The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-10-29 00:00:00

SCIENTIFIC.

A Susamuns ros L6ATHER.—SI. Surebuoy, who
wits directed to apply his process for indurating stone to
the courts of the new Houses of Parliament, has just
perfected a plan for applying oue of the principal
ingredienta which lie employs for that purpose to a
variety of animal and vegetable substances. Paper pulp,
heated with a material to which he has given the name
of Zopiwat, and which is a peculiar description of gum
found in large quantities iii Arabia, becomes hard as
rock, tuipervieus to shot, arid capable of resisting the
action of fire. Timber Ranked in the preparation
becomes practically indestructible ; and even river Rind
may be converted into bricks hard and enduring as
stone. The paper so treated Las been made into rocket
tubes,and has been tested with seems, by the authorities
of the War Office. It Las been formed into panels for
decorative purposes, pipes for the conveyance of water,
and to purposes inure numerous and varied than any
which even the Chancellor of the Exchequer ventured
to predict last session when advocating the repeal of the
paper duties. The removal of the hindrance to experi-
ment caused by the Excise has therefore already
produced some good effect in stiinulating new inventions.
Not less extraordinary in the effect produced by this
Zopisaa upon textile fabrics. A piece of calico, or
canvas, or fustian, after having been soaked in • solution
of this material, becomes, not thoroughly waterproof,
but it may receive a surface similar in many respects to,
and capable of answering the purpose of, leather. This
material, which liu been called " Panonia leather," is
preparod as patent glossy leather, or as the more
ordinary descriptions, and susceptible of a high degree
of polish with the ordinary blacking. The prepared
leather does not crack, it Is soft and pliant as kid,
adapts itself to the form of the loot; it is waterproof,
and will wear at least twice as long as leather. Boobs
and shoes of all descriptions, from the laily'e slipper or
the lightest dancing pump, to the fall-dress Immt of the
Horse Guards, or the ponderous leggings iif the men
who flush the sewer., may be made front the material,
jrranieaving in addition to the •dvanteges already states!,
that of being exceedingly cheap in the first cost. A
company is in process of formation for carrying out the
patent On a sada more extensive than it can be effected
by private enterprise, and the earliest efforts will be
directed to supplying the police force and the infantry
with a number of the boots, with a view to their being
Levied, and thoroughly reported upon hy the military
' authorities and the superintendents of the police. lii.
' stated that a Paving of at least 25 per cent, in costa of
boots can be effected by the use of this textile leather.

"j Wore is a genuine British phrase, which
indicates acuteness in enquiry, and a desire fur some-
thing intrinsic in rahie, rather than merely showy.
There is one COIIIIOOI3 feature which will "not wash," or
rather will wash off, awl that is the coat of colour on
the Green Tea generally sold in England. Its beautiful
bluish appearance, is "facie!'" artistically applied by
the Chinese to hide defects, fur in this way they deceive
the consumers, and get rid of worthless stock, for until
the powdered mineral is washed off when drunk with
the infusion, it imparts a deeeptive value to all brown
autumn sorts. 11301111111•11 suit Co. knowing the public
prefer real quality to merely showy Tea, and being also
desirous to ware a lasting preference for their article
are importing Pare Teas, the Green is not bluish bet of
a natural olive appearance; neither is the black made
intensely dark. Ifornimaii's Tea has sterling richness
and wbulmumeness„ and is highly approved. -Bold onit
inTaalraft by authorised Aged' as wino/timid in on:
anima.