84 FEDBBAIj beporteh. �turned backward upon themselves, and the flanges tlius formed are hooked or locked into each other, and hammered down to make a close joint. As the lower edge of the sec- tion is always turned inward towards the building in making the flange, as shown in figure 2, it will be seen that it is impossible for the water to beat into or through tbis joint, for the reason that the face of the sheathing cornes below the joint, and thus protects it; and it will also be impossible for fire to find its way into the joint, because of its being so close. It would even be impossible for it to find its way through the same when made comparatively open or loose, on account of the circuitous passage which it would be obliged to make. The manner of forming the joints at the ends of the different rows or sections of sheathing is shown in figure 1, in which Arepresents the boarding, and B the metal. As there shown ■the npper end is slit at the center of the corrugations, and the two parts drawn in and lapped one over the other, as shown, thus forming a beveled surface and a good joint. �"It will readily be seen that this construction will form an excellent protection against fire and water ; and the expan- sion and contx-action of the metal, and the shrinkage and swelling of the wood, are provided against by the corruga- tions in the metal, which will allow it to take up or give out, by reason of its elasticity, enough to entirely compensate for these difficulties. It is obvions that instead of running the sections up vertioally they may be placed horizontally, that being especially convenient and desirable where the corruga- tions are made of the form shown in figure 5, which, when placed in a horizontal position, would present the appearance of clapboards. It is also apparent that the joints, which are here represented as simply lapped and nailed through, may be made as shown in figure 2 if desired. This construction, as before stated, forms a very efficient protection against fire and water, and compensates for expansion and contraction of metal, and for shrinkage and swelling of wood, and presents, withal, a very neat and pleasing appearance. If desired, the nail holes at the joints may be made elongated in order not ����
