Green. Boil 2 pounds of fustic twice, each time in 14 gallons of water, and dissolve 24 ounces of alum and 1 ounce of tartaric acid in the decoctions. Place the feathers for a short time in this solution, then take them out, add solution of indigo, or indigo-red, to the bath; and dip the feathers repeatedly in it. When the feathers have assumed a light green color rinse them with acidulated water. For a dark green color add more blue.

Chestnut-brown. The feathers are first dyed ruby-red and then garnetbrown, next washed, and placed for 5 minutes in a solution of 4 ounces of sulphate of iron in 3 pints of water. They are then rinsed, replaced in the dye bath, and heated."

Lilac. This color is produced with archil, and the different shades by means of indigo-red and alum. A weak solution of logwood and hydrochlorate of tin may also be used.

Orange. Boil 1 pound of the best annotto with 4 ounces of potash in 12 quarts of water until they are dissolved. Then let the fluid cool off to a hand heat, when the feathers are placed in the bath and allowed to remain in it until they have acquired the desired shade of color, then they are rinsed with lukewarm soap water and passed through a weakly acidulated bath.

Ruby-red. Distribute 1 pound of cudbear in 1 gallons of water, place the feathers in the bath and heat it to a hand heat. When the feathers have acquired a ruby-red color they are washed in clean water, dried, and then curled.

Violet is produced by soaking the feathers in a solution of alum, dyeing in a simple decoction of logwood, rinsing, drying, and finishing.

To Dye Feathers with Aniline Colors. Feathers may be dyed without preliminary preparation in a lukewarm bath of aniline colors. For lighter shades of color they are placed, after having been freed from oil, in the sulphuring chamber and sulphured. The dyeing bath is prepared by adding the filtered solution of the aniline color to lukewarm water. The feathers, after having been prepared in the manner as mentioned in the commencement of this article, are worked in the bath until

they have assumed the desired color. The further treatment in rinsing and drying is the same as mentioned under black.

Rose-color. Use a weak solution of fuchsine, and a strong solution for magenta.

Reddish-blue. Use Bleu de Lyons, which will dissolve in water. Greenish-blue. Use Bleu de lumière, soluble in water.

Genuine Alkali-blue (Nicholson's blue) can also be used for dyeing feathers by dissolving 1 ounce of soda in the dyeing bath, and adding the solution of alkali-blue. The feathers are then placed in the bath and dyed a light blue; then they are brought into a bath of 1 ounce of sulphuric acid.

Green is produced by dyeing the feathers in a solution of aniline green; Orange in a solution of yellow coralline;

Puce in a solution of red coralline. By adding ammonia to a solution of yellow coralline it changes from orange to red, and the red solution is changed back into orange by an addition of acetic acid. Therefore, by adding aquaammonia to a solution of yellow coralline, every shade of color can be obtained and used for dyeing.

A bronze-lustre can be given to the tips of the down by using the following process: Blue or red patent-violet is dissolved in alcohol 90 per cent. strong by placing it in the water bath. The places which are to be bronzed are brushed over with this solution after the feathers have been dyed and oiled. The alcohol evaporates quickly and a beautiful bronze remains behind. Only the violet dissolvable in alcohol should be used for the purpose, as that soluble in water rubs off on the fingers.

FIRE-EXTINGUISHING AGENTS AND MEANS OF MAKING TISSUES, WOOD, ETC., INCOMBUSTIBLE.

Such substances as ammonium sulphate, borax, sodium phosphate and tungstate, and, last but not least, waterglass, which were recommended years ago by Gay-Lussac, Fuchs, and others, form essentially the staple of most of the means recommended at the present

time, although other substances have also been used with more or less success. In the following we give the results of analyses and experiments made in the laboratory of the "Chemiker Zeitung.'

Munich Fire-extinguishing Powder is composed of: Common salt 43 per cent., alum 19.5, Glauber's salt 5.1, soda 3.5, water-glass 6.6, water 22.3 per cent. A mixture composed of 44 pounds of alum, 10 pounds of common salt, 1 pound each of glauber's salt and soda, and 14 pounds of water-glass was given to the Cothen fire-brigade and tried in extinguishing a fire in a distillery. It did excellent service. The following mixture can also be recommended: Four parts of common salt, 3 of sodium bicarbonate, and 1 each of Glauber's salt, water-glass, and calcium chloride. This mixture cannot be used for impregnating tissues, as from the chloride of calcium are formed sulphates, carbonates, and silicates which are insoluble in water. Such a mixture might be used for painting the backs of scenes for theatres, etc. If the calcium chloride is omitted-as for instance in the following mixture: 10 pounds of common salt, 6 pounds of sodium bicarbonate, and 2 pounds each of waterglass and sodium sulphate-it would be possible to dissolve it completely in water, but its effect in making the tissues incombustible would not be sufficient to recommend it.

Experiments indicate that a mixture of water-glass and ammonium sulphate acts very well. While water-glass forms a protecting coat which excludes the air, the high value of ammonium sulphate lies in the fact that it becomes decomposed at a high heat, developing vapors, which, like the water-glass, prevent the access of air. But it is found impossible to combine the two agents in a permanent mixture, as the water-glass, which is always alkaline, expels ammonia from the dry ammonium sulphate.

Sal-ammoniac in the following mixtures gives partially satisfactory results:

Although the impregnated substances do not ignite in an ordinary flame, they cannot resist the more intense heat of a Bunsen burner.

If tissues are to be dyed and impregnated it can be done in one bath, provided aniline colors are used. Some aniline color is dissolved in the solution of an impregnating agent, and the tissue, previously mordanted, is drawn through it. The sizing can also be combined with the impregnating agent. The starch is boiled to a paste in the mixture, and the goods are drawn through it in the usual manner. Muslin curtains, filtering paper, and other loose tissues can be made fire-proof without much trouble, but it is more difficult to so impregnate heavier and closer goods, as linen and flannel, so that absolutely no flame is formed.

Vienna Fire-extinguishing Powder consists of a solution of 4 parts of green vitriol and 16 of ammonium sulphate in 100 of water. It is sold at the rate of about 6 cents per pound, while its actual value is about 14 cents. A brown precipitate of ferrous hydrate is formed when the fluid which is at first clear is exposed to the air, and for this reason the mixture is not adapted for impregnating fine colored tissues. For all other purposes it does excellent service.

Fluids for Making Tissues Incombustible. I. A solution of sodium tungstate of 28° Twaddle compounded with 3 per cent. of sodium phosphate.

II. Six parts of alum, 2 of borax, 1 of sodium tungstate, 1 of dextrine, dissolved in soap water.

III. Five parts of alum, 5 of ammonium phosphate, 100 of water.

IV. Three parts of borax, 2 of Epsom salt, 20 of water.

V. Eight parts of ammonium sulphate, 24 of ammonium carbonate, 3 of boracic acid, 2 of borax, 2 of starch, and 100 of water.

To Make Tissues Incombustible. The Societé d'Encouragement of Paris has recently awarded a prize of 2000 francs to J. A. Martin of Paris for the following preparations for making tissues fire-proof. The conditions under which the award was offered were as follows: The ingredients constituting the preparations must be cheap and easily ap

plied, must neither injure the tissues themselves nor their colors, must be neither of a poisonous nor caustic nature, must not change in a very moist nor very dry atmosphere, and finally the impregnated tissues and wood must remain incombustible after they have been exposed for one month to a temperature of 100° to 120° F. It was found that Martin's fluids made the tissues and the surface of wood incombustible, that they do not attack the tissues and their colors, and that they remained incombustible after having been exposed for several months in a drying chamber to a temperature of 97° F. The experiments were made by the society and at the same time in the different Paris theatres.

I. For all Light Tissues. Ammonium sulphate 8 parts, pure ammonium carbonate 24 parts, boracic acid 3 parts, starch 2 parts, water 100 parts; part of dextrine (or the same quantity of gelatine may be substituted for the 2 parts of starch).

The fluid is heated to 85° F. and the tissues immersed in it until they are thoroughly permeated. They are then slightly wrung and dried sufficiently for ironing. The quantity of the starch or dextrine or gelatine may be changed according as the tissues are to be more or less stiff.

II. For Painted Decorations and Wood. Sal-ammoniac 15 parts, boracic acid 5 parts, glue 50 parts, gelatine 14 parts, water 100 parts, and sufficient powdered tale to give the mass the necessary consistency. For use it is heated to 120° or 140° F. and applied with a brush. For decorations already painted it suffices to apply it to the back and wooden frames.

III. For Coarse Linen, Ropes, Straw, and Wood. Sal-ammoniac 15 parts, boracic acid 6 parts, borax 3 parts, water 100 parts. The fluid is heated to 220° F. and the articles are submerged in it for 15 to 20 minutes, wrung out slightly, and dried.

Cartridges for Extinguishing Fire. Make the shells of parchment paper or sheet lead, and fill them with 4 parts of a salt obtained by mixing 343 parts of sulphate of alumina and 142 parts of sodium sulphate with 432 of water; and 1 part of sodium sulphide, separated

from the 4 parts of the salt by a disk of parchment paper. The cartridge is broken and its entire contents are poured into the water to be used for extinguishing the fire.

To Make Paper Incombustible. The paper, as it comes from the machine and before it is brought upon the drying rollers, is drawn through a solution of 8 parts of ammonium sulphate, 3 of boracic acid, 2 of borax, and 100 of water. The fluid should be heated to 120° F.

To Make Theatre Scenes, Wood, etc., Incombustible. A mixture recently recommended for this purpose consists of the following ingredients: Boracic acid 5 parts, sal-ammoniac 15 parts, potashfeldspar 5 parts, gelatine 1.5 parts, paste 50 parts, water 100 parts. It is applied with a brush. Other mixtures of the same ingredients, with a slight change in their proportions, serve for impregnating sail-cloth, straw, ropes, and wood.

Bucher's Fire-extinguishing Powder, the value of which has been shown at several fires, consists of 30 parts of powdered sulphur, 60 of purified saltpetre, and a small quantity of coke and bole.

Hand-grenades. These consist of glass vessels of various shapes-usually spherical-containing various fire-extinguishing liquids. They are hermetically sealed to prevent the evaporation of their contents. They are designed, as their name indicates, to be thrown into the fire, and by the breaking of the glass to liberate the fire-extinguishing solution on the burning object. (W.)

FIREWORKS.

Bengal Lights. Besides the combustible and coloring components, the fireworks known under this name contain substances which, by yielding oxygen, aid combustion. The principal ingre dients used for this purpose are char coal, lampblack, sulphur, stearine, linseed oil, colophony, sugar, etc. For coloring the lights the following substances are made use of: Sulphide of antimony, arsenical sulphides, nitrate of barium, nitrate of strontium, sulphate of potassium, carbonate of sodium, cupric oxide, boracic acid, chlorate of

mixture the sulphide of cadmium burns with a brilliant white flame surrounded with a magnificent blue border: Mix 20 parts of saltpetre, 4 of sulphide of cadmium, 5 of sulphur, and 1 of pulverized charcoal. This mixture may be used for fire-balls.

Red Fire. I. Forty parts of nitrate of strontium, 15 of sulphur, 5 of chlorate of potassium, and 2 of charcoal.

II. Fifty parts of chlorate of potassium, 50 of nitrate of strontium, 5 of charcoal, and a sufficient quantity of linseed oil to knead the mass together. Red Fire according to Braunschweig

er.

Nine parts of nitrate of strontium, 3 of shellac, 1.5 of chlorate of potassium. The shellac need only be coarsely powdered. The above 3 mixtures for red fire possess the advantage of not emitting injurious vapors, and can therefore be used in rooms, etc.

Holtz's Red Fire, which was so much used in Berlin during the festivities in celebration of the victories in the French war, contains no chlorate of potassium, but is simply composed of 1 part of shellac and 4 of nitrate of strontium. The absence of chlorate of potassium makes it possible to store such mixtures without any danger, though the light produced is less intense and brilliant in color. The mixture is not very inflammable, burns better if slightly moistened, develops but little smoke, and, as it burns very slowly, is without doubt the cheapest material for red lights. A very small addition of chlorate of potassium improves the color of the flame very much. Receipts for other Red-fire Mixtures. I. Fifty-six parts of nitrate of strontium, 24 of sulphur, 20 of chlorate of potassium.

II. Twenty-three parts of carbonate of strontium, 16 of sulphur, 61 of chlorate of potassium.

III. Mix 40 parts of pulverized nitrate of strontium, 6 of pulverized chlorate of potassium, 13 of washed flowers of sulphur, and 2 of pulverized char

coal.

Instead of the rather expensive precipitated chalk, salts of strontia, carbonate of calcium, and the native sulphate of strontium (coelestine), may be used for preparing red fire according to the following receipts:

I. Mix carefully 3 parts of powdered coelestine, 2 of sulphur, and 5 of chiorate of potassium.

II. Three parts of precipitated chalk, 2 of sulphur, 6 to 8 of chlorate of potassium.

III. Twelve hundred and fifty parts of sulphate of strontium, 375 of purified sulphur, 166 of chlorate of potassium, and 133 of antimony.

IV. Seven hundred and fifty parts of carbonate of strontium, 500 of purified sulphur, 1750 of chlorate of potassium. V. Rub fine and mix 195 parts of nitrate of strontium, 45 of chlorate of potassium, 45 of washed flowers of sulphur, 7.5 of powdered charcoal, and 22.5 of stearine.

VI. Eleven parts of chlorate of potassium, 4 of nitrate of potassium, 5 of milk sugar, 1 of earth-moss seed, 1 of oxalate of strontium.

Purple Fire. Powder and mix 61 parts of chlorate of potassium, 16 of sulphur, 23 of chalk.

Rose-red Light. I. Rub fine and mix 61 parts of chlorate of potassium, 16 of sulphur, 23 of chloride of potassium.

II. Pulverize and mix 20 parts of sulphur, 32 of saltpetre, 27 of chlorate of potassium, 20 of chalk, 1 of charcoal.

Red-orange Fire. Pulverize and mix 52 parts of chlorate of potassium, 14 of sulphur, 34 of chalk.

Dark-violet Fire. Rub fine and mix 60 parts of chlorate of potassium, 16 of sulphur, 12 of carbonate of potassium, and 12 of alum.

Pale-violet Fire. Rub fine and mix 54 parts of chlorate of potassium, 14 of sulphur, 16 of carbonate of potassium, and 16 of alum.

Blue Fire. I. Eighteen parts of chlorate of potassium, 24 of saltpetre, 14 of sulphur, 6 of cupric oxide.

II. Four parts of mealed gunpowder, 3 of sulphur, 3 of powdered zinc, 2 of saltpetre.

III. The following mixture gives a loudly detonating compound: Two parts of saltpetre, 1 of sulphur, 2 of carbonate of potassium, 6 of common salt.

IV. Mix 27 parts of pulverized saltpetre, 28 of triturated chlorate of potassium, 15 of pulverized sulphur, 15 of pulverized sulphate of potassium, and 15 of powdered cupro-ammonium sulphate.