196 J. M. Ordway on Waterglass. 
makers who have tried the sesquisilicate on a large scale raise 
the objection that any considerable percentage of a thick solu- 
tion will not combine with the soap to form a homogeneous 
mass. And consumers may consider it fortunate that it is at 
least difficult to cheapen soap with a substance in which the 
alkali is so imperfectly mollified. 
The older schemes for making silicated soap must therefore be 
oleostearate of soda. The compound thus produced has greater 
detersive power than common soap, though the alkaline strength 
remains about the same, and the causticity is not sensibly 
creased. It is well known that water, except when it is vey 
hot, splits up and only in part dissolves the alkaline sen 
and margarates; and perhaps the principal reason why silicate 
soa works better than pure is that hydrated waterglass enters 
readily into complete solution, and tends to hinder the precip 
tation of the fatty bisalts. 
(To be continued). 
