oct. — dec. 1857.] Scientific Intelligence. 



137 



first with a very small quantity of the necessary water until a 

 complete mixture is produced, and then adding the remainder of 

 the water in successive quantities, until a perfect mixture in the re- 

 quisite proportions is obtained. 



The wood is then washed over with this liquid, by means of an 

 ordinary white-wash brush, the latter being passed two or three 

 times over the surface, so that the wood may absorb as much of 

 the Solution as possible. When this first coating is nearly dry, 

 the wood is painted with the lime-wash in the usual manner. 



A solution of the Silicate, in the proportion of one part by mea- 

 sure of the syrup to two parts of water, is then made as above des- 

 cribed ; and a sufficient time having been allowed to elapse for the 

 wood to become moderately dry, this liquid is applied, upon the 

 lime, in the manner directed for the first coating. The preparation 

 ofwoodisthen complete. If the lime coating has been applied 

 rather too thickly, the surface of the wood may be found, when 

 quite dry after the third coating, to give off a little lime when rub- 

 bed with the hand. In that case, it should be once more coated 

 over with a solution of the Silicate of the first-named strength. 



(Signed) F. A. ABEL, 

 Royal Arsenal Woolwich. Chemist of the War Department. 



Note.— [The Marquess Origo, Commandant of the firemen at Rome, dipped 

 the dresses of his men in a solution of Sulphate of Alumine and Sulphate of lime. 

 Clothed in these suits, and their faces covered with incombustible masks, they 

 traversed burning buildings without injury. Journal of the Royal Institution of 

 Great Britain, 1831, p. 164.]— Ed. M. J. 



SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. 



Scientific Mission to India. 



An important paper has just been read to the Academy of Sci- 

 ences on a mission sent to India and Upper Asia in 1854, by the 

 King of Prussia and the East India Company. The members of the 

 mission consisted of three brothers, MM. Herrmann, Adolphus, and 



