nation, into an apparatus used for making sulphate of ammonia. The sulphuret of copper is kept well stirred, until (the smell of sulphurous acid ceasing) it is found to have changed into deutoxide of copper; it is then removed, and a fresh quantity of sulphuret of copper is placed in the muffle. The deutoxide of copper being now heated, with a suitable quantity of coal, is converted into protoxide of copper, which is again used, in the manner before described.

The apparatus employed, for making sulphate of ammonia, consists of a leaden chamber, filled with fir-wood chips, into which the air, containing the sulphurous acid gas, is admitted, after having been cooled, by passing through a pipe, surrounded with cold water. A quantity of caustic ammonia (produced by decomposing the hydrochlorate of ammonia, before mentioned, with caustic lime,) being now admitted at the upper part of the chamber, passes through the interstices of the chips, and, absorbing the sulphurous acid, is changed into sulphate of ammonia. The air now passes into a second chamber, filled with chips, over which a weak solution of sulphuric acid flows, and absorbing the ammonia, carried off by the air from the first chamber, converts it into sulphate of ammonia.

The solution of sulphate of ammonia, produced by these processes, is converted into sulphate of ammonia, by exposing it to atmospheric air. This is effected by employing a frame, filled with fir-wood chips, over which the solution is permitted to flow, (being received in a chest beneath, and then pumped up again,) until it is converted into sulphate of ammonia. It is now ready to be used for decomposing common salt, for the purpose mentioned in the first part of this invention.

The patentee claims, as his improvements in the manufacture of caustic soda, and carbonate of soda, the decomposition of sulphuret of sodium, by the protoxide of copper; and, in combination with this process, the production of sulphate of ammonia; and also, the conversion of a solution of sulphate of ammonia into the sulphate, in the manner herein described.―[Inrolled in the Inrolment Office, June,

TO ANDRÉ DRONOT DE CHARLIEU, of Coleman-streetbuildings, in the city of London, Gent., for improvements in obtaining matters to be consumed in obtaining light, and in the construction of burners for burning the the same,-being a communication.-[Sealed 27th April, 1841.]

THE first part of these improvements consists in preparing a liquid, to be consumed for the purpose of producing light.

The liquid consists of a mixture of volatile or essential oils and spirits, in proportions suitable to the purposes for which the liquid is required, the essential oils marking 75o. In making the liquid, the areometer of Gay Lussac is employed, to test the strength of the spirits.

The patentee illustrates this improvement, by describing the proportions of the materials used in making a liquid for three different purposes, viz., first, a liquid that produces a superior flame, with but little smoke; secondly, a liquid that produces a strong flame, with more smoke; and thirdly, an inferior liquid, that produces much more smoke than either of the former.

The first liquid is composed of twenty-three parts essential oil, and seventy-seven parts spirit, of the strength of 95o. The second liquid is composed of thirty-three parts essential oil, and sixty-seven parts spirit, of the strength of 970. The third liquid consists of equal parts of essential oils and spirits, the latter being of the strength of 99o. The oils and spirits, after being mixed together, are distilled, and the liquid is then ready for use.

The second part of the improvements consists in an alteration in the construction of ordinary gas-burners, so as to render them suitable for consuming the liquid above mentioned.

To the under side of the centre of the burner, or to the under side of each of its holes, an upright stem is fixed, and is thus kept heated by the flame, so that the liquid (which is conducted up to the burner by cotton yarn) is volatilized as it ascends, and the vapour, escaping through the holes in the burner, is consumed.

A hoop, covered with cotton, and attached to a stem or handle, is used for lighting the burner, in the following manner :-The hoop, after being immersed in some of the liquid, and ignited, is passed down over the burner, and held below the upper part of the same, until a vapour is produced in it; this vapour escapes though the holes in the burner, and becomes ignited. The hoop may now be removed, as the heat of the flame will produce the requisite quantity of vapour.

The patentee claims, firstly, the mode of preparing materials, for the purpose of producing light, by combining essential oils and spirits, and obtaining a liquid therefrom by distillation; and secondly, the mode of constructing burners, for consuming the liquid above described.—[Inrolled in the Inrolment Office, October, 1841.]

To MATTHEW UZIELLI, of King William-street, in the city of London, merchant, for an invention of improvements in impregnating and preserving wood and timber, for various useful purposes,—being a communication.— [Sealed 11th January, 1841.]

THIS invention consists, firstly, in an improved mode of impregnating wood, and timber in general, with certain chemical materials; and secondly, the novel use of certain materials for impregnating wood, for the purpose of effecting certain peculiar objects.

The first head of the invention consists in extracting the sap and other juices from green wood, and then introducing into the vasculatory tubes thereof, certain matters, either mineral, vegetable, or animal, in order to preserve the wood, and render it more flexible and elastic; also for increasing its hardness, and diminishing its combustibility. The same also prevents the wood from contracting and warping, when put into use, and facilitates its drying; and lastly, imparts to the wood varied and permanent colors, and fragrant odors. In order to produce this result, the log of wood or timber

is placed in a trough, in an upright position, and a flexible receptacle, as a bag of water-proof cloth, open at both ends, is adapted to the upper end thereof. In order to prevent any leakage, a groove is cut round the upper end of the log of wood, within three inches of the top, and the cloth bag affixed tightly thereto, by means of a strap or cord, which, by being passed round the groove, effectually closes it, and prevents any of the liquid from escaping.

Any of the hereinafter-mentioned chemical materials, which may be chosen by the operator, to produce any of the objects mentioned above, is poured into the bag, to the depth of a few inches above the top of the log, and at the same time that the liquor penetrates the wood at the upper end, the sap runs out in a proportionate degree at the lower end, and the operation will be completed, when the liquid, which escapes or runs out from the lower end of the log, is nearly identical, in quality, with that which is poured into the bag or reservoir above.

The displacement of the sap is effected without any further pressure than that given by the weight of the liquid, kept a few inches deep in the bag above; it is, therefore, necessary that the bag should be constantly supplied with liquor. By this process, about forty per cent. of the sap may be collected in a state of purity, the other portion running off amalgamated, in different degrees, with the material introduced.

Under the second head of this invention, the mineral, animal, or vegetable substances, required to effect the abovementioned objects, are the following:

Firstly. For preserving and hardening the wood, the rough pyrolignite of iron should be used in solution, marking from 3 to 6 degrees. If the wood only requires preserving, the chloride of sodium, of from 5 to 10 degrees, should be employed.

Secondly. For increasing the flexibility and elasticity of the wood, and preventing it from warping; and also, as a preservative against combustibility, chlorides of calcium or magnesium should be used in solution, marking from

5 to 12 degrees. The mother waters, of salt marshes, will also effect these results, the cost of which is very trifling.

Thirdly. The dessication or drying of the wood is hastened, by the employment of sulphate of soda in solution, marking from 3 to 6 degrees.

Fourthly. Different colors are obtained, by the employment of mineral or vegetable coloring matters, or by means of some animal substances.

Among minerals, blue is obtained, by the successive introduction of pyrolignite of iron, and prussiate of potash.— Yellow, by the acetate of lead, and the chromate of potash. -Green, by the successive formation, in the interior of the wood, of blue and yellow.-Other colors are obtained, by the employment of sulphate of copper, and the prussiate of potash; the sulphate of iron, and the chromate of potash; the deutochloride of mercury, and the iodide of potassium.

Some colors are also produced from vegetable substances, but they have not the solidity and permanency of the mineral colors. They are produced by the infusion or decoction of known coloring matters, such as log-wood, French berries, turmeric, and other dyeing substances.

Among animal matters, the ammoniacal solutions of carmine and some other substances, may be employed.

Fifthly. In order to impart a fragrant smell to different woods, alcoholic solutions of essential oils, and other odoriferous substances, may be employed.

The patentee claims, firstly, the improved method, above described, of impregnating wood or timber with chemical materials, for the purpose of preserving, improving, and beautifying its quality; and secondly, the application of the peculiar materials above mentioned, for the purposes above described.-[Inrolled in the Rolls Chapel Office, July, 1841.]

Specification drawn by Messrs. Newton and Son.