MELTING CONE, in essaying, an hollow cone of brass or cast iron, into which melted metalline substances are thrown, in order to free them from their scorize. When a small quantity of matter is melted, it will be sufficient to rub the inside of the cone with grease; but when the quantity is very large, especially if it contains any thing sulphureous, this caution of tallowing the moulds is not sufficient. In this case the essayer has recourse to a lute reduced to thin pap with water, which effectually prevents any injury to the cone.