268 Transactions. —GChemistry. 
experiments. The percentages of oil retained by dry fibre, after pressing and 
hammering, as in Series L, were as follows :— 
A. Native— B. Machine— C. Machine— 
Good. Good. Ordinary. 
Percentage of oil retained 8-81 12-34 15-67 
by fibres which had been | 8-19 14-65 15-36 
previously dried. m 
Mean - 8:25 13:50 15:53 
Thus we learn that dry fibres absorb less oil than those which are naturally 
moist ; and that the fine native fibre retains the same position as to the 
percentage of oil which it held in the first series of experiments. From other 
trials I conclude that drying the fibres previous to oiling or tarring them will 
prevent the sufficient absorption of the liquid used, while submitting the fibres 
to a moisture-laden atmosphere may prove beneficial, especially if they be 
subsequently dried—that is, after the treatment with oil, etc. 
Oiling Experiments, Series III. 
The oil now used was a colza oil, of sp. gr. ‘910. The fibres used were 
from the same samples as before ; the operations of pressing and hammering 
were conducted in the same manner. The experiments, however, were not 
very successful or uniform in their results ; and the inferiority of а vegetable 
oil for such purposes was shown by the appearance of the samples after 
treatment. The following results are selected from a large number which 
were obtained, but which I do not think would be of any service if introduced 
into this report :— 
- A. Native— B. Machine— C. Machine— 
P is f oil ( 1 Good Good. Ordinary. 
ercentage of oil (colza ; ; х 
retained by moist fibres \ 186 170 146 
Percentage of oil (colza) 
retained by dried fibres 13:3 13:9 16:3 
dried at 100? c, e ` 
Oiling Experiments, Series IV. 
An animal oil (sperm oil), having the sp. gr. -927, was used for these 
experiments, which were in other respects conducted as before. Asin Series III., 
the previous drying of the fibres made but little difference in the amount 
of oil retained after pressure and hammering. 
treated fibres showed a distinct superiority over 
oil. A few of the results are here given :— 
However, the character of the 
those dressed with vegetable 
A. Native— B. Machine— C. Machine— 
: Good. Good. Ordinary. 
Percentage of oil (sperm) 12:8 "e: 
retained by moist fibres 134 134 
Percentage of oil (sperm) | ; 
retained by fibres dried 10:8 15:2 1441 
at 100° 6, - 3, ss; f 
