494 ANNUAL RECOKD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



self, so that the object can easily be washed, scrubbed with 

 soap and water, and subjected to various influences without 

 the slightest ill effect. One application of this metallic plas- 

 ter has been already made, on a large scale, in reproducing 

 coins, medals, etc., in which the physical and external char- 

 acters of the originals are perfectly imitated. Specimens of 

 the art executed according to Mr. Caussinus's process are to 

 be seen in the peristyle of the first story of the Bank of France, 

 and elsewhere in Paris. Jour. Acad. Nat. et Coin, cle France, 

 1873,491. 



A NEW MATERIAL FOR MODELING (PLASTILINE). 



A new plastic material for modeling, invented by Giudice, 

 of Genoa, has been adopted for figures and ornaments in the 

 modeling school of Genoa, as well as by many sculptors. It 

 is said not only to remove some of the difficulties of model- 

 ing, but to increase the facility of the process. It is lighter 

 than clay, having a specific gravity of 1.39, and does not 

 shrink like it on drying, nor harden like wax, but retains its 

 plasticity and softness at all times. It is insoluble in water, 

 and contains no water, which, by evaporation at ordinary 

 temperatures, might prove injurious to the health. Its great 

 superiority is specially apparent in modeling colossal figures. 

 It is sold of four grades, according to softness, No. 1 being 

 the softest. 9 (7, January, 1874, 4. 



TEXTILE INDUSTRY AT THE VIENNA EXPOSITION. 



In a report on this subject by Dr. Grothe, we are informed 

 that in the Chinese portion a collection of articles, as brushes, 

 mats, water-proofs, etc., was exhibited, made of the fibres of 

 the so-called "Tucum palm," cultivated in the southern prov- 

 inces, the wood of which is also manufactured into household 

 utensils. The fibres of the Borassus gomvti, a kindred tree, 

 is used for similar purposes by the Malays, and is said to be 

 even better than that of the Tucum. Manini, of Florence, ex- 

 hibited fibres, and spun and woven articles, indicative of the 

 possible utilization of the inner bark of the Genista tinctoria, 

 or Dyer's Broom, which from their quality could only be con- 

 sidered as an attempt to call attention to this .plant. Taussig 

 asks consideration for a vegetable growth, much like wadding, 

 that lias become quite common in the Banat, Hungary, since 



