_Gluten an Antidote for Corrosive Sublimate._--During the researches
undertaken by Dr. Taddei on gluten, and on wheaten flour, he
discovered that gluten had the property of acting on the red oxide
of mercury, and on corrosive sublimate. If it be mixed with either
of these substances, it immediately loses its viscidity, becomes
hard, and is not at all liable to putrefaction. Further, if flower
be made into a paste, with solution of corrosive sublimate, it is
impossible to separate the gluten and starch in the usual way. This
effect induced Dr. Taddei to suppose, that in cases of poisoning
by corrosive sublimate, wheaten flour and gluten would prove
excellent antidotes to the poison. It was found by experiment, that
wheaten flour and gluten, reduced corrosive sublimate to the state
of calomel; and also that considerable quantities, of a mixture of
flour or gluten with corrosive sublimate, might be eaten by animals
without producing injury; thus fourteen grains of sublimate have
been given in less than twelve hours to rabbits and poultry without
injury, whereas a single grain was sufficient to produce death when
administered alone. A grain of the sublimate required from twenty
to twenty-five grains of fresh gluten to become innocuous; when dry
gluten was used, half this quantity was sufficient, but when wheaten
flour was taken, from fifteen to eighteen denari, (500 or 600 gr.,)
were required. Dr. Taddei recommends that dried gluten be kept in
the apothecaries' shops, and that it be administered when required,
mixed with a little water.--_Giornale di Fisica_, 2. p. 375.
_Anecdote._--During the examinations of Surgeons for the army
or navy, it is well known that the veterans of that respectable
class, question very minutely those who wish to become qualified.
After answering very satisfactorily to the numerous inquiries made,
a young gentlemen was asked; if he wished to give his patient a
profuse perspiration, what he would prescribe? He mentioned many
diaphoretic medicines in case the first failed, and had some hopes
that he should pass with credit, but the unmerciful querist thus
continued:-- "Pray, sir, suppose none of those succeeded, what step
would you take next?" "Why, sir," rejoined the harassed son of
Esculapius, "I would send him here to be examined, and if _that_
would not give him a sweat, I know not what would."
_Cutting of Wheat before it is ripe._--It is said by a Paris paper
that grain cut eight days before the ordinary time, has, first,
the advantage of escaping the dangers which threatened it at that
period. This is accidental, but it has the positive advantage of
being more nutritive, larger, finer, and is never attacked by
the weasel. These assertions are proved by the most conclusive
experiments, made upon a piece of corn, half of which was cut
prematurely, the other half at the customary time. The first part
gave a hectolitre more corn for a half hectare. Afterwards an equal
quantity of the farina was made into bread; that of the corn cut
when green, made from six decalitres seven lbs. more bread than the
other. Finally, the weasel attacked the corn cut when ripe, and the
other was free from it. The moment to reap, is, when the grain,
squeezed between the fingers, appears pasty, like the crumb of bread
immediately after it is taken from the oven. This, which is the
opinion of Mr. Cadet de Vaux, is supported by that of Mr. Mellard,
a very respectable agriculturist. They both confirm their theory by
experiments. The same custom has been practised for many years at
the magnificent farm of Mr. Coke, at Holkham, in England, who cuts
not only his grain before its maturity, but likewise grasses, and
even herbaceous plants. He does not hesitate to attribute to this
measure the superior quality of his corn and hay to that of other
farmers, who reap all things at the period of their perfect maturity.
_Seduction._--A verdict of damages, to the amount of fourteen
hundred and fifty dollars, was lately given in Ohio, in a case of
seduction. This is "paying dear for the whistle."
_Milk and Water._--We have received a communication (says the N.
Y. Gazette,) from a very respectable source, giving an estimate of
the probable quantity of milk sold in New-York in one year, and
the quantity of water in the milk; by which it appears, that the
citizens of New York pay in one year the sum of $35,587 for water.
Our correspondent's calculations follow. He supposes the city to
contain 120,000 inhabitants, 6 to a family--20,000 families, at
3 cents worth of milk per day, is $600, or 219,000 for one year;
to which is added one twelfth for strangers, &c. making $237,250.
Deduct one fifteenth, or $35,587, which is annually paid for the
WATER, with which the milk is reduced.--Our correspondent requests
us to add, that he can prove the facts above stated, if called upon
by the proper authority. He is himself an extensive dealer in milk,
and is well acquainted with the management of most of those in his
line.
_Turkey Cement for joining Metals, Glass, &c._--The jewellers
in Turkey, who are mostly Armenians, have a curious method of
ornamenting watch cases, and similar things with diamonds and other
stones by simply gluing them on. The stone is set in silver or
gold, and the lower part of the metal made flat, or to correspond
with the part to which it is to be fixed; it is then warmed gently
and the glue applied, which is so very strong that the parts never
separate. This glue, which may be applied to many purposes, as it
will strongly join bits of glass or polished steel, is thus made:
Dissolve five or six bits of mastic, as large as peas, in as much
spirits of wine as will suffice to render it liquid; in another
vessel dissolve as much isinglass, which has been previously soaked
in water till it is swollen and soft, in French brandy or in rum, as
will make two ounces, by measure, of strong glue, and add two small
bits of gum galbanum, or ammoniacum, which must be rubbed or ground
until they are dissolved; then mix the whole with a sufficient heat.
Keep it in a phial stopped; and when it is used, set it in hot water.
_Death of Col. Boon._--Col. Daniel Boon, the first white man that
ever settled in Kentucky, lately died at his residence, near
Franklin, Missouri, at the age of 98. He had 4 brothers and three
sisters, of the following ages:--
Samuel Boon 88, Jonathan B. 86, Squire B. 76, George B. 83, Mrs.
Wilcox 91, Mrs. Smith 83, and Mrs. Grant 84.
_Council Bluffs._--A letter from Brigadier General Atkinson,
stationed at Council Bluffs, states that at least 10,000 bushels of
Indian corn, 4000 of potatoes, a like quantity of turnips, and about
250 tons of hay had been raised and harvested at that station during
the last season. As a sample of the crop of Indian corn, an acre was
measured, which gave upwards of 102 bushels. The turnip crop was
much injured by the grasshoppers, and it is stated that if these
insects had appeared three weeks sooner they would have totally
destroyed the crop of corn. It would seem that they are often
very formidable in that quarter, frequently cutting off the crops
entirely. The most of the Indians in that country are friendly.
One or two tribes however, indicate some signs of hostility. They
were much delighted with the exhibition of the steam boat, and as
much intimidated by a display of the powers of the artillery, on an
occasion when a large concourse of them were assembled at the Bluffs.
_Double-jointed Indian._--A Detroit paper of November 10, says, a
Mr. Robinson lately brought to that place an Indian from the country
Mackinaw who has double the usual number of joints in the human
frame. He is unable to stand, but can give himself locomotion by
being placed in a large wooden bowl, which he is enabled to whirl
or roll about on level grounds. Mr. R. also gives an account of an
Indian in that country that is entirely covered with hair, his face
as well as every other part of his body, and that on his arms and
legs the hair is several inches in length.
_Population of Baltimore._--In 1790 the number of inhabitants in
this city and its precincts, was 13,503.--In 1800, 26,514--In 1810,
46,555, and by the present census 62,627.
_A New Sect of Christians_ are said to have lately appeared at
Marietta, (Ohio) who call themselves Halcyons. They believe that
Aaron's breastplate, called by the Jews Urim and Thummim, which has
long been lost, must be retrieved before the resurrection of the
dead.
_Ivory Paper._--The Society for the encouragement of Arts,
Manufactures and Commerce, in London, have voted thirty guineas
to Mr. S. Einsle, for his communication on the use of artists. He
produced, before the Committee of his Society several specimens of
his ivory paper, about the eighth of an inch, and of superficial
dimensions, much larger than the largest ivory: the surface was
hard, smooth, and perfectly even. On trial of these, by some of the
artists, members of the society, it appears that colours may be
washed off the ivory paper more completely than from ivory itself,
and that the process may be repeated three or four times on the
same surface, without rubbing up the grain of the paper. It will
also, with proper care, bear to be scraped with the edge of a knife,
without becoming rough.
_Vegetable Antidotes to Poison._--Dr. Chisholm in a paper read to
the Society at Geneva, states, that the juice of the sugar cane is
the best antidote known for arsenic. It has been tried upon various
animals in the West Indies with complete success.
The American Academy of Languages and Belles Lettres, at New York,
has offered a premium of not _less_ than 400 dollars and a Gold
Medal, to the author, being an American Citizen, who, within two
years, shall produce the best written history of the United States,
calculated for a Class Book.
_Increase of Population in America._--In 1810, the population of the
United States was 7,323,903. By the recent official report of the
secretary of the treasury, it appears that our population progresses
in the ratio of 34 per cent, in ten years. Proceeding on this
basis, for the next 80 years, which will terminate this century, we
shall find the following result.
In 1820 9,827,265 Inhabitants.
30 13,168,534
40 17,545,844
50 23,644,433
60 31,584,633
70 42,325,903
80 56,716,716
90 76,000,399
1900 101,840,534.
Such a review as this ought to produce a salutary influence on all
the busy actors who now figure on the American theatre.
The probability is, that not one mortal now in being, of mature age,
will be seen on the face of the earth in eighty years; although
many of our youth will reach that proud era of American glory. What
a solemn responsibility devolves on all the conspicuous actors of
the present day, since this generation is destined to influence the
happiness of one hundred millions of free born Americans in the
short span of 80 years! This reflection offers to the contemplative
mind, an extensive range.
_Drought._--A letter, from a gentleman in Virginia, says that the
drought has been greater there the last summer, than has been known
for many years: on inquiry respecting its extent, he was informed by
a facetious old farmer, that "he had to drive his stock thirty miles
to water, but the worst of all was, he had to _cross a river_, in
his way, and pay the _ferryage_."
_Square Miles of the States._--In
Vermont, the number of
square miles is 10,237
New Hampshire, 9,491
Maine, about 40,000
Massachusetts, is 6,250
Rhode Island, about 1,580
Connecticut, 4,674
New York, 45,000
New Jersey, 8,320
Pennsylvania, 46,800
Delaware, 2,120
Maryland, 14,000
Virginia, 70,000
North Carolina, 48,000
South Carolina, 24,080
Georgia, 62,000
Kentucky, 50,000
Tennessee, length 400 miles,
breadth 400
Ohio, 39,128
The States of Louisiana, Indiana, Illinois, and Alabama, the number
of square miles of each, not ascertained. There are 22 States in
the Union, each of which have a Legislature, who make all the laws
necessary for the government of each State distinct from that of the
United States.--
[_Boston Gazette._
_Advice and Caution._--When old persons enveigh against the
vanity and nonsense of the world in order to check the wishes
and curiosities of young persons from making their experiments
also, they remind me of the indifference with which a man hands a
newspaper to his neighbour, after an hour's enjoyment of it, saying,
"There's nothing in it, sir." The poet speaks more philosophically
on this subject.
--For youth no less becomes
The light and careless livery that it wears,
Than settled age his tables and his weeds
Importing health and graveness.
[_Hamlet._
_Drawing the wrong tooth._--One of the most curious applications of
galvanism to the useful purposes of life, is its recent employment
as a means of distinguishing bad teeth from good. The test which
galvanism has now supplied to remedy the frequent mistakes made by
dentists, who, instead of ridding you of a bad tooth, will draw
the best tooth you have in your head, is considered to be one
of infallible certainty in its application. The method is thus
described by Professor Aldini, the nephew of Galvani. "He (the
dentist) first insulates the patient, and then places in his hands
an electric chain; he then applies a small piece of wire, and draws
it gradually over the surface of the tooth; he then applies it
to the next tooth in the same manner, and proceeds in the like
method with the rest until he comes to the diseased tooth, which
is discovered by violent pain being produced, and an involuntary
emotion in the body. It has always been remarked when the tooth is
extracted, that it exhibits a careous part, which in its proper
situation was not visible." Need we add, that after the discovery of
so simple a test, drawing a wrong tooth ought to be made felony at
least?
_Chemistry applied to industrious Economy._--A new method of killing
animals, without causing them pain, has been adopted in London: they
are made to expire by means of nitrogen gas. By this means the meat
is rendered much more fresh, of a more agreeable taste, and may
be preserved for a greater length of time. A great number of the
butchers of London already employ this process.
_Olives, Curious Fact in Botany._--Letters from Provence, mention
the total failure of the olive plantations in that part of France.
It has, indeed, been remarked, that for upwards of half a century,
the olives have shown a tendency to emigrate. The soil of Province
now appears to be entirely ruined, and no hope is entertained there
of the future cultivation of olives. For the last fifty years, none
of the young shoots have risen to above five or six feet high. It is
the same in the adjacent countries, which have all suffered more or
less from the cold of late years.--Two fifths of these plants have
been cut down to the very roots; and three years will scarce suffice
to enable them to attain maturity. The olives of Marseilles and Var
were some time ago in excellent condition; but all have perished.
_Rein-deer._--Two rein-deers were brought last November, from
Lapland, and are living at liberty at a country seat near Ghent.
They bear the difference of climate and the variation of temperature
well, and have produced a well-formed female fawn. This is the
first example of these animals having become tame and producing
their species so far from their own country.
_Domestic sewing silk_, of various colours, gathered, from worms
raised in Connecticut, and spun there, and said to be of the very
best quality, has recently been publicly exposed for sale in Albany.
_William Griffith, Esq._ of Burlington, N. J., a gentleman
highly recommended by the veterans of the bar in this city, has
issued proposals for printing a new work to be called the 'LAW
REGISTER'--to make one volume of at least 500 _closely_ printed
pages, royal 8vo. for five dollars, per annum, payable on delivery.
Subscriptions to be addressed, (post paid,) to Mr. David Allison,
Burlington, N. J.
_On the increase of sounds during the night._--It has been remarked,
even by the ancients, that the intensity of sound is greatly
increasing during the night.--Humboldt was particularly struck with
this fact when he heard the noise of the great cataracts of the
Orinoco in the plain which surrounds the Mission of the Apures.
This noise is three times greater in the night than in the day.
Some writers have ascribed this to the cessation of the humming of
insects, the singing of birds, and the action of the wind upon the
leaves of trees: but this cannot be the cause of it at the Orinoco,
where the humming of insects is much greater in the night than in
the day, and where the breeze is never felt till after sunset.
Humboldt, therefore, ascribes it to the presence of the sun, which
acts on the propagation and intensity of sound, by opposing them
with currents of air of different density, and partial undulations
of the atmosphere, caused by the unequal heating of different parts
of the ground. In these cases the waves of sound are divided into
two waves, where the density of the medium suddenly changes, and
a sort of _acoustic mirage_ is produced, arising from the want of
homogenity of the air in the same manner as the _luminous mirage_ is
produced from an analogous cause.--_Ann. de Chim._
_Gil Blas and Don Quixote._--These very ingenious and diverting
authors seem calculated to please readers of very different
descriptions. I have observed that literary men are most delighted
with Don Quixote, and men of the world with Gil Blas. Perhaps
the preference of Don Quixote in the former may be ascribed to
the sympathy which learned readers feel for the knight, whose
aberrations of intellect originated from too intense an application
to books of his own selection, and from whims which his own brains
engendered.
_Learned Ladies._--A person who frequently attended the Royal
Institution, and who was both astonished and delighted with the
numerous attendence of the fair sex at these scientific lectures,
observed with a smile somewhat Sardonic, that he saw great advantage
arising from that circumstance, as he was sure that for the future
the sciences would no longer have any secrets.
_Baron Smyth's Riddle._--Some men of the greatest talents have taken
delight in composing or endeavouring to unravel riddles. Dean Swift
is a case in point. Sir William Smyth, the learned Irish Baron of
the Exchequer, at one time spent two days and nights in considering
the answer to this conundrum: Why is an egg underdone, like an egg
overdone? He would not suffer any one to give him the answer, which
he at last discovered. It is a tolerable pun enough. Because they
are both _hardly_ done.
_Disputants._--How often men who love argument in conversation
follow victory, and not truth. In order to entrap the adversary,
a brilliant illustration is substituted for argument, to amuse
the opponent, and divert him from the line of his reasoning. Bird
catchers carry a light with them to intice their prey into their
nets, and so the leathered tribe are allured to their captivity.
High-flying disputants who are thus led aside by false lights are
not uncommon.