424 



THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



One of the simplest patterns is produced by 

 the tracing point rapidly revolving in a circle, 

 while the glass slowly turns round on its axis. 

 Another well-known pattern is traced out by 

 a rather complicated mechanism, in which, 

 by means of wheels having cogs along half 

 their circumference, the tracing points are 

 made to move up and down, and the glass to 

 turn round, alternately, in a series of jerks. 

 Although most of the patterns on glass 

 are etched in this way, they lack the sharp- 

 ness of definition required for the very best 

 engravings. These latter are therefore care- 

 fully ground by hand, very small rapidly 

 rotating wheels covered with fine rotten-stone 

 powder being used to cut out the pattern on 

 the glass. A large number of wheels of dif- 

 ferent shapes and sizes must be used for the 

 various details of a complicated design, such 

 as a bunch of flowers and fruit, and this 

 method is only resorted to in the case of the 

 most expensive dessert sets, as it involves 

 a considerable amount of skilled workman- 

 ship. With regard to the embossed patterns, 

 so common on butter-dishes and similar ar- 

 ticles, these, as well as the lenses used in 

 lighthouses, are formed by pressing the 

 molten glass into molds of the desired form. 

 The flutings and ribbings on decanters, and 

 the familiar lozenge or diamond patterns on 

 cruets, are carved on the ' glass by means of 

 grindstones, whose edges are rounded, an- 

 gular, or flat, as the case may be. In the 

 preliminary grinding, rotten-stone and water 

 are used, but for the final polish the finest 

 putty powder is required. 



Roman Wines. — The increase in late 

 years of the wine production of the province 

 of Rome has been attended with great im- 

 provements in the quality of the wine pro- 

 duced. The principal group of wine-making 

 districts is that of the " Castelli Romani," 

 the wines of which are robust and durable. 

 The land is of volcanic origin, and the an- 

 cient Roman rules of cultivation are fol- 

 lowed. The cultivation of the white grape 

 is giving place to that of the black, with 

 a corresponding change in the color of the 

 wine. The wine is kept in caves that con- 

 sist of long corridors or galleries hewn out 

 in layers of tufa, and having lateral niches, 

 in each of which a butt is placed holding 

 between eight and twelve hectolitres. The 



caves are ventilated by means of wells, and 

 even in the height of summer the wine is thus 

 kept at a very low temperature. The Gov- 

 ernment exercises strict measures against 

 adulteration ; and this is held to include the 

 addition of any substances that are not found 

 in pure wine, or the use of which is not in 

 accordance with the rational principles on 

 which wine-making is based. The addition 

 of substances naturally to be found in wine 

 is also considered as adulteration, if the sub- 

 stances are beyond the just proportions ex- 

 isting in pure wines. An exception is made 

 in the case of gypsum, for which the maxi- 

 mum quantity to be permitted is determined 

 by the Superior Board of Health. 



Lead-Poisoning. — Several cases of lead- 

 poisoning, caused by the preparation of home- 

 made wine in earthenware dishes coated with 

 litharge glazing (oxide of lead) have recently 

 been noted in the London " Lancet." The 

 symptoms were the appearance of a bluish 

 line around the gums, vomiting of bile in 

 large quantities, obstinate constipation, and 

 constant abdominal pains. On analysis of 

 some cherry-wine, from the use of which one 

 of the cases had arisen, lead, in the form of 

 sulphate, was found in very dangerous pro- 

 portions. 



Getting to Sleep. — Among the many re- 

 cipes that have been given for overcoming 

 wakefulness is one devised by a Mr. Gardner, 

 and formerly celebrated in England, but now 

 almost forgotten. It is to lie on the right 

 side, with the head so placed on the pillow 

 that the neck shall be straight ; keeping the 

 lips closed tightly, a rather full inspiration 

 is to be taken through the nostrils, and the 

 lungs then left to their own action. The 

 person must now imagine that he sees the 

 breath streaming in and out of his nostrils, 

 and confine his attention to this idea. If 

 properly carried out, this method is said to 

 be infallible. Counting and repeating poetry 

 are other means that have been recommend- 

 ed. Combing the hair, brushing the forehead 

 with a soft shaving-brush, or fanning, are 

 all good sleep-inducers, and might well be 

 tried on sleepless children. To these may 

 be added the Spanish practice of getting a 

 baby off to sleep by rubbing its back with 

 the hand. A sensation of dry, burning heat 



