116 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



and between the sides of the pan a vacant space is left. This arrangement 

 causes an upward current of the solution in the pan at the centre of the series 

 of tubes, whilst a gentle descending current is produced between the cylinder 

 and pan, by which compound motion the contents in the pan are prevented 

 from burning. 



NEW INSTRUMENT FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF CHLOROFORM. 



M. Duroy, of France, has invented what he calls the Anasthesimeter, an 

 instrument to be used, in the application of chloroform. It is a circular stand 

 of wood bearing a close cylindrical vase, into which descends a tapering stem 

 from a bottle-like reservoir fixed above it. This reservoir is graduated with a 

 scale, each division corresponding to one gramme of chloroform ; so that the 

 quantity of chloroform poured in can be accurately measured. Then, by turn- 

 ing a tap, according to the indications of another scale, the chloroform descends 

 through the tapering stem at the rate of four, ten, twenty-five, or more drops 

 a minute, into the vase beneath, from whence it is breathed, mingled with 

 air, by a flexible tube leading to the patient's* mouth. Thus, the quantity to 

 be inspired can be determined beforehand according to the nature of the case. 



BLANC'S PROCESS FOR EXTRACTING THE FIBRES OF PLANTS. 



The following is M. Blanc's (of New Orleans) recently patented process 

 for extracting the fibres of various endogenous plants : "I cut the plants in 

 August or September, close to the ground, and sink a pit in the field where the 

 plants grow, from six inches to two feet deep, throwing the earth outside, 

 forming an embankment around the pit. I then commence in the centre of 

 the pit, and set the plants in a perpendicular position with their butts down- 

 wards (as soon as the plants are cut, before they have time to die, and 

 while they are stiH green and alive), and continue to set up around the same, 

 keeping them as near perpendicular as I can, and pressing them closely toge- 

 ther until I have filled the pit with the plants or the sprouts of the trees, which 

 I cut when young and tender. 



I then commence covering the sides of the same with leaves or straw, 

 so as to surround it perfectly ; I then throw the earth against the sides on 

 the leaves or straw, making it several inches thick, until the whole is 

 encased in a wall of earth as high as the tops of the plants, leaving the top of 

 the stack or pile uncovered. My reason for doing so is, that by excluding 

 the surrounding current of the atmosphere and the heat of the sun from the 

 plants, I cause the gas contained in the natural state of the plants to be evolved 

 by degrees, or slowly, and as it is carried off at the top of the plants, the 

 moisture of the earth rises up and through the plants, and destroys the glu- 

 tinous particles thereof, and causes the fibre to separate from the woody 

 substance, preserving its strength and elasticity, and changing the color to a 

 light yellow. After I have prepared my pit or stack, which may be of any 

 size that the quantity to preserve may indicate, I let it remain in this state 

 from eight to fifteen days, when the process will generally be sufficient ; this 

 may be known by taking from the stack at different points and trying it, if 

 the bark will separate easily from the woody substance, and a light mouldy 



