5G6 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



led to the discovery of a compound which aiFords threads 

 siii-passing in fineness even the single cocoon fibres, and ap- 

 parently as soft and elastic as silk. This substance has been 

 applied to a variety of uses ; but on account of the skill re- 

 quired in the workman, and the fatiguing character of the 

 labor, es2:)ecially to the eyes, the articles may as yet be class- 

 ed as curiosities. When felted, it forms excellent material 

 for chemical filters. It is. adapted to figures for brocades, 

 etc., and to the manufixcture of clothing, ornaments, furniture 

 covers, curtains, carpets, lace, collars, etc., and can be used in 

 knitting and embroidering. In softness, the articles approach 

 silk, and in the feel, the finest woolen, while they are warmer 

 than the latter and exceedingly light. They are compara- 

 tively free from mechanical wear, and are not affected by 

 light, heat, moisture, nor acids, and, by reason of their incom- 

 bustibility, are peculiarly adapted to ladies' garments. The 

 annexed prices of a few articles will indicate the present 

 stage of the manufacture: Cuffs, $1 15; collars, 50 cents to 

 |2 50 ; watch-chains, 25 cents to |1 ; ladies' hats, comDlete, 

 $4 75 to $26.~15 C, 1873, 9. 



OIL FEOM BIEfDS. 



Few persons realize the extent to which the oil obtained 

 from birds enters into trade, or are aware of the amount of 

 destruction of life caused by this business, threatening the 

 extermination of some, at least, of the species. Among these 

 we may mention the Fulmar {Pahnarus f/lacialis)^ which 

 breeds in the Hebrides, on St. Kilda, and in various other 

 portions of the northern hemisphere. The inhabitants of 

 these islands, during the season when this bird can be most 

 readily obtained, devote much of their time to its capture, 

 using the flesh as food, and preparing the fat for its oil. 



This is of a bright red color, with a penetrating odor, and 

 has many of the johysiological and chemical properties of cod- 

 liver oil. It has a specific gravity of 0.992, is soluble in ether, 

 and slightly so in boiling alcohol, but much less in cold alco- 

 hol. It contains a trace of iodine, and, with sulphuric acid, 

 gives the color-test of cod-liver oil. Soap made from it has 

 a peculiar smell. 



It is from the Penguins, however, that the largest supply of 

 oil is obtained, especially in the Falkland Islands; numerous 



