454 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



rious adulterations, often present in chiccory coffee. Samples 

 from Berlin, in the form of a coarse, brown powder, including 

 yellowish particles, formed an adhering, slightly gummy mass 

 on being lightly pressed between the fingers, and possessed 

 a sweetish -bitter taste like caramel, and a corresponding 

 odor. Austrian samples, although in the main similar to the 

 preceding, were slightly more pulverulent, and of a sourish 

 taste, which fact, together with the chemical analysis, render- 

 ed it probable that cheaper, inferior, perhaps even spoiled 

 figs, had been used in its preparation. At its first introduc- 

 tion wonderful medicinal properties were claimed for it in 

 Austria, especially in affections of the lungs, etc., and it was 

 recommended for nervous persons. Although it may be 

 serviceable in such cases, it can hardly be considered medic- 

 inal, and the Berlin manufacturer claims that it is more 

 wholesome than pure coffee simply because it is less stimu- 

 lating. In all cases it is recommended to employ an equal 

 quantity of coffee with the substitute; and the color as well 

 as the flavor of the product is said to be exceedingly fine. 

 15 C, ix., 141. 



CLEANING MOSS-COVEEED STATUARY IN GARDENS, ETC. 



It is recommended to first kill the vegetation by the ap- 

 plication of petroleum and benzine, which will not injure the 

 stone, and to remove it, when dried, by brushing, and finally 

 rubbing with a rag. 10 C\ May 1, 1874, 80. 



SIZE OF WAGON-WHEELS. 



Experiments recently made in England indicate that wag- 

 ons are most easily drawn, on all kinds of roads, when the 

 fore and hind wheels are of the same size, and when the pole 

 lies lower than the axle. 10 C, June 1, 1874, 94. 



CLEANING GILT ARTICLES. 



Gilt metallic articles may be cleaned by rubbing them 

 very gently with a soft sponge or brush dipped in a solution 

 of one half an ounce of potash, or one ounce of soda, or, still 

 better, of one half an ounce of borax in a pound of water, 

 then rinsing them in pure water and drying with a soft linen 

 rag. Their lustre may be improved, in special cases, by 

 warming them slightly, and then rubbing them very gently. 



