Magic tricks -- Juvenile literature; Scientific recreations -- Juvenile literature
A peculiar kind of porcelain was formerly manufactured in China,
which exhibited its colour and devices only when filled with water.
Though the art of manufacturing this porcelain has been lost, and the
mode cannot now be described with accuracy, the following has been
conjectured as not very remote from the truth. The first requisite was
that the vessel be extremely thin, so that the figures to be formed
might be sufficiently clear and perceptible. After the vessel has
been baked, the figures, which were mostly fish, (as those were most
appropriate with the water), were formed on the inside; and, after the
colour had dried, a second extremely thin coat, of the same substance
as that of which the vessel was constructed, was lain on the inside
and varnished. The fish, or other device, would then, it is evident,
be enclosed between the two coats of the ware of which the vessel was
made. All that remained to be done was to grind the outside of the
vessel as close to the figures as possible, to varnish it again, and
bake it a second time; and though, after this operation, the figures
and embellishments would not be at all perceptible, yet, so soon as
the vessel was filled with water, they would at once be rendered clear
and distinct to a degree scarcely credible. Attempts have been made to
revive this beautiful art, but hitherto without success.
A GALVANIC TONGUE.
Coat the point of the tongue with tin-foil, and its middle part with
gold or silver leaf; when a sourish taste will be produced, and the
tongue will be galvanised.
DRINKING PORTER OUT OF PEWTER.
If porter be drunk out of a pewter pot, it will produce a more brisk
sensation than when it is taken out of a glass vessel, which is
ascribed to a galvanic effect. In this instance there is a combination
of one metal and two dissimilar fluids, which combination constitutes a
galvanic circle. In the act of drinking, one side of the pewter pot is
exposed to the action of the saliva, which moistens the lip, while the
other metallic side is in contact with the porter; the circuit being
thus completed, an agreeable relish is communicated to the beverage
when it comes in contact with the tongue.
ELECTRIC OR GALVANIC PRESERVATION.
Immerse a slip of copper in dilute nitric acid, and it will be soon
corroded and dissolved; but, if a slip of zinc be immersed with the
copper, the zinc will be dissolved, and the copper remain unaltered and
uninjured.
LIGHT FROM THE DIAMOND.
Expose a fine diamond to the sunbeams, and carry it into a dark room,
when it will exhibit phosphorescence: and it has been stated that such
diamonds as do not display this peculiarity, may be made to do so by
dipping them into melted borax.
The diamond becomes phosphorescent also when fixed to the prime
conductor of an electrical machine, and a few sparks may be taken from
it. It likewise becomes electric by friction; and the Hon. Mr. Boyle
obtained electric gleams by rubbing two diamonds together in the dark.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account