Scientific.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2346, 23 July 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

Scientific.

The Growth of thf. Heart.— Dr. Beneeke, of .Marburg, has made known his curious observations on the growth of the human heart, tlie fact appearing that the increase is greatest and most tapir] during the first and second years of life, its bulk at the end of the second year being exactly double what it originally was; between the second and seventh years it is again almost doubled. A slower rate of growth now sots in, until about the fifteenth year, the augmentation of volume during the intervening seven or eight years being only about twothirds. In the period of maturity which now approaches the growth of the heart again makes progress, the increase keeping pace with the advance toward maturity of the other portions of the system. After the fifteenth year, np to the fiftieth, the annual growth is about 061 of a cubic inch, the increase ceasing with the fiftieth year, a slight diminution then ensuing. Again, in childhood the male and female hearts are alike ; after maturity, the male heart develops more than the female, and the difference between the two that is thus established—one and a half to two cubic inches—is said to be maintained throughout the remainder of life. —Knowledge.

Origin of Atmospheric Ozone.—A great many theories have been prpoundod iu explanation of the mode of formation of ozone in the atmosphere, the latest of which is that of O. Wurster, whose observations have led him to conclude that it is formed by the action of sunlight on clouds. He states that when clouds are continually formed from above they become highly charged with this active form of oxygen, whilst those formed from below only contain it in notable quantity in their upper layer. This theory has one advantage over many others, it admits of confirmation or refutation both by observation and experiment. Artificial clouds are easily formed, may be confined in glass vessels, and there exposed to sunlight. Ordinary ozonometer paper contained in the same vessel will at once display the formation of ozone if it actually occurs. —Hardwick’s Science Gossip.

(suffocation in Wells.—M. Greliant recently read a paper at a meeting of the Biological Society of Paris on “ The Prevention of Accidents from [Suffocation while descending Wells.” The cause of suffocation under such circumstances is the presence of carbonic acid gas ; and M. Greliant suggested the following plan for discharging the gas from the well, A pipe some ten feet or twelve feet deeper than the well is let down into it and secured by the sides of the well. A grate on which a fire can be built is then to be placed around this pipe at the level of the ground, and a second pipe larger than the first is then to be placed upon the grate having the first pipe inside. On the grate between the pipes a fire is to be built, which, heating the inner pipe, will create a drauirht and draw off the noxious gas.—Engineering.

Baldness in the United States —Mr V. G. Eaton, writing to the Popular Science Monthly, says that in most of the Eastern cities of the United States fully 30 per cent, of the men over thirty years of age show unmistakable signs of baldncs , while nearly 20 per cent, have spots on their heads that are not only bald, but polished with the gloss that is supposed to belong to extreme old age alone. Diamond Ink. —The preparation for writing on glass called “diamond ink,” says the American druggist, is to he used with a common pen, and at once etches a rough surface on the parts of glass it comes in contact with. It proves to he a very useful article for labeling bottles which are to contain liquids that will destroy common labels. Dipthekia.— Prof. De Laskie Miller recommends: Tincture iron, 1 dram; chlorate potash, 2 drams ; diluted muriatic acid, 40 drops ; tincture cayenne pepper, 1 dram ; muriate of morphia, i grain ; syrup of lemon, enough to make 3 oz. A teaspoonful every 2 or 3 hours.