J. M. Ordway on Waterglass. 349 
common sand, but succeeded best with a mixture of crushed 
granite, chalk, or bone ashes, and strong sesquisilicate of soda. 
Unless a fair allowance of some absorbent substance,—like car- 
bonate of lime, burnt bones, or roasted clay,—is used, the silicate 
dries first on the outside and forms an impervious varnish which 
prevents the escape of moisture from the interior. If we resort 
to a weaker solution of waterglass, this dries at the surface with- 
Considered sons y with regard to its mechanical gut pw 
Waterglass would appear very suitable to replace stare and glue 
ial. in many cases. In fact it was brought for- 
‘ a year or two ago, as a substitute for starch in 
sizing cotton yarn for weaving, and in putting the final finish on 
cotton fabrics. But its chemical character indicates its unfitness 
h 
Weak acid liquor, so as to ea 8 silica within the fibre and 
make a permanent stuffing. 
three extra cents appropriated to extra cotton. 
* Wagner's Jahresbericht, ii, 118. 
