CAPTAIN DE ROHAN'S IMPROVED SHIP OF WAR.

FIG. 3.

25.ET

150

at top; top deck of battery plated with 3in. iron, an referred to his model which was deposited sented in the diagram is unyielding, and has an and having grating ventilators or hatchways; the in the Museum of Patents, South Kensington, inclination of 1 in 25, that is, one foot rise plating of the battery, as of the ship, to be ac- 1861. In its application to a balloon the axles of in horizontal length, and that the weight or cording to design and displacement of hull. The the fans are to consist of tubes. In the centre of load W = 150, then it follows that a power of spars and sails shown in the engraving are, of the car must be fixed a third iron vertical tube course, for home service and short cruises; for passing through and beyond those axles and sea-going and long cruises the spars and sails forming their axis; the upper extremity of this would be fitted to spread a large area of canvas, tube will be turned to form a crown, to which which the ship's great beam would enable her must be gathered and secured the net of the to carry easily. In action the ship is steered balloon. Through this central fixed tube the from a pilot-house inside the battery by chains valve rope can be introduced into the interior of leading down to fighting tiller between decks; the car without encountering the rotary action of the roof of the battery has hatchways, which are the arm of the fans; and through this same tube, closed in action by grated or perforated hatches, divided into three longitudinal compartments, End-on firing with the bow and stern guns is will pass two other lines or ropes, one to open, effected through a port on each side of the bat- the other to close the neck of the balloon at will. 61b. acting in the direction of the arrow (or tery ends, shifting over to starboard or port as With the apparatus thus suspended by its top to the weight P acting over a pulley, would hold required on a transverse tramway, ports to the net of the balloon there exists no limitation W in equilibrium. But if we change this unyield. olose in loading by stoppers or bucklers. Fig. 4 to the radius of the fans. Suppose it to be 6ft. to ing incline for the yielding plane of the atmoof the engraving shows a body plan of an ar- 10ft., giving a diameter of 12ft. to 20ft., the sphere upon which this model rests, shall we moured ship-of-war. Extreme beam 60ft.; width central portion of this if traversed by the fans not then obtain motion, and that in the direction of battery, 60ft.; roof of battery, 40ft.; upper would add but little to their power, and CD-the resultant of the two forces W (or the peck, 32ft.; water-line draught, 25ft. or less; the action of the air would then more im- weight) in the direction G and P, or power in the lower end of armour 9ft. below water line. In pinge upon the car. This may therefore be left direction of the arrow? Without giving a value this plan the present Government system is re-entirely open, and thus give an uninterrupted to the resistance of the surface of the plane, the versed, that is, the armour is inside and the view of the balloon overhead. The fans may weight would fall 16'084ft. in one second; but woodwork outside. The inner armour of the strike off from the three-foot radius to the ex-if we take 1-10th of a second as the unit of our battery is necessarily thicker than that of the tremity of the arms, in which position their time,then the initial of descent would be 0.16084ft. ship proper, and on the outside of the battery is action would more assimilate to facing the air, or at the rate of 96 5ft. per minute. If, how also a thin armouring against small projectiles, and their power be effective, giving for the ever, we allow for the resistance of the plane, &c. The ship shows a side or freeboard of 7ft. smallest radius named at one revolution per taking the statement from Mr. Wenham's paper clear from the water line to upper deck, which. second a speed at the circumference a fraction read at the last meeting, that 150lb. suspended with the inset of the battery sides, gives equal to over 24 miles per hour. The ascensional and from a plane of the same number of feet area 12ft. of clear side in an ordinary craft. The bul- descensional power to be obtained will depend will fall 1300 ft. in a minute, we shall obtain warks B B hinge down inboard in action. The upon the area of the fans, their pitch, and their an initial of descent of 0.00361 for the first 1-10th hull is of course caulked and coppered, as usual speed, and will be exceedingly varied, depending of a second, or at the rate of 2.66ft. per in wooden ships. on their radius. minute. Therefore, if we provide a force capable Mr. H. C. Harry, C.E., of Hereford, next read of lifting a weight that height in the same time, a paper upon the construction of an aerial ma- which on the same incline would be under 9lbs. chine on the principle of an inclined plane, imwe shall exercise a counteracting equivalent to pelled in the direction of its surface. This was the tendency to fall, so that the body must remain illustrated by a very beautiful model and exat the same altitude, but will have progressed plained by diagrams. He considered that an in-horizontally at the rate of 66'5 feet per minute. clined plane driven in the direction of its surface The force required he had exaggerated, as taking with a load suspended from it is the most feasible even the 1-10th of a second as the unit of time mode of accomplishing aerial navigation. The admits of accumulation of force, whereas it must supporting plane he made undulating transversely be borne in mind that we are treating of a body for the purpose of resting more steadily upon the that is ever about to fall, but being prevented, air; this plane is to be propelled in the straight can never acquire an augmentation of its normal line of its surface by arm-sails (as of a windmill), force of gravity. screw-propellers, or it may be that some other propelling apparatus will be found more appli. cable. The power proposed is electro-magnetism. The load is suspended from the supporting plane in a car as from a balloon, and to this arrangement he attaches the very greatest importance. for three reasons: first, it affords a most simple mode of perfect steerage without having any working parts susceptible of injury by sudden or violent gusts of wind. This is effected by an arrangement in the car for shortening and lengthening the suspending cords at pleasure; secondly, by the centre of gravity of the load being consider ably below the plane, the danger of its being blown over is removed; and thirdly, in starting, the propelling screw and the supporting plane are allowed to get into full action before being called upon to support the load, so removing the difficulty arising from the slip of the screw be. coming so preponderant as to carry round a disc of air through being held back at starting.

The following advantages are claimed for the designs shown in figs. 1, 2, 3 :-First, the form of the battery harmonises, if it does not correspond exactly, with the ship's lines, and therefore its weight is distributed as evenly as can be over the strongest part of the ship's frame and bearings; its oviform or elliptical shape enables it to offer a better deflective target at all points than if square, and though geometrically speaking not necessarily so strong as a spherical battery would be, yet it has the advantage over the latter of having its weight better distributed, and, therefore, not only throwing less strain on a smaller area of the ship's frame, but tending as well to a more easy and considerably less motion in a seaway, two qualities that conduce so powerfully towards obtaining that grand desideratum, a steady platform. Second, clear decks, and no tophamper to foul the screw in action. Third, length, with great beam, a flat floor, and general form that will make her sit easy. Fourth, battery distinct from the forward and quarter decks, making, as it were, a castle, as well as in heavy weather affording a refuge. Fifth, the diagonal bulkheads from deck to keelson make, as it were, a ship inside a ship; and in engaging shore batteries in smooth water her show of side could be decreased by letting water into the hold compartments. It is be lieved that a vessel constructed on this plan, to include other peculiar details not here given, would prove one of the strongest, most effective, and seaworthy crafts yet designed. The original sketches were made in 1861, and, though submitted to the Admiralty subsequently, and to a few friends, are now for the first time made public. Possibly it will turn out, as it almost always very amusingly does, that the whole design, line for line, has been " "pre-invented" thirty years ago.

AERONAUTICAL

TH

SOCIETY OF GREAT
BRITAIN.

HIS society, which now numbers some of the most eminent scientific men of the day amongst its members, held its second general mecting for the reading and discussion of papers upon aerial navigation and the flight of birds, at the Society of Arts, on April 17th. The Duke of Argyll was unable through illness to preside. Mr. Henry Wright, one of the council, took the chair.

Mr. Henry Bright read a paper upon the application of a double action of a screw which would have the effect of raising or depressing a balloon, wanting a certain amount of auxiliary power, and thus save the waste of gas and the necessity of taking up ballast. He claimed as his invention the heliocoplére which has been exhibited in France, as capable not only of raisu ing its own, but an additional weight into the air,

As to the queston of power and referring to
Mr. Glaisher's remarks at the first meeting of
the society, that "no correct demonstration had
ever been given of the combined principles upou
which flight is performed, nor of the absolute
force required to maintain flight," Mr. Hurry
said that when we consider the deductions of
elaborate calculations, we must believe that
little has been done towards arriving at the
truth. The results brought out by these calcula-
tions have been so irreconcilable with the facts
we see in nature, that he had been led to
think there was something radically wrong in
the basis or theory upon which we have gone,
and he believed that he had arrived at the source
of error. In ordinary mechanics, all calculations
are based upon, or rather start from, either
statical equilibrium or the fulcrum (otherwise
the centre motion) of dynamics; but in aerostatics
I think it may be demonstrated that the converse
of these conditions pertains, or, in other words,
that horizontal progress is not the direct result
of a power acting from a centre of motion or
fulcrum, but depends wholly upon the yielding
or receding of the fulcrum, and if this proves to
be so, much difficulty will be removed in the
consideration of the power required for sustaining
and moving a body through the air.

Now let it be assumed that the incline repre

must

The affect upon an incline of another angle such an incline, 14lbs. would keep the weight now be seen, say 1 in 100; now upon 150lbs. in equilibrium leaving the excess of 7! for the increased friction of machinery driven at the greater velocity, inertia &c.; but in this case, the horizontal progress would be 266 feet per minute, and the same may be shown for any must be very slight indeed; for 60 miles per other incline, and that the incline for high speeds hour, it would be about 1 in 3,000. It will no doubt be observed that nothing is allowed for the resistance and friction of the air upon the plane-true, there is not; and this is correct; for the friction and resistance are the very ele ments of support; they determine the angle of the plane for any speed which would be found to be somewhat less than theory would dictate, but they do not otherwise affect horizontal pro. gress. It is to this proposition members were asked to give their careful consideration, for it involves in Mr. Harry's estimation immense horrid bugbear, resistance multiplied by the results. Does it not, he said, if true, dwarf that square of velocity, and hold out a prospect of success, where so much has been written to engender despair.

With respect to the mode of applying the power, he thought it would most probably be found that a modification of the windmill arm sail will be the best; of course that is upon the same principle as the screw propeller, but by hand, the sails further from the axis, a less rapid rotary motion will be necessary to obtain sufficient load for high speed; and when used as I propose, viz., for driving the plane along and not for directly supporting the load, he did not think the objection of slip would materially pertain. His reason for proposing the use of electro-magnetism as the motor, is that he believes no other means will afford so good a combination of power, rapidity of action, and lightness; and for him it had another attraction, that is the facilities for having the batteries in the car, they being the heaviest parts of the driving machinery, and requiring most attention whilst the work is done by the magnets upon the

plane.

(To be concluded in our next.)

STORM WARNINGS.

engineers of this and other countries. Mr.
Scott was the friend of Watt and of John Rennie,
as well as of other celebrated men of the last
generation. His death took place at Bow, on
the 11th inst., and when he had attained the
mature age of 75 years.

Legal Intelligence.

COURT OF CHANCERY.
April 24.

(Before VICE-CHANCELLOR STUART.)

EDMUNDS V. WILLIAM BROUGHAM.

with one Whittaker, assigned certain patents to the Yorkshire Fibre Company, who disputed the plaintiffs' right, and negotiations ensued, and the agreement in question was come to, containing covenants as to various matters and foreign patents, and that the plaintiffs should manufacture the machines at reasonable prices, to collect royalties, &c. The machinery was constructed and money laid out, but there was some discus. sion about the effective character of the machinery, and ultimately this bill was filed.

His Honour granted an interim order, to extend over Thursday next, to restrain the granting licences on the usual undertaking as to damages.

ROLLS' COURT.
April 18.

Before the MASTER OF THE ROLLS.
The petition to wind up the London Engineer-

ing and Iron Shipbuilding Company (Limited)
came on to-day and was dismissed. The peti-
tioners were ordered not only to pay the costs
of the company but also those of the shareholders
opposing the petition.

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.

WESTMINSTER.

April 18. (Sittings in Banco, before the LORD CHIEF JUSTICE, MR. JUSTICE BLACKBURN, MR. JUSTICE SHEE, and MR. JUSTICE LUSH.)

SMITH V. PLATT AND OTHERS.

THE memorials and communications to the Board of Trade respecting the discontinuance of storm signals have been presented to Parliament on the motion of Colonel Sykes. They commence with a memorial from the Scottish Meteorological Society, dated 18th July, 1866, approving the recommendations in the report of the committee appointed by Government to consider what arrangements ought to be made for carrying on the Meteorological Department, presided over by the late Admiral Fitzroy, with the single exception that they think that in signalling the approach of storms information should not be withheld of the direction whence they are expected to come. Amongst other memorials in favour of the renewal of the storm When this case was called on to-day, signals until, by further observation and scientific Mr. J. Napier Higgins, who was counsel for inquiry, a more perfect system may be adopted, the plaintiff, (late Clerk of the Patents), said he are those from the Dundee Harbour Trustees, was happy to be in a position to inform the the Manchester and Edinburgh Chambers of court that the parties had come to an arrange. Commerce, the Glasgow and Dundee Local ment which would prevent the necessity of Marine Boards, the Liverpool Underwriters' opening the case to the court. Part of the arAssociation, the Provost and magistrates and rangement was that the plaintiff should consent shipowners of Leith, and the last, dated March to a dismissal of the bill without costs. He 8, 1867, was from the underwriters and ship need not state the particulars of the arrange. owners of Glasgow and Greenock, who state :ment; but both parties were desirous that it "As all our great storms have their origin in the should be understood that no imputations were west, south-west, and north-west, your memo- made on either side. In the pleadings on both rialists respectfully submit that a less cumber-sides, great care was taken to abstain from some yet more comprehensive knowledge of gale making any imputations; the question raised in pressure would be obtained by confining the the suit was one eminently for a decision of the stations to those on the different coasts, with the court so far as it was a question of law, so far as This was an action against the well-known firm head station at Greenwich, to which telegrams concerned any contradiction about a question of of manufacturers at Oldham for a breach of warmight be sent at least every six hours; these fact, it was important to the character of both ranty on the sale of some "cattle gear" for coast stations, it is suggested, should be Valentia, these gentlemen to remember that that con- working "cotton gins" in India. The gins, it St. Kilda, Aberdeen, Yarmouth, and Penzance, tradiction arose with respect to circumstances appears, are worked by bullocks, by means of from whence ample warning could be conveyed which occurred more than thirty years ago." gear" somewhat similar to that by which horses to the various ports, of approaching storms. In The contradiction arose from a different recollec- work mills in this country. Each of the machines, the event of a further grant of money being tion of these circumstances. The arrangement it was said, was of six-horse power, and was to made by Parliament towards the meteorological was creditable to both parties. work eight "gins," and would be worked by a service, your memorialists respectfully submit "yoke" of two bullocks. The question was that a portion of said grant be employed in esta whether there had been a warranty or a mere blishing a station at St. Kilda, from which point description. The machines had been seen by an many of our winter storms could be anticipated, agent of the plaintiff, and the alleged warranty as there (as in October 1860) the barometer has as to their power and capacity was given after been known to fall 1in. in less than twenty they were sent. At the trial before the Lord hours, and that many hours before the gale was Chief Justice, at the last sittings, it was agreed felt; also that great benefit would be experienced that the case turned chiefly on the correspondwere a storm-signal post erected on the Holy ence, and was reserved for the Court. Isle, off Arran, connected by telegraph with the Mr. Grove, for the defendants, now moved for Cantyre coast, so that vessels sailing from the a rule to have the case determined. Clyde might take advantage of the shelter offered by Lamlash Bay, until such time as the gale had subsided, or the direction of the wind proved favourable. Your memorialists would respectfully submit that the line of telegraph now established across the Atlantic might be advantageously employed in making known some of our heavy westerly gales, as it is quite possible to do, two or three days before they approach our shores." The whole of the communications have been transferred from the Board of Trade to the Scientific Committee, which has been specially entrusted with the management of the Meteorological Department, and which, we hope, will not fail to recognise the course they should pursue, and follow it.

Obituary.

We have this week to note the decease of a gentleman who for the space of nearly halfa century has been intimately connected with mechanical and civil engineering works in this country-Mr. Gideon Scott. For eighteen years Mr. Scott was managing foreman for the Messrs. Rennie; and during that time he superintended the construction and erection of the flour, oatmeal, and chocolate mills in the Royal Victualling Yards at Plymouth, Gosport, and Deptford. The celebrated biscuit machinery at Gosport and at Plymouth was mainly invented by Mr. Scott, and wholly erected under his manage. ment. As a civil engineer he also distinguished himself in later years, and he successfully constructed several building docks for the Govern. ment at Chatham, Sheerness, and at Woolwich. The Admiralty Pier at Dover was carried out to the distance of 600ft. under Mr. Scott's management, and he also lent valuable aid in the erection of many railway bridges across rivers and streams. His knowledge and experience in regard to hydraulic engineering were profound and extensive, and he was frequently consulted thereon by the most eminent architects and

The

Mr. Osborne Morgan, who was counsel for the
defendant, thought his Honour would be of
opinion that the details of the arrangement were
exceeeingly creditable to both parties. As the
case had caused a great deal of conversation,
Mr. Brougham was exceedingly anxious that it
should be distinctly understood that he had
derived no personal advantage from the pay-
ments mentioned in the plaintiff's bill.
court would recollect that the suit was instituted
for an account of payments extending over thirty
years, and amounting yearly to £300, by the
plaintiff to the defendant. Mr. Brougham be-
lieved that he had applied all these payments to
the purpose for which they were received-
namely, payment over to his late brother, Mr.
James Brougham.

The Vice-Chancellor: Has the plaintiff re-
leased Mr. Brougham in equity?

Mr. O. Morgan: Entirely. The arrangement is perfectly satisfactory, and very honourable to both parties.

Flushed

The long pending action against Mr. Edmunds,
late Clerk of the Patents, for £9,000 odd, (being
a balance of fees omitted to be paid into the Ex-
chequer), is to be mentioned in Vice-Chancellor
Wood's Court to-morrow (Saturday).
by his success in the case against Mr. William
Brougham, Mr. Edmunds will no doubt die hard,
and the lovers of "astonishing revelations" will
probably be gratified by another series of "Pa-
tent-Office scandals," of which we hoped we had
heard the last. We understand that Mr. Digby
Seymour, Q.C., is retained for the defence.

VICE-CHANCELLOR'S COURT.
April 18.

Before VICE-CHANCELLOR SIR R. MALINS.

GREENWOOD V. TONGUE.

Mr. Baily and Mr. Higgins moved in this case to restrain the assignment of certain letters patent for combing China grass, a new fabric, the subject of an agreement, and from receiving royalties, granting licences, &c.

Mr. Glasse and Mr. Bagshawe, for the defendant, said that they had no notice of affidavits filed, but would give no undertaking. Moreover, the agreement in question had been repudiated. After some discussion,

Mr. Baily moved for the injunction, it being treated as an ex parte application. The plaintiffs were machine makers, and the defendant a patentee, and an agreement had been entered into between the parties, whereby half the patents were to be for their mutual benefit, and as to the other half the plaintiffs were to be trustees for the defendant. In May, 1862, the defendant,

Mr. E. James moved on the part of the plaintiff.

The Court granted rules on both sides.

Meetings for the Week.

MON.-Royal United Service Institution.-"Lessons for
Lissa," by Commander P. H. Colomb, S.30.
TUESDAY.-Royal Institution.-"Plato," by Professor

Blackie, 3.

Institution of Civil Engineers.-Papers to be
read-Discussson upon Colonel Sir W.
Denison's paper on
"The Suez Canal," and if
time permits, "On Optical Apparatus used in
Lighthouses," by Mr. J. T. Chance, 8.
WED.-Royal Institution.-Annual Meeting, 2.
Geological Society, 8.

Royal United Service Institution.-The "Turret
v. the Broadside System," by Captain Cowper
P. Coles. 8.30.
THURS.-Chemical Society, 8.

Royal Institution.-"Ethnology," by Professor
Huxley, 3.
FRI.-Royal Institution.-"Music of Speech in Greek and
Latin," 8.

SAT. --Royal Institution.-" Ethnology," by Professor
Huxley, 3,

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

The MECHANIOS' MAGAZINE is sent post-free to subscribers of £1 1s. 8d. yearly, or 10s. 10d. half-yearly, payable in advance.

Advertisements are inserted in the MECHANICS' MAGA

ZINE at the rate of 6d. per line, or 5d. per line for 13 insertions, or 4d. a line for 26 insertions. Each line consists of about 10 words. Woodcuts are charged at the same rate as type. Special arrangements made for large adver

tisements.

All communications should be addressed to the EDITOR, 166, Fleet-street.

To insure insertion in the following number, advertise

ments should reach the office not later than 5 o'clock on

Thursday evening.

We must absolutely decline attending to communicaof the tions unaccompanied by the name and address writer, not necessarily for insertion, but as a proof of good faith.-ED, M. M.

Nabal, Military, and Gunnery Items.
William Humphrey, 78 years of age, living at
Brentwood, Essex, has within the last few days had
a pension of 9d. a day settled upon him for services
performed in the Penisular War. He was
years man, and left the army in January, 1817.
Better late than never, says the adage-Better
never late, say we.

a seven

The Government has intimated to the authorities

at the Cape that of the four infantry regiments now

stationed within the colony, one is to be withdrawn
forthwith, one next year, and the remaining two
shortly afterwards, unless the rate of £10 per man
(as in New Zealand) be paid towards their main
tenence. On this footing the cost of a regiment
will be between £25,000 and £30,000 per annum.
There is, however, a profit to the colony through
Government has caused great alarm, especially as
the military expenditure. The intention of the
finances of £100,000.
there was a deficiency last year in the public

The Journal du Havre says that the manufacture of the Chassepot rifles is pursued with great activity. The sub-officers are now all provided, and are teach-new breech-loading rifle adopted in France, says A correspondent of the Figaro, speaking of the ing the use of them to the soldiers. The sub-officers that it appears to unite all the best qualities of an in garrison in the large towns do not at present any offensive weapon-long range, facility of managelonger obtain the fortnight's leave of absence which ment, great precision, and remarkably great pene. was granted to them without difficulty in less trating power. It can fire 60 rounds without becoming over-heated; it discharges 12 balls a minute, and is lighter than the ordinary infantry musket. The troops have already re-baptised the Chassepot rifle, and never call it anything but the "percepeau"-skin-piercer.

critical times.

The incumbent of Tredington, Gloucestershire, announces the death of William Sandilands (borne on the books of her Majesty's ship "Victory" as W. Saunders), the last survivor of those who carried the dying Nelson to the cockpit of that ship at then battle of Trafalgar.

It is stated that orders for 40,000 breech-loading muskets have recently been received by the manufacturers in this country from the French Government. Large numbers have been delivered, and the remainder are being completed with the utmost expedition.

The operations, under Mr. Gabrielli's contract, at the dockyard extension works at St. Mary's Island, are making good progress. The numerous temporary buildings required for clerks and workmen are now nearly completed. Fresh tramways driving a Woodford's pump, to keep down the water are being laid down. A steam engine is at work The unarmoured screw corvette "Blanche," while the culvert which will drain the head of the This culvert will 350-horse power, preparing for launching at Chat- graving docks is being made. ham Dockyard, is or lered to have additional ports from the docks after the entry of ships, the water eventually be used for partially emptying the water constructed for the increase of her armament by which will not run off by it, as the tide in the Medtwo 64-pounder muzzle-loading guns. This alteration in her armament will also necessitate an in-way falls, being raised by steam power and dis crease in the size of her magazine for receiving charged into the basin. additional shot, shell, and powder.

A curious table has been published of the smallarms used by the United States during the late war. Between January 1, 1861, and December 31, 1866, the Ordnance Department procured for the army 3,467,655 muskets and pistols of various kinds. Of these 1,472,614 were Springfield rifles, 428,292 Enfield rifles, and 372,371 revolving pistols. These small-arms cost nearly 60,000,000 dollars.

The urgent demand for a supply of the new Palliser shot to furnish the home and foreign stations, has necessitated the working of the shell foundry at Woolwich night and day for some time past, and a weekly supply of about 4,500 has been successively kept up. The manufacture is now somewhat reduced in order to admit of the chills and other portions of the plant being put under a course of new steel lining adapted to the lubrication of the moulds, and to undergo some other repairs.

France laid down three ironclad ships in 1858 and three more in 1859. Of these one was completed in 1860, one in 1861, and two were completed in 1862. England laid down four in 1859, one was completed in 1861 and the other three were completed in 1862. The superiority of France in ironclads over England in 1861 is represented by one ship. In 1862 the two countries had the same number completed. In 1861 the numbers of large ships ordered in the two oountries were, in France 10, in England 11, making a total of ships completed and ordered by France 16, by England 15.

M. Corridi a naval engineer, has recently invented an ingenious contrivance for assertaining a ship's course during a voyage. On the dial of the compass, instead of the star which indicates the north a circular opening is made, furnished with a small lens. The light shining upon the compass penetrates through the lens, and traces a black mark or line on a sheet of sensitive paper underneath, which is made to move at a certain speed by means of clockwork. The sensitised paper turns with the ship, and, as the needle remains perfectly steady, every deviation or alteration of the course is photographed on the paper.

Miscellanea.

The Peninsular and Oriental Company has an-
nounced its intention of issuing return tickets to or
from Europe at a reduction of 20 per cent. on the
return voyage, if availed of within six months.

House of Commons corridor viz. the departure of
The two frescoes to complete the series for the
the Seven Bishops' from the Court after their
the Crown to William and Mary (by E. M. Ward,
acquittal, and the Lords and Commons presenting
Esq., R.A.), though progressing, are not yet com
pleted. When they are the whole of the sixteen
frescoes for the Peers and Commons corridors will
be complete.

Atrato at Southampton on Friday night we learn
By the arrival of the Royal Mail steamship
that the sixth and last pontoon of the great iron
floating dock at St. Thomas was successfully
launched on the morning of the 25th ult., and
subsequently attached to the main structure,
which is now 300ft. in length and 100ft. in
breadth.

A short time ago, a steam gun-carriage for naval vessels, invented at St. Louis, and built at the Brooklyn navy yard, was tested on the Hudson The Times of India of March 28 says:-until river in the presence of Admiral Farragut and within the last two or three days telegraphic comother naval officers. When tested, says the Times, munication with Great Britain has been wholly inthe carriage bore a 15-inch gun, and it is in appear-terrupted, owing to inundations in the country ance similar to the carriages now in use in the round Bagdad. The late public telegram to hand navy. Underneath are the gun-slides, and between is dated the 23rd, the intermediate dates from the them and attached is a steam cylinder, by a simple 14th being still on the way. fastening of crosshead and piston-rod to the carriage. The latter, with the gun, can, by the application of steam to the piston, be moved in any direction with case and rapidity. The gun is run out by steam, fired, and recoils on the same pressure. The gun is also loaded by steam power. At this trial the carriage was placed on a scow and the gun was loaded with solid shot, and fired by charges of from 35lb. to 50lb. of powder. The trial is reported as having been satisfactory, and the inventor claims that, whilst forty men are required to work the gun in the ordinary way, his invention requires but four men, and the gun can be fired in half the time. In addition to the wooden ships 66 Colossus," Imperieuse, Euryalus," Termagant," " and "Arrogant," mentioned in our last as having been sold to Messrs. Castle and Beech to be broken np, we learn that the Admiralty have sold to that firm the Colossus," 33 66 Collingwood," Orion," and Cressy, srew steam ships of the line and the "Chesapeake," and Leander frigates, possessing altogether with those first named a tonnage of price obtained was £68,000. Many of these 24,305, anda power of 4030 horses. The ships were of comparatively recent date; but the cost of keeping them in ordinary coupled with the certainly that wooden vessels will henceforth be useless in naval warfare, rendered it expedient to get rid of them for little more than the original cost of one of their number.

66

99.66

The Russian American Telegraph Company spent 3,000,000 dollars before they gave up the project. Their lines extend to the Simpson river, 850 miles north of new Westminster, the capital of British Columbia, and there was no physical obstacle to their reaching Bebring sea and the embouchure of the Amoor. By their surveys the Company have ascertained that the Steeken river is navigable for 150 miles; the rivers Knitchpak and Yokon 1,000 miles; and the river Anader 250 miles from their mouths.

A lady of Upper Clapton, lately deceased, wishing togive the cost of a lifeboat, had for many years past been saving money for that benevolent object. At her death her relatives found that her savings actually amounted to £450, which they a few days since presented to the National Lifeboat Institution, with a request that a lifeboat may be named the George and Anne, and be stationed on the Isle of Wight, which request has been readily complied with.

The patent puddling furnaces of Mr. Wilson some time since, are now being very successfully worked at the establishment of the Bolton Iron and Steel Works. The saving in fuel and hematite has been very large, and the returns of the managers of some fine heats got out by an old furnace and one of the patent ones gives the following results:Old furnace-coal, 2,087 pounds; hematite, 558 hematite, 390 pounds. The iron turned out was pounds. Patent furnace-coal, 1,488 pounds; of first-rate quality, and the working of the furnace has been witnessed by a large number of gentlemen the greatest satisfaction. interested in the iron trade, to whom it afforded

which were introduced at the Milton Ironworks

At the meetings of the Institution of Naval Leadenhall Street exhibited several mechanical Architects last week M. A. Soul and Co., of appliances for use in steam ships. The patent low-Gathercole Salinometer was exhibited with its improvements from the original. The old arrangement, by which the person in charge might possibly be scalded in consequence of more water being admitted than could be got rid of by the waste pipe, has been discarded in the new instrument, the outlet and inlet of water being so proportioned that such an accident cannot possibly occur. A patent Engine Room Telegraph, with registered compensating dial was also exhibited, and in it many defects of former instruments are corrected or removed. The signals are engraved on a station. ary back plate. and a slotted front plate is so at. tached as to revolve around the shaft of the telesignal or compound signal from being exhibited at graph instrument. This prevents more than one the same time, and the signal is given with great accuracy notwithstanding the possible lagging be hind of the revolving plates. Amongst the other contributions by the same firm was a patent steam engine room counter and clock, designed for the purpose of registering the number of revolutions made by an engine, the duty performed by pump. ing engines, or the distance travelled by a locomo tive. To these articles was awarded the first bronze medal of the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic.

For some days the fishermen on the south side of the Frith of Forth have been in a state of expectancy from the rare appearance in their waters of a shoal variously estimated at from 150 to 200, of bottle-nosed whales. At length, on Friday, they came so far into Musselburgh-bay that the Midlothian Coast Artillery Volunteers, who were prac tising at Portobello with their big guns fired once or twice at the shoal, without, however, any of the shots taking effect, Next day they were attacked by fishermen and boatmen and after an exciting and protracted battle viewed by many hundred spec. and seven at Granton. One of the whales measured tators, 16 whales were brought ashore at Newhaven 25 feet long and 11 feet in girth. The smallest of those captured was about nine feet long.

The following particulars show the number of Cornwall, and the mumber of miners who have mines that have been stoped working in Devon and emigrated during the depression in mining from mines which have been "knocked" number nearly which the two counties are now suffering. The 300, the great majority being in Cornwall. The emigrants from the varions districts have been :Tavistock and Ashburton 691 men; Liskeard, 100; St. Austwell and St. Blazey, 275; Redruth and St. and Lelant, 150; St. Just, 600; Helston and WenAgnes, 300; Camborne, 150; Hayle, 500; St, Ives dron, 100; Marazion and St. Erth, 450—total, 3,366. These are all able-bodied men.

A discovery has recently been made in South Australia of a lode of bismuth, samples of the metal being now to be seen at the Melbourne Exif found in quantity, and it is stated that the lode neighbouring colony. This metal is very valuable change, to which place it has been sent from the discovered contain abundance of rich stuff, but being situated about 200 miles in the interior, some serious difficulties in the cost of carriage have been encentered. in getting the metal smelted, but a quantity of Trouble was also experienced was sent to England in ingots a few days ago, and it is expected the supply will be kept up.

A new volcano in the South Seas is thus described by Mr. J. C. Williams, her Britannic Majesty's Consul, Navigator's Islands-:A volcano has broken out at sea, at Manua, about two miles from the island of Olosega. It was preceded by a violent shock of earthquake, which commenced on the 5th of September, and on the 12th dense thick smoke rose out of the sea. Lava was thrown up, dis colouring the water for many miles round, and destroying large quantities of fish. Wherever the ashes fell on the adjacent island they destroyed all vegetation. Up to the middle of November dense smoke was still being thrown up, and uy inform ant says that the smoke rose higher than the neighbouring island, which is over 2,000 feet high. We cannot at present ascertain if there is any bank thrown up in the water. Last July we steamed over the place in her Majesty's ship Brisk, and there were no signs of shoals or anything of the (kind.

Patents for Juventions.

ABRIDGED SPECIFICATIONS OF

PATENTS.

THE Abridged Specifications of Patents given below are classified, according to the subjects to which the respective inventions refer, in the following Table. By the system of classification adopted, the numerical and chronological order of the specifications is preserved, and combined with all the advantages of a division into classes. It should le understood that these abridgements are prepared exclusively for this Magazine from official copies supplied by the Government, and are therefore the property of the Proprietors of this Magazine. Other papers are hereby warned not to produce them without an acknowledge ment:

BOILERS AND FURNACES,-2494, 2527, 2528

2494 J. BURGUM. Improvements in puddling and heating furnaces and other furnaces used in the manufacture of iron and steel. Dated September 27, 1866.

This invention consists in a combination of arrangement; whereby the quantity of air which is allowed to enter the fireplace is regulated by self-acting mechanism, which permits a large quantity of air to enter the fireplace immediately after stoking, and then gradually cuts off the admission of air. Patent abandoned."

2495 J. C. BAYLEY and D. CAMPBELL, Improvements in the sheathing of iron ships. Dated September 27, 1866. This invention consists of having the sheets of zinc or other metals sufficiently large to admit of being folded over the edges of the iron plates corresponding therewith. Pa

teat abandoned.

2496 A. V. NEWTON. An improvement in the process of distilling petroleum and other oils. (A communication.) Dated September 27, 1866.

The patentee claims admitting air or gas into the goose neck or exit pipe of the still, and varying the point of adBUILDINGS AND BUILDING MATERIALS,-2493, 2511, 2532, mission as the process of distillation progresses, as

2540

CHEMISTRY AND PHOTOGRAPHY-2496, 2502

described. Patent completed,

2497 H. E, GILLES. Improvements in processes and maimple-chinery for producing fibres suitable for being spun from rags or other fibrous materials. Dated September 27, 1866. The patentee claims the use of the apparatus, consisting of a series of travelling brushes and a revolving brush, combined with the other parts of the machine, for disintegrating fabrics comp se i of one material, as described, and the application of such apparatus to compound fabrics, and the separation of the different descriptions of fibres of which such fabrics are composed, all in the manner described. Patent completed.

OCLTIVATION OF THE SOIL, including agricultural
ments and machines,-2505 2523, 2543
ELECTRICAL APPARATUS,—2513, 2514
FIBROUS, FABRICS, including machinery for treating fibre,
pulp, paper &c.,-2497, 2501, 2503, 2519, 2529, 2535
FOOD AND BEVERAGES, including apparatus for preparing
food for men and animals,-2500, 2512
FURNITURE AND APPAREL, including household utensils,
time-keepers, jewellery, musical instruments, &c..--
2492, 2504, 2510, 2516, 2517, 2526, 1533, 2541
GENERAL MACHINERY,-2499, 2506, 2507, 2524, 2525, 2538
LIGHTING, HEATING, AND VENTILATING,-2534, 2537, 2538
METALS, including apparatus for their manufacture,
2518, 2522

2198 J. E. THIBAULT. Improved means or appliances for preventing ships or vessels from foundering by imparting Dated September 27, 1866. additional buoyancy thereto.

This invention has for its object improved means or appliances for imparting additional buoyancy to ships or vessels in case of necessity when at sea, in order to prevent them from sinking or foundering, whereby the lives of the passengers and crew may be preserved. For this pur, ose, according to one part of these im; rovements, the patentee constructs each ber h or sleeping cempartment so that when closed, as described, the whole of them may be readily converted into separate watertight compartments containing atmospheric air, in order to impart great additional buoyancy to the vessel should there be any danger of the vessel foundering at sea, thus affording increased ePatent completed.

2491 W. CLARK. Improvements in the collection and
delivery of letters, parcels, and other freight, and in appa-
ratus for the same. (A communication.) Dated Septem-curity for preserving the lives of the passengers and crew.
ber 26, 1866.

The object of these improvements is to facilitate the collection, transportation, aud delivery of letters, parcels, and other freight, and the improvements are intended for use more especially in connection with tubes in which cars vr conveyors or other receptacles for freight are made to travel. First, this invention consists in so constructing the car or conveyor that, at certain specified places on the route of the car or conveyor, the contents, or a part thereof, will be discharged from this car or conveyor. Second, this invention consists in so constructing the car or con veyor which carries the letters or freight, and the depository or receiver wherein the letters or freight are deposited,

that when the car or conveyor passes near the receiver, the freight therein contained will be transferred to the car or receiver. Third, this invention consists in so constructing the car or conveyor that it will both receive and deliver freight at given places or stations, or will receive and not deliv.r, or will deliver and not receive, or will pass the stations without either delivering or receiving, all at the will of the operator. Fourth, this invention consists in the combination of an electric apparatus with the receiver, and also with the car or conveyor, and also with a tube or track, or with either of them, in such a manner that the car or conveyor may be caused to receive or to deliver freight at given places, or to pass such places without delivering or receiving, at the will of the operator, Fifth, this invention consists in the employment of sundry new mechanical devices used in connection with the receiver, car, tube, and track, or with either of them. The invention cannot be fully described without reference to the drawings. Putent completed.

27, 1866.

2492 W. R. CORSON. Improvements in affixing knobs or handles to the spindles of door furniture. Dated September This invention has for its object a means of fixing knobs or handles to the spindles of door furniture, so that such furniture is readily applicable to any ordinary thickness of door, and this is effected in much simpler and cheaper manner than has hitherto been practised, and consists in the use of a square or any other suitable form of spindle, having a screw thread cut partially down its length from either end, and provided with two or more longitudinal rectangular slots, formed at right angles to each other at or near each end of such spindle. The knobs or handles are made to screw upon the threads formed on the spindles, so as to be adjustable to the greatest nicety to any ordinary thickness of door, and a hole or slot is constructed through the neck or narrow part of each of such knobs or handles. Patent completed.

1866.

2499 T. W. BUNNING. Improvements in drifting and
riveting machines. Dated September 27, 1866.
This invention is not descr bed apart from the drawings
Patent completed.

2500 G. SLATER. Improvements in churns. Dated Sep-
tember 27, 1866.

This invention consists, chiefly, in the employment in a
chura of an agitator constructed in the form of a screw
propeller, whose blades may be arranged to throw the con-
ten's of the churn towards the other end of the same, and
thus cause a more violent agitation and more rapid produc-
tion of the butter than when beaters are employed
which act only in the direction of their rotation,
completed.

Patent

binations (as by means of a screw movement the operator
can produce at will any desired amount of spherical abeira-
tion or diffusion of focus without at the same time mate-
rially derangeing the other necessary corrections of a photo.
Patent com-
graphic lens, substantially as described.
pleted..

2503 E. B. BIGELOW. Improvements in power looms Dated September 27, 1866.

This invention has for its object improvements such as will give greater efficiency and economy in the use of the power loom. It relates, first, to the mode of engaging the driving pulley with the driving shaft, and of disengaging the same, whereby the loom may be easily put in motion and quickly stopped without a heavy shock to the machinery. Second, to the mode of connecting the driving pulley with the loom, whereby a reverse motion may be given to the loom to put it into any desired position, Third, to the apparatus for stopping or starting the loom, whereby the loom shipper, the weft stop motion, the shuttle protector, the stopping break, and the driving pulley are brought into suitable co-operative action. Fourth, to the mode of stopping the loom at varied intervals for changing the shuttles by hand, and also for regulating the And, fifth, to the time of changing them automatically. mode of giving out the warps, and of taking up the cloth. The details of the invention are very voluminous, and cannot be fully described without reference to the drawings. Patent completed.

person.

2504 F. W. O. DROMTRA. Improvements in the means of securing pocketbooks and other portable articles on the (A communication.) Dated September 27, 1866. The patentee claims the employment, in combination with a pocket-book or other portable article, of a bent or hooked in, or of a pointed hook capable of being turned to a certain extent, so as to secure the article to a pocket or other part of a garment, and to release it therefrom, subPatent completed. stantially as described.

Im

2505 M. RIDLEY, W. PAWSON, and C. BASKER. provements in apparatus for raising and stacking straw and other agricultural produce. Dated September 28, 1866.

This invention relates to that class of machines for stacking straw, in which the straw or other agricultural produce is raised by means of carriers armed with prongs or teeth working in a trough and actuated by endless bands or chains, and consists, first, of a single revolving endless cord, chain, orband, to which the carriers are attached centrically while steadying cords from the main cord or chain ar attached to the outer ends of the carriers, by which means an advantageous amount of play is given to the carriers. The improvements consist, second, of an improved method of arranging the apparatus for raising the trough and carriers as the stack increases in height. Attached to, and passing from side to side beneath the trough, which is pivoted at its lower end, is a spindle, on the outer ends of which are two pinions working into racks on an upright jointed frame, the lower ends of which rest on the bottom rails of the machine. Motion is given to the raising pinions by means of an endless screw or bevel wheel, the spindle of which reaches down to the lowe part of the trough, so as to be within reach of the operator. The turning of this spindle increases or diminishes the angle, and consequently the height of the trough. Motion may be given to the endless cord or chain by any of the usual methods. Patent abandoned.

2506 J. and J. BROUGHTON. An improved washing machine. Dated September 28, 1866.

In the

box, having its centre portion of a rectangular form. Nea Upon a suitable stand the patentees mount an oblong the front end of this box they fix a vertical or slightly inclined grate or knuckle-surfaced staves. having a flush self-transverse bar near the bottom, and a projecting cross-bar or turning box a little more than half-way up. rectangular portion or body of the box they fit a sliding beater, the front of which beater also consists of a grate of knuckle staves; this grate, however, is more inclined than the fixed grate, and inclines from the bottom backwards; it is fixed to the front of a kind of box open at the top, and formed with two side connecting boards and a back board; the back board and beater grate extend across the box and the side coanecting boards, which are fitted so as to slide close to the sides of the main box before mentioned. The space between the back board and beater grate is divided by a horizontal cross board, which is perforated, and has its upper surface grooved, fluted, or corru. gated. The portion of the back board below the perforated cross board last mentioned is made with an opening in it, and this opening is closed by a movable hanging valve, which closes as the beater is pushed forwards, one opens from the bottom forwards as the beater is drawn backwards. For giving the necessary motions to the beater at the end of main box opposite the fixed grate and behind the beater space, and near the top inside they mount a rocking cross pole or shaft, ficted at each end with hand levers; these hand levers, which have their outer or free ends connected by a cross bar handle, have their inner ends fixed to the ends of the rocking shaft before mentioned (inside the box), so that the e are no projections from the sides externally. On the rocking shaf, between the hand levers, vertical levers are fixed, the lower ends of these being connected with the back board of the beater by means of short jointed link bars. As the handles and hand levers are moved up and down the beater is caused to slide backwards and forwards. The top of the box is permanently closed with inclined covers, a space, being, however, left above the grates, closed by a movable lid for putting in and taking out the clothes or articles to be washed or cleansed. Wringing rollers with a reversing tipping board under the same are fixod on the top and turned by a handle in the usual way. Patent completed.

2301 J. A. CHAUFOURIER. A new or improved
feeding cotton gin. Dated September 27, 1866.
This invention consists, first, in a self feed of the raw
material which is to be ginned or shelled. This self-feeding
by the parts of the machine is a very advantageous substi-
tute for the manual feed, as heretofore used; besides, it
reduces the manual labor of the operator, and, finally,
the effective work of the machine is far more considerable.
Second, in an arrangement of the parts which permits
of using shelling or picking cylinders of any length.
Third, in a new application to cotton gins of a self-acting
blowe or ventilator, injecting cold air for the purpose
of cooling the shelling cylinders and other working parts,
and reventing the ootton from being overheated. This
new application is chiefly intended for long staple cotton
gins, 1a which machines the drawing drum has but a small
diameter, and has imparted to it a very rapid rotary
motion. In short staple cotton gins the use of a blower
is quite useless, as the drawing drum is of a comparatively
larger diameter, and it is, besides, hollow, and pierced with
holes, which admit the surrounding ventilating air, where-
by the insides are cooled. Fourth, in the use, as regards
short staple cotton gins, of a stretcher or endless band,
whereby are both at once effected the drawing or stretching
of the shelled cotton and the cleaning of the shelling
cylinder. Ia this new self-feeding or distributing
machine the raw material is placed in a hopper placed on
the machine for that purpose. At the bottom of this hop:
per is fitted a movable comb or rack oscillating round
an axis or shaft, and raising up the material so as to make
the release of the feel easier and prevent the cotton from
being obstructed. The shelling or ginning parts are next or
below the bottom of the hopper. Cotton is introduced in
an intermittent but regular way by means of a second
comb or driving rack, which is, like the former, movable
on its axis and operated by the machine. The patentee
claims arranging in his machines any number of shelling
or picking cylinders worked by the same motor, and
intended to double, treble, and even quadruplicate the
eff.ctive work of the machine. Patent completed.

2502 J. H. DALLMEYER. Improvements in compound
lenses suitable for photographic uses. Dated September 27,

1866.

2507 W. RYAN and W. EGAR. An improved fire-escape. Dated September 28, 1866.

2493 T. LYTHGOE. Improvements in waterclosets, ashpits, ces pools, and similar places. Dated September 27, The object of this invention is to filter the refuse of waterclosets and similar places so that the refuse liquid which escapes shall be almost pure water, and, consequently, not liable to pollute rivers or streams into which such refuse runs. The inventor accomplishes this desirable object object by allowing the refuse to fall on a perforated This invention cannot be fully described without refertrap, lid, or casing, so that the liquid shall pass through ence to the drawings. According to one part of the inverthe said perforations into a reservoir under it; the per- tion the patentee claims the constructing of lenses comforations are made conical, that is to say, large or bell-posed of two positive achromatic or actinic combinations, mouthed at one side, and small at the other side, which will of which the higher refracting denser material or flint thus filter the liquid, and by boring or making the said las lens occupies the external or exterior position in each perforations on both sides of the lid or casing it can be used combination. Also the constructing lenses composed of either side up, so that if the holes or perforations become two positive achromatic or actinic combinations with the stopped, by turning it they will become opened or cleared. posterior combination of smaller diameter than the anteIn the reservoir the inventor makes another filter the same rior combination. According to another part of the inas the one described, which allows the liquid which has vion he claims the construction of lenses or objectives, suit-bending or passing down behind the same; it takes a poralready passed through the first filter to fall into another able for photographic purposes, the component parts of reservoir, thus making a double filterer, and, if found which are of such form and so positioned that by a slight necessary, he increases the number of filterers and reservoirs variation of distance between the lenses of one of the com

According to this invention the patentees construct a light folding ladder, which, when shut, presents the appearance of a column or pole, and which is capable of being attached at bottom to the stone sill or required part of the building by means of a bracket or clamp having in it a projecting piece to enter into a hole in the stationary side of the ladder; this bracket is fastened to the sill-stone or other required part by screwed bolts leaded into it or otherwise connected with it, and the nuts are tighfened on the bracket, thus securing it to the sill. A bent iron is also used, such iron extending over the coping stone of the parapet. cr over other convenient part of the building, and

tion of the wall of the parapet with a tightening set screw, and it is arranged at font to receive the upper end of the stationary side of the ladder. This upper arrangement with