Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 November 1890 — Progress In Sciece. [ARTICLE]

Progress In Sciece.

The largest gold mine in the world is said to be in Alaska. It is lighted

by electricity and is run day and night. Utilizing scrap steel rod by welding it and drawing it into fence wire is one of the recen successes of electric welding. The high-explosive carbonic has recently given very satisfactory results, and it has been proved that it is a staple compound that can be stored for a length of time without deterioration. • From geological observation on the Alps vegetation on the higher portions seems to be retreating, and the poplars that at one time adorned the crest of the hill are now nearly all dead. A gold medal has been offered by the Dutch Academy oi Sciences in Haarlenrfor the best work of microscopic investigation of the mode in which different parts of plants can unite with one another and the phenomena which accompany healing after grafting. The accumulation of explosive gases in a room, mine, or ship’s hold, can now be asertained by means of an indicator. It consists of a porous cylinder closed by a’ thin metal membrane, and the penetrating gases raise the membrane, close a circuit an give alarm. Experiments are being conducted in the English channel near Folkestone for the purpose of Resting the geological structure of that portion of the sea bed upon which it is proposed to construct a bridge across the Strait of Dover. Thus far the sea bottom has been found very solid and suitable for the proposed structure.