152 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED 8TATE8 FISH COMMISSION. 



(as in the specimens received last week) so as to expose unoxidized 

 surfaces. 



MEMORANDUM. 



Two specimens of iron treated by Bower-Barff process ; received 

 December 5, 1884. 



A. Short tube, with male screw-thread on each end. immersed Decem- 

 ber 6 in sea- water, in an open jar. The sea-water was from the sur- 

 face of the sea, 40 miles off Cape Hatteras, and of specific gravity 

 1,026.1. The pipe showed no rust at the time of immersion. Removed 

 from the water, which has been kept at about 70° F., January 13. The 

 specimen is much rusted, particularly in the screw-threads. One side 

 remains clean, and the corrosion is most decided on the side opposite — 

 possibly because of galvanic action. The water is quite muddy from 

 sesquioxide of iron, and presents a scanty iridescent pellicle containing 

 Bacteria (mostly B. termo). No infusoria. 



B. A bent coupling, with female screw in each end. Immersed De- 

 cember G in tap-water, jar tightly stopped; exposed, together with A, 

 to sunlight and average temperature of 70° F. Bemoved from water 

 January 13. Specimen has also rusted, but the rust is in this case con- 

 fined to screw-threads and a file-mark on convex surface. No sign of 

 life in the water. 



Smithsonian Institution, 



Washington, D. 0., January 13, 1885. 



SECOND REPORT. 



Since the date of a former report upon the Bower-Barff iron process 

 (January 13, 1885) several new specimens have beeen received, consist- 

 ing of (A) strips of iron three-fourths inch wide by one-fourth inch thick, 

 and (B) cylindrical rods one-half inch in diameter, all coated with mag- 

 netic oxide by the Bower-Barff process. The ends of the specimens, 

 which had been sheared in cutting them into short lengths, showed a 

 little sesquioxide of iron, although supposed to have been treated after 

 cutting. 



There being a question as to the occurrence of galvanic action be- 

 tween this magnetic oxide and iron or other metals in presence of sea- 

 water, several battery cells have been made and tested in the course of 

 the last ten days. Each cell was made up of two of the protected strips 

 or rods for one clement, a similar surface (about 10 square inches) of 

 unprotected iron tor the other, and a sample of very clear sea-water, of 

 specific gravity 1,027, taken in the Gulf Stream about 40 miles north- 

 east of Cape Hatteras. In the earlier experiments the sheared ends im- 

 mersed were covered with red sealing-wax, and copper wire was used 

 for electrodes. In cells after the first two the sheared ends were covered 

 with bees-wax and platinum wire substituted for copper. Iu each ex- 

 periment the circuit was allowed to remain closed for from two to five 

 days. 



