Notice of certain processes in the Aris. 36.1 
formed me that they appear to suffer no diminution or decay, 
but are liable to bend and break from the intensity and con- 
tinuance of the heat. The whole produce of sulphuric acid 
is about 12,000 gallons weekly. 
The next process in order is the formation of the chlorate of 
lime. There are 15 or 20 leaden retorts for the evolution of 
the chlorine, about 5 feet in diameter, and weighing nearly 
three tons each. They are heated by steam, and the usual 
materials are employed for the production of the gas. With- 
in two years, the inconvenient apparatus formerly employed 
for the impregnation of the lime, has been greatly improved 
by the ingenuity of Mr. Tennant. The gas from the retorts, 
is passed into six chambers of hewn stone, about 30 feet long, 
20 wide, and 6 high, which are covered with wood and ren- 
dered impervious tu the gas by a resinous varnish. The lime 
is placed in shallow boxes at the bottom of these chambers. 
It is agitated during the process by iron rakes, inserted through 
a box filled with lime which serves as a valve. The impreg- 
nation is generally completed in two days, when the supply is 
yenewed by means of wooden doors which are luted in. Se 
accurately is every part of the apparatus fitted, that in the 
building containing these immense volumes of imprisoned gas, 
there was no disagreeable vapour, and the gas was not so 
perceptible as it usually is in a laboratory where a small quan- 
tity is forming for mere experiment. ‘The powder, when com- 
pletely formed, even.in large quantities, has no perceptible 
odour, and thus shows the accurate manner in which the pro- 
cess is conducted. 
The remainder of the establishment is employed in turning 
the residue of these processes to account. ‘The sulphates of 
soda and potash are converted into the alkaline state by two 
successive burnings, in union with bituminous coal, and three 
lixiviations and evaporations. About eighteen tons of sub- 
_ carbonate of soda in its purified state are produced weekly. 
By two successive crystallizations it is formed into large 
rhomboidal tabular crystals, and surpasses in beauty any 
specimens of the article I have ever seen produced in the 
large way. Apartof the alkaliis taken at an intermediate 
State, and employed in the last section of the manufactory, in 
the making of soap. It furnishes the chief supply of this arti- 
ele for this city and the surrounding country. Some idea 
may be formed of the extent of this establishment from the 
fact that itrequires a daily supply of 60 tons of coal and 20 tons 
( 
‘ Vou. xX —No. 14 AG 
