274 SCIENTIFIC NOTES. 
or wild hemp, which grows abundantly in vast tracts of land in Algeria, 
might be much more utilised than it is for paper material. At least 
twenty or thirty millions of hectares are covered with this plant. While 
rags cost from 270 to 300 francs the ton, the pulp made with this wild 
plant might be sold with advantage at one-third of this price. Dr. 
O'Koi ke, after alluding to the employment of this plant by the ancients, 
thinks that paper made with this pulp would want consistence, but M. 
Lafon refutes this objection by furnishing paper made of it, which is 
tough, and offers great resistance. 
Anti-corrosive Brown Paper. — An entirely new description of 
brown paper has been introduced by Mr. John Gladwin, paper manufac- 
turer of * Ecclesfield near Sheffield. This paper is made of materials 
peculiarly adapted for giving strong and resisting properties, and by the 
introduction of a powerful anti-corrosive element, a high standard of 
quality is obtained for cutlery and steel goods, the extinct moisture 
being totally excluded. Goods requiring the moisture to be retained, 
may also be folded in it advantageously. A stouter make of this paper 
is also adapted to the same purpose as the usual make of waterproof 
paper. To test its quality, a paper vessel may be made of, and filled 
with water, which will remain until it is exhausted by absorption from 
the surface ; when empty, the sediment may be cleaned out from the 
bottom and the vessel refilled as often as may be desired. A more 
severe test of quality may be made by suspending a vessel filled with 
water over a flame ; it then exhibites fire-proof properties the water in 
the vessel becoming heated. Under the process of glazing, it attains a 
higher degree of finish. There is no difference in appearance between 
this and the ordinary brown paper no surface covering to render it water- 
proof, its own inherent properties suffice for this purpose. The inventor 
says there is no necessity for holding paper in stock to season for years 
as is now the custom of cutlery manufacturers ; and that if this is used 
in a few months it will answer every purpose, thereby saving the cost 
of keeping large stocks. By rolling, this paper takes a highly glossy 
appearance. 
