100 YEARS AGO

Die Schule der Chemie. Prof. Ostwald is an ingenious man; in his own language, the attribute might be expressed by the adjective “schlau.” Having, as he tells us in his preface, published volumes of the greatest importance, and of the widest range, on physical chemistry for the use of investigators in the domains of chemistry and physics... he now makes an attempt in this very elementary work to reach a larger public, and has written this most amusing book for the use of youngsters about ten to thirteen years of age. The plan adopted is to introduce by means of dialogue some chemical facts... Talking of the combustion of a candle and its disappearance, the pupil says, “But it really vanishes before my eyes.” “Yes,” says the teacher, “it becomes invisible. But can't it change into something invisible?” “There are no invisible things,” says the pupil. “Oho!” replies the teacher. “No,” says the pupil, “ghosts and goblins don't exist.” “Even they are said to be sometimes visible,” answers the teacher. “But can you see the air?” “Hum — no,” says the pupil. “But the air is changed by burning. I don't see how.” And so the formation of an invisible gas is brought out, and the method of determining its weight.

From Nature 1 October 1903.

50 YEARS AGO

The loofah of commerce, also known as the 'Luffa sponge', 'dishcloth' or 'dishrag gourd', 'snake gourd' and 'vegetable sponge', is the cleaned, dried inner fibrous tissue of the fruit or gourd of Luffa spp., which grow readily in most warm countries. It is a climbing annual plant, and has been grown in Japan from olden times. The plant and fruits resemble cucumbers; but the fruits are fatter and hang heavily on the vines, while the stems are more woody and stronger. In Japan, the plant blooms during June–July, and the flowers last well into the autumn... The best type of loofah for the commercial market is the one produced in Japan, where the soil and climate have proved well suited to their cultivation. An account of the loofah industry in Japan has been given by J. S. Ingram in Colonial Plant and Animal Products... The cultivation and possibilities of the plant in Colonial territories is also described.

From Nature 3 October 1953.