Polytechnic Association Proceedings. 707 



alabaster. 

 Immense beds of pure white alabaster have lately been discov- 

 ered by Mr, Frederick Kelly in the vicinity of the great rock-salt 

 deposit on the island of St. Domingo. This variety of gypsum is 

 a hydrated sulphate of lime, with two atoms of water {ellt cal- 

 nuisot). It is largely used as a coating for walls and ceilings. 

 Specimens of the St. Domingo alabaster have been examined by 

 several builders of New York, and pronounced of superior quality. 



(X)AL m NEW GRAXADA. 



Valuable beds of coal have been discovered in the State of 

 Bolivai', in the highlands bordering the river Sinu, about one hun- 

 dred miles south of the city of Carthagena. The coal is found in 

 five distinct veins, each from three to five feet in thickness. It is 

 bituminous, and similar in quality to the coal of Richmond, Va. 

 These veins were lately examined by Prof. R. P. Stevens, of the 

 American Institute, who will soon report upon their economical 

 value for generating steam. 



KILLIKIXICK. 



This name, designating a certain brand of smoking tobacco, 

 originated with North American Indians, who still apply it to the 

 shrub commonly known as red willow. It grows in gi'eat abund- 

 ance along the "shore? of northwestern streams and lakes. The 

 Indians of Wisconsin prepare it for smoking by removing the outer 

 bark, and then scraping off the inner, which is dried by being held 

 over a flame. After being pulverized it is ready for use. Its 

 effect is said to be more exhilarating than tobacco. The bark of 

 the root is a valuable remedy for- putrid sore throat, ulcerated 

 tonsils and canker rash. 



MAGNETISM. 



In a discussion on this subject before the British Association, Sir 

 William Thomson took exception to the remark that magnetism, like 

 electricity, distributes itself upon the surface of bodies. The same 

 statement had been made by authors of repute, but it onlj^ added 

 proof of the fact that in many popular books there were statements 

 not merely false in theory, but false as being in direct opposition 

 to facts published many years ago. Harlow, in experimenting with 

 bars of iron, found, long ago, that the magnetic influence was not 

 discoverable. His experiments were not carefully made, yet ho 

 rashly stepped to the conclusion that magnetism resides at the sm-- 



