

 528 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



PAEAFFINE FOE PEESEEVING WOOD. 



Paraffine, as a simple, cheap, and effective material, is rec- 

 ommended for the preservation of wood. The principal dif- 

 ficulty is in the drying of the wood, which ought to be per- 

 fect. A solution of paraffine in benzine, under a pressure of 

 from five to eight atmospheres, penetrates the wood, when 

 packed in a wrought-iron cylinder and heated by steam. The 

 greatest portion of the paraffine can be recovered by redistil- 

 lation. The process is inexpensive. Furthermore, the wood 

 may be worked into the required shape before subjecting it 

 to impregnation, which is not the case with metallic solutions. 

 5 (7, xix., 140. 



PEEVENTING INJUEY FEOM MEECUEIAL VAPOES. 



In order to lessen the injurious effects of the vapors of 

 mercury, to which workmen in looking-glass factories and 

 other establishments are exposed, Professor A. Merget, of 

 Lyons, advises the introduction of chlorine gas, which com- 

 bines with the mercurial vapor, and forms the relatively in- 

 nocuous calomel. There is, however, one objection, viz., that 

 this fine calomel dust may prove injurious to the organs of 

 respiration. Still, the use of chlorine need not be entirely 

 excluded on account of this, as it certainly will act benefi- 

 cially when applied as chlorine water for washing the most 

 exposed parts of the body, and as a disinfectant for the cloth 

 worn in the workshop. 8 (7, xxv., 1872, 203. 



JAPANESE FELT. 



Mr. E. Pavy, of Chilworth, England, has lately introduced 

 the manufacture of a very tough and pliable paper, which is 

 called " Japanese felt." It is easily colored, and by suitable 

 stamping, pressing, or printing, can be made to assume the 

 appearance of leather or other more expensive fabrics. 6 6 Y , 

 1872,245. 



APPAEATUS FOE FILING. 



Mr. Von Kalatschoff, in Moscow, has introduced an appara- 

 tus for filing which is highly recommended as equally simple 

 and effective. It consists of a cast-iron disk rotating around 

 a steel axis, with a handle on either end. This disk is turned 



