402 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



ing of the jar, and the other on the knob (yl), the gold-leal" will be de- 

 stroyed. If, for the strip of gold-leaf, a wire the one-thirtieth of an 

 inch in diameter be substituted, the charge will be carried off without 

 its doing any damage. Here we see that, while the electricity was at 

 rest (static), the gold-leaf was quite, capable of receiving as heavy a 

 charge as the most powerful machine could impart ; but, the moment 

 the electricity began to flow (became dynamic), the gold-leaf was de- 

 stroyed, notwithstanding its great surface, while a wire of far less 

 surface afforded a perfect way for the charge to pass off. 



Experiments in this direction might be multiplied ad infinitum, 

 and, when properly conducted, they all lead to the same conclusion, 

 which is, that, when made of the same metal, the efficiency of any rod 

 is in direct proportion to its weight per foot. It may be round, square, 

 tubular, ribbon-like, or in the form of a rope consisting of several 

 strands ; it makes no difference. For ourselves, we give the prefer- 

 ence to a simple flat ribbon as being most easily applied and less 

 obtrusive, but wires and wire ropes are very convenient, more easily 

 procured, and quite as good. 



That M. Nouel has neither experimented upon the subject nor 

 given deep thought to it, is evident from the fact that he advises us 

 to siibstitute hollow pipes for the present solid rods. As the interior 

 surface of a pipe is incapable of receiving a charge of static electricity, 

 it is evident that, if this law applies to lightning-conductors, the ca- 

 pacity of a pipe or tube would be just doubled by slitting it and 

 spreading it out flat. 







THE HIGHER EDUCATIOK 



By F. W. CLARKE, 



PBOPESSOR OP CHEMI8TET AKD PHYSIOS, UNIVERSITY OP CINCINNATI. 



EDUCATORS, to-day, are divided into two schools, especially with 

 regard to colleges and universities. The older of these schools 

 insists very vigorously upon the importance of thorough instruction in 

 the so-called "dead languages," and makes all else subordinate to 

 them. The new school, on the other hand, the school which seems to 

 be steadily gaining ground, upholds the claims of the sciences, and 

 gives to them the places of honor in every general course of study. 

 The controversy between these schools is well worn, but has not yet 

 become threadbare. The questions at issue cannot grow stale and 

 hackneyed until after they have been finally settled. 



In discussing all such questions many commonplaces must be 

 uttered. Indeed, much confusion has arisen J^mong educational 

 writers because they have too timidly feared to seem commonplace. 

 These commonplaces are the necessary, rough foundations upon which 



