360 
KYAN S EXPERIMENTS WITH CORROSIVE SUBLIMATE. 
Dr. Bailli of Toulouse had suggested the ex- 
pedient of immersing wood in a solution of 
corrosive sublimate to preserve it from speedy 
decay. But we do not propose to dispute the 
claims of the Englishman, Mr. Kyan, who 
has recently brought the proposal more 
formally and more minutely under the atten- 
tion of his own as well as of our Government. 
The solution which he recomends is made 
by liissolving about a pound of the salt in 
about eight or ten gallons of water. The 
requisite period for maceration must vary, 
according to thickness and hardness of the 
timber, from a week to three or more. The 
sails and cordage do hot require more than a 
couple of days. 
Several experiments were made at Woolwich 
to ascertain the preservative powers of Mr. 
Kyan’s solution. Pieces of wood which had 
been subjected to it, and others which had 
not, were left for a twelve-month in a ditch. A 
quantity of decayed and rotting timber had 
been thrown in along with the sound, and the 
whole had been kept rather warm, for the 
purpose of encouragina; the fermentation. 
When removed at the end of the twelve- 
month, the prepared wood was found to be 
perfectly sound throughout, while the other 
pieces were all more or less rotten. 
The French chemist, M. Henry, has made 
numerous experiments to ascertain tlie mode, 
in which the sublimate probably operates, as 
a preservative of timber. He has shewn that 
the salt so employed is in a great measure 
speedily converted into the state of protochlo- 
ride, and that, in passing to this state, it 
forms a combination with the albuminous 
juices of the wood. There is thus formed a 
new organic compound, fixed and insoluble, 
and the vegetable juices are no longer liable 
to be atfected by moisture, or susceptible of 
that fermentation, which we regard to be 
the primary and essential stage of the dry 
rot. 
In reference to the question whether the 
wood, &c. prepared by Mr. Kyan’s method 
is likely to prove hurtful to the shipwright, 
or to the crew of a ship which has been built 
of it, we may allude to some observations 
of Mr. Faraday. This distinguished chemist 
inform us that many years ago, his great 
predecessor. Sir H.91)avy, was consulted by 
the late Lord Spencer, as to the propriety of 
using the corrosive sublimate to preserve his 
valuable library from the attack of insects. 
Both Sir H. and Mr. Faraday were rather 
unfriendly to its use, on the ground that it 
might become volatilised, and thus impreg- 
nate the atmosphere of the rooms with poi- 
sonous particles. But Mr. F. has subse- 
quently changed his opinion, and he is now 
convinced that his fears were unnecessary. 
As a matter of course there is infinitely less 
risk of any such injurious consequences 
from wood which has been merely saturated 
in a solution of the salt, than from using the 
powder of the salt itself to sprinkle on books, 
or other objects. But we have already stated 
that the prepared wood retains very little of 
the undecoraposed poisonous salt, the greater 
part of it being speedily converted into the 
innocent protes-chloride. The efflorescence 
which may be often observed on wood which 
has been immersed in the preserving liquor, 
consists chiefly of this latter compound. 
Already an experiment has been made in 
England on a large scale, to ascertain whe- 
ther there is any truth in the objections 
which have been urged against Mr. Kyan’s 
proposal. A South Sea Whaling vessel was 
built some time ago at Cowes, altogether 
of timber which had been seasoned as Mr. 
K. recommends. No accident occurred 
among the workmen in the building-yard, 
and the crew had lived for two months on 
board of the ship before she sailed, without 
experiencing any inconveniencies. It will 
be interesting to know the result of the ex- 
periment when she returns after a two, or 
three years’ voyage. 
We hear that Mr. Kyan has abandoned his 
project of preparing the cordage with the 
same solution ; and he has suggested in lieu 
of it, a solution of caoutchouc, which, while 
it protects them against moisture, may 
serve to make them more elastic. 
On the whole the report presented by M . 
Karaudern to the Acadamy must be deemed 
highly favorable to the proposal of Mr. 
Kyan. 
THE 
SPIRIT OF THE INDIAN PRESS, 
OR 
MONTHLY REGISTER OF USEFUL INVENTIONS, 
AND 
IMPROVEMENTS, DISCOVERIES, 
AND NEW FACTS IN EVERY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE. 
RELICS FROM CAUBUL. 
Tlie of Bombay states that a very valuable 
box of relics has reached the presidency from Ca- 
hool. It appears iha' some time since this (iovern- 
riieiit placed at the disposal of Mr. Masson several 
thousand rupees for the purpose of excavating 
some <»f those singular bnilUings called “ Topes” 
in that country, the expendiinie of which has ter- 
minated most Successfully. Inirinsically even, we 
have been informed, the relics are of consider- 
able v.'iliie, consisting of several thousand coins in 
gold, silver, and copper, as well as some golden 
boxes; but in a historical point of view, they will 
