Abstract
Journal of the Franklin Institute, September. This number opens with numerous editorial notes, principally abstracts from other scientific journals; there is also the commencement of a description of the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken. Amongst the notes we notice an account of Grubb's automatic spectroscope, and a description of the properties of Nitroglycerine as found by M. Champion. It is stated that when pure it may be heated up to 200° without explosion, but at 257° it deflagrates violently; and although it explodes with terrific force by a blow, the electric spark does not affect it. A number of original communications follow. Under the head of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, we find a paper containing some useful “formulæ, rules, and examples for cases of earth-work under warped and plain surfaces,” and another “On Descriptions of Wood-working Machinery.” Under mechanics, physics, and chemistry, there is a paper “On Apparatus Illustrating Mechanical Principles;” the various pieces of apparatus are intended to show experimentally the truth of problems, such as the parallelogram of forces, the parallelopipedon of forces, and so on; a machine is also described to illustrate the action of the forces of gravity and projection in giving a projectile its parabolic trajectory. They are designed by J. Pemberton, and seem to be well adapted to the various purposes which have hitherto been neglected. The continuation of a lecture on the sun by Dr. Gould follows; he deals shortly with the prismatic analysis of light and with the solar spectrum, explaining the curves of thermal, luminous, and chemical intensity. Prof Leeds contributes a valuable paper for the use of students “On the Measurement of the Angles of Crystals,” and Mr. Coleman Sellers reviews Mr. Crookes's Experimental Investigation of a New Force; he boldly states that he believes Mr. Crookes has been deceived, giving several reasons why he is of this opinion. An editorial note is attached to this paper, stating that Mr. Sellers is very accomplished in the field of legerdemain, which would lend peculiar value to his view.
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Scientific Serials. Nature 5, 133 (1871). https://doi.org/10.1038/005133a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/005133a0