104 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERT. 



I then put into the compartments a large proportion of carbonate 

 of ammonia, or other volatile salts. 



"When the safe becomes heated to about 212° F., the abore 

 mentioned fusible alloy melts, thus opening the vial ; the acid 

 runs out, and, coming in contact with the surrounding bicarbon- 

 ate of soda, immediately eliminates carbonic-acid gas, which fills 

 the safe and is non-combustible. The evolution of this gas having 

 ceased, if the safe is still longer heated, the carbonate of ammonia 

 or other volatile salt vaporizes slowly, and, being also non-com- 

 bustible, protects the contents of the safe." 



Bleaching of Sugar. — It has been found by experiment that a 

 stream of electricity from a powerful electro-magnetic machine, 

 driven throuo^h a solution of brown unrefined suo^ar, will bleach 

 it, electricity being thus made to perform the function of charcoal. 

 One of Wilde's electro-magnetic machines, driven by a 15 horse- 

 power engine, has been set up for this object in a sugar refinery in 

 Whitechapel. 



Composition for Coating Wood, Iron, Paper, etc. — Antonio Pel- 

 letier, of Washington, D. C, saj's, in his patent: — 



'* I take the pulp of any fibrous matter, preferring that from 

 bamboo, sugar-cane, cornstalks, or other similar substances, pre- 

 pared as for the making of paper, soapstone, or any mineral sub- 

 stance of a similar nature, and silicate of soda, in a liquid or any 

 suitable state, in about equal quantities by weight, and thoroughly 

 mix and incorporate the whole mass until it becomes soft and 

 plastic. To this mixture, when desirable, a small quantity of red 

 lead and litharge, in about equal proportions, may be added, the 

 two too^ether making about one-eighth or one-ninth of the whole 

 mixture. 



"The composition thus made, with or without the red lead and 

 litharge, or similar substances, while in its plastic state, I apply, 

 with any suitable instrument, to the surface of any kind of wood, 

 whether green or dry, or to the surface of paper, pasteboard, 

 cloth, leather, brick, stone, or other fibrous or porous materials, 

 which I desire to make water and fire proof, or to iron or other 

 metal surfaces that I desire to protect from the action of fire. 

 When this coating is about half dry, I treat it with coal or com- 

 mon tar. This tar may be either hot or cold. I prefer to use it 

 hot, as it is then thinner and works easier. This tar may be ap- 

 plied with a brush or any other suitable instrument. Before it 

 becomes dry, I cover it with as much powdered steatite, talc, or 

 other similar refractory substance, as it will hold, rubbing it well 

 in with a roller or any suitable instrument. This done, the ce- 

 ment will be found completely water and fire proof. 



" My composition I also make into sheets of any size that may 

 be desired, either for immediate use in the vicinity where made, or 

 in convenient size for transportation, having made them fire and 

 water proof, as above described. In this form, my composition 

 can be very conveniently used for roofing purposes of all kinds, 

 whether for houses, railroad cars, locomotives, decks of steam- 

 boats, etc., etc., or for covering marine boilers, or lining wood 

 or other surfaces exposed to the action of water or fire." 



