572 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



more apt to felt. The subsequent treatment of the fibre is 

 according to the usual process, and the carbolic acid (or the 

 carbolates, if preferred) may be added to the oleaginous or 

 astringent elements used by hatters. 9 B^ July 25, 1872, 607. 



MATERIAL FOK MOULDINGS. 



According to Mr. C. Muratori, of London, a compound of 

 alum, glue, and sawdust ofiers a 'convenient material for or- 

 namenting furniture or other wood-work. It is easily mould- 

 ed, and by drying becomes so hard that it readily takes a 

 high polish. 15 (7, 1872, xm., 208. 



MICRO-CHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF FIBRES. 



A valuable contribution to the methods for determinino; 

 the character of different fibres, animal and vegetable, has 

 lately appeared in an inaugural dissertation presented to the 

 University of Zurich by Albert Schleseniger, upon what he 

 calls microscopical and micro-chemical methods of investiga- 

 tion. After mentioning the peculiarities of fibres, he gives 

 tables of the reactions of the different coloring matters ; for 

 instance, dividing the vegetable fibres into three groups, 

 namely, those which are colored yellow, brownish-yellow, or 

 reddish-yellow, by iodine and sulphuric acid ; those which 

 are colored green ; and, third, those which are colored blue by 

 the same chemicals. 



A similar arrangement is followed in regard to the animal 

 fibres. The w^hole memoir is full of important suggestions, 

 which can doubtless be readily turned to practical account. 

 Inaugural Dissertation of Albert Schleseniger. 



PEH-LAH WAX OF THE CHINESE. 



One of the most interesting articles of commerce in China 

 consists of what is called peh-lah wax, or insect wax, an ex- 

 udation from certain trees, particularly a species oi Mhus and 

 Ligustrum^ formed in consequence of the puncture of the 

 branches by a species of Coccus. These insects are white 

 when first developed, but when they yield their wax are red, 

 and attached closely to the branches of the trees. At first 



