Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 47.djvu/441

Rh to an extent that is essentially disagreeable and that ought not to take place; and also that typhoid fever follows the use of oysters so cultivated. It may also be alleged, as is done by certain oyster-growers, that sewage is fatal to the oyster itself. In answer to this we can only say that such evidence as we have obtained as to some of our oyster beds is absolutely opposed to this statement; and not only so, but we know of more than one instance where the oysters are deliberately brought from the beds to fatten in still nearer proximity to outfall sewers for a week or more preliminary to their sale. In brief, if sewage and noxious micro-organisms can be retained in the beard and other portions of the oyster, or in the 'juice,' which is so much relished, everything seems contrived to secure such retention of filth at some of our oyster fisheries."

Japanese Bronze Casting.—The casting of bronze has been carried on in Japan from very early times, reaching nearly, if not quite, back to the settlement of the country by its present inhabitants, seven or eight centuries before Christ. It appears to have been developed since then with the course of the centuries, each successive period having its peculiar styles and being distinguished by its more remarkable works. Among the great works of the bronze founders of the early seventeenth century were a colossal figure of the Buddhist divinity Rochana in Kioto, built to replace the wooden image that was destroyed by an earthquake in the previous century, and a huge bell for the temple. The image was nearly sixty feet high, and was cast where it stood, in segments, the mold being built upon the parts already finished. It was completed in 1614, but was destroyed forty-eight years afterward by an earthquake. The bell is the largest in Japan, and is about fourteen feet high, nine feet in external diameter at the mouth, and ten and three quarters inches thick at the rim, which is swelled internally so as to constrict the mouth. It is this constriction that causes the gentle rising and falling tones that characterize the boom of all Japanese bells. Two other similar bells were cast during the first half of the seventeenth century. Mr. W. Gowland, late of the Japanese Imperial Mint, says that the casting of a large bell in old times in Japan was an important event, and was accompanied by religious ceremonies and popular rejoicings. On the day appointed for running the metal into the mold a grand festival was held, which people of all ranks came from far and near to attend, with contributions, many with offerings of mirrors, hairpins, and metal ornaments, to be added to the bronze. On one occasion the Shogun himself was present and took part in the direction of operations.

Revival of Ramie Cultivation.—The cultivation and treatment of the ramie plant as an industrial product are again attracting attention as a field for the profitable employment of capital. It was apprehended at one time that the returns from cultivation had so far fallen short of expectation as to discourage further effort with it. The plant has, however, been closely studied in all its phases for three or four years past, and the processes of decorticating and degumming the stalks have been established upon a scientific basis. As the ramie gives an exceedingly small quantity of raw fiber—about three and a half to three per cent of the weight of the green stalks—the only way of making it a commercial success has been to treat it in enormous quantities at the lowest possible limit of cost. This necessitated the designing of machines upon the simplest lines. Many of the machines have recently been greatly improved, and their mechanism has been simplified to the apparent limit. Hence the ramie problem seems to have been definitely solved.

Overhead Wires and Lightning.—Concerning the influence of overhead electric wires in reference to safety from lightning, it is to be remembered, the Lancet says, that an overhead telephone wire becomes in point of fact a lightning conductor, and in this capacity may act in two ways: by equalizing differences of potential it may prevent the occurrence of the disruptive discharge; or, by receiving a lightning charge, it may carry the current to the earth. There can be little doubt that overhead conductors if connected with the earth play an important part in the distribution of atmospheric electricity. Lord Kelvin, in a recent paper, said that the