and the Down of domestic Fowls. 361 



When this previous desiccation has been efTected, the 

 feathers are conveyed to a dry airy place, where ihcy are 

 stirred every day. By these means the pith conlained in 

 the barrels is dried ; the greasy and membranous parts of 

 their surface are dissipated in dust. The quill niiy then be 

 kept for centuries : but if these precautions be neglected, 

 if the quill is not reduced to the state of pure parenchyme, 

 and if it contains half-dried juices, it will then become a 

 prey to insects. In this case it must be bleached in soap 

 water, and then washed several times ; a secondary opera- 

 tion, which determines the elastic quality of the quill, and 

 occasions a loss. 



What has been said of feathers is applicable to wool : if 

 badly scoured, the yolk and fat matters with which it is 

 impregnated attract insects; it must then be washed to 

 prevent its total destruction, and be freed from this natural 

 fat matter, which is liable to corrupt. 



The matters employed in beds in country houses must 

 be put into a hurdle supported by a trestle in the middle of 

 a well aired apartment; they must then be stirred and beat 

 from time to time with a switch ; exposed often to the open 

 air; to the cold during the fine days of winter, and to the 

 sun in the beginning of spring, to remove that kind of in- 

 sect of the class of the ph.alcnje which is propagated only 

 in the shade, and in a state of repose. Daylight and agita- 

 tion are means far preferable to the aromatic plants pro- 

 posed for producing the same effect. 



The process of purification consists in putting into three 

 pints of boiling water a pound and a half of alum and as 

 nnich cream of tartar, which are diluted in twenty-three 

 pints more of cold water. The viool is then left immersed in 

 this liquor during some days, after which it is washed and 

 dric4. After this operation it will no longer be subject to 

 be attacked by insects. 



The purity of feathers and wool employed for mattresses 

 and cushions ought to be considered as a first object ot sa- 

 lubrity. Animal emanations may, under many circurn- 

 stances, be prejudicial to the health ; but the danger is still 

 greater when the wool is impregnated with sweat and the 

 excrcmentitious parts of persons who have experienced putrid 

 and contagious diseases. Bed-clothes and the wool of mat- 

 tresses, therefore, cannot be too often beat, carded, cleaned, 

 and washed. This is a caution which cannot be too often 

 rccumnicnded. 



LXIII. New 



