No. 144.] 221 



Mr. Burchard said that although the wood gas Avas perfectly 

 perceptible to the smell, still it did not possess ihe highly un- 

 pleasant smell of coal gas. In the manufacture of wood gas the 

 retorts are much corrugated (wrinkled) in order to gain an ex- 

 tensive surface. Basle is supplied with the wood gas 20 per cent 

 cheaper than our coal gas. Prof. Schoenbein labored four years 

 at this new gas. 



Mr. Darracott— You are aware that gas from wood is made in 

 Newark, New Jersey. 



Mr. Burchard — From resinous woods ; that of Schoenbein is 

 from all woods. It may be made from peat or other combustible 

 sub^tance as well as from wood, resin or coal. 



Mr. Darracott — The wood gas will require purification by the 

 usual methods, such as passing through lime, &c. 



The Secretary reminded the club of the extraordinrry fact that 

 in Buenos Ayres, on the Rio de la Plata, some thirty years ago, 

 owing to the lack of wood and multitudes of sheep, that the lat- 

 ter were used for fuel extensively. The fleeces being taken off, 

 the bodies were dried in the sun perfectly, and then served to 

 bake the bread, boil the kettle, and since to drive the steamer. 

 They made steam out of mutton ! 



Solon Robinson— And on our vast western plains, where wood 

 is scarce, our hardy citizens bake and boil with buffalo chips — 

 the dropings of the herds cf the great grass eaters, the buffnloes. 



The Secretary read the following translations, &c., made by 

 him: 



[Revue Horticole, Paris, 1854.] 



USE OF COLLODION IN GARDENING. 



We live (says Mr. Lindley, in February last,) in the midst of 

 an atinospliere of wonders. A few years ago the world was filled 

 with astonishment on learning that a harmless, delicate down 

 could take the place of gunpowder for force. Soon after that an 

 ingenioiis druggist discovered that this same gun cotton could be 



