of Processes in the Fine and Useful Arts. 159 



pccted in such hands, would appear to have been managed in 

 the detail with the utmost care and attention, affording a 

 secure guide for future operations. The following is an ex- 

 tract from their able and interesting Report : — 



" 1. We had the Honourable Company's Steamer Irra- 

 Waddy moored alongside the Investigator ; and having fitted 

 two lead pipes furnished with stopcocks to the head of the Ir- 

 rawaddy's boiler, by means of a new manhole cover, we led 

 the pipes into the Investigator, and put them down the fore 

 and after hatchways into the hold. 



2. We had, in the meantime, closed the scuttles of the In- 

 vestigator's sides, as well as all the hatches ; moreover, the 

 stern and gallery windows, and the entire front of the poop ; 

 lx)ring at the same time a hole in each gallery cell, to allow 

 the steam to come up from the hold into the cuddy. 



3. We also fitted a pipe, having a stopcock on it, to the 

 main hatchway, which was opened occasionally to observe the 

 state of the steam, in case of danger, from its over-pressure. 



4. These preparations being made, we had the fires of the 

 Irrawaddy's boiler lighted at 11 a. m. on the 7th ultimo, so as 

 to let on the steam at noon the same day ; by six o'clock the 

 same evening, the steam began to show itself at the scuttles, 

 and at the hatches ; and the poop and upper deck began to 

 feel hot. We continued the steaming for forty-eight hours, 

 by which time the whole of the decks and sides even to the 

 outside copper, close to the water's edge was so heated, as to 

 be scarcely touchable by the hand. 



5. On opening the hatches to ascertain the result of the 

 operation, we were pleased to see the effectual manner in which 

 the penetrating heat of the steam had destroyed the vermin. 

 The white ants appeared reduced to a substance like soap, and 

 the cockroaches and rats to a soft pulp, capable of being 

 washed down into the limbers. 



6. The putrid smell of animal decomposition came on at 

 the end of twenty-four hours, but did not continue above a 

 day. 



7. The paint on the beams and sides was shrivelled, and 

 peeled off, and the leather which covered the ring bolts in the 

 cuddy, was converted into charcoal. 



8. We have purposely delayed sending in our Report, till 



