Tanned Gelatine or Artificial Horn

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A manufactory has been established in Paris for the construction of a variety of ornamental articles with this substance. The gelatine is usually obtained from bones by treating them with a weak solution of muri atic acid, and is afterwards tanned by the common process, as in making leather. Upon becoming hard and dry, it assumes the .ap. pearance of horn or tortoise-shell, and is em ployed for the same purposes as those natural productions. It is softened by being boiled in water with potash, when it may be formed into any shape, and the figure preserved by drying the articles between moulds. In the soft state, it may also be inlaid with gold, silver, or other, metals, and it may be streaked with v:trious colored materials, so as to resemble the finest and most beautiful woods. It is probable that this substance will soon be brought very extensively into use, on ac count of its elegance and cheapness.

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