_Scissors._--A very valuable improvement has been made on Scissors.
It is especially so to those employed for delicate operations in
surgery. The objection to the common scissors is, that, in the
act of cutting, they, to a very considerable extent, compress
and bruise the parts. This is owing to the edges being set very
strong, and to the particular angle at which they are set, and is
sufficient to account for wounds made by scissors refusing to unite
by what surgeons call the first intention. To remedy this defect,
it was lately suggested to Mr. Stodart, by Dr. Wollastan, to give
to scissors the same kind of cutting edge that a knife has. This
has been done, and the success has fully justified the experiment.
The operation of hair lip has been repeatedly performed with the
knife-edged scissors, both on the infant and on the adult, with
complete success. The operation is in this way performed with
facility to the operator, and in less time than with the knife, and
consequently a less degree of pain to the patient. This improvement
need not be confined to the science of surgery. A variety of
delicate fancy work is performed by scissors, all of which will
be much better done by giving them knife-edges. There is a little
art in setting the edges, readily acquired by practice; this must
be done with a view to the kind of work for which the scissors are
intended. This improvement may easily be applied to common scissors,
by grinding down the outer sides of the blades.
[_Lon. pap._
_Public Spirit._--It has been my practice for several weeks past,
to walk upon one of our turnpike roads, and, for about two weeks,
I noticed a very large stone, lying in what is called the "summer
road," which I wished to remove, but my strength was not sufficient
to do it. It remained there as permanent, to the great annoyance
of all who passed that way in carriages. But one day as I was
passing it, I saw a stout negro fellow, whose cart was _beyond_
it as to the course which he was going, tugging at it, and he
finally succeeded in putting it out of the way, saying to himself
loud enough to be heard by me, as he laid it down, "now you can't
upset any body!" Pleased with the incident, I asked the man if he
often travelled that road. "No, sir," said he. "Why, then, did you
take so much trouble to remove that large stone?" "Because, sir,"
returned he, "it might have upset some one in the night!" I then
left him, reflecting that if all our politicians had a full portion
of the same public spirit, and all our self-righteous persons as
much of a desire to do good to their fellow men as this poor negro
exhibited--we should have a very different time of it!
[_Niles's Reg._
_Winter Butter._--An idea prevails very extensively, that _good
butter_ cannot be made in the winter. This is a great mistake. Where
the process is well understood, as fine butter is made in the depths
of winter, as at any season of the year. By pursuing the following
course, the matter will be accomplished:--
Let the cows be kept under cover in a warm stable, well fed with
the best hay and provender, and milked regularly morning and
evening.--Place the milk in pans, in as cold a place as may be found
about the dairy house--the sooner it freezes the better. As soon as
it is frozen thoroughly, take the cream from the top--the frost will
force the cream to the surface--and churn it with no other warmth
than the air of the kitchen at the distance of eight or ten feet
from the fire-place. It requires more time to fetch the butter than
in summer; but when brought it will be of the finest flavour and
quality.
_The Diamond._--Dr. Brewster has discovered a curious phenomenon,
which appears to elucidate the nature of this substance. Sir Isaac
Newton observed, from a comparison of the refractive powers of
various bodies, that amber and the diamond had a refractive power
three times greater, in respect of their densities, than several
other substances, and he conjectured that the diamond was "probably
an unctuous substance coagulated." Subsequent discoveries of the
properties of sulphur and phosphorous have corroborated this
opinion. Dr. Brewster has observed, both in flat diamonds and those
of a perfect crystalline form (as well as in amber,) the existence
of globules, or small portions of air, the expansive force of which
has communicated a polarizing structure to the parts in immediate
contact with it. This structure is displayed by four sectors of
polarizing light encircling the globule of air, and can be produced
artificially in glass and gelatinous masses. It must have been
produced by the expansive force of the included air, when the
substance was so soft as to be susceptible of comparison from so
small a force. Hence we are led to the conclusion that the diamond
originates, like amber, from the consolidation of perhaps vegetable
matter, gradually acquiring a crystalline form, by the influence of
time, and the slow action of corpsular forces.
_White Hills._--The White Hills in New Hampshire, are the highest in
the United States, being between 7 and 8000 feet above the level of
the ocean. The ascent is both difficult and dangerous, as the sides
of the mountains consist of naked, rugged, and precipitous rocks
over which the traveller is obliged to climb his slow and toilsome
way. The last of July and the first of August is the only time at
which they can be ascended at all, as they are the rest of the year
covered with snow.
_Sizing._--A French chemist has recently discovered, that from
the starch of potatoes quite fresh, and washed but once, a fine
_size_, by mixing with chalk, might be made. The stucco plasterers
of this country have been benefited by the discovery, and they find
that this kind of size is particularly useful for ceilings and for
white-washing, being more durable in tenacity and whiteness, and not
putrifying like animal size or exhaling any unwholesome odour.
_Arabian Horses._--Three fine Arabian horses have arrived at Boston
from Tripoli. They are owned by R. B. Jones, Esq. late American
Consul at that place, and a Mr. Morgan.
_Transplanting Wheat._--In the month of August, 1795, a gentleman of
Herefordshire, in England, set a single grain of wheat. As soon as
it had properly taken root, he dug it up, divided it into several
parts, and transplanted them. In August 1796, it was reaped, when it
produced 137 ears; the average of which was 80 grains in the ear;
the total produce 10,960 grains of wheat, besides the straw, most of
which was seven feet high.
_Fall of a Glacier._--On the 27th of December, at six o'clock in the
morning, an enormous portion of the glacier of Weisshorn, in the
valley of St. Nicholas, or Vispach, fell from its exalted situation
into the valley, causing dreadful devastation amongst the cultivated
grounds and habitations. At the moment when the ice and snow struck
the masses lying beneath, the minister of the place, and many other
persons, observed a strong light, which immediately disappeared,
and gave place to utter darkness. This phenomenon, from the
brightness of the light, and the number of persons who saw it, can
scarcely be considered as illusory. It was probably an electrical
or phosphorescent effect. The mass of ice and snow covered a space
of 2400 feet in length, 1000 feet wide, and at a mean 150 feet in
height, and the displacement of the air by it was such as to cause
a hurricane, which destroyed houses, mills, and buildings, even to
the distance of a quarter of a league from the place of the fall.
Extreme fears are entertained for the remains of the village of
Ronds, which stands opposite the glacier, for the upper part of the
glacier, left unsupported by the part which has given way, threatens
to fall and complete the distress which has been brought upon the
inhabitants of the valley.
_Evolution of Heat by freezing._--M. de la Becha has devised
an ingenious way of shewing the heat evolved by water during
congelation. He places a glass vessel, containing in its lower part
water, and upon that olive oil, in a temperature below the freezing
point of water. In this temperature olive oil alone would freeze
and thicken, but, being placed over water, it is retained in the
fluid state, in consequence of the heat evolved by the water during
its conversion into ice; and it is not until the whole of the water
is perfectly frozen that the oil itself will freeze.--_Bibliotheque
Universelle_, xiii. 76.
_Printing in Otaheite._--M. Turgenieff, Counsellor of State, has
made a report to the Bible Society of Petersburg, in which it is
stated that the English missionaries, have established a press at
Otaheite, at which 3000 bibles have been printed. They were all sold
in the space of three days, for three gallons of cocoa-nut oil each.
The books of Moses, translated into the Otaheitean language, have
been printed at the same press; also a catechism for the use of the
inhabitants. These have been distributed gratuitously.
_Animal Magnetism._--The Royal Academy of Sciences at Berlin have
proposed animal magnetism as a prize subject, essays on which are
to be rewarded in August 1820. It is desired that the phenomena,
known by the name of animal magnetism, be described so as to admit
of a positive judgment respecting their nature: and it is observed
that, though there are many difficulties attached to the subject,
still it appears that the number of facts ascertained is such as to
admit the hope that, in the present state of the physical sciences,
some light may be thrown on animal magnetism, when the probability
of these facts has been estimated, and when their analogy with the
better understood phenomena of natural sleep, dreams, somnambulism
not magnetic, and many nervous affections, has been established.
_Milk._--Professor Schubler has published in the Dictionary of
Medical Sciences, a paper entitled, "Researches on Milk and its
constituent Principles." The results of his analysis differ greatly
from those lately published by Berzelius; and hence, in the
author's opinion, prove the great influence of food and climate on
the lacteal secretion. 1000 parts of new milk contain 110 of fresh
cheese, 50 of fresh _serai_, 24 of butter, 77 of coarse sugar of
milk, and 739 water; or, in a dry state, 42.6 cheese, 7.87 _serai_,
24.0 butter, 77.0 sugar of milk, and 848.53 water. 1000 parts of
skimmed milk contain 43.64 dry cheese, 8.06 dry _serai_, 78.94
sugar of milk, and 869.34 water. 1000 parts of cream contain 240
butter, 33 cheese, 6 _serai_, and 721 whey. Lastly, 721 parts of
whey contain 60 coarse sugar of milk.--These observations were made
at Howfyl, which is some distance from the mountains, and where the
cows are kept constantly in the stable, so that the milk must be
nearly the same as in other flat countries.
_Respiration and Circulation of the Blood._--Dr. Carson has lately
made some important experiments on the elasticity of the lungs in
different animals, and he has found by the application of a simple
apparatus that in oxen, and animals of their size, it is more than
equal in power to the weight of a column of water a foot and a
half high. In calves, sheep, and large dogs, it is balanced by a
column of water varying in height from one foot to a foot and a
half; and in rabbits and cats by a column of water varying from six
to ten inches. To this elasticity of the lungs alternating with
the irritability of the diaphragm, Dr. C. ascribes respiration, or
the faculty of breathing; the capacity of the chest being by their
means successively enlarged and diminished, and thus air alternately
expelled and inhaled. He thinks also with great probability that
the movements of the heart and the circulation of the blood are
powerfully influenced by the same resilisency.
_Beccaria._--This philosopher of humanity having, in one of
the editions of his admirable work on crimes and punishments,
in that part which relates to fraudulent bankruptcy, qualified
some sentiments which he had originally expressed, but which, on
reflection, appeared to himself too severe, he adds in a note, "I
am ashamed of what I formerly wrote on this subject. I have been
accused of irreligion, without deserving it; I have been accused of
disaffection to the government, and deserved it as little; I was
guilty of a real attack upon the rights of humanity, and _I have
been reproached by nobody_."
_Generosity._--It is an error to imagine that men in the lowest rank
of life are unsusceptible of heroic and generous sentiments. All
who are susceptible of enthusiasm are capable of being actuated by
them. It is the minions of fortune, those who have been pampered
from their infancy, by the hands of luxury, and early accustomed
to every kind of profusion, whose minds sink into torpor for
want of exertion; it is such as those that are more likely to be
unsusceptible of generous sentiments.
_Academy of Natural Sciences._--The Academy of Natural Sciences in
this city has received from the president, Mr. William Maclure, now
in France, a donation of books, amounting in value to about $4000,
and have received advice of another valuable shipment from the same
munificent hand.
_Method of preserving Vessels._--An American ship now at Cowes,
built with spruce and white oak, sixteen years ago, has all
her original timbers and planks in the most perfect state of
preservation and soundness, owing to her having been, while on the
stocks, filled up between the timbers with salt; and whenever she
has been opened for examination filled up again.
_General Post-Office._--The number of post-offices in the United
States is four thousand eight hundred and thirty, and the length
of post-roads is 71,522 miles. The amount of postage for the
year 1819, was $1,204,680; the cost of transportation of the mail
$717,843; and the compensation to postmasters $375,964.
_Bibliomania._--At no time during the highest age of Bibliomanianism
did books of rarity bear higher prices than at the concluding sale
of Mr. Bindley's library. The competition for old poetical tracts
and ballads was unexampled.
_L._ _s._ _d._
No. 1125 Collection of Poetical Ballads
from 1540 to 1670. 192 0 0
1126 Do. from 1670 to 1680, 133 15 0
1127 Do. from 1679 to 1685, 174 6 0
1128 Do. 5 vols. 231 0 0
1130 Do. 43 1 0
The three first collections of ballads, and of halfpenny and penny
songs, were bought by the Marquis of Buckingham. The five volumes of
the same kind by Mr. Heber.
[_Lon. pap._
_Precious Stones._--A diamond said to be worth 20,000_l._ and one
of the largest in the world, was among the spoils of the Peishwa,
and is now in the East India Company's treasury, to be sold for the
benefit of the captors. It was brought to England by the ship York.
A block of amethyst, or rather a mass of amethysts, has been sent
from Brazil to Calcutta. This extraordinary specimen is four feet
in circumference, and weighs 98 pounds. It is in its rough state,
and consists of more than 50 irregular columns, smooth, transparent,
purple and white, shooting up like crystals from a common matrix.
_Nautical Improvement._--We congratulate the public on the
application of a simple mechanical apparatus to impel boats, instead
of oars. It consists of the machinery of steam-vessels, but the
moving power is the hand applied to a windlass. Boats were first
used on this principle with success on Whit-Monday, between London
and Greenwich. The labour is much less than that of oars, and the
impulse of the boat through the water much increased in swiftness.
_Philosophic Girl._--The Italian journals mention that a young lady,
only 13 years of age, named Maria Catherina Gherardi, a native of
Scrola, has maintained in public a series of philosophic theses, in
Latin.
_Ingenious Automaton._--A German journal asserts, that an artist
at Cemberg, in Prussia, has constructed a watch which imitates the
human voice, and answers questions in German and Polish; besides
executing musical airs.
_To destroy Caterpillars._--A gardener at Glasgow practices a mode
of destroying caterpillars, which he discovered by accident. A piece
of woollen rag had been blown by the wind into a currant bush, and
when taken out was found covered with these leaf-devouring insects.
He immediately placed pieces of woollen cloth in every bush in his
garden, and found next day that the caterpillars had universally
taken to them for shelter. In this way he destroys many thousands
every morning.
_Vegetation in cold Climates._--The following is a calendar of a
Siberian Lapland year:
Snow melts June 22d.
Snow gone July 1st.
Fields quite green do. 6th.
Plants at full growth do. 17th.
Plants in flower do. 25th.
Fruits ripe Aug. 2d.
Plants shed their seed do. 10th.
Snow do. 18th.
From August 18th to June 22d.
snow and ice.
Thus it appears, that from their first emerging from the ground
to the ripening of their seeds, the plants take but a month; and
spring, summer, and autumn are crowded into the short space of 56
days.