516

THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE. Book TT.

through which it is to be passed in milling; the thickness varies from 2 to j inches. By
a mechanical action it is made to pass tln-ough rollers whose distance from eacii other is
gradually lessened until tlie sheet is reduced to the required thickness. For a long time
a great prejudice prevailed against milled sheet lead; but it is now generally considered
that, for the prevention of leakage, milled is far superior to cast lead, wherein pin holes,
which have naturally formed themselves in the casting, often induce the most serious con-
sequences. 'J'he sheets rolled out are about
.'50
feet long and C feet 6 inches in width. The
lead from the mines of Waltrr Beaumont, M.P., in Northumberland, when manufactured
for the market is known as
"
W.B. lead," and is considered the best in quality. Lead melts
at a temperature of about
612 to 6,';o Fahr. The tenacity of sheet lead is 3,300 lbs
;
and the modulus of elasticity 7'i0,000lbs.
1785. In distilled water which has been freed and kept from the contact of the air, lead
imdergoes no change
;
but if the lead be exjiosed to air and water, it is oxidizid and ron-
verted into a carbonate witli considerable rapidity. This carbonate has the appearance of
shining brilliant scales. The presence of saline matter in the water very much retards
the oxidation of the lead. So small a quantity as a 30,000ih part of the phosphate of soda
or iodide of potassium in distilled water, prevents lead from being much corroded, the
small deposit whicli is formed preventing the further corrosion of the metal.
1785a. The danger of using water from leaden pipes or cisterns was known even to
the Romans! The rarity of any fatal results shows that the risk has been mucli ovenated.
This is sufliciently explained l)y the protecting power of the insoluble salts of lead, formed
by the action of the ingredients of the water on the lead, hindering the subsequent sup))l esof
A\aterfroni coming in contact with the metal. Distilled waters and waters which are remark-
ably pure dissolve lead, and become impregnated with it. The more fm/jf/T-e the water such
as Thames water, the more it will form a protecting incrustation. A new cistern should be
allowed to form tliis coating, by the water standing in it for soine time without being re-
newed. To expedite the action a little phosphate of soda, or iodide of potassium, or a few
drops of sulphuric acid may be added. The lid or cover of cisterns should not be of lead,
as tlie vapour condensing in it possesses all the solvent power of distilled water. Water
which has flowed over leaden roofs, more particularly in towns, carries with it from the
surface some solul)le salt. The holes with which lead is often riddled are caused by the
larva of an insect, the Callidium bajulas, in the stomach of which lead is often found
(
Kirby and Spence, Entomulogy, i.
p. 235). A pipe conveying water impregnated with
sulphur salts, has after a time been coated with a sidpliate or sulj^hide, and this suljihide
being perfectly insoluble in pure water, and equally so in water not too excessively charged
with foreign matters to be potable, renders the leaden vehicle perfectly harmless. Dr.
Schwarz, a chemist of Breslau, has stated that by passing a hot solution of sulphide of
potassium through leaden pipes, the face is transinuted from the metallic state to that of
a sulphide in a few minutes, at a cost too insignilicant to mention. it is said that water
in the mines of galena, the sulphide of leatl, can he drnnk with impunity.
17S6. Wttterstedfs patent marine vietiil for rooling and other i)iirposes is the invention
of a native of Germany, introduced into England in 1S37 hy INIessrs. Young, Dowson,
and Co., and manufactured by Messrs. Johnson, botii of Limehouse. It is composed of
lead and antimony, and is adapted to all purposes to which lead is usually put. Its
advantages are its malleability, its great tenacity, elasticity and durability, and resist-
ance to acids, oxidation, and the action of tlie sun and atmosphere. It does not lose in
weight. It is manufactured in sheets :

I. 9 feet hy .3 feet, at 3 lbs. and 2 lbs. per square foot

;
II. 8 feet by 2 feet 9 inclies at
H
lbs. and 1 lb. per .square foot ; and III. 8 fiet l)y 2 feet 6
inches, at 8 ounces per sipiare foot. No. I. sizes are employed for flats, large roofs, covering
to stairs, and small sloping and curb roofs. No. 11. sizes for verandahs. No. III. for lining
damp walls; it should l)e fixed with wrought copper nails. The roof of the Royal
Polytechnic Institution was covered with this patent metal in 1838
;
it is still in a per-
fect condition. In price it is somewhat imder tliat of lead per cvvt., but a much le.ss weight
])er foot su])erllcial than of that material is used. 'Yha p(ttent melulUc canrwt, is a combination
of Wetterstedt's patent metal No. I I 1., with canvas of various s.d^stances and strength, as
calico, japanned cloth, wooll n, &e., varying according to the purposes to which it is to he
applied. By this comiiination, sufficient streni>tii is given to a metal weighing only eight
ounces per foot to enable it to be used as a perfectly waterproof and secure covering. When
used to damp walls, the calico is placed outside, forming a good suiface for papering,
painting, &c. The cement with which the coml)ination is effected is stated to be elastic
and imi)ervious to damp, and a thorough disinfectant.