I. AGRICULTURE.--How to Raise Turkeys.--A collection of hints
and suggestions on the raising of the delicate fowls, so
often the cause of trouble to farmers. 11364
Pear Duchesse D'Angouleme.--The history of the famous pear
tree, with hints as to its culture and general treatment. 11362
II. BIOLOGY.--Development of the Embryo.--A note of some
interesting biological researches.--By Prof. PREYER,
of Berlin. 11365
The "Hatchery" of the Sun Fish.--A curious incident in the
life history of the common sunfish.--1 illustration. 11363
III. CHEMISTRY.--On Allotropic Forms of Silver.--By M. CAREY
LEA.--A continuation of this paper, containing one of the
most important researches in the history of silver, with
statement of interesting results attained. 11361
On the Occurrence of Paraffine in Crude Petroleum.--A
valuable contribution to the history of paraffine, with
reference to petroleum and ozokerite. 11361
Turpentine and its Products.--By EDWARD DAVIES.--A resume
of the work done by chemists in the turpentine products.
--The different compounds produced therefrom. 11361
IV. ELECTRICITY.--Electric Lighting at the Paris Exhibition.
--The Oerlikon works.--A very exhaustive exhibition of
electric apparatus described and illustrated.--12
illustrations. 11356
Magnetism in its Relation to Induced Electromotive Force
and Current.--By ELIHU THOMSON.--A most impressive paper,
bringing the obscure laws of magnetic induction within the
understanding of all without the application of
mathematics.--12 illustrations. 11354
The Ader Flourish of Trumpets.--One of the curiosities in
telephony from the Paris exhibition, by which sounds are
transmitted to a large audience.--4 illustrations. 11358
The Electric Motor Tests on the New York Elevated
Railroad.--Abstracts of tests which were recently made of
the Daft motor on the elevated railroad of this city. 11353
V. ETHNOLOGY.--Ancient Lake Dwellings.--Interesting abstract
of what is known about lake dwellings, the history of
their construction, and the "finds" made on the sites by
archæologists. 11363
VI. FORESTRY.--Succession of Forest Growths.--A valuable paper
on forestry, treating of the evils done by man and a plea
for the necessity of intelligent treatment of our woods. 11362
VII. HYGIENE AND MEDICINE.--Acetic Acid as a Disinfectant.--Use
of acetic acid in septic medical cases as a substitute
for carbolic acid and bichloride of mercury. 11365
Counter-Irritation in Whooping Cough.--By G.F. INGLOTT,
M.D.--Application of irritants to the skin for curing the
paroxysms of whooping cough. 11365
On the Health Value to Man of the So-called Divinely
Beneficent Gift, Tobacco.--By J.M.W. KITCHEN, M.D.--The
evils to man and to the soil.--A formidable series of
accusations well expressed. 11365
Water as a Therapeutical Agent.--By F.C. ROBINSON,
M.D.--An interesting resume of different applications of
water in therapeutics.--Suggestions of use for all
households. 11364
VIII. MILITARY ENGINEERING.--Gibraltar.--A history of this
important strategic position and of the different sieges
the fortress has undergone. 11352
Gibraltar and Neighborhood.--A consular report on the
statistics of the famous military station. 11352
The Defense of Gibraltar--Experimental Naval and Military
Operations.--Interesting series of operations recently
carried out under the shadow of the historic rock.--1
illustration. 11352
IX. NAVAL ENGINEERING.--Clark's Gyroscopic Torpedoes.--A
recent torpedo, in which all the possible parts are made
to rotate.--2 illustrations. 11353
The First Steamboat on the Seine.--The Marquis de
Jouffroy's steamer of 1816.--1 illustration. 11353
The Franz Josef I., New War Ship.--Details of the
dimensions of the new Austrian ship.--Her armament,
speed, armor, etc. 11353
X. PHOTOGRAPHY.--Orthochromatic Photography.--By OSCAR O.
LITZKOW.--The last developments in this interesting
branch of photographic art, with formulæ. 11360
Platinotype Printing.--A description of the most advanced
method of conducting the platinum print process. 11360
XI. PHYSICS.--Iridescent Crystals.--By LORD RAYLEIGH.--An
abstract of a lecture by the distinguished physicist,
detailing some interesting experiments applicable to the
colored reflection observed in crystals of chloride of
potash.--1 illustration. 11366
Transmission of Pressure in Fluids.--By ALBERT B.
PORTER.--An apparatus for illustrating the laws of
transmission of pressure in fluids, suitable for lecture
purposes.--1 illustration. 11362
XII. TECHNOLOGY.--Notes on Dyewood Extracts and Similar
Preparations.--By LOUIS SIEBOLD.--The recent development
in the preparation of dyewood extracts, with notes of
their adulterations. 11359
* * * * *
THE DEFENSE OF GIBRALTAR: EXPERIMENTAL NAVAL AND MILITARY
OPERATIONS.
[Illustration: THE DEFENSE OF GIBRALTAR--EXPERIMENTAL NAVAL AND
MILITARY OPERATIONS.]
A novel and interesting series of operations was carried out at
Gibraltar a few weeks ago, with a view to test the promptitude with
which the garrison of the famous Rock could turn out to resist a
sudden attack by a powerful iron-clad fleet. The supposed enemy was
represented by the Channel Squadron, under the command of Vice-Admiral
Baird, and consisting of H.M.S. Northumberland (flag ship), the
Agincourt, Monarch, Iron Duke, and Curlew. The "general idea" of the
operations was that a hostile fleet was known to be cruising in the
vicinity, and that an attack on the Rock might be made. The squadron
left Gibraltar and proceeded to the westward, returning to the
eastward through the Straits under cover of the night.
The Governor of Gibraltar, General the Hon. Sir Arthur Hardinge,
issued orders for the whole garrison to stand to their arms at dawn,
and subsequent days, until the attack should be made; but by his
express command no batteries were to be manned, or any troops moved
from their alarm posts, until the signal was given that an attack was
imminent. The alarm signal ordered was that of three guns fired in
rapid succession from the Upper Signal Station on the summit of the
Rock, to be followed, after a short pause, by two more shots. It was a
matter of complete uncertainty as to the direction from which the
attack would be made.
Every detail was carefully carried out, as if the impending attack was
a real affair. The telegraphic communication between the various parts
of the Rock was supplemented by signalers; arrangements were made for
the ready supply of reserve ammunition for all arms; and the medical
authorities established dressing stations, at numerous points of the
Rock, to render "first aid" to those who might chance to be numbered
among the "wounded." Day broke with a "Levanter," and the heavy clouds
hanging about rendered any distant view a matter of difficulty.
However, before it had become actually daylight the alarm guns gave
notice that the enemy had been sighted. The troops turned out with
great promptitude, being all at their assigned stations in less than a
quarter of an hour, and were shortly ordered to various points
commanding the east side of the Rock. As day broke, the hostile ships
were to be discerned steaming in single line ahead, from the northeast,
along the back of the Rock, and about 5,000 yards from it. The flag
ship, followed by the Monarch and the Agincourt, proceeded toward
Europa Point, while the Iron Duke and the Curlew stood close in to the
eastern beach, so as to engage the northern defenses of the fortress.
The first shot was fired by the flag ship, shortly before six o'clock
in the morning, at the southern defenses. It was replied to, in less
than three minutes, by the Europa batteries, and very shortly the
engagement became general. The plan of tactics employed by the
squadron was that of steaming rapidly up and down, and concentrating
their fire in turn on the various shore batteries. Later on, the whole
squadron assembled off Europa Point, and fired broadsides by
electricity as they steamed past at speed. The spectacle at this
moment was a very fine one, the roar of the heavy guns of the ships
being supplemented by the sharp, rapid report of the quick-firing
guns, which were supposed to be sending a storm of small shell among
the defenders of the Rock. The incessant rattle of the ships' machine
guns was also heard in the intervals between the thundering broadsides
of heavy ordnance. All the ships were, of course, cleared for action,
with topmasts and yards sent down, and it is needless to say they
looked exceedingly workmanlike and formidable.
The various batteries on the Rock replied with great vivacity, and the
general effect produced as gun after gun was brought to bear on the
ships, and the white smoke wreathed itself round the many crags and
precipices of the grim old Rock, was a sight long to be remembered.
The exercise afforded to both branches of the service was undoubtedly
most instructive. Our illustration is a sketch by Captain Willoughby
Verner from one of the batteries above the Europa Flats, at which
point the governor took up his position to watch the operations.
--_Illustrated London News._
* * * * *