Miseellantes. 367 
Preparation of the size for Cotton or Linen.—Boil, during half an 
hour, four kilogrames of Lichen Islandicus in twenty four litres of 
water. Strain it while hot through a fine cloth. On cooling it ac- 
quires a gelatinous appearance. Dilute in three litres of water a 
pound of wheat or rice flour, and heat it to the consistence of thick 
pap, stirring it continually. Mix it, while hot thoroughly with the de- 
coction of lichen. .'This quantity of mixture furnishes about forty 
five pounds of dressing of a suitable consistence, and which costs, 
including the fuel, two franes, fifty five cent. or about six centimes 
(2; fr.) per pound. A watery fluid separates from it after being 
kept a few days which does not injure its use. 
The grey tint of this dressing may deter some workmen from the 
employment of it; this defect, if it be one, may be in a great meas- 
ure prevented, by previously macerating the mass for thirty six hours 
in water, working or kneading it from time to time, and then washing 
* it in three or four waters, and boiling it half an hour, straining and pro- 
ceeding as before described. By this means it furnishes a size much 
less colored. 
This decoction is not sufficient of itself for linen thread, which is 
much more difficult to dress than that of cotton. The author on this 
account adds to it one third of its volume of common size of wheat 
flour, which succeeds completely. With this addition the weaving of 
_linen may be conducted in any situation, the cloth having the same 
softness as that of cotton. By the use of the lichen decoction anoth- 
er important advantage is gained, viz. there is no risk of oversizing. 
There are few weavers who can manage their dressing with entire 
success, and it is well known that when badly done, the threads are 
extremely liable to break. With this new dressing, the workman 
_ may easily. if he choose suspend his work till the next day. 
During frosty weather, the weaving is very difficult in consequence 
of the rapid drying of the size. The lichen paste dries also, but it 
preserves the elasticity and suppleness of the thread in a suitable 
state for the loom. ‘The conclusions of the author are: 
1. That by the use of the lichen dressing, weavers may place 
their looms in an airy and elevated situation, even in a current of as 
and work at all temperatures. 
2. That it is adapted to all kinds of stuffs,—producing none of the 
spots which arise from the use of the hygrometric salts. 
3. That it is applicable not only to cotton cloth, but also to that 
called cretonnes, by its cheapness and the velvety aspect which it 
communicates. 
