Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1890 — SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. [ARTICLE]

SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.

—A bußet has just been patented, the base of which, as well as the body, is covered by an alloy non-fusible at any temperature which -it: is possible to generate in a gun barrel. The necessity for such a bullet has been caused by the introduction of nitrated or smokeless which generate such intense heat that the base of the bullet is melted and consequently ragged. Accuracy of aim is thus much impaired. The tendency of late, in the desire to secure increased accuracy. has been to diminish the size Of the bore and resort to compressed powders and cased bullets, and the new bullet comes in opportunely and enables the latest improvements to be utilized. Some practical improvements in div. ing apparatus have been effected by a French engineer. Instead of the heavy electric hand lamp hitherto used by the divers he affixes a light but powerful glow lamp to the top of the helmet, so that the diver’s hands are both at all times free for work. The lamp is connected by a conductor with a battery either on shore or in the vessel above, as the case may be. The next point is a new method of connecting the helmet- with the dress without any loose parts, and this iseffec'ed.by means of only one water tight joint instead of two, as in the ordinary dress. In the new .method the upper part or collar of the india rubber dress is gripped in between the lower rim of the helmet and the upper rim of the breast plate and there held fast by gripping pieces attached to the breast plate. In view of the threatened dearth of india rubber and the rapid decimation which is going on in the available gutta-percha trees, the statement that a supply of what may, in some respects, be an effective substitute tor these useful articles of commerce is plentiful in Australia, is of interest. The Australian caoutchouo is said to have been first observed in little sand hollows, and resembled patches of dried leather. It was found generally in swamps, and the theory of its production was that it had resulted from the overflow of petroleum or rock oil. There is still a wide difference of opinion as to the origin of the substance. Some scientific authorities ascribe it to a vegetable origin, and regard it as a gum exuding from a plant or litchen. Fthers assign it to a subterranean origin. but tbe known facts concerning it are not corroborative ,of this view. An inventor haa just patented a paper vest. Paper, as is well known, is a non-conduotor of heat, and the new waistcoat is said to be an excellent thing to wear when the thermometer is below zero. One of the most singular of recent patents is a rocking-chair washing machine. The rocking-chair, which is placed in a tub in which are water, soap and the clothes to be washed, has a rack on its rockers provided with a grooved roller. The wash tub has projections on its verticle ends and allows the full play of the rocker of the chair. The result of this arrangement is that the mother of the family can rock her child to sleep in her arms and at the same time be washing the family linen. Persons traveling by rail can now make themselves very comfortable by the use of patented portable elbow frame. These can be fixed so as to give the effect of the most cozy armchair, and the fatigue of a long journey is thus materially diminished. These elbows can be folded when not in use and weigh under three pounds. A new device which is adapted either for a bed or bath room is a portable shampooing apparatus. This patent applies to a reservoir to hold either hot or cold water, and fitted with a spray fixed on an arm projecting from the reservoir. The arm is movable, so that it oan be turned down, leaving a mirror, which is fitted on the reservoir, clear for shaving purposes or for general use, This handy shampoo is made entirely of metal. The spray is easily adjusted by a tap, leaving both hands free for use, and the reservoir being so constructed that it can be moved to any desired height any force desired can be obtained.