ceived, and right glad shall I be to learn, that an engine weighing 8 tons will draw 50 tons freight upon an ascent of 25 feet per mile, 10 miles per hour, as the average performance-just half the reputed performance of the Baltimore engines. How much have these extravagant statements done to shake the public confidence in that noble undertaking which has scarcely advanced 5 miles in as many years, and which is now indebted for its chance of ultimate completion, to the spirit and energy with which similar and rival works are undertaken in other States, and from which Baltimore has at length derived that confidence in the Railway system, with which her own exertions had failed to inspire her. you with this communication is, that these, I We lately observed to have been laid be fore Congress a report from Captain WIL LIAMS, said to be a very able one, of a survey made by him for a ship canal around the Falls of Niagara. The report also embraces a plan of the work and an esti mate of its cost. The whole, together with the drawings, has been ordered to be printed; and some time or other we shall give our readers some further account of the report, &c. "CHARLESTON AND OHIO RAILROAD.Capt. Williams, of the United States topoIn conclusion I beg leave to state, that graphical engineers, arrived here in the shall be much pleased to be proved in error steamboat from Norfolk, on Saturday. The as to the power of locomotives, and should officers to be associated with him in the surany of your numerous contributors under-vey of the proposed railroad, (viz. Lieutertake the task, it will be received with the ants White, Dayton, and Reed, and Mr. spirit in which this is offered,-that of scek- Featherstonhaugh,) reached this place a short time since, so that the brigade is now full, and we are gratified to learn that these officers will enter immediately on the great work. Captain Williams, who is at the head of this corps, is, we understand, a gentleman of distinguished talents, of much experience, and admirably qualified for conducting the surveys about to be made; and all the officers under his command are gentlemen of high reputation, well qualified for the important duties which will devolve upon them. Your obedient servant, Mr. Campbell states, that one of "Baldwin's engines will take from 70 to 80 tonsing the truth. freight, 10 to 12 miles per hour, up an ascent of 45 feet per mile." If this assertion refer to an engine of about 8 tons weight, then does it far exceed what the B. and O. Company profess to do-I say profess to do, for the performances recorded by Mr. Seymour are mere fractions of the above, and even the greatest (150 passengers) is not more than of what the engines are said to be capable of doing, and is rather below the average performance of the Hudson and Mohawk Railroad. On this Road, English and American engines take 50 tons gross, 15 miles per hour, overcoming an inclination of 26 feet per mile, for about 3 the distance run. The engines weigh about 7 to 8 tons, and their average performance, as well as the extraordinary performance of Baldwin's engine mentioned above, are C. R. W. The Directors of the Detroit and St. Joseph's Railroad Company, have ordered, from England, the Iron for 40 miles of the road; being 720 tons, the cost of which will be about $60,000-$1500 a mile. The grubbing and clearing on the part put under contract has been commenced, and will probably be finished by the 20th of May, the time stipulated in the contracts. We presume the iron will be received early in the fall or the latter part of summer. The contracts for grubbing the first 15 miles of the Detroit and Pontiac Railroad, were let last Monday.-[Detroit Journal and Advertiser, May 8.] We find the following article in the Na. We understand that Colonel Gadsden, and Captain Williams, as the chief, civil and military engineers, will, with General Hayne chairman of the commissioners, constitute a Board to arrange the measures to be adop ted for the early and successful completion of the necessary examination, surveys, and estimates, to enable the Knoxville Convention, (which will assemble on the 4th of July next) to act efficiently upon the subject. both within the iimits of locomotive power, tional Intelligencer, and as it relates to a Captain Williams will leave here with his s stated in the beginning of this communication, though the performances recorded by the two gentlemen quoted above, go very far beyond them. subject of interest to many of our readers, party, (indeed, two of his officers have already gone,) for the mountains in a day or two, and will enter upon his work as soon as We republish the subjoined article from the necessary arrangements can be made. the "Southern Patriot." When the ar- The best wishes of the citizens of Charlesrangement for the survey of this great rail- ton go with them, and we know that it is only road was announced in the Columbia Tel-necessary to give this intimation to our felescope, we were aware that there was some low citizens of the interior of the approach misunderstanding in the case, as we knew of such visitors, to secure for them the rule of service to be not to place the only a hospitable reception, but a cordial chief of the party of U. S. engineers in welcome, and the most efficient aid." subordination to the civil engineers of any State or Company, but that when States or Companies had chief engineers, and U. S. engineers were associated on the same duty,thechief of the latter was allowed to be placed only on terms of equality with the tions from the State or Company, and, like former, receiving, like the former, his directhe former, making his reports and returns to the same authority. From the Journal of the Franklin Institute." SPECIFICATION OF A PATENT FOR A MODE OF FITTING THE BOXES FOR GUDGEONS INTO THE PLUMMER BLOCKS; AND ALSO THE FITTING OF THE BEARING OF THE SLIDES FOR LOCOMOTIVE AND OTHER STEAM ENGINES, AND FOR OTHER PUEPOSES. GRANTED ΤΟ MATTHIAS BALDWIN, CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, AU GUST 17, 1835. Of course, Baldwin, or any other good manufacturer, can make an engine which will take 80 tons freight up ascents of 40 to 45 feet per mile, at the rate of 10 miles an hour, but it must be a very different thing to one of Baldwin's ordinary engines, of about 8 tons weight, to which the general reader naturally supposes M. C. refers; and I think it at least doubtful if on any road the average performance of the engine is equal to 40 tons freight, drawn 10 to 12 miles up an ascent of 25 feet per mile, by a 7 to 8 tons locomotive. I need scarcely observe that the average useful effect for weeks and months together is that which is alone useful to the public, and on which The misunderstanding of these relations, the calculations of the capacity of engines in the associated service of private and U. should be founded, for it is well known to S. engineers, and which had been inadver all who have any acquaintance with ma-tently adopted in the preliminary arrange- The boxes in which the gudgeons used chinery, that nearly twice the ordinary ments for the survey of this road, by the about locomotive and other steam engines, amount of work can be turned off, for a authorities of the State of South Carolina, and machinery of various kinds, are received short time, without injury to the machine, is now, we perceive, happily corrected. and turn, have heretofore been fitted into though were this attempted to be kept up, Patriot," to Captain WILLIAMS, of the corps receive them, by filing, or other analogous The compliment paid by the "Southern the plummer blocks, or pedestals, made to its durability would be comparatively tri- of topographical engineers, is, we under-means, their ends being made either square fling, a most important consideration in stand, no more than the known science, or angular, and adapted to corresponding locomotives, the first cost of which is very great intelligence, experience, and industry parts in the plummer block, or pedestal, great. My immediate object in troubling of that officer justly entitle him to. prepared to receive them. My improve d in two The prepared sticks were left on the ground in the open air six months, and then again placed in the Rotten Pit, with other end of two years the prepared timber was found quite sound-the seasoned very rotten. of well seasoned timber. At the pieces mode of fitting them consists in turning or the adjustment is made to operate upon boring the opening, or seat in the plummer sides, or edges, only. For this purpose, I block, into which the boxes are to be fitted, make my slide bar flat on two sides, and so as to make each of the cheeks cylindri- the other two sides, or edges, half round, cal segments. The boxes in which the or otherwise form them into two planes, gudgeon is to run, are then to be attached meeting each other along the middle thereto each other by screws, or otherwise, and of, by which means the rod will become six The Rotten Pit, at Woolwich Yard, is a turned by means of a slide rest, or worked sided, this latter form being preferred to the cave under ground, 80 feet long by 20 feet, any other manner, so as to make their rounding of the edges. The box within and built by order of government, for the ends cylindrical, and to cause them to fit which the bar slides, is provided with two purpose of testing the efficacy of the various exactly to the cylindrical cheeks, prepared brasses, or bearing pieces, with hollows, or proposed nostrums for preserving timber. for their reception, in the plummer block. The pit is lined, top, bottom and sides, with grooves, in them, adapted to the edges of In constructing the slides for the pistons the sliding bar, and fitting accurately be- of corruption-very damp and full of carvegetable matter in the worst possible stage of locomotive and other steam engines, and tween the parallel sides of the box; when, bonic acid gas-it is a perfect hot-bed-a for other purposes, the slide bar has usually therefore, the brasses, or bearings, are ad-candle will not burn in it a minute, so foul been made square, or four sided, and its justed to the edges of the rod by set screws is the air of this subterraneous chamber. angles usually right angles; and the brass-acting against them, the rod is embraced In fact, no timber, although thoroughly which it slides, have been adjusted to it by dency to a lateral motion, as will appear by of the Rotten Pit. The specimens were es, or bearings, contained in the box within by them so as effectually to check all ten- salted, docked, or seasoned, will resist three set screws operating upon three sides there- an inspection of the drawings deposited in placed on the bottom of the pit, and half of. In my improved mode of construction, the Patent Office. buried in the putrid vegetable matter with which the cave is kept supplied. This experiment seemed so conclusive, that Government immediately paid the inventor £10,000, and advised him to take out a patent. He was ordered to construct tanks at all the Dock Yards, and the government timber was immediately prepared in the above manner. Previous to this, individuals had fitted tanks, and two whalemen were built entirely of timber and plank prepared with the solution. House builders are also using it very generally in London. The sleepers, or foundations for railways-staves for oil casks, canvass, rope, and all vegetable matter, may be preserved by its use. It is found that a cubic foot of oak, will absorb three pints of the liquid, which will cost at the present price of quicksilver, 74 cents per cubic foot. A mere trifle compared with the immense advantage of having a material not liable to be destroyed by rot, worms, or insects of any kind. The objection urged against this material, is its poisonous nature. But it has been proved by careful experiment, that corrosive sublimate, when it combines with the sap of wood, forms a compound perfectly insoluble, and quite innocent-in fact, a complete chemical change takes place in the poisonous nature of the mixture by this combination. AVA & D V α a Я Figs. 1 and 2, cross sections of the box || universally adopted in England, is of imand slide bar, with angular and with circular portance to the public, you will confer a fafittings. vor by giving it an insertion. A, slide bar. B, brasses, or bearings. D, adjusting screws. E, gudgeon. G, cheeks of the plummer block. What I claim as my invention, and wish to secure by letters patent, is the mode of fitting the boxes of gudgeons into plummer blocks, pedestals, or other receptacles, by boring, turning, or otherwise, so as to make the fittings cylindrical. I also claim the fitting of the slides for the pistons of locomotive engines, for other purposes, into brasses, or boxes, adjusted and operating in the manner hereinbefore set forth. MATTHIAS W. BALDWIN. The writer of this is personally acquainted with the ingenious inventor-has attended the lectures in London on the subject, and is satisfied of the efficacy of his plan. The material employed by the inventor is Corrosive Sublimate, long known as a great preservative of animal substances from decay. The timber to be prepared must be placed in a tank or vessel, from 40 to 80 feet long, 4 or 5 feet deep, and about the same width. A solution of the corrosive sublimate is then thrown upon it until covered; the proportion, according to the inventor, is 1 lb. of corrosive sublimate to 5 gallons of water-but individuals who have tried it, say 1 lb. to 10 gallons of wa ter. Pine plank are saturated in 48 hours. An oak stick, 40 feet long and 1 foot square, requires three weeks-during which time it becomes effectually seasoned, and will not contract or shrink even on exposure to the highest temperature of a tropical climate. The corrosive sublimate has a strong affinity for the albumen or vegetable juices genJerally called sap, combines instantaneously with it, and forms a new chemical compound which is solid, insoluble, and will not attract moisture. The efficacy of this inWe have been favored by an intelligent vention has been tested in the most extraship master with the following communica-ordinary manner. Pieces of the timber tion relating to recent successful experiments in England in the means of preserving ship timber against premature decay, which cannot fail to be of practical interest and value to many of our readers.-[New Bedford Mercury.] The writer has seen experiments tried upon canvass and rope,which was immersed in the solution, and placed four months in a dunghill-the unprepared pieces were destroyed-while the texture of the prepared specimens was not weakened in the slightest degree-any one can try this by using the above proportions. Satisfactory accounts have been received by Messrs. B. Rotch and M. Enderby, of London, from the captains of the whale ships constructed at their instance, of timber prepared as above-testifying that the crew were remarkably healthy, although they slept actually in contact with the ceiling plank thus prepared, through all climates and changes of temperature. It is well known to practical men that salt is not an effectual preservative-as many ships salted on the stocks, have been found rotten the first voyage-one instance, the Enterprise of Nantucket. The Golconda, of New-Bedford, has had a new windlass three voyages in succession, and the lower masts of ships very quickly decay. These parts of a ship it is impossible to salt. In the British navy, the use of salt has been discontinued, as it is found to corrode the iron rapidly, and it also keeps a ship in a very damp state) From Genesee Farmer. BEST VARIETIES OF THE SWEET APPLE. BY HAMBURG. MR. TUCKER-I noticed an article in the Monthly Genesee Farmer on the various uses and valuable properties of the sweet apple for fattening hogs, cattle, &c. I am impressed fully with the belief, that sweet apples for fattening hogs and cattle, are, when compared with the expense of cultivation, invaluable, though my experiments are quite limited as to the practical results. But the object of this communication is, to make some suggestions as it regards varieties, together with the seasons of ripening. It is remarked, I think, justly, that the early sweet Bough is worthy of particular attention, as being an excellent sweet apple, and as far as my knowledge extends, quite the best of the early varieties. There are two kinds of this Bough: the smaller kind is raised and much preferred in the county of Dutchess as being much the richest and most valuable, and quite as early-both excellent eating apples. The latter kind I have never seen in the western counties. The early Leicester Sweeting is also an apple of equal value, but about two weeks later. This is an excellent bearer, and will keep well to October. The Pound Sweeting comes along now, and is a good and profitable apple-also the Cabashire Sweeting, which is both large and fine. Then the Wing Sweeting, Tift Sweeting, Jersey Sweeting-also the Crow Egg. The Wing and Tift Sweetings are remarkably sweet, of a middling size, and very delicious for eating-also excellent bearers. Another remarkable quality is, they are fine for eating in October, and if they are put up with care, they are equally as good in the months of April and May, after being kept over the winter. They are fine through the winter for store hogs. The length of their season, the richness of their flavor, and the crops yearly produced by each tree, render them worthy the particular attention of every farmer. The Jersey Sweet is no less worthy of culture as it regards its qualities. In its richness and deliciousness for eating, &c., it is not surpassed by any other sweet apple in the State. There are a few kinds which I find among the selections made by persons grafting about the country that exceptions might be taken to, among which I will mention the pumpkin Sweeting, Golden Sweeting, &c. I am well acquainted with these fruits, and in my humble judgment they are not worth cultivating. In the first place they are a very coarse apple and quite liable to be watery at the core, and they will not keep any length of time; and further, there are others to be obtained that, to say the least, are much more valuable. One remark respecting grafting: I discover, from a number of years' observation, that the best time for grafting is as early as the weather in March will admit of their being set the best, as those early set generally grow much more thriftily and much larger the fisrt year than those set Jate, Respectfully, &c, Fig. 2. Fig. 3. Applications of Chemistry to the Useful Arts, IV. APPLICATIONS OF CHLORINE. Chloride of lime in a dry form is manufactured in an apparatus invented by an Chlorine may be applied in its gaseous English chemist, from whom the article is form, as obtained in the mode practised in often called Tennant's bleaching powder. laboratories by action of manganese (pe-It consists of a retort or still of lead, conroxide of manganese) upon muriatic acid;nected by a pipe with a brick chamber coor by the action of sulphuric acid on com-mented by a lute, which is not acted upon The still is heated by steam mon salt and manganese; or as evolved by chlorine. from the chloride of lime. It may also be introduced into an envelope or jacket of applied in solution, prepared by passing the cast iron. In the top of the still are two gas through water, by steeping chloride of openings: one furnished with a stopper by lime in water, or in the form of the liquor which it is charged with manganese; to the of Labaraque (chloride of soda.) The use other a bent tube is applied for the introof chloride of lime in both cases, and of duction of the acid, a part of which remainchloride of soda in the second, have super-ing in the tube serves as a valve to confine seded the other methods. In consequence, the gas, Within the still there is a reticu before explaining the uses of chlorine it is lated vessel of cast iron, which is attached to a rod passing through the top of the still. By means of this the materials are continually stirred in, order to bring new surfaces into contact. The still is so large as to receive a charge of 200 lbs. of manganese, and four are usually employed at once, for which reason the brick chamber is divided into four compartments. RIDE OF SODA OR LIQUOR OF LABARAQUE. are approached on the large scale by 64 lbs. ||be ascertained. No ready method fitted of pure oxide of magnanese, or a propor-for the use of practical men has yet been tionate quantity of the common manganese proposed, by which this object can be of commerce, and 40 lbs. of common mu-effected with certainty. The method in riatic acid. The result should be about common use is rather relative than absolute, two cubic yards of the gas, weighing nearly and consists in inquiring into the quantity ten pounds, and capable of saturating of the solution of indigo in sulphuric acid, nearly fifteen pounds of hydrate of lime. the solution of a given quantity of chloride The floor of the chamber is covered to It is, however, obvious that a part of the of lime is capable of discoloring. This the depth of three or four inches, with pow-chlorine has been lost by entering into com-method will give different results, both from dered lime, prepared by slaking. In some bination with metallic manganese, and re- the different qualities of indigo and different manufactories the hydrate of lime is dis- maining in solution in water. A better modes of manipulation. But by using the posed in wooden trays resting upon shelves process is therefore proposed by Dumas, same solution of indigo, and operating in within the chamber. Only half of these by which an equal quantity of chlorine may exactly the same manner, the comparative are filled at first. At the expiration of two be obtained at a far less expense of acid value in reference to a standard parcel of days, the process is stopped, the chamber from a given quantity of common mangan-chlorine of lime is capable of being ascerventilated and the remainder of the trays ese. His formula is 10 or 12 lbs. of com-tained with tolerable accuracy. are introduced, being placed on the alternate mon manganese, equivalent to 6 1-2 of the shelves. The gas being again admitted, the peroxide, 4 lbs. of sulphuric acid, 4 lbs. of PREPARATION OF THE SOLUTION OF CHLOprocess goes on for two days more, when the water, and 20 lbs. of muriatic acid. The first set of trays are removed and replaced by retort being first charged with the mangan- The works on elementary chemistry give others charged with fresh hydrate of lime. ese, the water is introduced, then the sul- the mode proposed by Labaraque himself, In this way the chamber always contains a phuric, and finally the muriatic acid. The for forming this liquor, by passing chlorine portion of lime nearly saturated, and an- mixture of the water and sulphuric acid in its gaseous form through a solution of other portion nearly free of chlorine, and produce sufficient heat to cause the separa-sub-carbonate of soda. It is therefore unthus the decreasing rate at which hydrate of tion of the chlorine. No more fuel, there-necessary to repeat it here. It may, howlime absorbs chlorine is compensated. fore, need be used than is sufficient to keep ever, be stated that the value of the liquor A still better mode, which is employed up this temperature. In addition, the mix-is not increased by saturating the water with in a few instances, would be to keep the ture is less likely to rise in viscid bubbles, chlorine, but that it is in its best state when lime in a state of agitation. This has been and the chlorine is more free from water, the chlorine is condensed in the largest objected to on account of the expense of as the attraction of the sulphuric acid will quantity which can exist without causing the moving power, but in an establishment prevent that liquid from boiling until all the the escape of the carbonic acid; and it is. furnished with a steam engine, this would chlorine is disengaged. Sulphate of man-usually inferred that the chlorine, decompo. be of little importance. ganese will remain in solution instead of sing a part of the sub-carbonate, causes its the chloride. acid to unite with the remaining soda to In some cases, however, the chloride of form the neutral carbonate of soda. If the manganese may be of value, as it is used quantity of chlorine exceed this proportion, in dyeing. Here of course the existing which is of course just half of what might process is to be preferred. When the be condensed, muriatic acid will form in the manufacture of artificial soda is not a pro- solution, and chloride of sodium will be fitable object of industry, muriatic acid may the final result. be too expensive for the manufacture of chloride of lime. In this case, the materials whence that acid is obtainod (sulphuric b, fennel and bent tube for the intro-acid and common salt,) may be used in its duction of the acid. The apparatus most generally used will be understood by reference to the annexed plate. Fig. 1, elevation of the apparatus. B, chamber in which the hydrate of ce, water valve by which the head of the still is adapted. ee, apparatus of cast iron for stirring the materials. Fig. 3, plan of the chamber in which the hydrate of lime is placed. aa, iron rods which move the scrapers bb. 1. DISINFECTING. The most convenient process for the preparation of chloride of soda on the large scale, is that invented by Payen, in which the chloride of lime is decomposed by substead. The proportions in which they may carbonate of soda. The proportions in his be employed are, to 10 or 12 lbs. of com- formula are: 100 parts chloride of lime, mon manganese, 12 of common salt, 20 of 188 of crystalized sub-carbonate of soda, sulphuric acid, diluted with an equal quantity and 1800 of water. The chloride of lime of water. The residuum of the retort is a being dissolved, and the solid residuum solution of the sulphates of soda and of the washed, the sub-carbonate of soda dissolved protoxide of manganese. in boiling water is added; the liquor is filA liquid mixture of lime and water (milk of tered, and to the clear liquor 62 parts of lime) will condense 60 per cent. more chlo-crystalized sub-carbonate of soda is added. rine than the dry hydrate. This preparation is not readily portable, but when the consumer Rationale.-Chlorine owes its powers of manufactures it for himself, might be em- destroying the offensive effluvia of putresployed to great advantage. To make this cent animal and vegetable substances, and liquid chloride, the milk of lime has been of rendering innocuous the matters which placed in a cylindric vessel of stone ware, convey the contagion of infectious diseases, lying horizontally, through the ends of which to its powerful affinity for hydrogen. an axle is passed that carries a set of arms The gases which arise from putrescent like those of a barrel-churn. The use of animal matter are principally ammonia (a these is to agitate the mixture, and thus hydroguret of nitrogen) and carburets of bring fresh surfaces of chlorine in contact hydrogen; and although they are not the The direct mode of obtaining chlorine, with the chlorine. substances which affect our nerves most is by the action of peroxide of manganese From what has been stated above, it would offensively, they are certainly the vehicles on muriatic acid. This may, and is often, appear that hydrate of lime is capable of which convey those which do so to our orfollowed in the manufacture on a large condensing about two thirds of its weight gans of smell. The effluvia of decaying scale. The equivalents of the substances of chlorine. In the ordinary manufacture, vegetables are principally composed of carwhich are employed in the laboratory, are, 1 this strength is rarely reached, and the arti-buretted hydrogen, and although our senses of peroxide of manganese to 4 of hydro-cle may also be injured by exposure. It cannot detect any other substance, yet chlorie (muriatic) acid. The results are is therefore important that some mode should there can be no question that the gas so 9 of chlorine, 2 of water, and 1 of proto-be pointed out by which the actual quantity produced does convey a matter injurious to chloride of manganese, The proportions of chlorine condensed by the lime should the human constution, for while the 24a In some manufactories on a small scale, the hydrate of lime is placed in conical vessels of stone ware, having a hole near the bottom, to which the pipe that conveys the gas from the retort is luted. At the end of the process, the vessel is inverted, and the lime falls out. That which is not charged with chlorine remains in powder, and is therefore readily separated from that which is converted into chloride, which is adhe sive. some. manufactured for illumination may be animal and vegetable decomposition may ||ordinary language is called soft. This is breathed, even in quantities sufficient to be in a great measure prevented. found in streams only at a distance from render the air highly offensive, without in- In cases where it may be necessary to their source, and from a command of water jury, the same gas evolved from marshes touch persons affected with contagious dis- of this description, as well as from the exand stagnant waters is always unwhol-eases, the hands should be washed with tent of its meadow lands, Holland for a The diseased animal matter which one of the solutions, and this will be effica- long time monopolized the bleaching of the composes the virus of cutaneous diseases, cious even after many minutes, unless the vir- greater part of Europe. The linens of such as small pox, and collects in the sores ulent matter have been introduced through Ireland and Great Britain were sent thither of the plague, is also composed partly of a wound. By the use of these substances to be bleached, and, as the process was a hydrogen, and therefore capable of decom- several diseases that have hitherto been long one, it was seldom that the capital emposition by chlorine. These peccant sub scourges of the human race, have already ployed in the manufacture was turned more stances being capable of forming vapor, been diminished in extent, and might, if all than once a year. The successive washmay thus be conveyed through the air, but were prudent enough to employ them, be ing, and exposures to the air requiring to in this state also, chlorine will act upon extinguished altogether. be repeated fourteen or fifteen times, and them. the latter being only practicable in fine weather. The acid used to neutralize the alkaline matter was sour milk, in which by fermentation acetic acid had been generated. To show their important value, a French physician in the Levant (Parisot) was able to inspire five other persons with confidence in the efficiency of chlorine; these were of varions ages and different constitutions. Six suits in which persons had Chlorine is destructive of animal life, and even when largely diluted immediately kills small animals. Even then, if, as some have supposed, the malaria which causes yellow fever and other analogous diseases of less malignancy, is owing to the pre-died of the plague were purchased, steeped sence of animalculæ, chlorine may be ap- in solution of chloride of soda, and dried. plied to destroy them. Each person being furnished with a suit, wore it for several days. No one of the six took the disease, while, had there been no precaution, all former experience would have made it nearly certain that more than two thirds of them must have been infect ed, and a considerable proportion of these would have died. Application-Chlorine may be applied in its gaseous form to the disinfection of the air. The gas may be prepared as it is needed, by the action of peroxide of manganese (common manganese of the shops) on muriatic acid. This action, however, need not be aided by heat, as when the gas is prepared for chemical experiments, inasmuch as the object is to produce a constant and steady current, instead of ■idden and copious supply. A bottle, furnished with a glass plate ground to lie upon its neck, is well suited for this purpose, and may be made of various sizes, according to circumstances, there being a form so small and so conveniently arranged, that it may be carried in the pocket. a Chloride of lime may be decomposed, by the action of water. In order to obtain the gas, a portion of chloride of lime is put into a shallow basin and covered with water As the evolution of the gas becomes feeble it may be rendered more rapid by adding a small quantity of acid. Sulphuric acid very much diluted may be employed, but it is better, particularly when it is used in families, to add common vinegar. The first improvement in the process was the substitution of dilute sulphuric acid for the sour milk. Still, there was no great saving in time, until Berthollet in France proposed the application of the bleaching properties of chlorine. This substance was at first applied in its gaseous form to the articles, suspended while wet with water in close chambers. Its solution in water was next introduced. This has the defects of being difficult of carriage, and of becoming charged with muriatic acid by the decomposition of sel in which yellow fever has occurred in forms, the water, was charged with a carboIn our own naval service, the only ves- the water. In order to neutralize the acid as the Gulf of Mexico, since fumigations with nated alkali or with magnesian earth. chlorine have been practised, was one where the use of the former it was discovered that they were not employed; and in one of the chloride of the alkali was formed which ral vessels loaded with soldiers and sailors, of the vegetable substance, and that in this Spanish expeditions against Mexico, seve- would be decomposed by the coloring matter air of the Terras Callientes without a sin-tained than in the same bulk of pure water. were exposed for months to the pestilential liquid chloride, more of the chlorine was regle case of fever occurring. conviction that it is impossible, that any a it a In This liquid chloride of Potassa has of Javelle. been much used under the name of liquor of the dry chloride of that earth, and it The use of magnesia led to the discovery being found that a similar compound was formed with lime, the latter in consequence of its inferior cost finally supersceded the mode, the process which formerly occupied former. By the use of chlorine in either several months, is now completed in a day or two. it In disinfecting chambers and buildings, the doors and windows are to be closed, which are the only substances of vegetable Rationale.-Hemp, Flax, and Cotton, and the fumigation continued until the peorigin that are much employed in the culiar smell of chlorine can be perceived in manufacture of cloths, are more or less every part, and remains permanently when Experiments seem to be wanting, whence colored with a brown or yellowish sub its source is removed. In a sick room it we might judge whether chlorine is as effi-stance. This coloring matter is partly will be expedient to continue the fumiga-cient in checking the extension of cholera, oleaginous, and partly resinous. The tion as long as the sick person remains in as it certainly is in preventing the spread oleaginous matter is rendered soluble in it, and for some hours after. All moist of ing of other diseases; the impression of water by an alkali; but as any excess of fensive matters should be sprinkled with medical men, however, is that it is not. this would attack the vegetable fibre, the dry chloride, and dry matters covered with its solution. must be neutralized by an acid. The resinous part of the coloring matter, if moist, decomposes slowly on exposure to the sun and air; hence the ancient mode of bleaching. This resinous matter when no longer protected by the oil is rapidly decomposed by chlorine; hence the modern method. (A) BLEACHING OF COTTON YARN BY CHLO 2. BLEACHING, A solution of chlorine may be prepared History. The ancient progress of bleachby steeping chloride of lime in water in the ing vegetable matters is the same as that proportion of eight ounces to each gallon employed for domestic purposes, with the of water, and decanting it from the lime. addition of an agent to neutralize alkaline This may be used for steeping the bedding matter which might otherwise injure the and clothes of persons affected with conta- vegetable fibre. The articles were repeatgious diseases, or to wet cloths in which edly washed with alkaline leys, or with putrescent matters may be wrapped; but soap; they were then steeped in a weak the chloride of soda is a much more con- acid; and, after being well rinsed in pure venient and cleanly preparation. By the water, were spread out on meadows in aid of it, human bodies far gone in putrefac-order to be exposed to the sun and air. In tion have been disinterred for examination; this position they were frequently sprinkled and by one or the other preparation, the dis- with water. The only water which is agreeable and often dangerous effects of adapted to this purpose is that which in RINE. AUTHORITY-VITALIS, Cours de Teinture. First operation.Alkaline Bath.-Aquan tity of good pearlash in powder. is mixed with half its weight of recently slacked lime. To this is added water in the prc. portion of thirty times the weight of the |