ABSTRACT
The ordinary balance agrees in principle with the common systems of scales and weights. The accompanying illustration shows an ordinary short beam balance of modern type. The balance about to be described differs in principle from all ordinary balances, and in the skilled hands of the inventors and others exhibits a degree of sensitiveness and delicacy in dealing with small masses which has hitherto been unheard of. It is obviously applicable only to exceptional cases. Temperature changes are eliminated as far as possible, as well as vibration, by mounting the balance on a stone pillar in a cellar, and placing the brass case of the balance inside a large box of bright tin plate. Another product of the electric furnace is the substance carborundum, a compound of carbon with the allied element silicon. This is produced by heating together fine sand (silica) with carbon and a little common salt.
