474 ANNUAL KECOED OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



The action is slow, and must be repeated especially when 

 the stains are old ones and therefore a good percentage of 

 patience has to co-operate with the above chemical applica- 

 tion. 15 C\ 1872, XIII., 208. 



WASHING WOOLEN CLOTHING. 



Articles of woolen clothing, washed in ordinary soap and 

 water, not only shrink, but acquire a peculiar fatty odor, due 

 to the decomposition of the soap by the lactic and acetic 

 acids present in the jDerspiration, and consequent precipita- 

 tion of the greater part of the fat of the soap in the fibre of 

 the wool. According to Professor Artus, both of these effects 

 can be prevented by steeping the articles for several hours 

 in a warm, moderately concentrated solution of washing- 

 soda, then, after the addition of some warm water, and a few 

 drops of ammonia, washing them out, and rinsing them in 

 lukewarm water. 13 (7, September 1, 1872, 1163. 



SUBSTANCE FOR CLEANING SILKS AND WOOLENS. 



A new substance for cleanino; and whitenino^ silks and wool- 

 ens consists of a weak solution of the sulphuret of sodium, 

 or of potassium, this having a very remarkable effect in re- 

 movino: the fat from the wool and the srum from silk. In 

 the case of silk, the bath must be boiling ; but for wool the 

 temperature of the alkaline sulphuret should not exceed 122 

 Fahr. The more gum there is on the fibres of the ilk, the 

 greater is the amount of the sulphuret needed in the solution. 

 The aluminates of soda and potassa have also been used for 

 the same purpose. 9 ^, 1872, xlil, 543. 



PREVENTION OF CHARCOAL FUMES IN HEATING SMOOTHING- 

 IRONS. 



It is said that sprinkling common salt on the top of glow- 

 ing charcoal used for heating smoothing-irons, and then plac- 

 ing the stove at the window for a few minutes, prevents the 

 evolution of injurious fumes, and also effects a saving of fuel. 

 -10 C, Fehruary 1, 1873, 30. 



INVESTIGATIONS OF COFFEE AND TEA. 



Recent investigations by Aubert, partly in connection with 

 Haase, lead to the following conclusions : No caffeine is lost 



