Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-20
CelRulOid.

Cellu!oid is composition of fine tissue paper
and camphor, treated with chemicals by
patent process. rather common impression
that it contains gun cotton is mistake, which
arises from confounding it with collodton Gel
uloid, it IS said, is entirely non-explostye, and
burns only when in direct contact with flame.
When crude it looks like transparent gum,
and its color is light yellow brown. 1t can be
made as hard as ivory, but is always elastic,
and can be readily moulded into every conceiv-
able form. With equal ease it can be colored in
any tint desired, the dye running through the
entire substance, and being, therefore, inefface
able. AS close imitation of ivory, celluloid
has made great inroads in the business Of the
ivory manufacturers. Its makers assert that In
durability 1t Is much superior to ivory, as 1t SuS
tains hard knocks without injury, and It is not
discoiOred by age Or use. Great quantities OF Ii
are used for piano and organ keys, to the manu-
facture OF which one company is devoted.
So extensive is its use for this purpose that
the ivory manufacturers have reduced their
price for keys below that OF celluloid, in the
hope Of checking the competition. st is only
a question OF who can hold out longest said q
celluloid manufacturer; ''but We can make our
own elephants, and the ivory men have got to
catch theirs Within the last year and half a
branch OF cellulofd manufacture has been de-
veloped, which promises to reach enormous pro-
portions. 1t is the use OF celluloid as substi-
tute for linen or paper shirt cuffs, collars etc.
1t has the appearance of well-starched linen, is
sufficiently light and flexible, does not wrinkle,
Is rot affected by perspiration, and can be worn
for months without injury. 1t becomes soiled
much less readily than linen, and when dirty is
quickly cleaned by the application OF a little
soap and water with sponge or rag.
The Coolest Town ON the Globe.
People who are not satisfied with New York
winter weather may go to town which Hum
bOldt and other travellers have pronounced the
coolest on the globe. This is Jakutsk (or va
kootsk;, chief town OF the province OF that
name in Eastern Siberia, on the left bank OF
the river Lena, So deg, min. north, longitude
119 deg. a min. east, and distant from ST.
Petersburg 5,951 miles The ground remains
continually frozen to the depth of 300 feet, eX-
cept In midsummer, when it thrawS feet at
the surface. During ten days in August the
thermometer marks IS degrees but from No
vember 10 February it ranges from 40 to IS de-
grees below zero. and the river is solid ice for
nine months out of the twelve. The entire In
Custry Of the place-pOIulatiOn about 5,0O0-is
comprised in candle-works, and yet it is the
principal market OF Eastern Siberia for traffic
with the hunting tribes of the Buriats. Tho
former, mostly nOmadic, having large herds OF
horses and cattle, bring to market butter.
which is sent on horseback to the port of Ok
hOtSk. The Bur1atS, also nomadic, bring
quantities Of skins of sableS foxes, martens
hares, squirrels and the like, and many Of them
are sold at the great fair in June, which, with
May, is the active period OF the year. In May
the collected goods are conveyed to the sea-
ports, whence they are sent in every direction.
The merchandise, chiefly furs and mammoth
tusks, sold at the fair amount in value to
100000 roubies $500, 0OO.)IN. 7. World.