MISCELLANEOUS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 212, 22 February 1872, Page 7

MISCELLANEOUS.

A very remarkable discovery made by Professor Huggtns. the celebrated astronomer and speetroscopist of England, reveals the fact that the atmosphere of the distant planet, Herschel, is composed entirely of hydrogen (gas). This wonderful announcement*, so contrary to all the theories held by scientific men respecting the condition of those distant plnut^tary orbs, will overthrow many <»i" tho books and writers who have produced volumes on the constitution of the universe, etc. From the nature of the case, the inhabitants of that far off world, if there are any, must live without fire, as auy one spark of combustion would bum everything and explode the whole concern. Truly, science is bringing matters io light,

which throw all ancient wonders in the shade, and we are fortunate in living in such a progressive age.

The cause for which a Mohammedan wom;m may demand a divorce are clearly and broadly laid down in the Koran, and her evidencu is sufficient, because the Mohammedan law supposes that a woman must be violently aggrieved before the modesty of her sex will allow her to appear in pubblic with such an application. So careful is this law to spare her feelings, that she is not even required to recount her injuries, unless of her own free will ; all she is to do is to place her slipper reversed, that is with the sole upward, before the Cadi, and the case is finished ; the divorce is granted without further inquirj .

The Grass Valley " Republican," of the 27th, says a ledge of what is supposed to be sulphurct of antimony has been discovered about ten miles from Gras3 Valley. The ledge is about three feet wide, in a hard syenite rock. An assay has been made of some of the best looking pieces of rock which yielded 05 per cent, pure antimony. It also showed silver at the rate of $3000 a ton, and gold at 1100 dols. a ton. Steps will be taken to develop tho mine immediately, and ascertain its value. Antimony is use.d for various purposes, such as in concave mirrors, in the manufacturino; of bells, metal type, and for the fusion of various metals and also by dru^ists and physiciaus as* a medicinal ajjjent. About 50,000 tons are used in Great Britain annually.

A new guillotine has lately been introduced by M. Heinricb, Ex-ocutioner-General of Paris. M. Heinrich, who is a very humane man, thought it was cruel to force criminals to go some distance from their cells and then climb a flight of stairs to be killed, and hid new machine is so arranged tliat there is no platform to ascend. Tho condemned no sooner emerges, from tho prison than he is thrown down on the planks, secured, and his neck thrust under the knife', which is made heavier and broader than before. But the first application of the new machine was not wholly successful, as the victim, after being tossed uU'lcr the knife, contrived to get his head loose, and to scream aloud until he was again secured and the knife fell.

Michigan silver mines this year have yielded about 1,000,000 dols. worth of ore. The estimate is that 100,000 dols. a month can be taken out at a cost of only 8,000 dols.