Engraving, cameo, 210; on glass, 128 Exhibition, Dublin, the, of 1865, 143; machinery of the Experiment, a curious, 144 Experiments in gunnery, 21 Explosions, household boiler, 285 Explosive agent, a new, 48; compound, new, 112, 240 Explosions in lamps, 6 Exposure on coal, effect of, by Professor Rockwell, 179 Institution, Civil Engineers, of, 33, 114, 161, 209, 333, 351; Mechanics, hints to, 326 Metals, absorption of gases by, 20; forging and shaping, Insurance Company, the Midland Boiler, 163; the National Meteoric showers, 2 Inventions, recent American, 166 Iron, coating, with copper, 109; crystallisation of, 381; Irons, cobalt and n ekel in, 4 Isthmus of Panama, piercing the, 157 J. JAPAN, the silver mint of, 389 Metropolitan Railway, the, 209 Midland Boiler Insurance Company, the, 163; Counties Mill, crushing, 19 Mine, death in the, 258; land, waste, 286 Mines, air in, 131; ascent and descent of coal, 174; fire- Mining in Australia, 182; in Victoria, gold, 375 Mint of Japan, the silver, 389 Mont Cenis Tunnel, the, 215; ventilation of the, 78 Joints, deck, 71; welded boiler, 70; for wrought-iron Mould for casting blocks, 256 Motive power, the tuning fork as a regulator of, 95 Flames, sensitive, by W. F. Barrett, 338, 354; sounding KING, the late Mr. A., 278 and sensitive, by Professor, Tyndall, 50 Floors, water glass as a coating for, 128 Flax and hemp, treatment of, 311 Force, influence of projectile, 61 Foreign manures, 94 Forging and shaping metals, 180 Forgings, wrought and scrap iron for, 118 Fossiliferous limestone, by J. W. Young, 374 France, aeronautics in, 404; agricultural condition of, 35 Fuel, liquid, 326; injector for liquid, 78; petroleum as a, 167 Furnace dust, by J. B. Dancer, 259; a new gas, 336; Furnaces, blast, 211, 230; hoists for iron, 342; steam G. GALVANOMETER, the tangent, by J. P. Joule and W. Gas battery, on Grove's, by J. M. Gaugain, 387; and Gas, carbolate of soda for, 288; copper, absorption of, by, Geographical Society, Royal, 353 German locomotives, 349 Gilding by amalgamation, 272; Swiss watchwork, of, 112 Girders, strain on, by W. J. Millar, 47 Glacial period of North America, the, 70 Glass, cleaning, 325; engraving on, 128; and enamel, punching, 3; fastening brasswork on, 272; manufacture of, 96; plate, 304 Glaze, a new porcelain, 240 Glazing for pottery, new, 32 Glue, bleaching, 272 Glycerine, 208 Gold mining in Victoria, 375 Graphite, purification of, 32 Government and iron testing, 5 Grain sorting, 405 "Great Eastern," the, 145; beaching the, 54 Gradients and sharp curves, steep, 339 Greek fire, a new, 288 Greenwich, Observatory of, 401 Grilling apparatus, ornamental, by Jeakes and Co., 36 Grinding, drill-rest for, 244 Grinding mills, 36 Gum, bleaching, 208 Gun, another monster, 134, 310; carriage, Eade's steam, 371; cotton, 224, 230; French naval, 335; Swedish Gunnery, 1; experiments, 21 Gunpowder, Neumeyer's, 30 Guns and projectiles, 255; working, 291 K. Knobs to spindles, attaching, 149 Edmunds . W. Brougham, 247, 203, 294 Gales gunpowder company, 134; v. Latimer, 119 "Great Eastern," the, 391; seizure of the, 311 Gravely v. Winchester, 183 Herbert's prolongation, 87 Hope in re, D. Graham, 199 Hood v. Great Western Railway Compary, 103 London Engineering Company, 263 Morgan v. Fuller, 119 Parrott gun case, 11 Mountain railway, another, 231 N. NAPHTHA, on, by B. Silliman, 274 Naphthaline, pure, 208 National defences, our, 93, 99 Natural fats, test for, 32 Naval engineers, a plea for the royal, 110; gun, French, 335 Navy, American, the, 257; notes on our, 112, 242; our, 1; Prussian, the, 274 New South Wales, telegraphy in, 93 Nitric acid, manufacture of, 96 North America, the glacial period of, 70 Norton, the late Captain, 215 Notes on photography, 213 0. OBITUARY, 55, 142, 215, 263, 278, 343, 375 Observatory of Greenwich, the Royal, 401 Ocean currents, 10; steam navigation in France, 273 Oiler, machinery, 197 Oils, paraffin, lubricating, 32 Omnium fastening, the, 247 Optical saccharometer, 181 Ordnance v. armour, 157; by N. Wiard, 177 Ore, blackband iron, 246 Ores, treating iron, 405 Organ for Penzance, new, 386 Overwinding in collieries, 350, 332 Oxidation by charcoal, 224; of pewter, 96 Oxygen, preparation of, 48, 128, 176 Ozone, atmospheric, 48 density of, the, 336 P. PALACE fire, the Crystal, 2, 98 Panama, piercing the Isthmus of, 157 Paper, new material for, 224; test for wood in, 97 Paris Exnibition, the, 141, 158, 194, 205, 237, 269, 285, 350, Parliamentary notes, 115, 129, 144, 160, 177, 193, 208, 224, 321, 353 Patent Office library, the, 237 Peace, armed, 193 Pelouze, the late M., 375 Permanent way, iron, 309; on German railways, 66 Petroleum, bitumen and, the origin of, 81; fuel, as, 374; Pewter, oxidation of, 96 oil, heavy, 18; as a steam fuel, 381 Phosphorus, lucifer matches without, 113 Photographs, permanent, 145 Photography in 1787, 293; action of light in, by J. Side- botham, 166; notes on, 213 Photography, improvements in, 405 Piercing the Isthmus of Panama, 157 Pigs again, Mr. Seeley's, 247, 353; anchors and 65 Locomotive boiler tubes, by G. A. Everitt, 81; coupling Pneumatic railways, 164 hook, 191; traction engine, 132 Locomotives, German, 349 London, the mud of, by Dr. Letheby, 387 Poisoning, lead, 112 Polytechnic Institute, American, 370 Longitude, latitude and, 293; of Rio Janeiro, by M. Mou- Porcelain, Berlin, 64; glaze, a new, 240 chez, 7 Loss of "La Seine," 51 Lucerne root, 240 Luminosity in matters, 319 Institute, American Polytechnic, 370; British Horological, Mechanical appliances, names of, 182; discovery of springs, the, 111; Engineers, Institution of, 81, 389 Potash, manufacture of nitrate of, 4; soda and, from Potatoes, new use for, 144 Pottery, new glazing for, 32 Preserving beer, 310 Printing fabrics in relief, 375; frame, photographic, 102 Projectile force, influence of, 61 Projectiles and cartridges, 245; chilled iron, 109; and explosives, 2; guns aud, 255; from rifled cannon, by M de Brettles, 6 Prussian navy, the, 274 Psychrometer, a new, 113 Puddling apparatus, 388; machine, 116 Pulverisation of liquid fuel, 167 Pumps, hydraulic, 100 Purification of air, 95 Pyrites, treating residue of, 83 Q. QUESTIONS of the day, military, 192 Reaping machine, 258 Refrigerator, 244 Repeating rifle, the Spencer, 270 Reports, weather, 77 Reservoir, a large, 406 Reservoirs, appendages of, by Mr. Jacob, 178 Rifle, the Spencer rifle, 390; Chassepot breechlording, the, 148; Hammond, 308; new breechloading, 130; Snider, Rifles, breechloading, 17, 237, 286, 402 Rifled cannon, projectiles from, 6 Rio Janeiro, longitude of, 7 River Tyne, a memoir, by W. A. Brooks, 200 Rock Island arsenal, 163 Rolling metals, 389 Rotary and reciprocating engine, 133 Roughing horses, 373 Royal Institution, 275 Ruby silver, 371 Rudders and lifting screws, balancing, 32 Ruelle, cannon foundry at, 158, 173, 191, 205, 287, 334 S. SACCHAROMETER, optical, 181 Safety apparatus for mines, 319 Safety lamp, self extinguishing, 34 Scarifying land, 85 Science in Dublin, College of, 275 Science, chignons, and, 163; continental, 102; new appli- Sciences, hall of arts and, 320; Belgian academy of, 390 Screen, serpentine coal, 66 Screening sand, 222 Screw piles to bridge-building, applying, 150 Singapore, gas in, 271 Siphon, the middle level, 65 Slags from blast furnaces, treating, 38 Smoke, utilisation of copper, 38 Soap, adulteration of soft, 288 Soaps, detection of alkali in, 272 Society, Aeronautical, the, 262, 277, 293, 346; engineers, Soda from felspars, potash and, 144; for the production of 50 Sonorous vibrations, 383 Spectra, wave lengths of, 257 Spencer repeating rifle, the, 269, 390 Steam boiler, by J. W. Reid, 134; boilers, improperly con- Steep gradients on railways, 161 Stone, artificial, 335; in India, concrete, 310; works, Storm warnings, 198, 263, 397; signal, suspension of, 10, 371 Strains in girders, by W. J. Millar, 47 Sub-Atlantic cable, a new, 199 Submarine telegraph, a new, 356; telegraphy, i Suez canal, the, 241 Swedish gun, 245 Switzerland, telegraphy in, 274 I. TANNING materials, valuation of, 4 Telegraph cable, picking up the Atlantić, 81; cables, by C. UTENSILS, Bessemer steel for cooking, 288 V. Warnings, storm, 198, 263 Water glass as a coating for floors, 128; at low tempera- Wax, adulteration of bees, 351 Wells in Algeria, artesian, 363 Whitelead, manufacture Whitewash, a new, 208 Whitworth rifle, the, 339 of, 183 Telegraphy, earth current in, 159; at the Hartley Institu-Yorkshire engine company, 43 Telescope, a large, 102 Terrestrial disturbances, singular, 134 ZINC, the reducing action of, 4 ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOL. XVII. Aeronautical Society, the, 262 Air, purification of, by M. Cabanes, 95 Belts, slipping of, 242 Boiler association, Manchester, 53; explosions, 69; household, 286;"Field" safety, the, 370; Howard, the, 306 Boilers, action of safety valves for steam, by T. Baldwin, 96 Bolts and spikes, heading, by M. Bayliss, 229; and washers, by J. Chalmers, 325 Boring rocks, by 8. Richards, 9 Bottles and stoppers, by A. S. Stocker, 354 Furnace, Cornish boiler and, by T. Dixon, 196; silesian Pneumatic, railways, by T. W. Rammell, 164 gas, the, 82 Girders, strains in, by W. J. Millar, 47 Grain sorting, by J. Lhuellier, 405 Buoys, electric light for, by M. A. Miroude, 117; life, by Guns, working, by Captain Scott, 292 Hammer, steam, by M. Rivollier, 165 Hot air apparatus, by MM. Geneste and Hercher, 367 Coal cutting, by J. G. Jones, 8; screen, serpentine, by W. Lathe, Kennans, 117 Collieries, overwinding in, by Mr. Bryham, 382 Crane, steam, by M. J. Chretien, 79 Crucibles, manufacture of, by T. V. Morgan and E. Hyles, 404 Cylinders, casting, by M. J. G. Lauriac, 341; hammering sheet metal, by J. Harrison, 101 Darning machine, by E. A. Cowper, 228 Deck joints, by W. Gerard, 71 Diapason, application of the, by N. Breguet, 342 Drawing instruments, mathematical, by W. F. Stanley, 146 Electric lamps, 207 Enamels, punching glass and, 3 Fibres, dressing, by Chadwick and Bremme, 22 Lathes, box for turning, by J. W. Wolfenden, 9 Latitude and longitude, obtaining, by C. F. Varley, 293 Puddling machine, by J. Griffiths, 116 Railways, permanent way on, by T. A. Rochussen, 68 Rifle, Chassepot breechloading, the, 148; Hammond Russ and E. and H. Hammond, 130 Rolling machine, by Petin and Gaudet, 389 Rotary and reciprocating engine, by T. Blatch, 133 Roughing horses, by F. Dominick, 373 Rudder, lifting screws and balancing, 32 Sand, screening, 222 Scarifying land, by G. W. Horner, 85 Screw piles to bridge buildings, applying, by J. J. Horner, 150, 162 Screw, wood, by H. Titus, 23 Screws, balancing rudders and lifting, by Captain Key, 39 Liquids, measuring, by R. A. Hardcastle, 309 Metals, forging and shaping, by R. Mitchell, 180 Mills, grinding, by Thompson and Stather, 36 Mines, ascent and descent of coal, 175; safety apparatus Navy, notes on our, 242 Oiler, machinery, by C. E. Brooman, 197 Optical saccharometer, by Rev. J. H. Jellett, 181 Signal gear, switch and, by Kennard Brothers, 373 Steam engine, by J. Field, 372; by J. Youle, 84; Oscilla · Steel, casting iron and, by J. Whitworth, 324 Tapping apparatus, by T. Marsh, 354 Tool, combination, by J. C. Longshore, 69; holder, by Tubes, cleansing boiler, by E. Green, 212 Water machinery, by 8. W. Worssam, 55 THE MECHANICS' MAGAZINE. LONDON: FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1867. THE PAST YEAR. RETROSPECTIVE. ON entering upon the New Year we pro MARINE ENGINEERING. The cellent mechanical means, recovered the lost unquestionable proof of the correctness of cable, and, uniting it with the portion from reducing the length of our ship of war. which a year before it had parted, completed results of the full draught trial of the "Bellethe electrical union of England and America by rophon," with a mean draught of 24ft. and a a double bond. And there are those two displacement of 7,230 tons, was a speed of thread-like lines reposing upon the bottom of 14.2 knots per hour by 6,400 indicated horsethe deep Atlantic, flashing messages from shore power. The turret system appears to be to shore, noble examples of the triumph of gaining ground, and at last Captain Cowper mind over matter, so strong that twelve miles P. Coles may hope to have his perseverance of their own weight will not break them in rewarded by seeing a vessel constructed water-so sensitive that signals can be sent entirely upon his own principle, and not throughout their whole length, some 7,000 merely a conversion which by no means N entering upon the New Year we pro- of water and an atom of zinc in a percussion himself with regard to the merits of his system. miles, with a battery formed of a single drop affords him an opportunity of vindicating custom, to bring in review before our readers cap!. The commercial success of the enter- During the past year Captain Coles has worked the chief scientific facts and events of the past fact that it has led to the revival of several the construction of revolving turrets, which prise is unparalled, as may be judged from the out several very important improvements in year, by which we may trace the progress schemes for establishing telegraphic communi- greatly enhance the value of the system, and that has been made in the various depart-cation by other routes. Inents of science. Viewed from a commercial Arrangements, we enable it to be adapted to all circumstances. point of view the year which has just closed hear, are nearly completed for commencing at One improvement consists in fitting a circular upon us is one which has few, if any, pleasant cable intended to be laid for the North Atlantic and turning apparatus of a revolving turret once the manufacture, at Liverpool, of the bulkhead or fixed turret round the lower part reminiscences. It has been a chequered one; route by way of Iceland and Greenland. The or gun platform, for the purpose of protecting nay, worse, it may be called a black-letter general progress of submarine telegraphy may it. This circular bulkhead in the case of ships year for trade and commerce. Misfortune and be judged from the fact that, apart from the is supported upon the main deck, to which loss have appeared in every conceivable shape two Atlantic cables, 54 submarine cables 6,811 angle-irons are secured, and the outside of the and form; shipwrecks, railway accidents and miles long in all, with 11,020 miles of insu- lower part of the bulkhead rests against these defections, monetary panics, banking and lated wire, have been laid in various parts of angle-irons. The bulkhead reaches up to commercial failures, colliery explosions, and numerous other evils have done their work in the world. It is stated that the total earnings about the level of the upper deck, and be rendering the year 1866 memorable in the of the two Atlantic cables since their opening, tween the bulkhead and the ring which conannals of misfortune and misery. These cir- including Sundays, have averaged £813 a day, nects the upper deck beams, Captain Coles cumstances have influenced trade to a con- when the charge was reduced one-half, has which wedges or filling pieces are forced. The and the average, since the 1st of Nov mber, leaves an annular space about 2in. wide, into siderable extent, and, although no one cansay been £874 per day. May they go on prosper-angle-irons and these wedges dispense with that they have absolutely checked scientific progress, yet it may be fairly argued that, as deserve a rich reward. ing! They who risked so much in the matter the necessity of employing bolts or other faspractical engineering has felt a shock-and a Not less do those to tenings for the circular bulkhead plating. severe one too-of the commercial convulsions, whose skill, talent, andt energy tha success is Radial bars or arms are fixed between the cirscience has lost opportunities of practical dedue, deserve that recognition which the cular bulkhead and the socket of the central velopment which otherwise it might have enable services. May they long live to enjoy support the socket. Captain Coles also now country has accorded to them for their invalu- pivot of the revolving turret, which hold and joyed. And this will be the more apparent their honours, and to add fresh triumphs to dispenses with the necessity of having a large when we consider how very close and real is the connection between every branch of science those they have already achieved! hole in the upper deck of a vessel, or in the surface of a fort, to receive the base or lower and the profession of engineering, and how very much each depends upon the other for part of the revolving turret or platform. This aid and development. As, therefore, comThe chief feature in marine engineering, and is effected by fitting the rollers upon which the merce and commercial transactions are, to all one which has attracted much attention of late, turret revolves below the upper deck, so that intents and purposes, the bases upon which is Mr. Ruthven's system of hydraulic propul- a sufficient portion of each roller projects science rears her splendid monuments, so we sion. This method of propelling ships by the through an aperture in the upper deck for the may conclude that a disorganisation of the sub-reaction of water issuing from turbine water turret to revolve upon; the rollers are supstrata must to some extent influence the super-wheels has been adopted in the "Waterwitch," ported by carlines or small beams below the The apertures structure. Or, in other and plainer words, a vessel of the Royal Navy. The system has upper deck, or in frames. commerce having been checked and retarded several advantages which are peculiarly its for the rollers and the central aperture for the the progress and development of practical own. Amongst others it gives a ship the socket are all the openings that require to be science have to some extent been delayed and power of discharging a great quantity of formed in the upper deck for the turret. obstructed. There would, however, be but water, and of thus keeping afloat after she has Another important point is that Captain Coles little wisdom in endeavouring to conjecture sprung a leak or has been penetrated by shot. has succeeded in adapting the turret system to what might have been the case had circum- Facility of manoeuvring is another advantage, forts as well as to ships. For forts and such stances been different; no one can say there whilst the propelling power is far less liable to like defences the fixed turret or circular bulkhas been a loss when there has been no pos- injury in action than either the screw or the head is supported upon the foundations of the session. We will, therefore, turn to the more paddle. The "Waterwitch" has had one fort, and has a glacis of masonry formed around cheerful side of the picture and see what has trial on the Thames with remarkably good reit. In turret ships, we may observe, Captain been the gain; what new victories science sults; and she is now out on another and more Coles introduces a hurricano deck, which is no has inscribed on her banner, and, of what new extended trial, which it is hoped will afford new idea, but it affords great protection to the triumphs the skill, pluck, and perseverance of the means of drawing correct conclusions re- top of the turret, as well as to the head of the the age has to boast. specting the result obtained. Opinions vary gunner taking aim, which might be a tempting with regard to the practical value of this target for riflemen. The strength and posystem, so that we shall look with interest for sition of the Royal Navy at the present First and foremost, then, at the head and the further trials to determine the true cha- moment is best expressed by briefly summaThe in- rising an official return, which was issued on forefront of the peaceful victories of science racter of this method of propulsion. must be placed the successful laying of the defatigable exertions of Mr. Richardson to in- Wednesday last, under the authority of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable. The importance of troduce petroleum furnaces into the vessels Lords of the Admirality. This return gives the results to the whole world cannot be overof the Royal Navy as well as other ships have the number, name, tonnage, armament, and estimated, and the accomplishment of the not led to a practical issue at present. The horse-power of each vessel comprising the great work signally illustrates the progress of results of a long series of experiments carried British navy. From it, we find there are 579 scientific engineering. Whether we regard on by Mr. Richardson in the Woolwich Dock-vessels of all descriptions, which may be classithe construction or the laying of the cable, we yard with one of his petroleum furnaces were fied as follows:-312 ships, corvettes, and inevitably come to the conclusion that each in-lar better than those hitherto obtained from frigates, 72 sailing ships, 100 gun-boats, 113 volved a greater amount of scientific engi- coal, but the great commercial question of cost vessels employed in harbour service, 41 coastneering than any other enterprise. To design appears at present to be a bar to practical ap-guard cruisers, and 38 coast-guard watch the cable required an extensive acquaintance plication. Mr. Richardson, however, is about with the principles of electricity, whilst to construct it demanded the experience of many years' practical study and research. In laying it, all the resources of mechanical science and steam engineering were brought to aid in effecting the grand result, whilst, but for that masterpiece of naval architecture, the "Great Eastern," the cable might never have been laid at all. But more than this, the successful navigator so guided the hip that the engineer, by dint of perseverance and aided by ex SUBMARINE TELEGRAPHY. to institute another series of experiments with all ordinary circumstances of ocean traffic, OUR NAVY. In naval architecture, the efficiency of the principle of cellular construction, first introduced by Mr. Reed into the "Bellerophon," has been thoroughly proved, whilst the speed and handiness of the vessel just named gives vessels. Of the foregoing no less than 262 are in commission and doing duty in various parts of the globe. In addition to the above, there are also 24 vessels under construction at the various Government and private yards, many of which are in a very forward state for launching. GUNNERY. Turning from ships to guns, we find the year to have been marked by the successful introduction of the Fraser gun, which promises to effect an enormous saving in the | METEORIC SHOWER. annual expenditure for artillery-the saving in similar to the safety fuse which is in common respectively made separately into yarns and manufacture is said to be about £150,000 per use on the continent. The depth of hole are woven or interlaced into fabrics, and when annum, as against the Armstrong system of for a mine may be the same as for ordinary the interspersion of the converted and unconguns. The Fraser guns have been put to some blasting powder, and the igniting string must verted fibres are still more intimate-as is the very severe tests, and have stood fire uncom- be sunk about three-fourths of the depth, the case in pulping the fibres and making paper monly well; one has fired a thousand rounds powder requiring an intense flame for explo- of mixtures thereof. For sporting purposes, with full service charges and still remains sion. The temperature required for the ignition about 15 per cent. of the unconverted with serviceable, whilst others have endured four of this gunpowder for blasting purposes is 85 per cent. of the converted fibre makes hundred rounds with much higher charges about 400 deg. Centigrade, equal to 752 Fah. excellent paper, and about thirty grains by than are used in ordinary practice. So satis- The chief points upon which this powder recom- weight of this paper rolled into a cylinder factory has the system proved on careful trial mends itself to the public appear to be that makes a proper charge when used with about that the construction of several 600-pounder its safety from explosion as long as it is in con-1 oz. of shot. guns on Mr. Fraser's principle has been de-tact with the atmosphere renders it fit for fabricided on, and we believe commenced. With cation, storage, and conveyance; it gives regard to small arms, the past year has seen a very little smoke, very little residuum, and The past year has been distinguished by the revolution in the method of arming the sol- very little recoil, and its strength will not be recurrence of one of those periodical displays diers of every nation. The Prussian needle diminished by wet or a damp atmosphere; of celestial pyrotechny which, while they gun has led to every State adopting some being redried it contains the same destructive baffle man's understanding when he attempts modified form of breech-loader; either a new power as it possessed before damp had reached to determine their precise physical nature, at rifle has been introduced, or the old ones have it; and its commercial value is said to be any rate verify in a marked manner the prebeen converted from muzzle to breech-loaders. much less than that of any other powder. So dictions of astronomical science. The meteoric Conversion has been the order of the day far the results are satisfactory, but as further shower of November, 1866, will be long with us in England, and the Snider-Enfield is trials are to be made, there will be another remembered by those who witnessed it, as now being introduced into our army. This is, opportunity of testing the merits of the inven- well for its grandeur as for the vague and however, but a temporary measure, a sort of tion, and of ascertaining whether any difficul- indefinite sensations to which it gave rise. stop-gap, but the stepping stone, we hope, to ties lie in the way of its general adoption. Fire balls and vivid flashes everywhere, a far better and more perfect arm. A light The practical adaptation of gun cotton for use apparently violent explosions and fragments arm of small calibre, capable of rapid firing in fire-arms has made considerable progress of ponderable bodies, but no whiz, no whirr, and of containing a reserve of shots for an during the past year. Mr. W. A. Dixon has no crack, no crash-in effect, no sound whatemergency, is the weapon we want. Such in utilised this powerful explosive by modifying ever from the rushing streaming multitude. effect is the Spencer rifle, which made some the form in which it is used. He retards the The heavens scarified with streaks which faded stir at the last Wimbledon meeting, doing ex- explosion to some extent by manufacturing the ere they came, but nothing that any sense cellent shooting both for rapidity and accuracy. cotton into cloth, and further by incorporating save that of sight could recognise. Strange Since then, however, this rifle has been greatly it with a non-explosive material. It is coiled and mysterious all this, and not less so than the improved, and we hope in a short time to with a spiral piece of paper, the centre of the perfect accuracy with which the prediction of place the points of improvement before our charge alone being pure gun cotton. The re- their coming was fulfilled to the hour. They readers. It may be remembered that some sult of this arrangement is that the first portion came and they went, and, but for the sight of time since we announced that the National burns freely so as to overcome the vis inertia them, none are wiser with respect to them than Rifle Association had appointed a breech- of the shot or bullet, whilst the remainder of before they came. Then prophecy steps loading military rifle trial; it now appears the charge is so adapted that it shall all have forward and announces to the world that thirtythat this competition has been abandoned in spent its whole force just as the empty case three years hence the mysterious strangers consequence of the more full and satisfactory leaves the muzzle of the gun. Thus the sudden shall once more revisit our atmosphere. Shall Government trial of similar rifles, which has ignition of the whole charge and the danger we then be wiser with regard to them? Shall been announced, and by which the object attending it is wholly obviated. Subsequently our scientific Babel then have touched the of the Council-viz., the production of a to this Messrs. Prentice, of Stowmarket, the skies? Shall we then be able to set traps to perfect military arm-is more likely to be well-known manufacturers of gun cotton, in-catch them; or, simpler still, shall we have obtained. troduced some improvements having the same devised butterfly nets to imprison them? Let object. As we have not before noticed them the coming generation answer for itself when we will now give the leading particulars of it discusses the question. But a doubt has reFrom guns to projectiles and gunpowder is this important invention. It consists in inter-cently been expressed that the meteoric display, an easy and a natural transition, and here we weaving other cotton or suitable fibrous ma- so anxiously awaited, was not the grand one first congratulate Major Palliser upon the ex- terial in an inert state with gun-cotton, to re- after all; that, in fact, it was but a rehearsal of traordinary success of his chilled shot. After tard and modify the rapidity of its explosion to what we shall see in fuller grandeur next year. much toil, trouble, and anxiety, which is such an extent as may be desired for the Hear what Dr. Phipson, F.C.S., says: easily expressed, but not easily realised by special purposes to which the explosive com- "Though many thousand persons have been those who have not trodden similar paths, pounds are to be applied. Mr. E. C. Prentice fortunate enough to witness the magnificent Major Palliser has once more turned the tide has ascertained in practice that it is desirable display, a still greater number were fast asleep of the great battle of guns versus plates in to employ as little inert cotton or other fibrous in their beds, and, believing that such a sight favour of the former. Our 7-inch and 9-inch material as may be in order to obtain the de- can only be seen every thirty-three years, guns with pointed chilled shot have penetrated sired degree of retardation in the burning of regret what they have lost. The latter will every plate at which they have been dis- the pyroxylin, more particularly when the be glad to learn that from the observations charged, and it is probable that more can be compounds are to be used in fire-arms, as the already collected respecting the late star done than even has been. This success of shot use of comparatively large proportions of the shower, it appears more and more probable against plate has doubtless set our iron manu- inert or unconverted cotton or other fibre that, although so fine, it was not the great facturers to work to devise some means where- tends to foul the barrels, and he has further as-display so anxiously awaited, and that we may by they may once more be in the ascendant, certained that the points of contact and interbut we think they will have tough work to section of the converted fibre with the unconstop one of Major Palliser's projectiles. With verted fibre should be as numerous as possible, regard to gunpowder, the most recent novelty, and that the more minutely the fibres are and one which appears to embody practical divided, and the more intimately they are invalue, is the gun and blasting powder invented terspersed amongst each other, the less proby M. Neumeyer, of Saxony. Some interest-portion orquantity of the inert or unconverted ing trials recently took place in the Crystal cotton or other fibre is required to produce a Palace grounds, and which showed that the given retardation in the burning of the material, which is composed of the same con- pyroxylin; consequently there should be no stituents as ordinary gunpowder-viz., salt-massing or accumulating of the converted fibre petre, carbon, and sulphur-would, when in (pyroxylin), or of the unconverted cotton or The close of the past year was unfortucontact with the air, burn but not explode, but fibre, but, on the contrary, as intimate a mix-nately marked by a sad misfortune for science, when hermetically confined in a cannon or a ture of the two classes of fibres as possible. a misfortune, too, which was and is deplored mine would explode with the same effect as Mr. Prentice employs yarn, the cotton or fibre by thousands in our own land and in foreign the powder now in general use. It is as a of which has been converted by acid into countries. The Crystal Palace has become a blasting powder, however, that the patentee pyroxylin, before and after being formed into synonym for the science of the world, for there is endeavouring to promote its adoption. yarn. The proportion in which inert or un-are gathered practical illustrations of science in Several experiments have already been made converted cotton may be combined with gun innumerable forms from all parts of the with it at the Bardon-hill and Markfield quar- cotton or pyroxylin may be greatly varied, de- world. Amongst these, one of the most strikries, with results which went to show that it was pending on the extent to which the quick-ing and interesting was the magnificent colmuch less dangerous than the ordinary blast-burning properties of the pyroxylin are desired lection of tropical vegetation, which was suring powder, and that the quantity used in the to be retarded; but he has found it desirable, trials was less than would be required if the latter material had been employed. In blasting in a mine, the mine must be well closed, and the powder exploded with an igniting string, PROJECTILES AND EXPLOSIVES. more particularly when the manufacture is confidently expect another, perhaps more magnificent still, from the 11th to the 14th of November, 1867." Well, it may be so; those who live the longest see the most, and those who see November 11 to 14, 1867, may possibly regret having watched and waited for the display of November 13, 1866, as we did-not that we shall ever regret having watched and waited, the result was far too glorious. THE CRYSTAL PALACE. rounded by reproductions of antiquities and scientific records, which were a source of perpetual pleasure to the contemplative mind. These, alas! are all gone, food for the flames which claimed the tropical department for their |