64 Miscellanies. [Jan., 1847. 



Tinning and Zincing Brass or Copper by the Moist Way. — 

 Prepare a boiling solution of stannate of potash, mix with tin 

 turnings, immerse the copper or brass, and it is tinned in a few 

 seconds. 



Zinc is also efFectually laid upon brass or copper by making a 

 chloride of zinc in which zinc turnings are put. The brass or 

 copper is immersed and a coating obtained. 



Force of Waves. — The force of w-aves is determined by a ma- 

 rine dynamometer, which consists of a powerful steel spring enclosed 

 in a cylinder. The wave is received upon a flat circular plate 

 firmly fixed to the spring. The observations have been made at 

 the Skerrymore rocks in the Atlantic ocean. By these observa- 

 tions it is proved that the mean force of the waves for summer is 

 equal toGlllbs. per square foot: for winter 20861bs. The great- 

 est power yet witnessed was a pressure equal to 60831bs. to a 

 square foot, a result which suc»-.eeded a gale on the 29th of March, 

 1845. 



To Make Red Ink. — Take 2oz. of the best of Brazil Avood, ^oz. 

 of alum and half an ounce of crystals of tartar and boil with 16oz. 

 of rain water down to half its bulk, add half an ounce of gum 

 Arabic, after it is strained. To this add also one half ounce of 

 cochineal, made into a tincture with one and a half ounces of 

 alcohol. 



Medicinal Substance in the Baiik of the Root of the Apple 

 Tree and Wild Cherry Tree. — The substance is called Phlori- 

 dine, and acts upon the system in a manner resembling quinine. 

 It is said that its efficacy is so decided, that we cannot hesitate to 

 class it with the most powerful febrifuges, and that it has an ad- 

 vantage over quinine, that it never induces pain in the stomach. 

 It is prepared by boiling the root bark in a quantity of water suffi- 

 cient to cover it, for half an hour. This is poured of! and a fresh 

 portion added; the two fluids are mixed together and at the end 

 of six hours the phloridine has separated in the form of a deep 

 red velvety looking matter. 



Method of Covering Brass or Coffer with Platina. — One 

 part of solid chloride of platina is dissolved in 200 parts of water, 

 and to this solution is added 8 parts of common salt, or what is 

 better, one part of platino-chloride of ammonia, and 8 parts of 

 hydro-chlorate of ammonia are placed in a flat porcelain vessel 

 and from 32 to 40 parts of water poured over it, the whole heated to 

 boiling, and the vessel of copper or brass, perfectly bright, is 

 placed therein. This will be covered in a few seconds with a 

 brilliant coat of platina. 



