SCIENCE NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2752, 5 March 1910, Page 3 (Supplement)

SCIENCE NOTES.

A NEAV PERISCOPE, Since the British submarine was run down, in the Solent uy the Berwick Castle, owing to the helmsman of the former not observing the approach of the latter, efforts have been'made to improve the periscope, wliich is the eye of the under-water craft. The disadvantage of the old instrument is that it gives tile view of a partial field—that directly and immediately ahead of the sea; consequently the observer is in ignorance as to what is approaching from behind or on either side of him. In the new instrument a deckled improvement has been effected, in that the view is » continuous panorama of the whole area around the submarine. The complete circula.r view lias been ingeniously achieved by a new arrangement of the lenses, and the image is projected on the eyepiece with a striking defin ition of detail and luminosity up to a range of about eight miles. The admiralty have tested the device, and have been so impressed with its advantages that they suggested certain improvements to accommodate the instrument to the new developments of naval warfare incidental to the introduction of the Dreadnought class, by increasing its range of vision up to 13 mlibs.

NOVEL WINDOW FASTENER. The ease with which the ordinary type of fastener in sliding sash windows can be forced from the outside, merely by the insertion of a knife or other thin-bladed tool, is only tco well realised. Numerous efforts towards devising a more secure method of fastening tlie. two parts of the window have teen made, but the complicated nature and expense of these devices have militated against their commercial development. One inventor, however, nas devised a fastener which is certainly novel and fulfils all demands for simplicity. There are two spring attachments mortised into the side of t-ch. sash. The top half of the window is worked by a cord which, when pulled, lvleaces a locking device combined with tbe spring, allowing the window to be pulled down as far as desired. AYhen the cord is released tbe window refocus itself in that position, and can neither be pushed up nor down from the outside. As the locking is accomplished at intervals of a quarter of an inch throughout the whole length of the travel of the sash, a delicate adjustment of the window-opening is possible. The bottom half of the window is opera, Ted by means of an ordinary slip-bolt, tlie only difference being that it has be pulled back instead ox pushed fciward to permit of the movement of the sash. AVhereas the window can be pushed up and down from the inside, it- can only be pushed down or closed from the outside. Tlie device is very positive in its action ; iand provided it can be supplied and fitted at a low price, comparing favorably with the ordinary type of fastener, it should meet with a wide-spread demand, for it offers an ingenious protection against those of burglarious intent effecting an entrance through the window.

SUBSTITUTE FOR PNEUMATIC

TIRES

Under “Engineering Notes” in the “Times” it is mentioned that- a Chicago inventor has recently brought out a device which tests so far made seem to promise will take the place of pneumatic tires for automobiles and similar vehicles. The essential element is the volute spring, the inner coil of which is attached to the axle, and which is enclosed in a ease within the wheel-hub. tlie axle is stationary and the wheel revolves upon it. The spring-case of tlie inner periphery of the hub is concentric, and between the two there is a series of rollers forming a Toiler-bearing for the entire depth of the hub. Plav for the axle under the compression of the spring is afforded by slots four and a-linlf inches deep in the outer and inner coverings of the sprmg-case, in which the squared end of the axle moves up and down according to load. The claims for the device from a commercial standpoint are that hard rubber tyres cost only one-tenth as much as pneumatic tries; that they will lastseveral years on ordinary roads, while the life of the pneumatic tire is uncertain. but commonly docs not exceed one season; and that the volute can be replaced. in case of breakage, as easily as a tire, and can be carried in reserve in a small fraction of the space required for a reserve! tyre. 4he outer coil of the spring is about seven inches in diameter, and the inner coil is squared to fit the axle.

CURE FOR SNAKE BITES. Though venomous snakes ’ are not often to be found in these islands (says “Chambers’ Journal”), occasionally a snake-bite terminates fatally. In Austria, however, the position is vastly different, for the country is so overrun witn the reptiles that they are regarded almost with fear by the inhabitants. The Government endeavored to cope with tlie situation, and urged the residents in the rural districts to spare no effort to bring about their eradication, at the. same "time giving valuable information as to the habits of these undesirable pests and the best-way to subdue them. In order to stimulate the co-operation of the peasants, a reward. is offered for each snake killed, gome idea, of the extent to which the country is infested may be gathered from the fact that in 190 Sno less than 273.000 snakes were destroyed, of which all but 4000 belonged to the venomous species. To aid the rural inhabitants in their warfare, the Government have supplied a simple appliance whereby, in the case of a bite, the possibility of a fatal result is reduced to a minimum. This instrument, comprises a small knife wherewith the vr-uml of a bite is immediately enlarged and in the cut- thus formed a. concentrated solution of permanganate of potassium is injected, as medical research has shown that the poisonous effect of the venom, in the great major, itv of cases, can be negatived thereby. Tim*', such a precaution is borne out by the fact that out of the 140 cases,, of snake-bites reported in 190 S only six proved fatal. The efficiency of this simple remedy has greatly reassured the peasants, who now display no signs of fear in seeking in exterminate this formidable foe.