Dam ascus blade

pieces is heated to redne , and one end is theid cut it into lengths 5 or feet. One of firmly in a vice, while the other is twisted by a wrench or tongs, which shortens the rod to half its length and makes it cylindrical. If two of these twisted pieces are to be welded together, they are turned in diverse directions, to right and other, welded and flattened. If three rods be used, the other to the left; these are laid parallel to each the outside ones turn in a direction the opposite of the middle one, and this produces the handsomest figure. By these operations the alternations of iron and steel change places at each half-revolution of the square rod, composed of twenty-five lamine, the external layers winding round the interior ones; thus forming, when flattened into interne ular concentric ovals or circles. The finene of the Damascus depends upon the number and thickne of the alternations. Damascus-steel, s . A kind of steel brought from the Levant, greatly esteemed for the manufacture of cutting instruments. ( Weale .) [DAMASK STEEL.]