ON THE SIGHT OF THE MOLE. 92 noise and confusion, the engines were placed along the streets in a line, at the distance of about two hundred feet from one another, and reaching to the bank of the East River, as that inland sea is called which lies between Long Island and the main. The suction-hose of the last engine in the line, or that next the stream, being plunged into the river, the water was drawn up, and then forced along a leathern hose or pipe to the next engine, and so on, till at the tenth link of this curious chain it came within range of the fire. As more engines arrived, they were marshalled by the superintendent into a new string; and in about five minutes after the first stream of water had been brought to bear on the flames, another was sucked along in like manner, and found its way, leap by leap, to the seat of the mischief. I moved about among the blazing houses till driven back by the police, who laboured hard to clear the ground for the firemen alone. On retiring reluctantly from this interesting scene, I caught a glimpse of a third jet of water playing away upon the back part of the fire; and on going round to that quarter, discovered that these energetic people had formed a third series, consisting of seven engines, reaching to a different bend of the river, down some alley, not quite so far off. "The chief things to find fault with on this occasion were the needless shouts and other uproarious noises, which obviously helped to exhaust the men at the engines, and the needless forwardness, or it may be called foolhardiness, with which they entered houses on fire, or climbed upon them by means of ladders, when it must have been apparent to the least skilful person that their exertions were utterly hopeless. A small amount of discipline, of which, by the way, there was not a particle, might have corrected the noise; and the other evil, I think, might have been removed by a machine recently invented in Edinburgh, and found to be efficacious on like occasions." The machine here alluded to is the Triangle for elevating the jets of fireengines, described at page 169 of your sixth volume. The worthy captain was at great pains to explain the construction and use of this machine to the citizens of New York; but I guess, that while they reckon it not worth while to provide a proper supply of water in the first place, it will be useless to calculate upon their adoption of any improvements of a secondary description like the present. When we consider the great frequency of fires in New York, surrounded as it is with such an abundance of water, it appears almost incredible that no water-works should have been erected for the supply of that important article, especially as this has been done in so efficient a manner in Philadelphia. This is, however, but one instance, out of many thousand, of the apathy and indifference of some classes of men, and their tardiness to avail themselves of the improvements of their neighbours, and of the age in which they live. I am, Sir, W. BADDELEY. ON THE SIGHT OF THE MOLE. [Translated from the Annales des Sciences d'Observation.] Does the mole see? Aristotle and all the Greek philosophers believed it was blind. Galen, on the contrary, maintained that it sees; he affirmed that it has all the known means of vision. In more recent times, the question was revived, and naturalists ascertained that the animal has an eye, though one of extremely small dimensions, being scarcely larger than a grain of millet. But, strange to say, though they found out an eye, they could not discover an optic nerve. Now what purpose could an eye serve, which is deprived of the nerve, which in other animals transmits the visual sensations to the brain? This consideration_naturally carried philosophers back to the opinion of Aristotle and the Greeks; and led them to believe, that in spite of its eye, the mole does not see, and that, what, for courtesy sake, was called an eye, is nothing but a rudimental point without any use, like FLATNESS OF. THE SOLES OF THE FEET. the nipple in man. Later experiments, however, instituted by M. Geoffrey St. Hilaire, have demonstrated in a most incontestible manner, that the mole does make use of its eyes, sees obstacles when placed in its way, and turns aside to avoid them. If then the mole sees, is it possible that it has no optic nerve? M. Serres thought that the place of this nerve was supplied by a superior branch of the fifth pair of nerves, analogous to the opthalmic branch of Willis. But M. Geoffrey St. Hilaire has shewn, that this transference to a nerve of a function which does not naturally belong to it, has no existence in fact, and that the mole not only sees, but, as Galen said, is provided, like other seeing animals, with two ocular nerves, a principal and an accessory one, that is to say, the optic and opthalmic nerves. FLATNESS OF THE SOLES OF THE (From Marshall's Hints to Young Medical When the plantar arch is well formed, we stand on the heel (os calcis) and the distal extremities of the metatarsal bones. The concave shape of a well-formed foot is an admirable provision for defending the nerves and blood-vessels, that ramify under the middle of the foot, the use of which is painfully demonstrated to us when we ascend a ladder with narrow steps, or tread upon a pointed body. In splay-footed persons, where the sole is not merely flat, but in some degree convex, the tendons of the sole are elongated, accompanied with a subsidence of the bony arch, both in regard to the length and breadth of the foot, by which means the tarsus becomes the broadest part. The os naviculare projects, thereby producing a convexity of the inside of the foot; the inner ankle nearly approaches the ground, and in a number of instances the internal malleolus projects much more than is natural. In some cases the limb is oblique, and the muscles on the back of the leg are commonly but little developed. Very long as 93 well as flat feet commonly have a tendency outwards, seemingly to make up for their inability to grasp the ground by extending the base of support. In the mechanism of walking, our feet become levers of the second order, which may be compared to the action of an oar in rowing a boat, the weight being situated between the power and the fulcrum. When the sole is convex (splay-footed) the fulcrum is, during progression, less distant from the power than in a well-arched foot, consequently the influence of the lever is proportionately diminished, and the natural spring of the foot impaired. The effect may be compared to that of rowing with a short instead of a long oar. In consequence of the weight of the body falling upon the centre of the sole, instead of the heel and the anterior extremities of the metatarsal bones, the play of the ankle joint and the other joints of the foot is nearly lost, on which account the other joints of the body are comparatively little used; hence almost all splay-footed persons carry the head and shoulders, as also the elbows, backwards, while the spine at the loins is commonly pushed forward. They move their feet smoothly along the ground (skoofing Scotticè), with a general stiffness of the body, as if they were pushing a wheelbarrow before them. Let any person place a body under the arch of the foot, and try to walk with a stiff ankle, and he will easily comprehend the above description. Splay-footed individuals are unable to endure easily the fatigue consequent on long marches; more labour being required from them to produce a certain effect than from persons whose feet are well arched. In another respect they are disqualified for military service, on account of the lateral vacillations they make in walking. When a foot is well formed, the heel is first raised from the ground, and the body rests for the time on the fore-part of the foot and toes. But when the sole is convex, the extremity partakes in some degree of the inaptitude of a wooden leg; and, owing to the inelasticity of the foot and the stiffness of the ankle joint, the 94 TEMPERATURE EVAPORATION, body at each step describes a portion of a circle. In file marching, the irregular undulations of a man with deformed feet are liable to throw the rear of a line out of its proper direction. The flattened state of the arch of the foot occurs in every possible degree; hence there are many shades of the deformity which do not disqualify a man for the service. In the examination of recruits due attention should be paid to distinguish these varieties, and particularly to avoid confounding uncommonly broad though tolerably well arched feet with those in which the soles are convex and the limbs oblique. Flatness of the soles of the feet appears to be a congenital deformity, and prevails in particular families and races of people. Many tribes of Africans have generally flat feet with remarkably long heels. I have met with instances of another kind, where the instep was very high, the plantar arch being remarkably acute, so much so, that the middle of the foot did not nearly approach the ground: this defect, which in some instances is a serious one, is the pied-equin of the French anatomists. each other's shoulders, this being the position in which they move about.” NATIVE PLATINA. Before the return of Humboldt from America, the largest specimens of native platina in the mineralogical cabinets of Europe scarcely exceeded the twelfth of an inch in diameter. Humboldt brought one over with him which weighed 1,088 grains, and this continued to be the largest known till 1822, when the Museum of Madrid was enriched with a specimen, obtained in the course of the gold washings of Condoto, which is 2 inches in diameter, and weighs 11,641 grains. But both these specimens have been eclipsed by one found in the Demidoff Mines of the Oural Mountains, which weighs 4.320 kilog. (about 9 pounds), and is of a density a little under 16. M. Humboldt has lately announced that he is engaged on a work which will be an important contribution to the history of this interesting mineral. It is a Map of the Province of Choco, in which he will point out all the localities where platina has been or is likely to be found. LUSUS NATURE. The Boston Patriot gives the following account of a very singular lusus natura.- "The Sachem, which arrived at this port yesterday, (Aug. 20), has on board two Siamese youths (males), eighteen years of age, whose bodies have been connected from their birth. They appear to be in good health and apparently contented with their condition. They are about five feet in height, well-proportioned, strong and active, goodnatured, and withal, intelligent and sensible. A substance, apparently bony or cartilaginous, about seven inches in circumference, and four in length, proceeding from the umbilical region of each, unites them firmly together. They run about the deck and cabin of the ship with the same facility that any two healthy lads would do, with their arms over ON THE EFFECTS OF HIGH TEMPERATURES WHEN APPLIED TO THE EVAPORATION OF LIQUIDS. The following are the results of a series of experiments recently made in Paris, by M. Longchamp, and reported to the Academy of Sciences :— 1. That at high temperatures the evaporation is not in proportion to the heated surfaces as in ordinary cases, but rather in proportion to the capacities exposed to the heat. For example: A tube of three-twelfths of an inch in diameter, and 8 inches long, which dimensions give a capacity of 0.375 cubic inch, has evaporated a kilogramme (2lbs. 3oz. 5 dr.) weight of water in 24 hours, while in a tube of 2 inches diameter, and 32 inches long, 500 kilogrammes were evaporated in the same time. Now, the first capacity is to the second as 6 to 1,536, which is precisely the propor TEPID BATHING. tion which the qualities evaporated bear to each other. 2. That the evaporation which takes place when the evaporating vessel is made red-hot, is eight times greater in a given capacity than it is at the temperature commonly applied to steam-boilers. INQUIRY. Sir,-Being desirous of constructing a fountain on a small scale (in a garden) I shall feel obliged by any of your correspondents informing me of the best method of doing so, through the "Mechanic's Magazine." I am, Sir, MISCELLANEOUS. S. H. Tepid BathingIt is a curious anomaly in English habits, that tepid bathing should be so much neglected among a people proverbial, in other respects, for their cleanliness. In Paris there are upwards of 150 public baths besides establishments for portable ones, which are in great request, and supplied at a very reasonable rate; whereas in London very few public baths exist, and only one or two portable baths. This neglect is the more surprising, considering that there is nothing so well calculated as tepid bathing to prevent those inflammatory diseases peculiar to this variable climate. In many cases the surface of the body is chilled for some hours before the attack of external or internal inflammation-the continuance of chillness being in fact the cause of inflammation, by disordering the circulation of the blood. But were the circulation equalized at the commencement of the chillness, by a warm bath, it would generally prevent the occurrence of any acute affection of an inflammatory nature. Z. Dge from Potato Flowers.-Sir John Sinclair has been recently engaged in a series of experiments, by which he has ascertained that perma. nent and beautiful colours in silk, cotton, and woollen goods, may be obtained from the flower of the potato. Sir John says these colours are equal to the finest tints procured from the nost valuable foreign materials, and in richness of shade are likely, in some cases, to be even supe. rior. “It is a peculiar advantage," he adds, "attending this discovery, that the cutting of the flowers of the potato is not prejudicial to the plant; on the contrary, by preventing the forma tion of the seed or apple, there is reason to be lieve that it will add to the weight and improv the quality of the root." Fuel for Steam-Vessels.-A Mr. G. B. White, of Brooklyn, New York, has contrived a com. pound which he calls "concentrated fuel," for the use of steam-vessels, which is said to burn as well as pine, and to occupy about one-third of the space required for wood. A Canine Artillerist.-Mustapha, a strong and active dog, belonging to an artillerist of Dublin, raised from its birth in the midst of camps, always accompanied its master, and exhibited no alarm in the midst of battle. In the hottest engagements it remained near the cannon, and carried the match in its mouth. At 95 the memorable baffle of Fontenoy, when we broke the square battalions of the Hanoverians, the master of Mustapha received a mortal wound. At the moment when about to fire upon the enemy, he and several of his corps were struck to the earth by the discharge of artillery. Seeing his master extended lifeless and bleeding, the dog became desperate, and howled piteously. Just at that time a body of French soldiers were advancing rapidly to gain possession of the piece, which was aimed at them from the top of a small rising ground. Who would believe it, if the fact were not attested by several witnesses worthy of credit? Doubtless with a view to revenge his master's death, Mustapha seized the lighted match with his paws, and set fire to the cannon loaded with case-shot: 70 men fell ou the spot, and the remainder took to flight. After this bold stroke the dog laid itself down near the dead body of his master, licked his wounds, and remained there 24 hours without sustenance. He was at length with difficulty taken away by the comrades of the deceased. The courageous animal was carried to London, and presented to George II., who had him taken care of as a brave servant.-Histoire des Chiens Celebres. Small Money.The silver penny was the lowest English coin in use until the reign of Ed. ward I. Neither halfpence nor farthings were known among the Anglo-Saxon monarchs, with the single exception of Edward the Elder. Silver farthings were introduced at a comparatively late date, and continued to be coined as long as the increased value of that metal would permit; but at length their size was of necessity so much diminished, that the making of them totally ceased in the reign of Edward VI. To supply the place of these, James I. afterwards caused farthing tokens of brass and copper to be made, but at a value so much inferior to the rate at which they were issued, that they were never recognized as legitimate coins, and soon sunk into disuse. The first real copper money was coined by Charles II. in 1665. It was not, however, then made current; and the commencement of a regular coinage of that metal, is not to be dated before 1672. Signs of Winter.The Swallow has been already observed taking its departure for warmer regions. The time of its leaving this country varies in different seasons; it is sometimes protracted till the end of October or the beginning of November, and Swallows have been seen to congregate previously to taking their departure as late as the middle of December. A great diversity of opinion has existed respecting the torpidity and nigration of this bird: but it seeins an established fact, that, although the greater part of the Swallows that visit England quit the country before the approach of winter, many remain and continue in a state of torpidity till the enlivening sun of April wakes them from their long sleep. Sept. 12. A. R. GADSHILL. Progress of Knowledge.-Polydore Virgil, who wrote in the time of Henry VIII., was so alarmed at the growing propensity to encourage navi. gation which then appeared, from the insupera. ble dangers which he thought must attend it, and the folly of ever bringing it to perfection, that he compared the rashness of mankind in exposing themselves to the mercy of the waves, upon a few frail planks of wood, to the attempt of Dædalus himself, and says that "we not only plough the sea, but inhabit it; that driven by the violent lust of gain, we build ships as large as houses; that every nation hath the boldness to contend for the sovereignty of the sea, and to fight battles upon it, like those upon dry land." Enormous Blast. It is stated in an Ameri can paper, that in the progress of cutting the Delaware Canal, four kegs of gunpowder, containing about 100lbs., were lately used for a single blast, and had the effect of rending.in pieces more than 400 cubic yards of rock. This," it is added, " is the largest blast ever made in the United States." Alchemists.-Anthony Wood gives a curious account of the adventures of two noted alchemists, Edward Kelly, an Oxford student, and Dr. John Dee. Kelly had both his ears cut off for one of his exploits in Lancashire. He had, in order to know something concerning the death of a young gentleman, invoked some infernal spirits in the park of Walton in the Dale, Lancashire, and afterwards took up the body of a man buried in Law church-yard, which body he caused, by his incantations, to utter strange predictions. Notwithstanding the loss of his ears, which were not as long as those of his customers, Dee employed him as his Skryer (to report the words of the spirits.) They went abroad, together with Laski, a Polish nobleman, in the year 1583, and residing chiefly in Bohetnia, continued their incantations for some time, but quarrelling at last about the division of the spoil, Dee returned to England. Kelly was knighted by the Emperor Rodolph the Second, who spent much of his time in search of the philosopher's stone. Kelly amused him for some time, but his tricks being discovered, he was ordered into custody. In this dileinma his old friend the devil left him in the lurch, for, endeavouring to escape from a high window, he broke his leg, and died soon after. Lord Willoughby, Queen Elizabeth's ambassador at Prague, sent an old warming-pan to her Majesty, part of which had been transmuted into gold by Kelly. The Queen, it seems, was so perfectly convinced of the truth of the story, that she sent Peter Gwynne to Bohemia to per suade Kelly to return to England. The Hanging Gardens of Limerick, in Ireland, are a great curiosity. An acre of ground is covered with arches of various heights; the highest forty feet and the lowest twenty-five; over these arches is placed a layer of earth of five feet thick, and planted with choice fruit trees and flowers. The arches are employed as cellars for spirituous liquors, and will hold nearly 2,000 hogsheads. The work was commenced in 1808, and was completed in about five or six years. The expense of the whole undertaking was nearly £15,000. A The celebrated Manheim Telescope, the masterpiece of the famous Speiger, a Hungarian optician, was destroyed in a singular manner. servant of the observatory having taken out the glasses to clean them, put them in again, without, observing that a cat had crept into the tube. At night, the animal being alarmed at the strong power of the lunar rays, endeavoured to escape : but the effort threw down the instrument, which, falling to the ground, from the top of the tower, was broken to pieces. NEW PATENTS. William Shand, of the Burn, Kincardineshire, for improvements in distillation. 10th of August. 6 months. John Macleod, Esq., of Westminster, for improvements in preparing barilla. 10th of August. 2 months. James Rowland and Charles McMillan, of Spitalfields, Middlesex, for an improved mode of constructing street-ways, &c. 11th of August. 6 months. Edward Weeks, of King's road, Chelsea, for improvements in raising fluids. 14th of August. 6 months. Henry C. Price and Charles F. Price, of Bristol, for an improvement in apparatus for communicating heat. 20th of August. 6 months. John Mushet, of York-square, Regent's-park, for a certain medicine for gouty affections of the stomach, spasms, &c. 20th of August. 2 months. John. Jones, of Leeds, for improvements in machinery for dressing woollen cloths. 21st of August. 6 months. William Roger, of Norfolk-street, London, for certain improvements in the construction of anchors. 21st of August. 6 months. MINOR CORRESPONDENCE. "A Constant Reader" recommends the external use of the oil of walnuts, as a safe and efficacious remedy for cutaneous eruptions. The oil is obtained by absorption (as the oil of almonds.) It is imported from France and Germany, where its qualities are properly appreciated. The newer the oil, the more speedy and effectual will be the cure. The present is a most abundant year for the fruit. Sir, I read with pleasure your excellent Magazine of Saturday, the 12th inst; and beg to observe, that nothing is easier than to supply the want alluded to in Mr. Baddeley's article on the waste of water in case of fires. Imagine that a cubical foot of metal is excavated with a chisel to the depth of 9 inches, leaving 14 inch on the sides of the edges; then cut inch one inch deep; the upper edging will be inch broad, and the lower part will support a metal cover, which if slightly convex, would support the heaviest waggons that might pass over it. By lifting the cover, the ends of suction-pipes could be inserted without any disturbance to the pavement. I am, your's truly, Sept. 13, 1829. INTERIM NOTICES. HUGH. Another valuable present to practical men.In our next Number we shall publish a description, with an engraving, of an Improved Sliding Rule, or Mechanical Ready Reckoner, invented by Mr. Saddington; by means of which all questions in arithmetic relating to money may be solved by a single operation in the three different denominations of pounds, shillings, and pence. The communications which we have in hand from Mr. Saul are all intended for insertion. When articles require engravings to illustrate them, we cannot always give them as early a place as they would otherwise obtain. Mr. Sinclair's Demonstration of his Mode of finding the Longitude, and Mr. Peacock's Remarks on that Mode, we are obliged, for want of room, to postpone till next week. . Communications received from J. O. B.-Mr. Baddeley-Henry D.-J. O.-Z.-S. P. W.— Mr. Taylor-Arithmeticus-F. F.-Mr. Prentis -Y. E. Y.-A Friend at Manchester. LONDON: Published for the Proprietor, by M. SALMON, at the Mechanics' Magazine Office, No. 115, Fleet Street; where Commu. nications for the Editor (post paid) are requested to be addressed. MI SALMON, Printer, Fleet Street. |