324 
POPULAR SCIENCE RETIETV. 
Opmbimng tbe properties of isochronism and adjustability to various speeds 
whilst in motion. 
Dynamometer. — M. Plirn, whose researches in Thermodynamics are well 
known in this country, has described to the French Academy of Sciences a 
new form of dynamometer for ascertaining the power consumed by ma- 
chinery. 
Gas for Steam Boilers . — Gas is being used to some extent in London, for 
generating steam in small boilers. In the Thames granaries it is thus used, 
the steam being raised from cold water in twenty minutes, and maintained 
by a single burner. The cost is trifling, and labour and space are economised. 
A boiler on this principle was recently exhibited at the soij'ee of the Insti- 
tute of Civil Engineers, the burners being on Bunsen’s principle. 
Flying ATae/mie.— -Mr. Wenham stated, at a recent meeting of the Aero- 
nautical Society, that one of its members, JMr. Spencer, had already con* 
structed an apparatus, by the aid of which he had raised himself from the 
ground level, and performed a horizontal flight of 100 feet. 
FImo of Solids. — AVe alluded some time since to M. Tresca*s researches on 
the flow of solids, ‘nd can now refer our readers to some very interesting 
diagrams of the appearance of solids when forced through apertm-es, ap- 
pended by M. Tiesca to a paper published in the Transactions of the InstU 
tide of Mechanical Engineers, and reproduced in Engineering for May I. 
Spring Buffei'sfor Ships^ Cables . — Mr. Saunders has applied, and apparently 
with success, springs to absorb the vis viva of ships riding at anchor, and to 
ease the strain on the cables. 
Balanced Budder . — Mr. C. W. Merrifleld proposes, in twdn screw vessels, 
to cut away the dead wood below the screw bosses, and to substitute, for the 
ordinary pair of rudders, a single balanced rudder in the centre line of the 
ship, and supported only at the top. To effect this, the rudder spindle is 
enlarged into a trunk, and rests on rollers. 
MEDICAL. 
Bacterea in the Kidneys, etc.—Kt the meeting of the French^ Academy, on 
May 6, a sealed packet, containing a memoir of M. Bechamp’s on this sub- 
ject, was opened. The author describes the presence of these organisms in 
the kidneys, liver, pancreas, etc., and he concludes that it is impossible to 
explain the fact otherwise than by supposing spontaneous generation to have 
taken place.” 
The Synthesis of Nearine. — M. Wurtz’s recent experiments demonstrate, 
to satisfaction, that the neurine obtained by him by a synthetical process, is 
identical with the neurine usually obtained from cerebral matter. He has 
since obtained cblorhydrate of neurine by synthesis, in long deliquescent 
needles, which he states is the form of the same salt prepared from brain 
matter. The synthetically prepared neurine is chlorhydrate of trimethyl- 
oxethylammonium. For a lengthy account of M. Wurtz’s latest enquiries, 
vide Elnstitut, No. 1792. 
