BUILDINGS IN INDIA. 377 



5th. Mow, and' of what materials, is the roof formed? 



6th. What is the thickness of the terrace on the roof, the 

 process of laying it, and the composition of the materials? 



7th. What are the proportionate dimensions, and what is the 

 relative strength to oak limber, of the beams which sustain the 

 roof? 



8th. Is the thickness of the walls deemed necessary to sus- 

 tain the incumbent weight of the roof alone, or is it partly to 

 resist heat — or is the extraordinary thickness in consequence of 

 the fragile quality of the brick ? 



9th. Do you think a roof so constructed capable of resisting 

 the intensity of the frost in North America ? 



10th. Is a horizontal roof, so constructed, capable of sustain- 

 ing any great additional weight, such as the superincumbent 

 weight of snow, which, in America, is frequently three or four 

 feet deep? 



1 1th. How, and of what materials are the floors constructed; 

 and what is the quality and thickness of the cement which 

 forms the floor ? 



12th. What is the proportionate elevation of the ceilings? 



13th. What is the quality, and what are the component 

 parts of the water cement, used in India, and of the celebrated 

 cement and plaister used at Madrass ? 



14th. Is shell or stone lime preferred, and does the lime of 

 India possess any intrinsic superiority over the shell or stone 

 lime of Europe or America? 



15th. Does sugar, molasses, or animal or vegetable oils, form 

 a part of any of the cements used in India ? 



16th. I am told that the iron exclusively used in the fasten- 

 ing of all ships built in India, (even that which secures the 

 sheathing boards) is completely protected from the corrosive 

 effects of the copper, by the coat of Chunam [lime and animal 

 or vegetable oil thoroughly amalgamated] one fourth of an inch 

 thick, which is between the main plank and the sheathing boards, 

 and also between the latter and the copper sheathing; and that 

 the iron of coppered ships has been found in perfect preserva- 

 tion after ten years' service. Do these facts come within your 

 knowledge ? 



