538 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



of felting, at Burling Slip, and made satisfactory experiments on toaking 

 seamlesa coats, which are by no means of such modern date as many sup* 

 pose, but are, on the contrary, very ancient. 



Professor Mason would like to know who invented machines for " peg- 

 ging " boots and shoes ? 



Dr. Stevens-— It was Mr. Bennet, of Homer, invented pegging for boots, 

 &c., in 1814. The tanning process has been accomplished in a very shorft 

 time of late. I once had the skin of a lamb tanned while the cook was 

 dressing the flesh, and by the time the cooked meat was eaten, a pair of 

 mittens were made of the leather. 



Prof. Mapes. — The English used to take seven years to complete the pro- 

 cess of tanning, and the statement that leather had been in the tanning 

 liquid for seven years was a great recommendation for the leather. 



The Americans, however, forced the tanning liquor through the hides, 

 and thus accomplished in hours what required months or years in the old 

 way of operating. This is accomplished by wrapping the raw hides round 

 the periphery of a wheel, the interior of which receives the tanning liquor, 

 which is forced through the hides by centrifugal force generated by the 

 rapid rotation of the wheel. He had a hide completely tanned during the 

 exhibition at a fair of the American Institute, several years ago, yet he was 

 refused a patent for the process. In the liquid which passed through the 

 hides during the rotation of the wheel, no trace of tannic acid could be 

 found, which showed that all the tannic acid of the liquor had been absorbed 

 by the hides ; consequently they were tanned in minutes instead of months. 



Chairman. — The main object at every step of our progress in science 

 should be to reduce our knowledge to practice, and to simplify means of 

 operating in the arts. We are forcing our civilization toward the tropics, 

 in order that they may return their products to us and become civilized by 

 the use of our manufactures and by intercourse with us. 



Certain men of New Haven have introduced civilization among the 

 inhabitants of Africa, where it would otherwise have taken ages to make 

 its way. One man by the introduction of the cotton gin, the other by the 

 trade in India-rubber. 



FRANKLINITE ORE. 



Prof. Mapes introduced the subject of the evening — a substance which 

 yields both iron and zinc. It has some very peculiar properties, and Mr 

 Selleck has devoted much time to render it practically useful, although it 

 has been neglected by others. The iron from it is not good for puddling. 

 Analyses of it differ, so that it cannot be stated distinctly what are ita 

 ingredients. It is very hard — harder than any other iron — has a peculiar 

 crystal and fracture, and much force is required to tear it asunder. It 

 melts at a much lower temperature than ordinary pig iron— at a little above 

 ordinary red heat. It will attach itself to ordinary iron, and become a 

 part of the mass — in fact a perfect amalgam. The two sa united are too 

 hard for a file to touch, in fact, they are harder than steel. A sheet of iron 

 faced with it cannot be drilled, and is the best material for safes. Bars of 



