Proceedings of the Polytechnic Association. 975 



N"kw Thkrmo-Electkic Pile. 



Messrs. Mure and Clamoiid, of France, liave constructed a tliernio- 

 electric ])i]e of sixty elements, eaeli consisting of a bar of galena 

 (snlphide of lead), about an incli and a half long by one-tliird of 

 an inch thick, soldered to a phite of steel about two indues long by 

 one-iiftieth of an incli in thickness. The shape of theltars and plates 

 is such that twelve couples phicod side by side, horiz'Mitally, form a 

 ring, and live such rings, placed in a vertical line, complete the 

 battery. The bars and plates are se])arated by means of tliin sheets 

 of mica, and the rings are isolated by washers of asbestos. Tiie 

 cylinder thus formed has an interior diameter of about two inclies, 

 and is firmly held together by means of two iron rings and three bolts. 

 Heat is applied to it internally l)y means of a single Argand gas- 

 burner, whicli consumes about twenty-eight cul)ic feet of gas per 

 hour. It is claimed that forty of tliese elements have an electro- 

 motive force equal to that of a single Bunsen element of the ordinary 

 galvanic battery. If tliis claim is verified, the new pile may be 

 regarded as an economical generator of electricit3\ 



Dr. Yanderweyde remarked, the pile just mentioned was not as 

 strong as tlie old one. Mr. Farmer, of Boston, has improved on tliis. 

 lie takes (ierman silver, brass and l)ismuth. These alloys which 

 give the best result are very brittle, and will not stand much jarring. 

 This plan was used with some twenty pairs of piles, in which there 

 was a stove in the center, that also served to heat the room. The 

 apparatus was used as a plating battery. 



Female Yocalists. 

 'i,'' The different qualities of tone found among female vocalists does 

 not depend on the larynx, the organ by wliicli sound is produced. 

 Modifications of singing speech are effected by the tongue, the 

 movable osteons arch at its base, the tonsils, the nasnl und buccal 

 cavities and certain parts of the vocal tube. Often the form of the 

 Tipper part of the body affords indications (rf pitch and range of the 

 voice. The author of an article on " Parlor Singing,'' in The Atlantic 

 says the length and size of the neck produce inq)ortant modifications 

 of the voice. Soprano singers, for the most part, have short neclcs 

 and high shoulders. Women with very long necks and sloping 

 shoulders have contralto voices, almost without exception. Hence 

 we may explain a fact which often excites surprise, that many 

 small and slender women have a low and deep-toned voice, which 



