Miscellanies. 189 



those that are tainted, by applying to them, with a brush, a layer of 

 pyroligneous acid. They absorb it very speedily, and it occasions no 

 injury nor diminution of their value. — Rceuil lndustrielle. 



11. Action of heat upon razors. — It has been asked, why, in time 

 of frost, a razor, unless it be warmed, will not cut without irritating 

 the skin ? It is because, when it freezes, the edge of a razor, exam- 

 ined by a microscope, is like a saw, and, as soon as warmed, becomes 

 smooth. — Idem. 



12. Substitute for India ink. — Boil in water, some parchment or 

 pieces of fine gloves, until it is reduced to a paste. 



Apply to its surface while still warm, a porcelain dish which has 

 been held over a smoking lamp : the lamp black which adheres to 

 it, will become detached and mingle with the paste or glue. Re- 

 peat the operation until the composition has acquired the requisite 

 color. It is not necessary to grind it. It flows as freely from the 

 pencil as India ink, and has the same transparency* 



13. To destroy caterpillars. — To 15 gallons of water, add l|lbs. 

 of common soap, the same quantity of flowers of sulphur, and 2lbs. 

 of mushroons (the poisonous kind). Put the whole over a moderate 

 fire and keep it stirring. Caterpillars, grubs, &c. watered with this 

 liquor, immediately perish. 



This recipe is said to come from Germany, where it has extraor- 

 dinary success. 



Notices by Br. Alexander Jones, of Mobile, Alabama, addressed to the Editor. 



14. American Gypsies. — 1 see Prof. Griscom, has translated from 

 the "Revue Encyclopedique" an article on " Gypsies" for your Jour- 

 nal, in which he remarks that there are no "Gypsies" in America or 

 that, " they have never appeared in America." In this, the writer is 

 mistaken. There is a colony of "Gypsies" on Biloxi Bay in Lou- 

 isiana, who were brought over and colonized by the French at a very 

 early period of the first settlement of that state. They are French 

 11 Gypsies" and speak the French language, they call themselves 

 "Egyptians " or "Gypsies" The French call them indifferently, 

 "Egyptians" or " Bohemiens." 



What is remarkable, since their colonization in this country, they 



have lost the distinctive character of their idle and wandering habits. 



