SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY. 



Ut 



Tvater reaches the top within eight hours, it is porous to a degree, A good 

 slate should not absorb raore than one hundredth j)art of its weight after 

 soaking for twelve hours in water. Slates of a crystalline formation are 

 considered the best. The soundness of a slate can be tested by breaking it : 

 if the fracture presents a splintered and ragged edge, it is sound slate ; but 

 if it breaks in a straight line, it is soft. It is said that the quality of slate- 

 for rooting improves as it is taken from a lower stratum. 



Glycerine as a Lubricant, — Chemicallj^ pure glycerine, free from 

 water, is recommended as a lubricant for small machines and machinery 

 parts where common oils and fats turn acid or hard, and so clog or smear. 

 Glycerine is of particular suitability for sewing machines, as any accident 

 with it is of less consequence than with oils which soon become dirty. 



EDITORIAL NOTES, 



Academy of Science. — The Kansas City- 

 Academy of Science, atter the usual intermis- 

 sion during the heated term, resumed its 

 monthly meetings, and held its September 

 session, at its rooms, on the evening of the 25th 

 inst., Hon. E. T. Van Horn in the chair, and 

 J. M. Greenwood, secretary pro tempore. 



A very interesting paper upon the " History 

 of Alchemy" was read by Prof. T. J. Eaton, 

 which will be published in the October num- 

 ber of the Keview, in full. 



It was decided that the exploration of the 

 mounds in Clay county, commenced last 

 spring, should be resumed next month, under 

 the direction of Judge E. P. West. The 

 finances of the Academy are not in such con- 

 dition as to bear a very heavy expenditure, 

 and it is hoped that' some of our wealthy citi- 

 zens will feel impelled to contribute freely 

 enough to this object to enable the Judge to 

 perform his work thoroughly. 



At the next meeting Prof. J. M. Greenwood 

 will read an essay on Mathematics, and Prof. 

 Crosby will exhibit the splendid collection of 

 curiosities collected by him during his recent 

 European tour. 



Mr. J. A. Hamblett has been for the past 

 two weeks exhibiting the workings of the 

 Telephone to our citizens, and has very suc- 

 cessfully transmited oral messages between the 

 Exposition grounds, the Coates House and the 

 Western Union Telegraph office. Large num- 

 bers of ladies and gentlemen availed themselves 

 of Mr. Hamblett's invitation to test the ap- 

 paratus, and have expressed themselves greatly 

 pleased with it. The Water-works company 

 contemplate putting one in operation between 

 their office and the pumping works up in West 

 Kansas City. 



It has been adopted in several of the Eastern 

 cities between offices and factories, and also in 

 some places between the ofiices of physicians 

 and drug stores, and doubtless will become a 

 much valued labor-saving machine. 



At the recent Exposition held in this 

 city several collections of minerals and ores 

 were exhibited, illustrative of the mineralogy 

 of Missouri, Kansas and Colorado. That by 

 the Missouri Eiver, Fort Scott and Gulf R. E. 

 Co, showed in a very attractive and instruc- 

 tive manner the lead, zinc and iron ores and 



