Part 7

An American missionary, Miss Norwood, of Swatow, recently described in a _Times_ paragraph how the size of the foot is reduced in Chinese women. The binding of the feet is not begun till the child has learnt to walk. The bandages are specially manufactured, and are about two inches wide and two yards long for the first year, five yards long for subsequent years. The end of the strip is laid on the inside of the foot at the instep, then carried over the toes, under the foot, and round the heel, the toes being thus drawn toward and over the sole, while a bulge is produced on the instep, and a deep indentation in the sole. Successive layers of bandages are used till the strip is all used, and the end is then sewn tightly down. The foot is so squeezed upward that, in walking, only the ball of the great toe touches the ground. After a month the foot is put in hot water to soak some time; then the bandage is carefully unwound, much dead cuticle coming off with it. Frequently, too, one or two toes may even drop off, in which case the woman feels afterward repaid by having smaller and more delicate feet. Each time the bandage is taken off, the foot is kneaded to make the joints more flexible, and is then bound up again as quickly as possible with a fresh bandage, which is drawn up more tightly. During the first year the pain is so intense that the sufferer can do nothing, and for about two years the foot aches continually, and is the seat of a pain which is like the pricking of sharp needles. With continued rigorous binding the foot in two years becomes dead and ceases to ache, and the whole leg, from the knee downward, becomes shrunk, so as to be little more than skin and bone. When once formed, the "golden lily," as the Chinese lady calls her delicate little foot, can never recover its original shape. Our illustrations show the foot both bandaged and unbandaged, and are from photographs kindly forwarded by Mr. J. W. Bennington, R.N., who writes: "It is an error to suppose, as many do, that it is only the Upper Ten among the daughters of China that indulge in the luxury of 'golden lilies,' as it is extremely common among every class, even to the very poorest--notably the poor sewing women one sees in every Chinese city and town, who can barely manage to hobble from house to house seeking work. The pain endured while under the operation is so severe and continuous that the poor girls never sleep for long periods without the aid of strong narcotics, and then only but fitfully; and it is from this constant suffering that the peculiar sullen or stolid look so often seen on the woman's face is derived. The origin of this custom is involved in mystery to the Westerns. Some say that the strong-minded among the ladies wanted to interfere in politics, and that there is a general liking for visiting, chattering, and gossip (and China women _can_ chatter and gossip), both and all of which inclinations their lords desired, and desire, to stop by crippling them."

* * * * *

To the alteration and metamorphism of rocks by the infiltration of rain and other meteoric waters, M. De Koninck, of the Belgian Academy of Sciences, assigns the cause of many hitherto unexplained phenomena in geology.

* * * * *

CORRESPONDENCE

ICE AT HIGH TEMPERATURES.

_To the Editor of the Scientific American:_

Your issues of October 23 and 30 contain some remarkable articles under the heading of "Ice at High Temperatures."

Prof. Carnelley says; "In order to convert a solid into a liquid, the _pressure_ must be above a certain point, otherwise no amount of heat will melt the substance," as it passes at once from the sold state into the state of gas, subliming away without previous melting. And, "having come to this conclusion, it was easily foreseen that it would be possible to have solid ice at temperatures far above the ordinary melting point."

The first conclusion of the professor is correct, but not new. The second conclusion is new, but very doubtful as to its correctness, and certainly does not follow as a sequence from his premise.

If we try to heat ice in a vacuum, we cannot apply any heat to the ice direct, but only to the vessel containing the ice. The vessel may be much heated; but whether it will convey heat to the ice quick enough to heat it over 32°, and whether at all it can be heated over 32°, this is a question of a different nature. Before crediting such a conclusion we must know more of the details of the experiments which the professor made in order to verify its correctness. When saying that "on one occasion a small quantity of water was frozen in a glass vessel which was so hot that it could not be touched by the hand without burning it," he evidently assumes that if the vessel is hot, the ice inside must be equally so; but this assumption is erroneous. Faraday has made water to freeze in a red hot platina pot; the ice thus formed was not red hot like the platina, but was below the freezing point. Just so with Professor Carnelley's glass vessel: the vessel was hot, but the ice inside no doubt was "ice cold." If the professor would surround a thermometer bulb with ice and then make the mercury rise above the freezing point, we would believe in "hot ice;" not before. Until he does, we prefer to believe that the heat conveyed through the vessel to the ice is all absorbed in vaporizing the ice, and not in raising its temperature above 32°.

Professor Carnelley's further statement, apparently proving his theory, that the ice at once liquefies as soon as pressure is admitted (say by admitting air), is readily accounted for by the phenomena connected with the "Leydenfrost Drop." Water in a red hot vessel will vaporize off much slower than in a vessel heated a little above the boiling point, from the reason that in the red hot vessel no _real contact_ takes place between the vessel and the water. At the place where the two ought to touch, steam is formed quicker than it can escape, which steam prevents the contact between vessel and water; therefore, as no real contact takes place, the heat from the vessel can pass into the water but slowly, viz., in the proportion as it works itself through the layer of steam, which in itself is a bad conductor. Just so in Prof. Carnelley's experiment: The heated glass vessel will convey heat to the ice only at those points where it touches the ice; at those points at once a formation of vapor takes place, which prevents an intimate contact between the glass and the ice, so that they do not really touch each other, consequently the heat can pass into the ice but slowly, having to work its way through the thin layer of rarefied vapor between the two. As soon as pressure is admitted by admitting atmospheric air, vapors can no longer form; an intimate contact will take place between the glass and the ice, and consequently the heat be conveyed over quick enough to make the ice melt away rapidly.

The professor's experiments, therefore, so far as published, do not prove anything to justify his strange conclusion. It is perfectly true that in a vacuum of less than 4.6 mm. mercury pressure, no amount of heat will melt ice, all heat that can be conveyed to the ice being absorbed by vaporization. But before crediting the professor's further conclusion, that ice can be heated much above the freezing point, he must actually produce "hot ice," not only a hot vessel containing ice. N. J.

Brooklyn, N. Y., October 25, 1880.

* * * * *

SCHOOLS OF INVENTION.

The school of invention has not yet been established, but its germ is growing in the mechanical schools. This school, according to Hon. W. H. Ruffner, in _Va. Ed. Journal_, will educate men, and women too, for the special career of inventing new things. Why not? We already have something closely analogous in schools of design, where the pupil is trained to invent new forms or patterns, chiefly of an artistic or decorative character. The same idea will be applied to the invention of machinery, or improvements in machinery, or the adaptation of machinery to the accomplishment of special ends. Inventions usually spring from individuals striving to lighten their own labor, or from some idea entering the brain of a genius. But we shall have professional inventors who will be called on to contrive original devices, and his success will depend on the sound and practical character of his prescriptions.

* * * * *

PROPOSED EXHIBITION OF BATHING APPLIANCES.

The Board of Health of this city has recently been notified that a Balneological Exhibition, to illustrate the various systems of bathing, bath appliances, and kindred matters, is to be held in Frankfort-On-Main, Germany, next summer. The exhibition will last from May to September, 1881.

H. H. Heinrich, No. 41 Maiden Lane, New York, Inventor Patentee, and Sole Manufacturer of the Self-Adjusting Chronometer Balance, which is not affected by "extremes of high and low temperatures, as fully demonstrated by a six months' test at the Naval Observatory at Washington, D. C., showing results in temperatures from 134° down to 18°, of 5-10 of a second only, unparalleled in the history of horology and certified to by Theo F. Kone. Esq., Commander U. S. N. in charge of the Observatory. Mr. Heinrich is a practical working mechanic and adjuster of marine and pocket chronometers to positions and temperatures, and is now prepared to apply his new balance wheel to any fine timekeeping instrument, either for public or private use, he also repairs marine and pocket chronometers, as well as all kinds of complicated watches, broken or lost parts made new and adjusted. Mr. Heinrich was connected for many years with the principal manufacturers of England, Geneva and Locle, Switzerland, and for the last fifteen years in the United States, and very recently with Messrs. Tiffany & Co., of Union Square, New York. Shipowners, captains naval and army officers, railroad and telegraph officials, physicians and horsemen, and all others wanting true time, should send to him. Fine watches of the principal manufacturers, for whom he is their agent, constantly on hand. His office is connected by electric wires with the Naval Observatory's astronomical clock, through the Western Union Telegraph, thus giving him daily New York's mean time. Many years ago the British Government made an offer of £6,000 for a chronometer for her navy, keeping better time than the ones in use, but no European horologist ever discovered the sequel which Mr. Heinrich has now worked out to perfection, overcoming the extremes, as stated above. With him is connected Mr. John P. Krugler for thirty years connected with the trade as salesman.--Adv.

* * * * *

Toope's Felt and Asbestos Covering for Steam Pipes and other surfaces, illustrated on page 357, present volume, received a Medal of Excellence at the late American Institute Fair. See advertisement on another page.

* * * * *

BUSINESS AND PERSONAL.

_The Charge for Insertion under this head is One Dollar a line for each insertion; about eight words to a line. Advertisements must be received at publication office as early as Thursday morning to appear in next issue._

[Symbol: Hand] _The publishers of this paper guarantee to advertisers a circulation of not less than 50,000 copies every weekly issue._

Chard's Extra Heavy Machinery Oil.

Chard's Anti-Corrosive Cylinder Oil.

Chard's Patent Lubricene and Gear Grease.

R. J. Chard, Sole Proprietor, 6 Burling Slip, New York.

Wanted--Superintendent for six thousand spindle cotton yarn mill. State salary and references, Rosalie Yarn Mills, Natchez, Miss.

Use Vacuum Oil Co.'s Lubricating Oil. Rochester, N. Y.

50,000 Sawyers wanted. Your full address for Emerson's Hand Book of Saws (free). Over 100 illustrations and pages of valuable information. How to straighten saws, etc. Emerson, Smith & Co., Beaver Falls, Fa.

Interesting to Manufacturers and Others.--The worldwide reputation of Asbestos Liquid Paints, Roofing, Roof Paints, Steam Pipe, Boiler Coverings, etc., has induced unscrupulous persons to sell and apply worthless articles, representing them as being made of Asbestos. The use of Asbestos in these and other materials for structural and mechanical purposes is patented, and the genuine are manufactured only by the H.W. Johns M'f'g Co., 87 Maiden Lane, New York.

Three requisites--pens, pins, and needles. The two latter you can get of any make, but when you want a good pen get one of Esterbrook's.

For Heavy Punches, etc., see illustrated advertisement of Hilles & Jones, on page 380.

Frank's Wood Working Mach'y. See illus. adv., p. 382.

Painters' list of 65 good recipes. J. J. Callow, Clevel'd, O.

Improved Speed Indicator. Accurate, reliable, and of a convenient size. Sent by mail on receipt of $1.50. E. H. Gilman, 21 Doane St., Boston, Mass.

Astronomical Telescopes, first quality & low prices, Eye Pieces, Micrometers, etc. W. T. Gregg, 75 Fulton St., N. Y.

Engines. Geo. F. Shedd, Waltham, Mass.

The Mackinnon Pen or Fluid Pencil. The commercial pen of the age. The only successful reservoir pen in the market. The only pen in the world with a diamond circle around the point. The only reservoir pen supplied with a gravitating valve: others substitute a spring, which soon gets out of order. The only pen accompanied by a written guarantee from the manufacturers. The only pen that will stand the test of time. A history of the Mackinnon Pen, its uses, prices, etc., free. Mackinnon Pen Co. 200 Broadway, New York.

Among the numerous Mowing Machines now in use, none ranks so high as the Eureka. It does perfect work and gives universal satisfaction. Farmers in want of a mowing machine will consult their best interests by sending for illustrated circular, to Eureka Mower Company, Towanda, Pa.

Peck's Patent Drop Press. See adv., page 333.

The Inventors Institute, Cooper Union Building, New York. Sales of patent rights negotiated and inventions exhibited for subscribers. Send for circular.

Fragrant Vanity Fair Tobacco and Cigarettes. 7 First Prize Medals--Vienna, 1873: Philadelphia. 1876; Paris, 1878: Sydney, 1879--awarded Wm. S. Kimball & Co., Rochester, N. Y.

Superior Malleable Castings at moderate rates of Richard P. Pim, Wilmington, Del.

Wood Working Machinery of Improved Design and Workmanship. Cordesman, Egan & Co., Cincinnati, O.

The E. Stebbins Manuf'g Co. (Brightwood, P. O.), Springfield, Mass., are prepared to furnish all kinds of Brass and Composition Castings at short notice; also Babbitt Metal. The quality of the work is what has given this foundry its high reputation. All work guaranteed.

The "1880" Lace Cutter by mail for 50 cts.; discount to the trade. Sterling Elliott, 262 Dover St., Boston, Mass.

The Tools, Fixtures, and Patterns of the Taunton Foundry and Machine Company for sale, by the George Place Machinery Agency, 121 Chambers St., New York.

Improved Rock Drills and Air Compressors, Illustrated catalogues and information gladly furnished. Address Ingersoll Rock Drill Co., 1½ Park Place. N. Y.

Mineral Lands Prospected, Artesian Wells Bored, by Pa Diamond Drill Co. Box 423. Pottsville, Pa. See p. 349.

Experts in Patent Causes and Mechanical Counsel. Park Benjamin & Bro., 50 Astor House, New York.

Corrugated Wrought Iron for Tires on Traction Engines, etc. Sole mfrs. H. Lloyd, Son & Co., Pittsb'g, Pa.

Malleable and Gray Iron Castings, all descriptions, by Erie Malleable Iron Company, limited, Erie, Pa.

Power, Foot, and Hand Presses for Metal Workers. Lowest prices. Peerless Punch & Shear Co. 52 Dey St., N. Y.

Recipes and Information on all Industrial Processes. Park Benjamin's Expert Office, 50 Astor House, N. Y.

For the best Stave, Barrel, Keg, and Hogshead Machinery, address H. A. Crossley, Cleveland, Ohio.

National Steel Tube Cleaner for boiler tubes. Adjustable, durable. Chalmers-Spence Co., 40 John St., N. Y. For Mill Mach'y & Mill Furnishing, see illus. adv. p. 349.

The Brown Automatic Cut-off Engine; unexcelled for workmanship, economy, and durability. Write for information. C. H. Brown & Co., Fitchburg, Mass.

Gun Powder Pile Drivers, Thos. Shaw, 915 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa.

For Separators, Farm & Vertical Engines, see adv. p. 349.

For Patent Shapers and Planers, see ills. adv. p. 349.

Best Oak Tanned Leather Belting. Wm. F. Forepaugh, Jr., & Bros., 531 Jefferson St., Philadelphia, Pa.

Stave, Barrel, Keg, and Hogshead Machinery a specialty, by E. & B. Holmes, Buffalo, N.Y.

Split Pulleys at low prices, and of same strength and appearance as Whole Pulleys. Yocom & Son's Shafting Works, Drinker St., Philadelphia. Pa.

C. B. Rogers & Co., Norwich, Conn., Wood Working Machinery of every kind. See adv., page 348.

National Institute of Steam and Mechanical Engineering, Bridgeport, Conn. Blast Furnace Construction and Management. The metallurgy of iron and steel. Practical Instruction in Steam Engineering, and a good situation when competent. Send for pamphlet.

Reed's Sectional Covering for steam surfaces; any one can apply it; can be removed and replaced without injury. J. A. Locke, Agt., 32 Cortlandt St., N.Y.

Downer's Cleaning and Polishing Oil for bright metals, is the oldest and best in the market. Highly recommended by the New York, Boston, and other Fire Departments throughout the country. For quickness of cleaning and luster produced it has no equal. Sample five gallon can be sent C. O. D. for $8. A. H. Downer, 17 Peck Slip, New York.

Presses. Dies, and Tools for working Sheet Metal, etc. Fruit & other can tools. Bliss & Williams, B'klyn, N.Y.

For Pat. Safety Elevators, Hoisting Engines. Friction Clutch Pulleys, Cut-off Coupling, see Frisbie's ad. p. 349.

Nickel Plating.--Sole manufacturers cast nickel anodes, pure nickel salts, importers Vienna lime, crocus, etc. Condit. Hanson & Van Winkle, Newark, N. J., and 92 and 94 Liberty St., New York.

Sheet Metal Presses. Ferracute Co., Bridgeton, N. J.

Wright's Patent Steam Engine, with automatic cut off. The best engine made. For prices, address William Wright, Manufacturer, Newburgh, N. Y.

Machine Knives for Wood-working Machinery, Book Binders, and Paper Mills. Also manufacturers of Soloman's Parallel Vise, Taylor, Stiles & Co., Riegelsville, N. J.

Rollstone Mac. Co.'s Wood Working Mach'y ad. p. 366.

Silent Injector, Blower, and Exhauster. See adv. p. 380.

Fire Brick, Tile, and Clay Retorts, all shapes. Borgner & O'Brien, M'f'rs, 23d St., above Race, Phila., Pa.

Clark Rubber Wheels adv. See page 381.

Diamond Saws. J. Dickinson, 64 Nassau St., N.Y.

Steam Hammers, Improved Hydraulic Jacks, and Tube Expanders. R. Dudgeon, 24 Columbia St., New York.

Eclipse Portable Engine. See illustrated adv., p. 382.

Peerless Colors--For coloring mortar. French, Richards & Co., 410 Callowhill St., Philadelphia, Pa.

Tight and Slack Barrel machinery a specialty. John Greenwood & Co., Rochester, N. Y. See illus. adv. p. 380.

Elevators, Freight and Passenger, Shafting, Pulleys and Hangers. L. S. Graves & Son, Rochester, N.Y.

Steam Engines; Eclipse Safety Sectional Boiler. Lambertville Iron Works, Lambertville, N. J. See ad. p. 349.

Magic Lanterns, Stereopticons, and Views of all kinds and prices for public exhibitions. A profitable business for a person with small capital. Also lanterns for home amusement, etc. Send stamp for 116 page catalogue to McAllister, M'f'g Optician, 49 Nassau St., New York.

Lenses for Constructing Telescopes, as in Sci. Am. Supplement, No. 252, $6.50 per set; postage, 9 cts. The same, with eye piece handsomely mounted in brass, 8.00. McAllister, M'f'g Optician, 49 Nassau St., N. Y.

For best low price Planer and Matcher, and latest improved Sash, Door, and Blind Machinery, Send for catalogue to Rowley & Hermance, Williamsport, Pa.

The only economical and practical Gas Engine in the market is the new "Otto" Silent, built by Schleicher, Schumm & Co., Philadelphia, Pa. Send for circular.

Penfield (Pulley) Blocks, Lockport N. Y. See ad. p. 381.

4 to 40 H. P. Steam Engines. See adv. p. 281.

Tyson Vase Engine, small motor. 1-33 H. P., efficient and non-explosive: price $50 See illus. adv., page 380.

For Yale Mills and Engines, see page 381.

Lightning Screw Plates and Labor-saving Tools. p. 333.

* * * * *

PATENTS ISSUED TO AMERICANS.

FROM NOVEMBER 9 TO NOVEMBER 12, 1880, INCLUSIVE.

Book binding, L. Finger, Boston, Mass. Draining and sewerage. G. E. Waring Newport, R. I. Electric gas lighter, G. D. Bancroft. Boston, Mass. Electric signal. EH Johnson _et al._, Menlo Park, N. J. Horse nail manufacture, S. S. Putnam. Boston, Mass. Hygienic confection, T. S. Lambert _et al._, New York city. Looms, F. O. Tucker, Hartford, Conn Reflectors for lamps. J. S. Goldsmith, New York city. Railroad vehicles, E. R. Esmond _et al._. New York city. Sewing machine. G. F. Newell, Greenfield. Mass. Steam boilers, D. Sutton. Cincinnati. Ohio. Steam boilers, W. D. Dickey, New York city. Toy money box, J. E. Walter. New York city. Trucks, hand., E. J. Lyburn, Fredericksburg, U. S. A.

* * * * *

NOTES AND QUERIES

HINTS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

No attention will be paid to communications unless accompanied with the full name and address of the writer.

Names and addresses of correspondents will not be given to inquirers.

We renew our request that correspondents, in referring to former answers or articles, will be kind enough to name the date of the paper and the page, or the number of the question.

Correspondents whose inquiries do not appear after a reasonable time should repeat them. If not then published, they may conclude that, for good reasons, the Editor declines them.

Persons desiring special information which is purely of a personal character, and not of general interest, should remit from $1 to $5, according to the subject, as we cannot be expected to spend time and labor to obtain such information without remuneration.

Any numbers of the Scientific American Supplement referred to in these columns may be had at this office. Price 10 cents each.

* * * * *

(1) L. L. asks: 1. How can I grind and polish quartz and agate rock, and what kind of grinding and polishing material should I use? A. Quartz and agate are slit with a thin iron disk supplied with diamond dust moistened with brick oil. The rough grinding is done on a lead wheel supplied with coarse emery and water. The smoothing is done with a lead lap and fine emery, and the polishing may be accomplished by means of a lead lap, whose surface is hacked and supplied with rottenstone and water. 2. What is the best method of polishing steel? A. The usual method is to grind first on a coarse wet stone, then on a fine wet stone, then on a lead lap supplied with fine emery and oil, and finally polish on a buff wheel supplied with dry crocus and revolving rather slowly.