148 Application ofChesniU fVood to the Arts 



square of the. distance affected by a term, which has no influence 

 unless when the atoms are very nearly in contact. This theorem, 

 therefore, not only includes the general law of gravitation, but 

 likewise those of cohesion, affinity, &c. from the application of 

 which to chemical philosophy we may reasonably expect some 

 important discoveries. 



APPLICATION OF CHESNUT WOOD TO THE ARTS OF TANMNG 

 AND DYEING. 



[From Professor SiUiman's Journal.] 

 Remarks. — A considerable time since, we were confidentially 

 made acquainted with the discovery detailed in the following let- 

 ter. We have repeated the most important of Mr. Sheldon's ex- 

 periments, both in relation to tanning and dyeing, and are well 

 satisfied that the discoverer has not overrated, or erroneously esti- 

 mated, the value of his own results. We are persuaded that the 

 highly useful arts alluded to, will derive important aid from the 

 use of a material so abundant and cheap as chesnut wood. 



To Professor Silliman. 



Springfield, Mass. Feb. 27, 1819. 



Dear Siij,, — I send you a more particular account of the newly 

 discovered properties of the chesnut. 



This tree {Fagus Castanea Linn.) is very abundant in New- 

 England and the middle states ; and occurs in the mountainous 

 districts, as far southward as South- Carolina, or perhaps even 

 Georgia. It is one of the stateliest trees of the forest ; scarcely 

 less distinguished by the beauty of its foliage, than by the dura- 

 bility of its wood. 



By repeated analyses, conducted with the minutest attention 

 to every circumstance which could ensure accuracy, it appears, 

 incredible as it may seem, that the chesnut ?fooi contains twice as 

 much tannin as ross'd * oak hark, and six-sevenths as much colour- 

 ing matter (which gives a black with iron) as logwood. I am aware 

 that nothing could be further from the common apprehension 

 than such results ; but the uniform success of a great variety of 

 experiments in tanning and dveing, in addition to the other kind 

 of evidence, should satisfy the most incredulous. 



The leather tanned with it has, in every instance, been su- 

 perior to that tanned in a comparative experiment with oak bark ; 

 being firmer, less porous, and at the same time more pliable. 

 The reason for this difference will probably be found in the liigh 

 state of oxygenizement of the bark, particularly of the epidermis, 

 by which it is rendered to a certain degree acrid and corrosive. 



* That is, the inner bark deprived of the epidermis or outer bark by the 

 shaving-knife. 



Dr. 



