BECliEATIYE SCIENCE. 



25 



similar treatment. Kulilmann successfully- 

 exposed some old paintings on wood, pro- 

 tected by water-glass, to intense lieat and 

 numerous washings. This treatment tkey 

 resisted. On glass, artificial sulphate of 

 baryta, applied by means of water-glass, im- 

 parts a milk-white film of peculiar beauty, 

 and this resists washing with warm water. 

 By the action of a strong heat, the silicious 

 varnish is transformed into a fine white ena- 

 mel. Here, again, photographers on glass have 

 a clue to further results. Kuhlmann, more- 

 over, finds that an unassailable ink is made 

 by grinding carbon with the water-glass. In 

 calico printing the silicate has been tried 

 instead of albumen to impart fixity to the 

 colours, which, if not alterable by an alkali, 

 resisted soap and washing. In printing and 

 dressing stuffs, the water-glass, with starch 

 and lime, or baryta, might be used to replace 

 gelatine and tannin sometimes employed. 

 Tannate of gelatine or starch, with lime or 

 baryta, and the silicious material, have also 

 been used in painting in distemper. 



The study of water-glass is full of in- 

 terest, for by its aid the formation of 

 minerals and natural petrifactions can be 



elucidated. In short, buUders, engineers, 

 manufacturers, artists, chemists, physicists, 

 geologists, and naturalists in general, may all 

 find their account in studying the capabi- 

 lities of this ingenious water-glass of Fuchs, 

 and its applications in the hands of Kaul- 

 bach, Kuhlmann, and others. Should it be 

 thought desirable, we may return to the 

 subject at a future day. We have here 

 given only a hasty resume of the vast mass 

 of facts and conclusions contained in the au- 

 thorities already named. 



Puchs himself promised further details 



as to the applications of water-glass, but 



death stayed his hand. TS'e have already 



mentioned his presentiment of death when 



I about writing his pamphlet. This was only to 



i be soon too true, and, as Dr. Pettenkofer re- 



! marks, " he who never deceived others, and 



I rarely himself, was not deceived in this pre- 



j sentiment." His last words are, " To the 



! Giver of all good be thanks for all joys and 



I sufferings experienced! May his blessing 



be upon the work ! 

 ; " Omnia ad majorem Dei honorem et gloriam ! 

 i " Munich, Nov. 20, 1855." 



T. A. Malone. 



NIGHT-PLYINa MOTHS. 



A CEETAiN number of the moth tribe may be 

 fitly separated as night-fiyers, for the reason 

 that several true moths fly by day, and are 

 nearly as fond of the bright sunshine as the 

 light-seeking butterflies, whose natural ele- 

 ment it is. Those moths which only fly by 

 night generally pass the day in a kind of tor- 

 por, from which some species cannot easily be 

 awakened. In this state they may be found 

 resting upon the trunk of a tree in a shady 

 place, or on the underside of a leaf, and no 

 amount of disturbance seems to rouse them 

 from their trance. A pinmay be stuck through 



the body, transfixing the dormant msect to 

 the trunk of the tree on which it is resting, 

 without stimulating it to exhibit any sign of 

 awakening consciousness ; and not till the 

 time of flight arrives wUl it make any attempt 

 to escape. It will then raise its wings lei- 

 surely, and try their strength as usual, with- 

 out appearing at first to be aware that it is 

 secured to the spot by an instrument passed 

 through its body. The wings are at last put 

 into the rapid motion used in the act of 

 flying, and this action is continued with 

 occasional cessation till the hour of flight is 



