1821.] Dry Rot. ---Fall of Rain 45^ 



Article IX. 

 On the Dry Rot, By Mr. W. M. Dinsdale. fi 



(To the Editor of the Annals of Philosophy.) ■ 



; SIR, Nov. 25, 1820^ 



1 Permit me to ask some of your more scientific correspond?*^, 

 ^nts, " In what hght they view the following analogous circum- 

 stances connected with the subject of dry rot in timber, and 

 whether they do not in some measure consider them to throw s^ 

 ray of elucidation on that important head V 



1. In recent vegetable juices, I think, we have grounds for 

 believing in the existence of acetous acid as well as its consti- 

 tuents. 



2. Casks used for manufacturing vinegar soon decay if they 

 are not thoroughly cleansed from the mother or sediment formed 

 in the operation. 



3. Baked wood is less subject to dry rot than that which is 

 unbaked. 



4. Tar, both of the Stockholm kind, and that which had been 

 made at the gunpowder charcoal works, has been found to rot 

 the palings at Woolwich, &c. in a space of time seldom exceed- 

 ing three years, and frequently considerably less, which rot was 

 decidedly attended by all the appearances of dry rot; while it is 

 equally certain the rot alluded to has never followed the use of 

 either kind, when freed from its pyroacetous acid. I am. Sir, 



Your obhged and obedient servant, 



W. M. Dinsdale. ^> 



*^* We are in some doubt as to the absolute correctness 

 of our correspondent's views, but as the subject of the dry 

 rot is one of great importance, we shall be happy to insert any 

 hints which may tend to elucidate its causes, or remedy its^ 

 effects. — Ed. 



^ Article X. 



r On the Fall of Rain. ^ 



(To thelEditov of the Annals of Philosophy.) 



r SIR, Dec. 9, 1820. 



The letter inserted in the last volume of youY Annals of Phi-- 

 losophyyp. 421, recalled my attention to M. Flauguerges's paper, 

 and more particularly to the remarks which he makes {Annals^ 

 vol.xiv. p. 113, 114,) on the relative quantities of rain which ar^^ 



