have been mixed with acids and used in batteries instead of the quality required in the generation of effective electrical action. In fact, the most injurious effects have resulted from the use of mixed acids. Nitric acid is often diluted with muriatic and sulphuric acids, or, as commercially known, oil of vitriol. These baser acids reduce the cost of nitric in proportion to the ratio of mixture, and its utility is reduced upon the same scale. Muriatic acid acts powerfully upon zine and platinum. According to the best authorities, it is much employed for making many metallic solutions; and in combination with nitric acid, it forms the aqua regia of the alchemists, so called from its property of dissolving gold, &c.

The mixture of acids does not only impose upon the lines a higher price for an inferior quality, but it brings into use agents powerful in decomposing the metals, and consequently shortens their duration in usefulness. The chemical action of the battery is a hundred-fold greater than the electrical. It should only be commensurate therewith. Science has settled the fact, that muriatic acid is not an auxiliary in the Grove battery. No one seeks it, but it is often forced upon the lines without their knowledge of the fact. Relative to the mixture of sulphuric acid, or oil of vitriol, with nitric acid, it may be said that there is no harm done, or that the two acids are used in the Grove series. That is true, but look at the relative value. Sulphuric is worth only one-fourth the value of nitric. Why then pay the price of the former for the latter? If they have to be mixed, let it be done at the offices, and let each kind be purchased at its proper value.

During the investigation of the quality of acids, by the Secretary, gentlemen proposed to furnish acids at most any price. In the West and South, the scale of acid mostly used was No. 44, and anything under that was deemed worthless. In the East nearly as erroneous ideas prevailed. In fact, there are as many views entertained as to the kind or quality of acids as there are persons in the management of telegraph lines.

In procuring bids to furnish the acids, under this arrangement, the question proposed was, "At what price will you furnish nitric acid 44° Baumee's Hydrometer?" A druggist responded, "Nine cents." The question was then asked, "Are you willing to submit that acid to an expert chemist for examination?" He answered, "No," but was willing to test it with the acid used by nearly all the telegraph lines in the country, and it should be equal in quality.

He said that the lines generally required an acid that would act readily on the zincs; and a mixture of muriatic acid was the best means of accommodating the managers, as they pronounced it the quality required. A mixture with sulphuric acid or oil of

vitriol elevates the scale of specific gravity, and therefore its measurement need not be feared by the dealer. Such are the means resorted to, by commercial trade, to gratify the singular ideas advanced by communities not expert in the science of chemistry. At least three-fourths of the acids heretofore used in the United States by the telegraph lines, are adulterated at least ten per cent., and thus the injury may be estimated proportionate with the scale of base mixture.

Consultation with practical telegraphers, and calculations based upon reliable data, show the quantity of nitric acid used in America to be about 32 carboys of 120 lbs. per week. The prices paid range from 9 to 15 cts. per lb., the average being 12 cts. per lb. This would make an estimated annual cost for nitric acid $23,961 60. The Secretary can have the quality of acid used by the lines unadulterated for 8 cts. per lb., which would amount to an annual outlay, based upon the quantity estimated above, of $15,972 80. This makes a saving of $6,988 80 per annum! The saving will greatly exceed this, because several hundred offices have been and are now paying as high as 30 cts. per lb. for an inferior article to that offered now for 8 cts.

The carboys are to be well made, strong, and capable of standing the hardships of transportation. They will be marked, and known as telegraph acids. The world generally entertains a great fear of the combustion of aqua fortis in transportation, and shippers manifest great indifference as to forwarding it. The acid will be shipped under an independent name.

SULPHURIC ACID.

The telegraph lines do not use the proportionate quantity of sulphuric acid contemplated by science and the early projectors of telegraphing. The cause of this inequality is owing to mistaken views entertained, mostly by young gentlemen, who have not a thorough knowledge of the necessary ingredients in the proper composition of a battery. Many use nitric acid diluted with water, in which to immerse the zincs, rather than be troubled with pouring out acids from separate carboys. By this process an acid costing 8 cts. is used instead of one costing 2 cts.; in this, economy will be promoted by its abolition, and the restoration of principles settled by science and practice for years. Some gentlemen do not use any acid diluted with water, and claim it as a grand discovery in economy. Experience has taught that in such cases, the battery has to be enlarged, and it is inactive for more than an hour after its construction. Time has to be allowed for the acid to ooze through the porous cups, and a chemical action on the zincs is produced. A battery thus constructed will always be black, and more or less covered with a thick coating of the oxide of zinc. Sulphuric acid cleanses the

zincs, and an opportunity is given for an even and steady action of the nitric acid upon the metal.

Science has devised the construction of the Grove battery. Experience has demonstrated its correctness. There should be two liquids, and two metals-one liquid to be nitric acid, and the other dilute sulphuric acid; and the metals platinum and amalgamated zinc. The plates of platinum are immersed in the nitric acid, and the zinc in the dilute sulphuric acid.

Rain water is the best with which to dilute sulphuric acid. The quantity of sulphuric acid that should be used in America, for batteries as estimated under the head of Nitric Acid, would be about 50,000 lbs. per annum, which, at 2 cts. per lb., would amount to $1,000; the equivalents now used costing from 4 cts. to 10 cts. per lb., amounting to at least $2,500 per annum. In this, the result of arrangements made by the Secretary, the lines will make a saving of at least $1,500.

ZINCS.

To relate the many tricks resorted to in the manufacture of telegraph zincs, would require many pages. The impositions exceed those related of acids. Thousands of zincs used by the telegraph lines are composed of zinc, lead, tin-solder, and even iron, and every kind of base alloy. The commercial rates of zinc at present, in New-York, are quoted at 7 to 8 cts. per lb. On examination of the rates quoted in different cities, it cannot be bought for less. How, then, can lines purchase a pure article for a less sum, after the expenses of moulding? There is no possibility for such to be the case; if bought for less, it must be alloyed. It is true that zinc rates very high at present, and the price is expected to be less in a few months. A proposal has been presented and accepted to supply zinc cups, warranted free from alloy, at 8 cts. per lb. This very favorable offer contemplates, like all other proposals, the patronage of the entire enterprise. A few estimates will show the necessity of care in the purchase of zinc.

The quantity in daily use is about 1,100. These zines, moulded of proper weight, will last, on an average, about two months. The locals will wear out in less time. The main battery, if properly amalgamated, will serve longer. According to this basis of calculation, the quantity consumed per annum will be 6,600, which, at 8 cts. per lb., would amount to $1,320. The lines have been paying all prices, ranging as high as 15 cts. per lb. At this price, full 8,000 miles of lines are paying at this time, and purchasing with them at least 20 per cent. of alloy. Estimating the average price paid to be 12 cents per lb., the cost, as per quantity consumed, would be for 16,500 lbs. $1,980, or $660 net gain. These items are less than the calculations of others who have been consulted upon the subject. They are fully

sustained by the reports of the various companies. At the price proposed, a pure metal is obtained, having passed through the analytical examination of a competent chemist. There will be no compounding of base metals, causing a torpid battery, but the pure and unalloyed material will be procured. The great result will not only be in saving of original outlay, but in securing a battery promoting the ends in view.

QUICKSILVER.

When Mr. Sturgeon and Mr. Kemp discovered the application of mercury by rubbing it on the zincs, causing them to last much longer, and the flow of electricity during the action of the battery to be more constant and regular, the scientific world rejoiced in the prospect of economy. Unfortunately, this saving is totally disregarded by many offices. This is, doubtless, the result of indifference and want of proper energy. The great benefits resulting from the amalgamation of zincs, ought to stimulate every operator to give the batteries the greatest attention in its fulfilment. The cost of the quicksilver is greatly less than the waste of zinc and acids by its non-use. It equalizes the chemical and electrical actions. The two harmonize, and the result is most effective. There is as much fraud or imposition in the sale of quicksilver as there is connected with the other items heretoforementioned, and the telegraph lines seem to suffer the most. That which has been used by many lines is alloyed with lead, tin-foil, &c. Lead is worth 5 cts. per lb., and its mixture with quicksilver will enable the vendor to sell the lead at the rate of $1 per lb., that being the average price paid throughout the country. Those who have any doubt as to the correctness of this statement, can easily test its truthfulness by immersing a thin piece of lead or tin-foil in some quicksilver, and in a few moments the lead or tin will be dissolved, and appear as legitimate mercury. The alloy can exceed twenty per cent. and pass as genuine with many purchasers. Our lines have been cheated out of thousands of dollars by the mixture of these baser metals with quicksilver. The price paid heretofore, has been from 75 cts. to $2 per lb., mostly exceeding $1 per lb. The quantity used in America per annum, including mercury connections, is about 3,000 lbs., which, at $1 per lb., would be $3,000, and at 65 cts. $1,950, or a saving of $1,050.

It will be seen from these figures that there will not only be a great saving in procuring a pure article, but also in the cost of purchase.

POROUS CUPS.

This article can be supplied to the lines at 62 cts. per dozen, made from the best New-Jersey clay. This clay is con

sidered the best for porous cups that has been discovered in America, and an inferior quality will not answer as well. The best is the cheapest in the end. An inferior article made from brick clay can be purchased at 50 cts. per dozen. No arrangement has been made for purchasing such an article, they being deemed injurious to the proper construction of a battery.

TUMBLERS.

Various are the kinds of tumblers in use. Some thick and some thin, some costing $1,65 and some $2,50 per dozen. Some are so thin that they can scarcely bear the weight of the zinc and acids. In cold weather they easily break, thus causing a great expense. Tumblers can be furnished the lines at $2,00 per dozen, made of the best glass, and sufficiently strong for substantial use, and economical management. An inferior quality can be purchased at $1,60. No arrangement has been made for purchasing an inferior quality. The tumblers, zincs, and porous cups are all made to suit as pairs, and the full force of the battery will be brought into action by such an arrangement. A large zinc in a small tumbler occasions the use of a small quantity of dilute sulphuric acid, and its renewal must be more frequent. These questions will be carefully considered.

PLATINUM.

A line once supplied with a good article of platina, will not be required to renew the supply. If alloyed with inferior metal, it will not endure the nitric acid. If rolled into thin slips, the breakage is very great. If long and thick, the wear will be longer. There are various views entertained as to the utility of the thin or thick strip. Orders will be complied with. If thin be desired, it should be stated. If not specified, the plates will be rolled to the most approved thickness.

The very best imported platinum can be procured at $8,00 per oz., in plates rolled the required thickness. A quality inferior can be obtained, but the best imported cannot be had for less.

MESSAGE HEADS.

This item of consumption is one of no ordinary consideration. The great quantity used necessarily occasions a large expenditure. The amount employed by the Morse lines of America exceed 10,000,000 per annum, of which New-York City uses about 1,000,000. These estimates may appear large, but they are much less than the calculations of several gentlemen engaged in the active duties of telegraphing. Message heads are purchased by offices, and sometimes by the officers of the companies.