Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 December 1893 — SCIENTIFIC SCRAPS. [ARTICLE]

SCIENTIFIC SCRAPS.

Some insects are in a state of matur Ity thirty minutes after birth. Thebe are said to be 20,000 kinds of butterflies, of which two-thirds are named. Naturalists have enumerated 657 different species of reptiles. Of thii number 400 aiv- as harmless as rabbits. A hole one one-thousandth of an inch in diameter can now be boreo through a diamond, sapphire, or a ruby. The Swiss Government proposes to buy up all the match-works in the country, and make matches a government monopoly, similar to that of salt and tobacco In most countries of Europe. The first ingot of nickel steel to be used for the manufacture of armor for the United States navy was cast in a mold weighing fifty-six tons. The ingot weighed 90,000 pounds. The armor plate will be used on the Maine. In future each soldier of the Belgian army will oarry on his person a small bone disk, which will oontain his name, birthplace, and regimental number, so that'the holder can be readily Identified in case of aocldent or death.