505 



water, and therefore could not have been deposited by precipitation. 

 It is said that petroleum is found on the surface in this vicinity, and 

 combustible gases escape in the same locality. Did this bed of sulphur 

 orifiinate in the decomposition of carbon sulphide formed in connection 

 with petroleum? The question of the origin of this sulphur-bed is one 

 of transcendent interest in miueralogical chemistry. 



Uniform standard of measures, d'c. — The scientific circles, both of 

 Europe and of this country, are continuing the agitation of thfe question 

 of uniformity in weights, measures of length and capacity, coinage, &c. 

 When nations were isolated, as they were five hundred years ago, each 

 one could have its own standards; but the present state of intercom- 

 munication demands uniformity. This is not merely the demand of 

 commerce and trade, but the scientific investigations of the age require 

 uniformity in standards of comparison, in the several fields where 

 these are prosecuted. Nothing can be more absurd than the IGnglish 

 system of weights and measures, which in the main we have followed. 

 For example : we write — it weighs an ounce. ISTow, who knows pre(;isely 

 our meaning? It may be the avoirdupois ounce — the sixteenth part of 

 a pound ; or it may be, as the word means, (Latin, wwcm,) the twelfth of a 

 l)Ound. Science demands something more certain than this. If there are 

 formidable objections to the Freiich decimal system, they must be re- 

 moved, or some other standard, divided decimally, must be adopted. 

 This must extend, especially, to the measures of temperature, so as to 

 abolish the present confusion, consequent on having three standards of 

 graduation in thermometers. 



Effects of compressed air on comhustion. — James B. Eads, in his 

 report of 1870 on the bridge at Saint Louis, stated that the combustion of 

 candles in the caisson, under the intiuence of compressed air, was much 

 more rapid than in the open atmosphere. This couiiicted with the result 

 of experiments previously made by certain European scientists, which 

 conflict induced Mr. Eads to review the conditions under which his 

 former conclusion was reached ; and now we have the statement from 

 him tlmt combustion is not more rapid in compressed air, but that it is 

 more persistent than in common atmosphere. The difficulty of extin- 

 guishing the flame is the effect of compression forcing the oxygen into 

 more intimate contact with the combustible body. 



BOTANICAL NOTES. 



By Geo. Vasey, Botakist. 



A poisoNOuy KuDBEOKiA. — A few weeks ago a package of leaves and 

 roots was received by this Department from Mr. William Kancher, Ore- 

 gon, Missouri, with the statement that the plant was causing the death 

 of many hogs in that county. An examiiiation proved this plane to be 

 a species of Radbechia, {R. laciyiiata,) a i)lant of the order Composites, 

 and nearly related to the sunflowers. As poisonous plants in this family- 

 are very uncommon, Mr. Kancher was requested to make further investi- 

 gations respecting the plant and communicate to the Department. The 

 following is his reply : 



Dear Sir : Yours of the lotli instant, in relation to the samples of Rudhechia sent 

 by me to your Depurtmeut on the 11th instant, js before me. You express a doubt of 

 the injurious efiects reported by me, and desire that I should make a closer investiga- 

 tion of the matter. I have accordingly made numerous inquiries among those who 

 claim to have had hogs poisoned by this plant, and find that all agree as to the plant, 

 and that those I sent you are identical with the plant pointed out to me as the one 

 which did the injury complained of. 



