[Illustration] SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN SUPPLEMENT NO. 598 NEW YORK, JUNE 18, 1887 Scientific American Supplement. Vol. XXIII, No. 598. Scientific American established 1845 Scientific American Supplement, $5 a year. Scientific American and Supplement, $7 a year. * * * * * TABLE OF CONTENTS. I. BOTANY.--The Brazil Nut.--The botanical position, appearance, etc., and general features of the tree and plant.--1 illustration. II. DECORATIVE ART.--Decoration.--The study of ornaments.--By Miss MARIE R. GARESCHE.--The principles of ornament and relations between nature and art; ancient and mediæval art contrasted.--1 illustration. III. ELECTRICITY.--Electric Registering Apparatus for Meteorological Instruments.--Grime's telemareograph described; an apparatus giving distant registrations of tidal phenomena.--2 illustrations. The Montaud Accumulator.--Full account of construction and power of this recent battery.--4 illustrations. IV. ENGINEERING.--Belt Joints.--A new cement, the "Hercules glue," and its adaptation for cementing belt joints. V. MINERALOGY.--Precious Stones of the United States.--A review of Mr. G.F. KUNZ'S recent report on this subject. VI. MISCELLANEOUS.--A Clinical Lesson at "La Salpetriere."--A portraiture picture by M. ANDRE BROUILLET, of a clinic.--2 illustrations. Inauguration of the statue of Denis Papin.--The statue to Papin erected in Paris by popular subscription.--1 illustration. The Action of the Magnet in Hypnosis.--The nullity of the action of the magnet disclosed. To Find the Day of the Week for any Year.--A new method devised by Lewis Carroll. VII. NAVAL ENGINEERING.--Some Recent High Speed Twin Screws.--By E.A. LINNINGTON.--An important paper on the subject of screw propulsion.--6 illustrations. The Havre Maritime Exhibition.--Notes on the recently opened exhibition of ships and naval appliances at Havre.--1 illustration. The New German Corvette Greif.--A recent addition to the German fleet illustrated and described.--1 illustration. The Steamship Great Eastern.--A plea for the mammoth steamer.--Probabilities of her future usefulness. Twin Screw Torpedo Boat.--The new sea-going vessel built by Yarrow & Co. for the Italian government.--Her extraordinary speed. VIII. ORDNANCE.--Our Coast Defenses.--An interesting summary by Gen. H.L. ABBOTT of our means for defending our coasts. The New Krupp Guns.--The dimensions of the largest guns in the world, now in process of construction at Essen.--2 illustrations. IX. PHYSICS.--Colors of Thin Plates.--Report of a recent lecture by Lord Rayleigh.