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most powerful disinfectants and even prussic acid, are some of the numerous and wonderful products of its decomposition. -Scientific American.
The following description of our drawing exhibit at the State Teachers' Institute, held at Topeka, December 26 and 27, is clipped from the Topeka Daily Capital:
In the drawing exhibit, as was to be expected, the University has a strong lead. The display consists of class room work, and embraces examples of free hand, mechanical and engineering drawing. About thirty students are represented. The selections for display were such as could be made from the portfolios of the students, with most ease, and do not purport to present a complete outline of the work department. In the engineering and mechanical plates the natural order of the work has been, first, such as would give knowledge of the use of drawing instruments; second, plates on stone work and the joining of timber; third, elements of bridge drawing; fourth, topography, with both pen and pencil; fifth, lettering; and later, plates on machinery. There is proof of much head work, as well as that of the hand. A set on roofs and bridges, for instance, showed most careful and elaborate calculation of strains; and several geometrical problems were strictly original, requiring exceedingly accurate investigation. Much of this work strikingly resembles fine steel engravings, and any of it would do credit to far older and more experienced draughtsmen. The coloring and shading plates were unusually fine. A graduate of the Brooklyn (L. I.) Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute, which makes a specialty of this work, asserts that this portion of the work far surpasses the work of his own school.
Most of the free hand work comes from pupils in the preparatory department, the University making no pretensions to more
than elementary work in this line. Nevertheless the leading position is maintained. Three heads, "The Gleaner," "Fisherman's Child," "The Student,' attracted particular attention, as did a series of little sketches in sepia.
The University is to be congratulated on the result of this display; and on having as able and faithful an instructor as Prof. F. O. Marvin, in whose department, that of civil engineering, and under whose instruction, all this work is done.
The opening of the Cantilever bridge over the Niagara river between the railway suspension bridge and the falls, on December 20th, was made quite an event in engineering annals. The bridge was put to the severest test and made a good showing, being within the limits of calculation of possible defection. "The bridge is a double-track railroad bridge and is designed to connect the New York Central and Michigan Central railways. It is elevated about 300 feet above the present railroad suspension bridge, where the width of the opening to be spanned, from bluff to bluff, is 860 feet. The general dimensions are as follows: Length of bridge proper, from center to center of end pins 910 feet, $5\frac{1}{2}$ inches, divided into two canti-levers of 395 feet, 2 5-16 inches each, and one intermediate span of 119 feet 9 inches. The towers are braced wrought iron structures, 130 feet $6\frac{1}{2}$ inches high, resting upon masonry piers 39 feet high. The foundation under the towers are of beton, 8 feet thick, directly on the rock, forming a uniform, solid and endurable mass. The work was ordered October 1, 1883. The erection commenced November 10, 1883, and was completed December 10, 1883."
Mr. Thomas Plant, a life-long student of meteorology, died in Brimingham, England, about the first of September. His regular records of the weather and associated phenomena are complete for forty-six years.