and beautiful effects in electric illumination, They propose also to employ their system for advertising, by constructing the tubes in the form of letter The following statements are compiled from apparently reliable accounts of tree wonders, One tree of the Mariposa Grove in California, is 90 feet in circumference, through another a roadway 27 feet long, 10 feet wide and 10 feet high has been cut, et the tree ix still vigorous and growing.
columbia Ca., Ga., has a quivering tree, every twig and limb of which, however large, is constantly trembling as if in fear, A white mulberry of Newton, N.C., con-tly emits puffs resembling smoke, which issue from every part of the tree, 'A tree of New Zealand catches birds in' a sticky fluid given off by its seed-vessels. The calabash tree of the West Indies has a fruit, often 12inches in diameter, with a hard shell that is made into dishes of various kinds and may even be used over " fire for boiling water, A tree of the Nubian forests grows ready-made whistles, galls le't by insects having holes through' which the wind blows with startling effect. The vegetable wax tree of Japan bears berries from which fine candles are made, The stinging tree of Queensland is dangerous to the touch, but Teaves no mark, though the pain is maddening, and the part stung is tender for months when wet. A palm of Pedur, India, 11 feet high, changes its position morning and evening, a handkerchief tied to its leaves so as to touch the ground at 4 a.m., having been 6 inches from the ground at 5.20.a.m, 18 inches at 8 p.m., and 9 feet atSa.m, A leaf-stalk of the travellers' tree of Madagascar contains, even in the dryest season, a quart of water, Schelwisch, the Bavarian naturalist, found in the heart of Africa an iron tree, from which the leaves could be removed only by filing. Another African tree yields butter. An engineer who has been surveying in Central America reports a tree which shines with a brilliant light at night, a tree which gives milk, and atree which bears dough for bread.
In a review of our scant knowledge concerning sexes, Herr G. Herz favours n theory of Fiquet, a cattle farmer of Houston, Tes, who had observed that the sex of young cattle was usually that of the weaker parent. Difference in the strength of parents was produced by feeding, and in 32 cases the sex of calves was successfully predetermined. Herz has met with the same results in experiments on goats.
An Trish naturalist, Rev. S. A. Brenan, records these interesting observations: 1. 'A hen was seen going down the chimney of a cottage in Arboe parish, The owner was asked how it came to do this; he said the house was often locked up when he was at
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.