quantities of phosphorus and sulphur are moderate, the former particularly, and this is a matter of very great importance, as, while there is no difficulty in removing the silicium almost entirely from the iron, by the refining process to which it is submitted at Königshütte, the quantities of sulphur and phosphorus undergo no appreciable diminution, as is shown by the following comparison of the above numbers with those obtain. ed by the analysis of a specimen of the metal refined by the gas reverberatory furnace :—

...

...

Pig Iron.
4.66
0.56
0.04

Refined Iron.

...

0.62
0.50

0:03

that at the beginning of the process the sul-experiments and publication dated nine months
phides become oxidised to sulphates; towards later. He regretted the absence of Mr. Fairbairn
the end the heat is increased in order to decom- from the meeting that evening, as he was the
pose the sulphate of iron; the product obtained chairman of the meeting at Cambridge, and could
in these processes of burning with sulphuric acid have fully corroborated all that had been said.
is then extracted with water until the soluble sul-
phate of copper is removed; the solution is then
allowed to remain in contact with metallic iron,
which precipitates the copper in the metallic
state. Should the ore contain silver, as some-
times happens, this metal would likewise pass
into solution, and may be removed therefrom by
the introduction into the solution of metallic
copper previous to the precipitation of the copper
by means of iron.

Silicium Phosphorus Sulphur The quantity of sulphuric acid used for this The inferior description of coal obtained at process depends on the quantity of copper preKönigshütte, and its property of crumbling away sent, and also on the state of the burnt ore. If it in a fire, render necessary the adaptation to the still contains sulphides, a proportionate quantity puddling furnaces of a particular arrangement of of acid is required to oxidise the sulphur and the metal combined with it. Under all circumstances the fire-bars, which appears worthy of notice, as it is advantageous to employ an excess of acid. by its means not only a very inferior description It has been found that for the purpose of making of coal, and very small coal, may be used, but a more perfect combustion of the fuel than in the the bricks it is sufficient to mix the quantity of ordinary grate of a reverberatory furnace ap- strong acid which analysis shows to be necessary to combine with the copper and silver with so pears to be attained. The fire-bars which are simply pieces of -in. bar iron, 7-in. broad, much water as is necessary to obtain a plastic mass with the ground residues which can thus be and cut to the requisite length slide into a slop-formed with the ordinary means employed for ing rack, each one projecting about two inches this purpose; shortly after the mixture is made beyond the one underneath. By this arrange- the mass becomes firmer, and can be moulded ment, it is impossible for even very small frag- into any required form; shortly it sets, and can ments of coal to fall out of the grate; the accumu- then be handled and dried previous to being

burnt.

CHILLED SHOT.

lation of clinker between the bars is also far less likely to occur, and, when such is the case, it may be easily removed; indeed, a defective bar may be at any time replaced while the furnace is in operation. M. Brand spoke in high terms of the economy of fuel effected by this arrangement, and observed that the smallest coal might be used in these grates without any difficulty, while a far smaller portion of the fuel was lost in the form of appeared in the Times during the previous few order to prevent the water from entering into the

AT the last meeting of the Manchester Literary
and Philosophical Society, Dr. J. P. Joule,
F.R.S., &c., vice-president, in the chair, Mr. Side
botham called attention to the letters which had

G. Pignonblanc, the efficiency of which has been tested by very competent persons. It ap pears to be as ingenious as it is simple, and has the great merit of always being handy and applicable in nearly all cases of shipwreck. The life-buoys at present in use only sustain the person on the surface of the water, but do not guarantee him either from cold, hunger, thirst, or from sharks, that are met with in great numbers in hot climates; and once abandoned on the sea man is unable to have any repose. On board even the largest ships there are but few life-buoys, and in case of shipwreck but few persons can take advantage of them, and in a heavy sea those unfortunate persons are soon knocked about and drowned by the waves. The life-buoy of M. Pignon blanc, says the Society of Arts Journal, is simply an ordinary cask, the bunghole of which is enlarged in order to admit a man, and round or 20in. in length, and may be secured with a this hole a sleeve of canvas is nailed about 18in. short piece of spun yarn. This sleeve is only closed when the breakers are very heavy, in cask. In order to prevent the cask from rolling, a days, with reference to chilled cast-iron shot and weight or piece of iron is attached by means of two shell, intended for penetrating armour-plated ships, and as to whom the credit of first suggest-pieces of cord. The inventor states that he got into ing it rightly belonged. He said that no donbt the cask at about 200 yards distance from the shore, whatever existed that at the meeting of the British drifted slowly towards the breakers, the first of on which the waves broke violently. The cask Association, in October, 1862, their member, which caught the cask, which inclined slightly, Mr. Nasmyth, C.E., did most strenuously urge a speedy trial of chilled cast-iron elongated shot but was instantly lifted up again. The second and shell, as being not only much cheaper than and third drifted it towards the land, where the fourth breaker safely deposited it. The piece of steel, but better in every respect for the purpose being washed back to sea, the cask remained on of penetrating iron-clad ships; he also gave his iron then served as an anchor, and instead of of Buch an opinion, and held his wis during a long discussion against all comers. dry land. In this cask provisions may be taken Mr. Sidebotham then read letters to Mr. Nasmyth and be kept dry, and the person may rest himself from P. Le Neve Foster, Esq., who acted as secretary to section G at the Cambridge meeting of the British Association, and T. Aston, Esq. Q.C., who took part in the discussion. The latter con. cludes his letter by saying:-"There can be no doubt whatever that anyone who may claim to have been before you in teaching the public the use of chilled cast iron for projectiles intended took place at their room, Doctor's Commons, to penetrate armour-plates, must give proof of having done so prior to your vigorous advocacy of that material at the Cambridge meeting of 1862."

smoke than is the case in the ordinary furnace. Very large quantities of Scotch iron are converted into bar iron at the Königshütte works; it is expected, however, that, when all the blast furnaces are at work, the production of iron at Königshütte will almost equal the demand.

TREATING RESIDUES OF PYRITES. N invention having for its object improveA invention bating usually called burned ores, in order to separate copper and silver if present from the oxide of iron in the residues, has been patented by Mr. Warren De La Rue, of Bunhill-row, in conjunction with Mr. Hugo Müller, of 79, Gower-street. The residues are ground or reduced to a fine powder, and are wetted or mixed with sulphuric acid, and the mixture, which has the property of setting, is moulded or formed into blocks or lumps which are subjected to heat in a furnace, the tem. perature being raised sufficiently to decompose sulphate of iron and leave the sulphates of copper and silver undecomposed. By these means the copper and the silver are for the most part rendered soluble in water, whilst the iron is for the most part left insoluble in water; the copper and silver are then separated from the iron by water, and the copper and silver are separated by deposition from the solution in the ordinary

manner.

According to the nature of the ore and the means employed in burning it the residue consists of a more or less homogeneous mixture of oxide of iron, oxide of copper, sulphide of iron, and sulphide of copper. In order to facilitate the operation it is necessary that the material is in the state of powder, and may for this purpose be ground under ordinary edge runners or otherwise; the powder is then mixed with dilute sul. phuric acid, and exposed to red heat, either formed in the shape of bricks or blocks, and burnt in a kiln, or in the state of powder in an ordinary calciner, or in a muffle furnace. If the former process is adopted it is essential that all the iron contained should be in the state of oxide, and the copper likewise in a state of oxide or nearly so; otherwise a considerable quantity of sulphuric acid will be required to oxidise the sulphides.

If the operation of burning is carried on in a reverberatory furnace it is of less importance that the ore should be previously so completely oxidised, inasmuch as oxidation then takes place at the expense of the atmospheric air, and the operation then may be carried on in such a way

as in a hammock.

LONDON ASSOCIATION OF FOREMEN
ENGINEERS.

N Saturday evening last an ordinary monthly

ON lesberg of this society

Mr. Sidebotham then read reports of the discussion from the Times and the Athenæum; both these are short, as such reports usually are, and do but represent a very small portion of what was said. The report in the Times of October 7th, 1862, is as follows:

City. Mr. Joseph Newton presided on the occa sion. After the ordinary business of the meeting a discussion took place upon the relative merits of iron and Bessemer steel as employed in the construction of boilers, crank axles, rails, &c. The discussion was of a highly practical character. Messrs. Campbell, Miles, Ramshill, Purvis, Stabler, and Bragg recounted severally the results of their experiences with both materials, the prevailing opinion being that for boil"Mr. Nasmyth inquired whether chilled cast-ers the best iron was preferable to steel, whilst iron shot had been tried, the process of ohilling for many other purposes, and especially for the cast-iron was a very inexpensive one; and if chil-working parts of locomotives, steel might be used ling flat-ended shot had not been tried, it was with great advantage. Mr. Naylor said that in his capacity of inspector of machinery for the very desirable it should be. Great East Indian Peninsular Railway such information as he had gained was of value, but that his own testings of both metals led him to similar conclusions to those of the gentlemen who had preceded him. The chairman made a few remarks upon the subject. He hoped that the latent ability of the members might be called into active existence on all future occasions fas it had been that evening, and that papers and suggestive questions would present themselves abundantly. The fourteenth annual dinner of the Association will take place to-morrow week at the Freemasons' Tavern. E. J. Reed, Esq., Chief Constructor of the Navy, will occupy the chair, and S. W. Worssam, Esq., the vice chair on the occasion.

"Mr. Nasmyth: That is a mere matter of opinion. Have you tried any experiments on the subject? It would involve an expense of only some ten shillings.

"The President: In order to gratify Mr. Nasmyth, I hope that before the next meeting of the British Association we shall have the matter proved experimentally."

Mr. Sidebotham, in conclusion, said he thought from the above it would be seen that their mem. ber, Mr. Nasmyth, ought to have the credit of the suggestion of elongated chilled iron shot and shell, in place of steel, rather than Major Palliser, whose

The cannon foundries of the Duchy of BadenBaden are busy transforming a part of the old Swiss artillery into breech-loading guns.

steam and

and a ring or gland 17 (which can be tightened up | commander of his pleasure yacht, M. Georgette by nuts 18) screwed upon the rod 11 or 12,and thus Dubuisson, it will be adapted to a ship for the forms a steam-tight joint between the inside of first time, and also for use at sea; at a later will probably be established on board

end.

IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES.
have illustrated above an important in
which has been patented by Mr. John Yule, of The passage 2 on one side, with its two pistons
Glasgow, engineer. The advantages of the im- 13 13 and ports 7 7, serves for the admission of
proved arrangements comprised in it are simplicity steam into the cylinder 1, the steam having access
and economy in construction, with easy working by a branch pipe 19 to the middle part of the
of the parts, whilst the steam valves being sepa- passage. In a similar way the passage 3 at the
rate from the exhaust valves can be actuated so other side, with its pistons 14 14 and ports 88,
as to cut off steam at any desired point without serves for the exhaust steam which leaves that
interfering with the exhaust valves, which last passage by a branch pipe 20 at its middle. The
are worked by a separate eccentric. Our en-valve rods 11 12 have forked eyes fixed on their
graving represents a single cylinder land engine front ends, and are thereby directly jointed to the
as constructed with Mr. Yule's improved arrange- rods 21 22 of the eccentrics 15 16. The packing
ments. Fig. 1 is a plan of the engine, partly in of the pistons 13 14 at the back end of the cylinder
horizontal section; fig. 2 is a side elevation, may be dispensed with and hollow covers may
partly in vertical section; fig. 3 is a back end ele- be fixed on the back ends of the passages 2 3, and,
vation; and fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section. if preferred, stuffing boxes may be applied
In this example the steam cylinder 1 is hori at the front ends. The details of Mr. Yule's, im-
zontal, and is made with two tubular or pipe-like proved arrangements are obviously susceptible
passages 2 3, which are on diametrically opposite of modification, and are equally applicable with
sides, as shown, and are parallel to the cylinder's ordinary two-cylinder engines for land or marine
axis and in the plane of the crank shaft 4. Each purposes and with double-cylinder expansion
end of each passage 2 3 is bored out to receive a engines. In the last-mentioned case there will
cylindrical bush or lining piece 5 5 6 6 and there be three passages with their pistons to each pair
are four ports 7 7 8 8 communicating with the of cylinders, one between the cylinders, and one
interior of the cylinder 1, two at each end, and at each outer side. These improvements are
each formed partly in the side of the cylinder also applicable to vertical or inclined engines.
and partly in the bush in the side passage. The Mr. Yule, has constructed an engine on this
bushes 5 5 6 6 are fitted tightly into their places,
and being formed with shoulders externally,
which are slightly over-lapped by the end covers
910, require no further fastening. In each side
passage 2 3 there is a rod 11 12 having formed or
fixed on it two pistons 13 13 14 14, in this example
without packing rings, but which may have
packing rings if preferred. These pistons 13 13
or 14 14 are suitably situated on their respective
rods 11 12 for alternately uncovering the ports

the

the action of eccentrics 15 16 on the crank shaft 4. Gasket or other suitable compressible packing is applied between the outside of each piston 13 14,

principle at his works in Glasgow. It was started
in May last year and has been in constant work
ever since. He tells us that it still continues to
work admirably and saves upon his old engine
about 20 per cent of fuel, working under the same
conditions.

THE ELECTRIC LIGHT IN FRANCE.
E are every day becoming more and more
accustomed to the use of the electric
light. In a few days, says the Paris correspon-
dent of the Chemical News, thanks to the initia-
tive of H.I.H. the Prince Napoleon, and the

vessels of the first class, and those of ocean transport. On Tuesday evening, in the Bois de Boulogne, at the grand skating fete, fifteen elec. tric lights erected for the purpose lit up, a giorno, the whole scene of lake, island, ice skaters, and spectators. The effect was splendid. This lighting up was executed by M. Serrin, and was remarkable for its steady brilliancy, while, at the same time, it was simple, economical, clean, and very powerful. For each of the fifteen batteries, there were collected forty Bunsen elements placed in a subterranean chamber, which concealed the battery from sight, as well as prevented the odour of nitrous gases from annoying the spectators. By the side of this pit there was fixed a pillar, hollow within, through which the wires passed to the platform, solidly, and at the same time slightly constructed. On this platform was fixed the electric light established by M. Serrin. It was arranged catoptrically, as in the lighthouses of Havre and Odessa, furnished by the Alliance Company of Paris, and was placed on rails; thus, as soon as the carbon ends were burnt away, and the light diminished, the man in charge had nothing to do to renew the splendid light but to push, by the hand, a newly lighted lamp, which instantly supplied the place of the faded one. When this was burned out, another lamp was rolled into its place, capable of burning again several hours. By this arrangement, a single additional lamp, was sufficient (or a sixteenth one) to conduct the service rigor. ously carried on, and the interruptions of which were quite imperceptible.

is to be held at the Hague, in the present year, by An exhibition of fishing implements and produce the Society for the Encouragement of Industry there.

ANNEALING OF STEEL.

E have often noticed that, after the smith had Whalehed his work and wished to leave the steel or iron forging in a condition of sufficient dactility for the lathe workman or filer to operate upon, he would carelessly heat the forging and either insert it into the ashes and coal-dust of the forge or heedlessly throw it upon the ground be. side the anvil-block; consequently when the turner or filer begins his work he finds it full of small hard spots, some of them exceedingly minute, and technically called "pins," which spoils the cutting the edges of his tools and destroys his Ales. Finding it impossible to proceed further in his manipulations he takes the unfinished article from the lathe or vice and sends it back to the forger to be re-annealed and returned to him. We have seen this process repeated two or three times on some kinds of work, when a little knowledge and care would remedy the whole thing. In annealing, says the American Artizan, the steel should be heated slowly and carefully, as there is as much danger in overheating as there is in forging, and the whole article must be thoroughly heated through, and brought to no higher temperature than a "light red" heat. If the article is long, like a spindle, it must be turned frequently in the fire, to prevent its warping or becoming sprung by the unequal expansion upon its sides; and at the same time be careful to heat it equally the entire length. The forger ought always to have an iron box of dry powdered charcoal by his forge, and in this quickly insert the article that is to be annealed, and cover it close with coal-dust, so that the air cannot come to it, and there let it remain until perfectly cold and no signs of warmth be perceptible. If this is carefully done, the lathe workman or the filer will have no cause for complaint about "pins" in the course of his operations. Some forgers bury the articles that they wish to anneal in powdered or air-slaked lime, cast-iron borings, and saw-dust, &c. These may answer a very good purpose, but they are in no way equal to the box of charcoal dust. There is another method called "fire annealing" that is practised to some extent. It consists in heating the steel red hot and then holding it in a dark place until a faint glow is seen upon it, and then quenching the heat that remains in it in water. This may answer when there is need of the forging to be wrought upon immediately, but it is an operation that we do not approve of, and is not as effectual as the operation that we have described with goal-dust. Let anyone who works in steel try the various methods, and he will give a hearty approval to the box of charcoal-dust.

APPARATUS FOR SCARIFYING LAND.

THE object of the invention which forms the subject of the accompanying engraving is to break, pulverise, or scarify each furrow as it is turned by the plough. It has been patented by Mr. G. W. Homer, of Athelhampton, near Dorchester, and consists in attaching to the ordinary plough (or to a steam plough) a breaker of such a form as will follow immediately behind or by the side of the turnfurrow and break or pulverise

each furrow as it is turned, and bring to the su
ace all couch grass or other roots and weeds
The precise form of the breaker will depend in
a great measure apon the nature of the land
and other circumstances under which it is to be
employed, but we will here describe the instru-
ment or breaker in the form which Mr. Homer
has found to be effective and suitable for general
purposes, and which can be attached to or de-
tached from the plough at pleasure.

The apparatus consists of three parts, namely,
the shaft or bar, the connecting rod, and the
breaker or knife. The shaft or bar is to be at
tached to the beam of the plough at about the
same place and by the same means as the or-
dinary skim coulter. This shaft or bar projects
downwards from the beam, and is curved or
otherwise made in such a form that its lower end
shall lie in the last farrow or that previously
made by the plough the last time it was drawn
along), and to this end is jointed the connecting
rod, which is of such a length that the breaker
or knife which is attached to its other end shall
follow at a certain distance, (say about 4in.)
behind the turnfurrow. The best form for the
breaker or knife which projects upwards near
to the rear end of the connecting rod, is about
10in. long, and slopes backwards at an angle
of about 45 degrees. As the plough is drawn
along, the earth is thrown by the turnfurrow
on to the connecting rod in front of the breaker
or knife, which is thus drawn through the
centre of the earth or furrow just turned, cut-
ting through and breaking it up, and at the same
time bringing all couch grass and other roots and
weeds to the surface.

In the annexed engraving, fig. 1 represents a side view of a plough with the improvements applied thereto, and fig. 2 is a plan or horizontal view of the same, as seen from above.

tion of Mr. Warren E. Hill, of New York, and is known as Hill's skeleton bar.

Fig. 1 in the cut shows the longitudinal, and fig. 2 a transverse section of the grate bars. The column of cold air passes up both sides of surfaces of the bar, at the same time through the longitudinal opening A as shown at the bottom of the cut, then passing out at the side holes B, it performs the double purpose of cooling the bar, and highly heating the air before it reaches the fuel, hay bars, while preserving the general external form of ordinary bars are made with special regard to the scientific principles of combustion.

ing the principal features of superiority in the The following points are submitted as embracskeleton bars. A positive and radical improve.

ment has been introduced which consists of the channel running the whole length of the interior of the bar in connection with the holes at the sides. A greater depth than in ordinary bars gives more than twice the surface of heated metal in contact with the air to the air which is so intensely rarified as to greatly accelerate its passage to the fuel. The trough-like form of the bar is calcu lated to resist warping or twisting; while the ra pid and constantly changing current of air through the heart of the bar, entirely preserves it from the effects of the fire, thus increasing its durability. Complete combustion and consequent economy of fuel are claimed for these bars. The vitality of fire depends as much upon the oxygen derived from the air as upon the carbon or bitumen of the fuel used. Scientific and practical men have long been aware that the supply of air through the interstices of grate bars has been lamentably deficient, and a serious waste of fuel, the result. Hill's bars have the merit of furnishing the needed quantity of air in the condition most conducive to complete combustion, viz., in a highly heated state. These bars are in extensive use in the United States, where they are highly spoken of. Our readers doubtless remember the celebrated trial between the "Winoski" and "Algonquin." The latter vessel used these bars, which were subjected to a severe test and gave great satisfaction.

CONVERTING ENFIELDS INTO

BREECH-LOADERS.

The shaft or bar a b is made in two parts so as to enable it to be set either higher or lower, and also a greater or lesser distance sideways from the point of the coulter. The part a of the UR readers are no doubt aware that the Enshaft passes perpendicularly through a socket in field rifles are now being converted into the beam c of the plough, and is fixed to the pro- breech-loaders, in accordance with the deterper height (when adjusted) by the set screw d.mination of Government to change the arm The upper arm of the part b is capable of being moved horizontally in the claw at the lower end of the part a, and when adjusted to the proper width of the furrow is fixed therein by a set screw. The lower arm of the part b has jointed to its lower extremity the connecting rod e, the other end of which lies in the furrow last made, and projects about four inches behind the turnfurrow f, having attached to it the knife or breaker 9. It will be evident that as the plough is drawn along the earth or soil is thrown by the turnfurrow fon to the connecting rod e at about the point in front of the knife or breaker g, which is then drawn through it, cutting through and breaking it up, and at the same time bringing grass and other roots and weeds to therface.

uoh

hands that shows on its face ne figures but those
A Mr. P. Barlow has patented a watch without
which tell the hour and minute looked for. The
figures are displayed as they are wanted, and no
others appear on the watch face.

which our soldiers possess. It may not be so well
known that a portion of the work is being done in
this district. Birmingham has been so justly
celebrated for the manufacture of guns and rifles
that it would be something astonishing if in any
Some
great work of the kind she had no share.
been received by the Birmingham Small Arms
few months ago we mentioned that an order had
Company (Limited), to convert a number of En-
field rifles into Snider breech-loaders. This was
done with a celerity which is most creditable to
the company.

The order was received on the

24th of July, and by the end of October 700 rifles, finished in accordance with the pattern gun, were completed and forwarded to Canada. The difficulty of accomplishing this work was very great. Patterns had to be made of the new parts, still, new machinery constructed for the more dies fashioned, tools invented, and, more difficult rapid carrying on of the work. Yet all this was done, and the first order completed in the very short space of three months. Those who are

uninitiated may think that this job must have monopolised all the skill and all the industry which the company possessed. This is not so, however. The company had on hand at the time the pattern gun was received an order for 30,000 rifles for Turkey. It is impossible to go through the factory and see the long succession of machines in every department without feeling that the process of manufacture is only limited by the extent of the order, and that the power of production is incomprehensible. In this extensive and beautiful factory every appliance that can save labour and multiply production, and every variety of labour that the human mind can devise, will be found. The men who are engaged about the machines occupy the position that all men should in the world of labour. The steam

space has been so polluted in a few seconds; but the common event is to find that a fall of roof or the breaking in of a thin part in the sides or floor of a gallery liberates an amount of gas which, by mixture with the ordinary air of the pit, renders the whole explosive. This mixture travels on slowly with the ventilation, till presently it meets a light, and, possibly an hour after its first formation, destroys many lives. In all such cases Mr. Ansell proposes to use an instrument, of which fig. 1 is a sketch (page 87).

machine, which performs several very important dication of fire-damp, when accumulating either operations. It would be tedious to describe slowly or rapidly; but there were objections them all separately. They embrace facing, which on the face of them were serious, and milling, chambering, screwing, and gauging. which by practical men were considered fatal No harm has yet been inflicted on the barrel, unless under exceptional circumstances. Guided which is now almost ready for the breech action, by the opinions then expressed by those most The barrel is passed to the hands of the breecher. concerned, Mr. Ansell endeavoured to find a who brings the barrel and the breech action to more simple form of instrument, which could be their right positions. Finally, the barrel is readily understood by a workman of ordinary in. handed to a man who recesses the action for the telligence. In coal-pits there are many casualties insertion of the cartridge. Then it goes to be including the bulk of the accidents arising proved by the Government officials in the prooffrom explosion-caused by a sudden irruption house, near the factory. But we have only of fire-damp (carburetted hydrogen) to such an followed the barrel in its progress towards com- mile of space explosive in a few minutes, and extent as to render the atmosphere in even a plete conversion. The most important part of there are cases on record where an enormous the work remains to be seen: this is the construction of the breech action. To explain the hammer, trimming machine, drilling machine, component parts of this, which is the soul of the screwing machine, barrel-cutting machine, and gun, we shall have to make use of some technical many others, do the hard, the dirty, the sinew- phrases. The breech action is made up of two wearing work, while the men look on and direct parts-the shoe and the breech-block. The shoe the labour. As you go through the extensive, is that part into which the cartridge is first lofty, well-lighted and well-ventilated work placed, the barrel being screwed on to the end of rooms, you feel the men's labour is dignified, and it. The breech-block is that portion which conthat the discoveries of science have happily tains the needle, or, more properly speaking, the ameliorated the toil that skilful workers in the piston, and which falls into and fills up the shoe. same trade had once to undergo. This company This breech action is made out of Marshall's best does not exclusively depend upon the manufacture iron. Two men, with a forge and steam hamof rifles, or their conversion, for existence. They mer, were at work in one of the shops fashioning cultivate with much success another, and, we the iron. Bars of iron were reddening in an think, a higher branch of the trade-they manu- intensely bright flame, fed by anthracite coal. facture the machinery and tools which produce The hammer was fitted with two dies. These the very work in which they are now engaged. were the breaking down die, by which the shape An order for the construction of rifle-making of the shoe was roughly outlined in the red-hot machinery is received as thankfully as one for the metal; and the finishing die, which completed production of a few thousand rifles. This depart. the form. When the shoe is cool it is passed to ment will, perhaps, show how complete the fac- another steam hammer, where the surplus tory is. It does not depend on any other manu-"flash" left by the steam hammer is cut off. factory for the supply of anything which it uses Now the shoe is of the exact shape required, but in the gun trade. Machinery of the most complex many things have to be done before it is comcharacter is made there, and tools of every kind pleted, because it is still one solid lump. It has are turned out by the hundred. The variety of to be pierced from end to end, screwed at both machines in daily use is interesting to note. ends, sized, faced, counter sunk. Upwards of There are knives at work shaving iron as easily twenty-five distinct and separate operations are as a man would pare cheese; little, round, finely gone through before the shoe is ready to be pointed tools that bore a straight hole through a screwed on the barrel. The manufacture of the block of iron more swiftly than a waiter can drive breech-block is on a plan precisely similar to that a corkscrew into a cork; cutters that put the by which the shoe is produced. First of all the thread inside the barrel of the rifle more readily block is struck by a steam hammer in a solid than a sportsman could untwist the loosest screw; mass, and it is then passed from one machine to and hammers that give blows mightier than the another until finished. From first to last upcombined power of any number of men or horses wards of thirty distinct operations are gone could produce. With such servants as these, through before it is finished." When the parts that are obedient to the gentlest touch of the are completed and put together, each gun is sent human hand, it is not to be wondered at that an to the proof-house, where men sent down by immense amount of work can be got through in a Government prove them. A double charge is short space of time. put in and fired. The best testimony to the character of the work is evidenced by the fact that not one breech-action has been injured in any way by the test out of many thousands that have been proved.

The work of converting an Enfield into a breech-loader may seem at first thought to be a very simple process, involving but few opera

tions. The old barrel has to be shortened, and the breech action put in.

We are

In the outline we have given of this work we
have omitted mentioning many operations, and
construction of the minor portions, such as the
and the spiral spring.
extractor, the hinge pin, the piston, the nipple,
again taken off and separated, the shoe and ex-
After proof the action is
tractor are blued, the breech-block hardened,
and then it is finally put together. These opera

tions

It consists of an iron funnel, provided with an iron U-tube, one end of which is closed by a piece of glass tube fixed in brass, to which one pole of a battery is attached; the upper part of this glass tube carries a brass collar, through which passes an adjusting screw, at the lower end of which is fastened a piece of copper wire with a platinum point. Mercury is poured into the iron funnel till it rises in the glass tube to a convenient height. This mercury is allowed to find its level by the opening of a valve when setting the instrument.

The septum is a tile of Wedgwood ware, and closes the open part of the funnel, good seal. ing wax being the best cement for securing it in its place. The other battery wire is connected with the instrument, so that if diffusion take place the mercury is pressed up against the platinum point, and thus communication is esta blished. Mr. Ansell has found that this instrument gives warning in 4 sec. if the mixture of gas be still below the point of explosion; but by adjusting the point so that there is not more than the thickness of a shilling between it and itself known in 2 sec. the mercury, a dangerous irruption may make ger is that state of the pit which arises from A source of great dan. the gradual bleeding of gas from the coal. As one walks in a pit one hears a continual click somewhat like the noise of a cricket. In some pits this may arise from the settling down of the strata and cracking of the coal, but the expeperienced ear soon knows the difference. Should any obstruction arise to the ventilation, this bleeding very gradualy raises the atmosphere

from zero (the point of purity) to the point of This action is conexplosion; or it may be that a gradual fall of the tained in two parts-the shoe, in which the cartbarometer admits of the oozing out of gas either ridge is placed, and the breech lock, in which the from a goaf or from the mass of coal, and needle or piston works. Yet, few as they are, this, although very minute, may be to such an these parts require upwards of 100 different prothe pit, if the ventilation be not very good. extent as to render explosive the whole air of cesses to complete the transformation. not going to weary our readers by attempting to There are parts of the pit where gas may so describe even one-fourth of these operations, but accumulate in half an hour; others where it a general description of the chief processes may gone through, the barrel is ready for may be two hours; and again others, a whole not be altogether uninteresting. The rifles that mounting. The company are converting 2,000 day n rising to a dangerous mixture. To meet are sent to the factory have never been in the rifles a week. They employ 470 men altogether, such cases Mr. Ansell used, in the first instance, hands of our soldiers; they come direct from the and the work is carried on night and day. At an india-rubber balloon; but this, although per stores. As soon as they are received the first the Enfield factory, near London, 3,000 rifles are fectly good for its purpose, was too fragile. thing is to strip the rifle. Every portion is taken converted evey week; and 1,900 men are em- Therefore, he has abandoned that plan, and he away from the stock excepting the trigger. First ployed night and day. The rapidity of the pro- now uses white Sicilian marble, and by regulatof all the pull of the trigger is lightened, and cess, as carried out here, thus contrasts very ing the thickness avoids the evil of effusion to then the stocks are laid up in the racks until the favourably with the rate of production at the such an extent that he can, and does, in the barrel is converted. The hammer is taken away, Government factory. At present some additional pit practically show these gradual accumulaand a piece cut off the end to flatten it. This machinery is being laid down, by which, in the tions. Mr. Ansell has found that by replacing almost wholly obliterates the chequering, that course of a month, the Small Arms Factory will the Wedgwood ware tile (fig. 1) with marble in. thick, he can show the preserce of an ex. rough diamond-shaped cutting in the top of the be able to convert 3,000 rifles a week. hammer by which it is laid hold of with the fin- satisfactory manner in which this order is being plosive mixture of fire-damp and air which has gers. The operation of rechequering is perform-executed at Small Heath reflects the highest credit been half an hour in forming, or by using ed by boys, who, after a little practice, show conupon the enterprise of the company.-Birmingham marble in. thick he shows if it has been two siderable aptitude at their work. Daily Post. hours rising from zero to the explosive point. Leaving the In all such cases notice, if it be so desired, may lads, tapping with their little hammers as they chequer, we pass into the long machine room. ANSELL'S FIRE-DAMP INDICATOR FOR the warning being continued for a considerable be given before the mixture becomes explosive, Here the barrels are shortened, by what is called time, even if the atmosphere does not become the barrel-cutting machine. The barrel having ECENT events have given great interest to been fixed in its place, a wheel armed with sharp more foul. It must, however, be understood that teeth cuts off the required length, which meathe invention of Mr. Ansell. It is hardly to the very circumstances which admit of the air be expected that Mr. Ansell would have left his becoming fouied to the extent of 10 per cent. sures about 2 in. This operation is done indicator as it was when first introduced, espe- also admit of its going on till 40 or more per so well that no mark of any kind, not even a cially as he has largely tested the instruments in cent. has been reached, always remembering scratch, is left upon the barrel, and consequently coal-pits in the positions where they would be re- that these instruments are to be fixed high up the process of re-browning is avoided. After quired for use. They entirely answered the in the roadway or goaf, and that the gas accumuthis the barrel is fixed on the "barrel-screwing" purpose for which they were proposed-the in-lates there notwithstanding the law of diffusion.

R

COAL MINES.

The very

It is no uncommon thing to find 30 per cent. of gas next the roof, at 6in. lower 20 per cent. and at 15in. no gas at all. The cause of this will be discussed on some other occasion.

It is proposed to fix the instruments side by side, one for sudden, and the other for slow accumula ions, in pigeon holes cast in the iron props used to support the roof, these pigeon holes being clear all through, so that the gas can surround the instruments, or sweep over them; for the gas as it occurs in the pit is very curious in its habits, and from causes too mi.

Fig.1.

nute to enumerate here, it goes away from a spot with very little disturbance. The pigeon holes being formed in iron posts would protect the instruments from falling roof, &c., while grooves may be cast in the sides of these posts for the telegraphic wires. It has been objected by some that these instruments would cause greater destruction of life than now obtains; but these persons forget that they are not intended to displace other means of safeguard. They are simply proposed as additional means of knowledge.

Fig.2.

For the indication of carbonic acid Mr. Ansell makes a necessary alteration, which will be seen in fig. 2. This hardly needs description, for it will be seen at a glance that the circuit is completed by the rising of the mercury to the wire within the precincts of the closed chamber formed by the neck of the funnel, and is adjusted for use by turning the base on which it stands, when a cork rises against a leather bag and presses the mercury up to the required height. Whether marble will stand long without disintegration by carbonic acid has to be determined; if not, it can be replaced by another septum. This instrument is proposed for use in those mines where carbonic acid becomes a dangerous substance for the miner. It has been sought by the French wine growers as a means of telling the time of the commencement of fermentation, and it seems probable that the English brewers will use it for a similar pur.

рове.

In the event of fire-damp being known to exist either when found by the fixed indicators or by the safety lamps, Mr. Ansell proposes, for the use of the miner, the manager, or his deputy, an aneroid indicator, the description of which has already been published. Some persons who have not cared to read the description, or to make themselves acquainted with the use for which this instrument is made, imagine that it possesses strange properties. It is, therefore, necessary to say that it is not used for the detection of gas in the pit. The intention of this par. ticular instrument is that it shall be used to determine the amount per cent. of fire-damp or carbonic acid gas where they are known or suspected to exist; and for these purposes it must

bourhood of the suspected atmosphere, and
allowed to remain there till it has acquired the
temperature of that place; this usually requires
a few minutes-say five. The valve must then
be opened to allow it to find the true zero of that
altitude. Then the valve must be closed, and
the index watched for a few seconds to see if it
be stationary, and if it be so then the brass cap
must be removed, and the indicator held by its
handle in the suspected place, for the time spe-
cified on the instrument, about 1min.

It must be mentioned that the same amount

munitions of war alleged to have been manufactured by the company for the Confederates, and the point was whether they belonged to the American Government now those states had fallen.

The Chief Clerk (Mr. Church) of the Master of the Rolls, after hearing the several parties, made an order for the production of documents, to be sealed up at present.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.
The MECHANICS' MAGAZINE is sent post-free to sub-

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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 advertisements.

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.

per cent. of fire-damp in different mines requires scribers of £1 1s. 8d. yearly, or 10s. 10d. half-yearly, pay-
a varying time for diffusion through the same
tile. The cause of this is at present unknown,
but it is under investigation. The time varies
from 45 seconds to 60 seconds, but in the same
pit it is invariably of a uniform time, so that
once determined there is no trouble. That this
is a property of the gas is proved by the fact
that 10 per cent. of gas in one pit will explode
violently, while 10 per cent. in another pit ex-
plodes with much less violence. The under.
viewers call one a sharp gas and the other
slow gas or fire, and the difference
is perfectly well marked if observed for a
few times in the lamp. A mine to be well ven-
tilated should be so supplied with air that a con-
siderable irruption should be diluted below the
point of explosion. Ventilation which is only
sufficient for ordinary occasions must be con-
sidered entirely insufficient.-Chemical News.

Legal Intelligence.

JUDICIAL COMMITTEE OF THE
PRIVY COUNCIL.
February 2.

(Present-SIR W. ERLE, SIR J. COLVILLE, SIR E.
V. WILLIAMS, SIR R. T. KINDERSLEY, and SIR
L. PEEL.)

THE LAW IN PATENTS.-HERBERT'S PROLONGATION.
This was an application to prolong the patent
granted to a Mr. Herbert for mooring vessels.

Mr. Grove, Q.C., and Mr. Aston were for the
two petitioners on the present occasion; the

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

RECEIVED.-W. H. P.-R. S.-W. W. K.-B. T.-J. N. -J. S. H.-W. B.-A. D.-R. S.-W. J. M.-E. H. N,W. T.-E. V. M.-R. D.-J. Y.-C. J. R.-H. H.

Meetings for the Week.

2.

MON.-Royal United Service Institution.-" Manning
the Navy," by Mr. J. Reddie, 8.30.
Royal Geographical Society.-Papers to be lead:
-1. Last Letter of M. Jules Gerard.
"Ascent of Mount Hood, Oregon," by Mr. H.
Hines. 3. "Journey Across the Cascade
Mountains, &c., through the Country of the
Snake Indians," by Mr. R., Browne, 8.30.
TUES.-Institution of Civil Engineers.-" Description of
the Clifton Suspension Bridge," by Mr. W. H.
Barlow, 8.

FRI.-Geological Society.-Anniversary, 8.
Architectural Association.-"The Influence of
Eastern over Western Art, and more especially
on that Influence Exercised through the
Medium of Constantinople," by Mr. T. Wells,
7.30.

Attorney-General and Mr. Haswell appeared for abal, Military, and Gunnery Items.

the crown.

A question arose in this case, which was raised by Mr. Reeves, the Registrar. Since the petitions one of the petitioners had died, and the registrar was of opinion that there should be a supplemental petition.

Mr. Grove was willing to take a renewal in one of the two petitioners. One had died, and was represented.

Sir W. Erle thought this case could proceed, and if necessary a supplemental petition could be filed.

The case proceeded with the examination of
witnesses viva voce, and occupied the entire day.

VICE CHANCELLOR'S COURT.
January 31.

(Before VICE-CHANCELLOR SIR W. P. WOOD.)

SCOTT V. STANFORD.

This was a motion on behalf of Mr. Scott. the clerk and registrar of the City Coal Market for the purpose of restraining the publication in a work called "Mineral Statistics of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland for the Year 1865," of the returns of coal, culm, and cinders imported into London, published by the plaintiff under the authority of the Cor. poration, and in which returns he claims a copy. right. The case, which involves questions of considerable interest and importance, was not concluded at the rising of the court, and accordingly stands over until the first day of the sittings after term.

Mr. Giffard, Q.C., and Mr. Andrew Thomson are for the plaintiff; the Attorney-General and Mr. Wickens appear on behalf of the defendant.

issue.

A Philadelphia paper says that the second twentyinch navy gun, which was recently cast at the The proof charges were sixty, eighty, and one huncannon foundry of Knap Nephews, has been tested. dred pounds of powder, the shot weighing ten hundred and twenty pounds, three shots being fired with each of the charges specified. The test was successfully stood by the gun, and the machinery necessary to conduct, it worked to perfection.

The present Administration is not one whit better satisfied with the manner in which the business is conducted in the Royal Dockyards than the one which preceded it, and we (Army and Navy Ga zette) can state that a committee consisting of Lord Henry Lennox, M.P., chairman, the Comptroller H. W. R. Walker, has been ordered to assemble of the Navy, the Accountant-General, and Mr. with a view of ascertaining the possibility of not only rendering the accounts more simple, but of saving the public money.

Experiments have just been made with a new naval gun of greater power than any yet tried in France. It is rifled, is four metres, 60 centimetres long (the metre is 3ft. 3.871in.), weighs 22 tons, can be used both for shell and solid balls,-the latter being in steel of 216 kilogrammes, 4321b. The details of the experiments are not given, but they will metres the solid shot can easily pierce plates of 16 prove, it is believed, "that at a distance of 1,500 centimetres, and destroy in a short time the thickest walls of fortified places."