against the depredations of worms, the effects of air, moisture, &c. For this purpose, Mr. Evelyn directs common sulphur to be put into a glass retort, with such a portion of aqua-fortis, as will cover it, "to the depth of three fingers:" the whole must be distilled to dry-ness, and rectified two or three times. The remaining sulphur is then to be exposed to the open air on a marble, or in a shallow glass-vessel, where it will liquefy into a kind of oil, with which the timber must be anointed: this mixture, he asserts, will not only infallibly prevent the attacks of worms, but also preserve every kind of wood from decay or putrefaction, either in air or water.—Timber may also be defended from the influence of air, or moisture, by coating it two or three times with linseed oil; and some builders have advised the wood-work to be painted: the latter practice, however, ought to be adopted with great caution; because, though it may in some cases be proper, it should always be deferred, till the planks and similar articles have become perfectly dry.
Lastly, no green timber must be employed for any purpose; as it is apt to crack and splinter, when the work is completed; and will thus disfigure the most expensive buildings. Where such deformity occurs, it has been recommended to anoint the wood repeatedly with a solution of beef-suet: some carpenters, indeed, close the crevices with a composition of grease and fine saw-dust; but the former method, in the opinion of M. Chomel, deserves the preference; as he has seen riven or split timber so perfectly closed by such expedient, that the defect was scarcely perceptible: this operation, however, ought to be performed while the wood is green.—See also Board, and Dry-rot.
Timber used for buildings, especially for ships, bridges, canals, granaries, and stables, may be effectually preserved from decay, and particularly the rot, by repeatedly impregnating the wood with strong brine, or a solution of common salt. This simple process is attended with such decided advantage, that wood, thus prepared, will remain perfectly sound for ages. An instance of this fact lately occurred in the theatre at Copenhagen, where the lower part of the planks and joists formerly required to be replaced in a few years, till Mr. Volmeister, an architect of that city, discovered and employed the process above stated. Since that period (which includes the term exceeding 12 years) the wood, on removing one of the boards, was found in such a state of preservation, that he could not observe the least appearance of decay.
In October, 1795, a patent was granted to Mr. Chistopher Wilson, for a method of combining timber; which may be applied to the improvement of naval architecture, and likewise to all large erections of wood.—For a minute account of this invention, and of the principles on which the patentee proceeds, we are obliged to refer the curious reader to the 9th vol. of the "Repertory of Arts," &c. where the whole is illustrated by an engraving.
TIME, in general, denotes either the succession of natural phenomena, occurring in the universe; or, according to Mr. Locke, it is a mode of duration which is marked by certain periods or measures, but principally by the motion and revo-
