New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-10

A SUBSTITUTE FOR TA-PERCHA.-Accord-
ing 10 The Polytechnic Rerep rival 20 ndiarubber and
guta percha has been found in elastic gum which
has been named Balaa. This s the milky sap OF the
buy-tree, hourshes the banks Of the OrinOco
and the Amazon In South America. The operation OF
winning the gum Ia similar ia every respect 20 that EN-
poyed with caoutchouc and guttapercha II resembles
guta-percha so closely IN Its general properties that
much Of It shipped from Guiana and SOLD yearly for
Observation-Disclosures 1t has many points Of superior
ity tits tasteless, gives an agreeable odOr on being
warmed. may be cut like gutta-percha is tough and
leathery Is remarkably flexible, aud far more elastic
than gutapercha. II becomes SOFT and may be Joined
piece TO piece, like percha about 1909 Fair, hut
requires 27oo Fair before melting thgher than gutta
percha) 1t Is completely soluble in beDzoe and carbon
dsuphide in the cold Turpentno dlssoves with the
application OF heat while 1t is only partially soluble In
anhydrous alcohol and ether II becomes strongly cleo
tred by friction, and Is better insuator oil heat aud
electricity than gutta-percha, which account IL
find considerable application for electrical aud tele
graphic Caustic akalies and concentrated hydro
chorc acid attack IT, but concentrated suphurle
and nitric acids attack 1t as they do guttapercha which
il closely resembles In all other properties.
COMPRESSED CoFFEE.-A patent has recently
been issued in Germany says the Dcuisehe Industre
Zcitung for process OF COMPRISING ground and burnt
coffee for the purpose Of making It more readily rans
portable and unaterabe for length of time For this
purpose the coffee Ia subjected to pressure OF from 40
TO 20 atmosphores in suitable cast-ron mOulds. The
market IN a form resembling chocolate, divided the
latter is by ribs facilitate breaking into pieces Of
suitable size for use Tho interior surface OF the mOuds
il highly polished by which arhce the outer crust Of
the compressed coffee Is made sufficiently smooth and
hard 10 prevent tendency Of the ethereal oil OF the
coffee to escape from the interior OF the cakes, The
volume Of the coffee thus prepared Is reduced 10 less
than Oned OF that OF the original IL Is asserted that
the operation not In the least affect It's good quail
ties and Il packed and transported In thu foil
or other packages. preserving It's aroma Indefinitely.
A NEW FISH FOR FRANCE.-One of the best
fishes OF the Celestial Empire appears TO have been
successfully aocmatized in France. II belongs 10 the
carp family is reared in ponds by OF aquatic
plants, and in a short time acquires cOnsid-
cradle dimensions. It's weight sometimes reaches
forty pounds the flesh Is firm aud savory
recalling at once the taste OF the European
turbOt and OF trout; further has few bones The first
attempts made introduce this species into France
we're in 1875 when NJ DE Thiersans sent from Canton
for the sOciee discrimination 5000 fry. Of which nine
only arrived at Marseilles They were confded 10 a
delegate OF the society," who constructed pond for their
reception During these four years the young fish have
grown large and appear to be outlshing The society
has given orders for number OF others 10 be sent
that Il Is hoped the importation will become COM
mon ornament OF ponds. and delicaoy OF the table,
A HINT TO WAREH0UsEMEN.-S0me London
warehousemen having returned goOdS 70 the hanufac