MISCELLANEOUS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 207, 18 January 1872, Page 7

MISCELLANEOUS.

A little apparatus, which the inventor calls " The Marine Mouse," destined for 'travelling under water, has recently been tried, and it appears that it proved to be a success. There were two persons, in the apparatus, and the possibility of movement was demonstrated. The apparatus is provided with a reservoir of compressed air, purified by caustic potash ; it is also provided with a regulator to ascertain the pressure and depth, and with a small telegraphic apparatus connected with the surface of the water. The upper part of the Marino Mouse is covered with glass, so that from the inside the surrouuding water can be well seen. It is also provided with a screw-propeller driven by a belt, and a rudder.

Intelligence was brought by last mail of a projected ocean telegraph between San Francisco, Honolulu, and Melbourne, and which will be received -«dth.^fin£raLaafci3factioji. _ Sofar_ther.e is nothing but the bare announcement of the project, and it is not clear at present bow and on what terms the proposed scheme is to be carried out. It would be the longest ocean cable in the world, and once laid, misfit be expected to work with less liability to interruption than a long land and water line like that via Adelaide. The depth of ocean, however, is so great in some places on the route from Sydney to Honolulu, that it has never yet been sounded, and this might prove a serious bar to the carrying out of the projected scheme, \lt seems to be generally conceded that wonderful effects may be obtained byuvatering fruit trees and vegetables with a solution of sulphate of iron. TJi&ler this system beans will grow to nearly double the ordiuary3ize,a"nd will acquire a iriuch more savory taste. The pear fceeaiS to be .particularly well adapted for this treatmelrfc^Ohl nails thrown into water and leftafcp rust-will impart to it all the necessary qualities, , forcing vegetables as described,