MECHANICS AND USEFUL ARTS. 103 



fragments ; the mass is heated until it becomes ignited. It is allowed to 

 burn until the shell-lac which separates from the stcaric acid by the great 

 heat, again combines with it. The ignition is continued until a drop let 

 fall upon a cold metal plate receives the black lead readily after its solidifi- 

 cation. The mass is poured into a paper box, and its surface rubbed with 

 black lead. Poljt. SotizUatt. 



EXTRACTING COLORING MATTER. 



L. P. Kcrdyk, of England, has invented an apparatus for extracting col- 

 orinc: matters, which consists of an interior case or chamber covered with 



O ' 



wire cloth and perforated plates, &c., and revolving at a high velocity , in- 

 closed in an exterior chamber or case. The pulverized wood or root is 

 placed in the internal chamber, and rotary motion being imparted thereto, 

 water is introduced, and driven or filtered out by centrifugal force through 

 the sides of the case. The insoluble matter remaining behind is removed 

 when requisite. The liquid thus separated may be passed into the material, 

 and out through the machine again, and so on, as often as necessary, until 

 the color is sufficiently extracted from the roots. 



V 



AGEIXG LIQUORS. 



"Wines and liquors are in general esteemed in proportion to their age. 

 Various expedients have been resorted to for giving to liquors " age " more 

 rapidly. In ancient times the wine was placed in skins, and hung up in the 

 smoke of a fire, where it would receive a gentle heat. A constant move- 

 ment of the particles of the liquid was thus occasioned, and the qualities 

 due to age were obtained in less time than when not exposed to warmth. 

 The mode frequently adopted of late years to obtain " age " in the least pe- 

 riod of time is to put the liquors on board of ships, and send them on voyages 

 through the tropical climates. The gentle undulations of the sea combined 

 with the heat of the atmosphere in the tropics give both motion and warmth 

 to the liquids by which their qualities arc sensibly improved. In other 

 words, " age " is thus imparted to them, and liquors are increased in price 

 in proportion to the number of times they have crossed the equator. 



An American improvement recently patented by Messrs. A. &. A. Wal- 

 cott of Bloomfield, N. Y., consists in subjecting the liquors to what may 

 be termed an artificial sea voyage. They place the liquor upon shelves, 

 which are gently swung to and fro, the apartment being suitably heated and 

 kept dark. Heat and undulation are thus conveniently communicated, and 

 the desired " age " is obtained in much less time than by any other known 

 method. This improved process continued for one year gives, it is stated, 

 a value to the liquors which requires four years' time to attain by the ordi- 

 nary means. Scientific American. 



CONTRIVANCE TO PREVENT LIQUORS BOILING OVER. 



This contrivance, the invention of Mr. J. Licblong of "Waterbury, Ct., 

 consists in placing a conical shaped cap within the vessel, said cap having 



