MECHANICS AND USEFUL ARTS. 105 



petition with it for the offered prize, we very much doubt whether 

 it is likely to be surpassed in point of cheapness. It is so easily 

 worked, AVC are informed, that any native may be taught to use 

 it in an hour's time, and its construction is so simple that it can be 

 sold at 10 rupees (1 sterling). Scientific Annual. 



NICKEL PLATING. 



The specimens of nickel plating are exceedingly interesting. 

 It is only recently that attention has been called to this new in- 

 dustry, but the success that has attended its introduction is most 

 gratifying. If, as is claimed by the company, nickel can be de- 

 posited so much cheaper than silver, we see no reason why it 

 should not be generally adopted. As it does not oxidize or rust, 

 or become tarnished by fumes of sulphur, and is hard and will 

 wear for a long time, it will find favor even if the cost were the 

 same as that of silver. The company claim that " the cost of 

 nickel plating is from 20 to 30 per cent, cheaper than silver, 

 presents a more stable and uniform brilliancy, and lasts 4 times 

 as long as silver plating of like thickness. We should suppose 

 that nickelizing would be advantageously employed as a substi- 

 tute for galvanizing for metals used on board ships ; it can also be 

 used to advantage on guns, harness, carriage-trimmings, surgical 

 and philosophical instruments, reflectors, knives, forks, machin- 

 ery of all kinds, and all models that require to be protected from 

 the oxidizing or corroding action of the air or water. As nickel 

 is a magnetic metal it cannot be used about the ship's compass ; 

 but on the state-room doors and ornamental hinges and knobs it 

 can have no bad effect. 



The following is the substance of the patent granted to Dr. 

 Isaac Adams, March 22, 1870. The process is said to be very 

 successful : 



This improvement consists in the use of 3 new solutions from 

 which to deposit nickel, by the electric current: First, a solution 

 formed of the double sulphate of nickel and alumina, or the sul- 

 phate of nickel dissolved in a solution of soda, potash, or am- 

 monia-alum, the 3 different varieties of commercial alum; second, 

 a solution formed of the double sulphate of nickel and potash ; 

 third, a solution formed of the double sulphate of nickel and 

 magnesia, with or without an excess of ammonia. 



I have found that a good coating of nickel can be deposited by 

 the battery process from the solutions hereinbefore mentioned, 

 provided they are prepared and used in such a manner as to be 

 free from any acid or alkaline reaction. 



When these solutions are used, great care must be taken, lest 

 by the use of too high battery power, or from the introduction of 

 some foreign matters, the solution becomes acid or alkaline. I 

 prefer to use these solutions at a temperature about 100 Fah., 

 but do not limit my invention to the use of these solutions at that 

 temperature. I therefore claim 1. The electro-deposition of 

 nickel by means of a solution of the double sulphate of nickel 



