LUBRICATION, the application of a substance to a surface for the purpose of Tak ing it smooth. This substance, which is called a lubricant, may be either a liquid,.a semi-liquid, or a solid. Plumbago, or black-lead, is in most common use as. a solid lubricant, but powdered soap-stone, or talc, is used for many purposes, as, for instan.ce, by shoemakers upon the inside of the heels of boots and shoes to facilitate the pulliug on. When it is desired to have a rope or cord slip over a bearina., as a pin, or a pulley which refuses to turn, it is usual to smear it with lard. Grease is tl.c common lubricant, but for machinery, or the bearing of axles generally, other substances may be added which will materially reduce the friction. Mineral oils, particularly the thicker portions of petroleum, have valuable lubricating properties, and may be used either alone or added to lard, tallow', or animal oils, accordin,g to the size, weight, and velocity of the revolving shaft. Oils are used for high speed; pasty lubricants for large mil heavy bearings. There are a great variety of lubricants used for the axles of common road carriages, many of them patented. Perhaps the most favorite lubricant for light, fine road carriages, which are furnished with tight boxes, is castor oil. When the box is not very tight, a inixture of lard and rye flour may be used with advantage. It has the property of lasting, when mixed in the proportion of about 4 parts of grease to one of flour. Black-lead may be used in combination with lard and flour, or it may alone be mixed with lard or oil. Some vehicles are made with wooden axles, and for these com
mon pine tar is an economical, lasting, preservative, and efficient lubricant. Its appli. cation may be alternated with lard, or a mixture of lard and tallow, or lard, tallow, and flour; but it is well to have some tar always present. 'Wherever great delicacy of motion is required, as in watches and other time-pieces, the lubricant must be very.fluid. The lubrication may be performed by manual application, or mechanical devices may be etnployed. There are many kinds of lubricators. They are in the form of reservoirs, which discharge their contents, the lubricants, as fast as they are consumed by the revolving shaft or piece of moving machinery. A simple and often a very efficient lubricator is an inverted oil-can suspended over the bearing or place which requires lubrication. When a pasty lubricant is used, it may be applied on a sponge or brush, if the situation favor such application. The ingenuity of the operator is often advan tageously exercised as well as that of the inventor.
GEonon CHAntEs BINGHAM, Earl of, 1800; b. England. After passing through Westminster school, he entered the army, and took part as a volunteer with the Russian forces in the Turkish campaign of 1828. He was a conservative member of parliament for county Mayo, 1826-30, and was elected a representative peer for Ireland in 1840. He served through the Crimean war, and participated in the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann. He was made lieut.gen. in 1858, and gen. 1865.