M. TECHNOLOGY. 523 



BARYTES FOR WEIGHTING GOODS. 



A French technical journal recommends the application of 

 salts of barium for weighting light woven fabrics, the car- 

 bonate of baryta being considered the best for the purpose. 

 The goods are to be passed through a solution of this salt, 

 and, when partially dry, transferred to a water-bath slightly 

 acidulated with sulphuric acid. A decomposition ensues, and 

 sulphuret of barium is deposited upon the fibre as a light 

 white powder. The softness and thickness of the fabric are 

 greatly improved thereby, and the usual sizing with starch, 

 albumen, or dextrine is not at all interfered with. Silk or 

 w^oolen goods can also be impregnated with the sulphuret of 

 barium in a similar manner. 25 (7, xx., 1872, 160. 



WATER-PROOF GELATINE SIZING. 



Glue has many advantages as a size for w T oolen and cotton 

 fabrics, especially those of dark color. At a high tempera- 

 ture, however, it dries too much, and causes the goods to 

 wrinkle or curl. Furthermore, water dissolves the sizing 

 and produces stains. To obviate these inconveniences, Rei- 

 mann recommends the addition of glycerine and bichromate 

 of potash. The former, being hygroscopic, prevents the rapid 

 and thorough drying of the fabric, while the bichromate, un- 

 der the influence of the light, renders the glue insoluble. The 

 mixture will remain serviceable for some time if kept in the 

 dark. 13 C,rm., 1872, 543. 



NEW APPLICATION OF NEW ZEALAND FLAX. 



The action of chlorine as a bleaching agent upon the fibre 

 ofPhormium tenax, the so-called New Zealand flax, has been 

 found to be very slight and insufficient, and Mr.Skey, the an- 

 alytical chemist of the government of New Zealand, under- 

 took to ascertain, if possible, the cause of this peculiarity. 

 After numerous experiments, he came to the conclusion that 

 in P/wrmium, as well as in some other fibrous plants, there is 

 a peculiar yet undescribed substance, which is insoluble in 

 cold and hot water, in alcohol, ether, chloroform, diluted mu- 

 riatic acid, etc., and which, in fact, can not be chemically re- 

 moved without destroying the tenacity of the fibre. Mr. 

 Skey, however, believes that one observation on his part may 



