126 



Selections. 



[NO. 5, NEW SERIES, 



Plan of Hut. 1st. The wood was washed 



over with a somewhat dilute 

 solution of the silicate of soda, 

 applied in the manner usually 

 adopted for whitewashing 

 walls. 



Window. 2nd. After an interval of 

 about two hours, a coating of 

 thick lime-wash was applied, 

 over that of the silicate. 



3rd. On the following day 

 the prepared portions of the 

 interior of the hut received, upon the lime, a second application 

 of the solution of silicate of soda, a little stronger than that first 

 applied. 



Shortly afterwards the exterior prepared portion of the hut was 

 similarly coated with the silicate. 



The prepared wood therefore received. — 



1st. A coating of dilute silicate of soda, which penetrated 

 slightly into the wood, generally to the depth of about X V inch. 

 2nd. A coating of thin lime wash, and 



3rd. A second coating of silicate of soda, which, acting chemi- 

 cally upon the lime, formed a hard protective coating with the lat- 

 ter on the wood. . 



Two opposite corners of the hut, with about one-third of each 

 side, and a corresponding portion of the roof, were left unpro- 

 tected. 



One side of one of the unprotected corners of the hut received 

 three coats of paint ; a similar coating was applied, over the pro- 

 tective coating, to one side of a prepared corner. Some pieces of 

 plank were also prepared with the silicate of soda, and lime, as des- 

 cribed above. 



Experiments with the prepared hut were unavoidably deferred 

 until the 12th of February, 1856. During the interval the hut had 

 been repeatedly exposed to very heavy rains ; but although the light 

 wood ; of which it was constructed was eventually completely saturat- 



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