Scientific American Supplement, No. 586, March 26, 1887   By: Various

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN SUPPLEMENT NO. 586

NEW YORK, MARCH 26, 1887

Scientific American Supplement. Vol. XXIII, No. 586.

Scientific American established 1845

Scientific American Supplement, $5 a year.

Scientific American and Supplement, $7 a year.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

I. BIOGRAPHY. George W. Whistler, C.E. By Professor G.L. VOSE. Full biography of the eminent railroad engineer.

II. CHEMISTRY. A Newly Discovered Substance in Urine. A substance possessing greater reducing power than grape sugar found in diabetic urine.

On Electro Dissolution and its Use as Regards Analysis. By H. N. WARREN, research analyst. Interesting decomposition of cast iron with production of boron and silicon; experiments with other metals.

III. ELECTRICITY. No Electricity from the Condensation of Vapor. Note on Herr S. Kalischer's conclusions.

On Nickel Plating. By THOMAS T.P. BRUCE WARREN. Notes on this industry, and suggested improvement for procuring a bright coat.

The Electro Magnetic Telephone Transmitter. New theory of the telephone's action.

IV. ENGINEERING. Fuel and Smoke. By Prof. OLIVER LODGE. The second and concluding one of these important lectures.

Gas Engine for Use on Railroads. The application of six horse power Koerting gas engine to a dummy locomotive. 1 illustration.

New Gas Holder at Erdberg. The largest gas holder out of England. 3 illustrations.

Tar for Firing Retorts. Simple arrangement adapted for use in ordinary gas retort benches; results attained. 1 illustration.

The Anti Friction Conveyer. An improvement on the screw of Archimedes; an apparatus of wonderful simplicity and efficacy in the moving of grain. 2 illustrations.

The Retiro Viaduct. Combined iron and stone viaduct over the river Retiro, Brazil. 5 illustrations.

Western North Carolina Location over the Blue Ridge. Interesting instance of railroad topography. 1 illustration.

V. METALLURGY. Chilled Cast Iron. The various uses of this product; adaptability of American iron for its application.

VI. MISCELLANEOUS. Coal in the Argentine Republic. Note.

History of the World's Postal Service. Conclusion of this interesting article. The service in Germany, China. Russia, and elsewhere. 10 illustrations.

Snow Hall The new science and natural history building of the University of Kansas.

VII. NAVAL ENGINEERING. Improvement in Laying Out Frames of Vessels. The Frame Placer. By GUSTAVE SONNENBURG. Ingenious apparatus for use in ship yards. 1 illustration.

Sea going Torpedo Boats. The inutility of small torpedo boats at sea. The construction of larger ones discussed.

VIII. ORDNANCE. Firing Trial of the 110½ Ton B.L. Elswick Gun. Full dimensions of this piece and it projectiles. Results of proof firing. 9 illustrations.

IX. PHOTOGRAPHY. Experiments in Toning Gelatino Chloride Paper. Trials of ten different gold toning baths, formulas, and results.

Printing Lantern Pictures by Artificial Light on Bromide Plates from Various Sizes. By A. PUMPHREY. The processor producing smaller or larger transparencies from negatives. 1 illustration.

X. PHYSICS. A New Mercury Pump. Simple air pump for high vacua. 1 illustration.

The Laws of the Absorption of Light in Crystals. By H. BECQUEREL.

Varying Cylindrical Lens. By TEMPEST ANDERSON, M.D., B. Sc. Combination of two conoidal lenses. Range of power obtained.

XI. PHYSIOLOGY. Elimination of Poisons. Treatment of poison cases by establishment of a strong diuresis. The Filtration and the Secretion Theories. Experiments on the action of and secretions of the kidneys.