Fleury.] 148 [March 20, 



ships and for the preparation of water, fire, and rot-proof paint, and 

 be an excellent varnish to prevent the oxidation of metals. 



As the hydrate of silica dissolved in water prevents decay, it might 

 be used with great advantage for the preservation of our old monu- 

 ments and stone buildings ; many of these are now crumbling down 

 and are in need of some remedy. It would, when mixed w!th otLer 

 materials, make an excellent cement to conglomerate particles of 

 coal-dust for fuel. 



We might use the liquid flint even for the petrification of dead 

 bodies, either by injecting the liquid into the arteries, or by covering 

 the outside with a preserving stone coating. 



Why could we not succeed by Its aid in producing cold porcelain, 

 without heat or pressure? This is not impossible, if we remember 

 that the liquid silica becomes hard and insoluble in water after it has 

 lost its water of solution, and has taken u}} its proper amount of 

 water of crystallization. 



Another interesting application could be made of the liquid flint. 

 Should paper or pasteboard be thoroughly saturated with the liquid 

 there seems to be a possibility of preparing non-inflammable, water and 

 rot-proof gas and water-pipes. They would be much lighter and 

 more durable than iron or lead pipes, and cost less. The liquid flint 

 might be used with advantage for lining sulphuric acid chambers, 

 tubs, cisterns, barrels, &c. We might enumerate many more useful 

 applications of the liquid flint, as there is scarcely any branch of the 

 arts or manufactures where it might not be beneficial. AVe have 

 given some ideas o|" what might he done, Ave will now state shortly 

 what has been done. 



Professor Fuchs at Munich, Bavaria, was the first to prepare an 

 alkaline solution of silica in water as far back as 1823 ; he called that 

 liquid water-glass. It Avas prepared by fusing 20 to iO per cent, of quartz 

 sand Avith soda or potassa and charcoal i:)OAvder to a glass, Avhicli Avas 

 soluble in boiling water ; or by treating finely-pulverized flint, or so- 

 called infusorial earth, (Liebig's process) Avith a strong alkaline lye 

 under pressure of steam. It Avas, hoAvever, soon found that the carbonic 

 acid of the atmosphere, by its stronger chemical affinity for the alkali 

 In the silicate, caused a gradual disintegration of the surface or 

 compound. 



Numerous remedies Avere then suggested to counteract this evil. 

 Prof Kuhlman, in Lille, France, and Mr. Ransom?, In IpsAvIch, Eng- 

 land partially succeeded by subsequent application of the solutions 

 of chloride of calcium and hydrofluoric acid to the surface or to the 

 mass of the stones in extracting the alkali. Mr. Ilansome, In England, 

 is now preparing a brown or gray concrete stone of considerable dura- 

 bility and hardness. He requires, hoAvever, (jreat pressure and careful 



