spheric electricity collected in suspended wires. [These surfaces are two brass plates roughened with a file, or with grooves cut across them in opposite directions, and a piece of linen cloth interposed. One plate is connected with an extremity of the line wire, and the second with the earth, or the plates are attached at each terminal of the line wires between them and the indicating instruments. By these means the atmospheric electricity contained in the suspended wires instead of passing through the indicator coil to the injury of the appara tus connected therewith, is conducted at once into the earth.]

8. A self-acting arrangement for the same purpose. [Two brass balls are suspended by wires from a brass bar which is in connec tion with the line wires, in such a manner that they rest lightly against each other, but that when a sufficient amount of electricity has collected in the wires they may be repelled, and coming in contact with two brass plates, be held in that position until the escape of the electricity through the plates into the earth shall allow them to return to their original state of rest.]

9. The use for the same purpose of strips of metallic leaf introduced into the circuit [but which under the influence of a strong current of electricity (such as is produced by a flash of lightning) in the wires may be fused, and thus break the circuit, and permit the escape of such electricity into the earth instead of passing through the coil into the indicator].

10. A method of improving the insula. tion of telegraphic wires by applying an inverted second bell of insulating material within the outer one.

CELESTE MENOTTI, of Rue de la Paix, Paris. For certain chemical compositions for rendering cotton, linen, woollen, silk, and other fabrics impervious to water, "and fixing colours in dyeing." Patent dated December 27, 1850.

The words of the title contained between inverted commas have been disclaimed. The method adopted by the patentee in manufacturing his improved waterproofing composition, which he calls "hydrofugine," is as follows:-1. In a vessel capable of holding three gallons, he places 22lbs. of sulphate of alumina, or of potash and alumina, or of alumina and ammonia, or sulphate of zinc or copper, or chloride of tin, reduced to powder (with the exception of the sulphate of alumina, which is cut in slices, and the chloride of tin, which is employed in a crystallized state.) 2. In a second similar vessel he places 14 ozs. of oleic, stearic, or margaric acids (the two last of which substances are known in commerce as stearine), or of some soap or saponaceous matter. 3.

He mixes the oleic acid, or dissolves the other substances, by the aid of heat, in two gallons of alcohol at 30° Cartier, and pours this compound on the salt employed; then submits the whole to a temperature of about 30° Reaumur, and obtains the hydrofugine in a dry, powdered, or moulded state. For waterproofing cotton and linen cloth, one part of the composition is dissolved in 100 parts of water, and the fabric, after having been soaked in the solution, is hung up to dry, and is then in a finished state. For silk and woollen, one part of the composition is added to 200 parts of water. Pasteboard, cords, and other materials, may be also treated with this composition, which possesses the advantage of permitting the passage of air, whilst it effectually excludes wet and moisture.

Claim. The processes described for the production of the composition called by the inventor hydrofugine, and its application for rendering linen, cotton, silk, woollen, and other fabrics impervious to water, but pervious to air.

JOHN MATHISON FRASER, of Mark-lane, merchant. For improvements in the manufacture of sugar. (A communication.) Patent dated December 27, 1850.

This invention consists in a method of treating the expressed cane or beetroot juice by adding quicklime, and subsequently a saturated aqueous solution of sulphurous acid, in certain specified proportions. The acid for this purpose may be procured by the direct combustion of sulphur in atmospheric air, or by heating metallic oxides (such as that of manganese) and sulphur, or by decomposing sulphuric acid by the aid of heat, and of certain metals (such as mercury or copper), or carbonaceous materials (such as wood charcoal.) The last is the process preferred by the patentee, and in carrying it into effect he employs an apparatus consisting of three closed vessels communicating with each other by pipes, the first to contain the wood charcoal operated on (which is coarsely powdered and imbued with eight times its volume of sulphuric acid;) the second, water to wash the acids evolved; and the third, the water to be saturated. The application of heat to the first vessel in the range causes the evolution of sulphurous and carbonic acid gases, which pass through the water in the second vessel into the third, the water in which is saturated with the sulphurous acid, whilst the carbonic acid gas is allowed to escape, together with the superabundance of the sulphurous acid. This loss may, however, be prevented by employing a larger number of receivers. The "sulphurous solution" thus obtained should be bottled off into carboys, and corked up for use. Its specific gravity should be about

1.05, and it should contain thirty volumes of gas to one of water.

The method in which quicklime and the solution are employed is as follows:-The expressed cane-juice ce is poured into an open vessel through a sieve containing 0-312lbs. Netherlands, of quicklime, and a similar quantity of lime is mixed with four cans Netherlands (about seven-eighths of a gallon) of juice, to about the consistence of cream, and held ready for use. This quantity is sufficient for 1000 cans, or about 220 gallons English measure. When about 500 cans of juice have run into the vessel, the above-named mixture is added, together with three cans of solution, and the whole well incorporated by stirring. After this the remainder of the juice is run in, another can of solution added, and the mixture stirred and allowed to settle. The clear liquor is drawn off when subsidence of the suspended particles has taken place, and is boiled in an open pan, the scum and flakes which rise during the operation being carefully and completely removed. The liquor will at first have an olive-brown colour and a peculiar odour, and will throw up brown flakes; but as the boiling proceeds the smell lessens, and the colour gradually changes to a green, and finally assumes a rich golden hue, throwing up at this time yellow-coloured flakes. When the colour is quite clear the boiling is discontinued, and the liquor is then fit for evaporation and crystallization in the ordinary manner. The boiling may be conducted in the vacuum pan, care being taken to remove the scum in this as in the former operation. This may be conveniently done about the time when the density of the liquor is about 38° Beaumé, equal to a specific gravity of 1.3.

The patentee does not claim generally the employment of quicklime and sulphurous acid in the purification fication of saccharine juices, but he claims the treatment of such juices in the manner and for the purposes set forth.

EDWARD DUNN, of New York, master mariner. For an improved engine for producing motive power by the dilatation or expansion of certain fluids or gases caused by the application of caloric. Patent dated December 26, 1850.

The patentee describes two arrangements of machinery for obtainining motive power by the dilatation of air or fixed gases, the caloric absorbed by the air during the heating process being surrendered, and again employed to heat a fresh supply. By this means a constant circulation of caloric is maintained, and the furnace employed only to supply the amount of heat lost during its transference from one supply of air to another.

Claims-1. A regenerator, whereby the

caloric in the air or other circulating medium, as it passes from the cylinder, is transferred to a series of discs of wire net or minute mineral or metallic particles, and again delivered to the working medium, either at stated intervals or at each succes

sive stroke of the piston.

2. The combination of an expansion heater with the working cylinder, by which the fall of temperature consequent on the expansion of the circulating medium during the upward stroke of the piston is restored, and the force of the piston augmented to a greater extent than if no such retransfer of heat took place.

3. A heat-intercepting vessel attached to the working piston, by which any injuriously high temperature is prevented from reaching the packing of the piston, and by which also the very desirable end is obtained of presenting always surfaces of uniform high temperature to the acting medium under the working piston.

4. Placing the working and supplying cylinders in an inverted position, and leaving their ends open.

5. The direct attachment of the working and supplying pistons, by which arrangement the acting and reacting forces are uniformly distributed, and the maximum working effect of the pistons obtained.

THOMAS SYMES PRIDEAUX, of Southampton, gentleman. For improvements in generating and condensing steam, and in fire-places and furnaces. Patent dated December 28, 1850.

Claims.-1. Coating the inside of steam boiler furnaces, and any desired part of the flue with fire-bricks, or any stone or composition having analogous qualities, and also placing one or more rows of water tube, cased outside with fire-brick, or any equivalent substitute at or behind the flue bridge. Also the use of a closed ash-pit under pressure in combination with this form of furnace.

2. A method of constructing tubular boilers [with a single tier of tubes laid in an inclined direction, and perpendicular conical tubes rising from them; the intermediate spaces forming the flue.]

3. The application of a lining of loosely woven porous or fibrous material to the inside of a steam chamber of steam boilers. [The lining is kept in its place by a wire frame, and should extend downwards into the water of the boiler to such a depth as to be kept constantly saturated with moisture by capillary attraction.]

4. The addition to any apparatus for heating steam in its passage from the boiler to the cylinder, or for heating the cylinder, of an automatic contrivance for regulating the heat applied according to the temperature produced.

5. The combination of a fan-blower and steam jet for producing a draught for the furnaces of locomotives and other non-condensing engines.

6. A method of constructing condensers by employing corrugated metal arranged to produce parallel spaces [which are occupied alternately by the steam to be condensed and the water employed for that purpose, which is supplied by a centrifugal pump or other means of causing a rapid circulation].

7. The construction of fire-places with bars made to open [for the supply of fuel under the incandescent mass] and the application of reflecting surfaces to grates so arranged with respect to their angle of inclination as to produce a maximum of useful effect.

8. The application of furnaces of an airsupply valve to be closed by any suitable apparatus at a determinate period after the supply of fuel.

9. The combined use in the ash-pit of reverberatory furnaces and steam boiler furnaces of water and air under pressure in closed ash-pits.

ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of Chancerylane, mechanical draughtsman. For improvements in the construction of metal shutters. (A communication.) Patent dated December 27, 1850.

These improvements consist in forming the connecting joints to the strips of metal of which metallic shutters are composed by curving or bending the meeting edges in opposite directions, and sliding one curve within the other, the hollow being filled by inserting a rod of wire which serves to prevent indentation of the joint, and when bent down at the ends, increases its security, and prevents the parts from being disconnected. In order to prevent the forcing open of these shutters when closed, the ends may be turned in at right angles, and an L-shaped groove be provided for them to slide up and down in.

Claim. The construction of metal shutters by the employment of the connecting joint formed as above described.

WILLIAM HENRY JONES, M.A., of Queen's College, and Chorley, Sussex, clerk. For improvements in apparatus to be used when burning candles. dated December 28, 1850.

Patent

This improved apparatus, which the patentee calls an "acolyte," consists of a cap composed partly of metal and partly of glass, porcelain, plaster of Paris, or other nonconductor of heat, which fits loosely on the top of the candle, and descends gradually as it burns away, thus preventing swaling or guttering, at the same time that it causes a regular supply of melted wax, &c., on every side of the wick.

Caps composed wholly of metal or glass have been in use before, but the distinguishing features of the "acolyte" are a cap of metal, or heat-conducting material, combined with a guide-ring of non-conducting material.

The acolyte may be constructed with a collar, for the purpose of receiving a glass or paper shade.

JOHN RANSOM ST. JOHN, of New York, engineer. For improvements in the construction of compasses and apparatus for ascertaining and registering the velocity of ships or vessels through the water. Patent dated December 27, 1850.

The improvements claimed under this patent comprehend

1. The application to mariners' compasses of satellites, or auxiliary needles, for indicating the amount and direction of any variation from the true meridian caused by local attraction.

2. A method of and apparatus for ascertaining the velocity of a ship through the water, by the action of the water on the blades of a fan-wheel.

3. An arrangement of log-glass, lever, and auxilliary contrivances, whereby the motion given to the clockwork by the reel is communicated to an index-hand during a definite period of time, the different parts of the apparatus being so proportioned, and the dial so divided, that the index, moving while the sand is running in the glass, may show the rate of speed at which the vessel is moving during a given time.

4. The application to logs of a parachute, and cylindrical wedge for keeping it extended in the water, and so arranged as to admit of its being readily withdrawn when the log-ship is drawn on board the vessel.

JAMES SLATER and JOHN NUTTALL SLATER, of Dunscar, bleachers. For certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for the purpose of stretching and opening textile or woven fabrics. Patent dated December 28, 1850.

The apparatus here specified is applicable to the opening and stretching of fabrics which have been attached together in continuous lengths for convenience in the dyeing and bleaching operations. The fabric, in a twisted state, is first passed through a tube, to which motion is communicated in a direction opposite to that of the twist in the fabric, and is thence conducted between two vibrating bars, which effect the opening, to a taking-up roller.

Claims.-1. The stretching and opening of textile fabrics, by machinery or apparatus arranged as described.

2. The opening of textile fabrics by a vibrating motion.

John Platt, of Oldham, Lancaster, engineer, and Richard Burch, of Heywood, Lancaster, manager, for certain improvements in looms for weaving. July 3; six months.

James Howard, of the Britannia Iron Works, Bedford, agricultural implement maker, for improvements in ploughs, and other implements or machines used in the cultivation of the soil. July 3: six months.

John Aston, of Birmingham, manufacturer, for improvements in buttons and ornaments for dress, and the machinery for making the same respectively. (A communication.) July 3; six months. Charles Payne, of Wandsworth-road, Surrey, gent., for improvements in drying animal and vegetable substances, and in heating and cooling liquids. July 3; six months.

Robert Haynes Easum, of Commercial - road, Stepney, Middlesex, rope-maker, for improvements in the manufacture of rope. July 3; six months.

William Hamer, of Manchester, for certain improvements in looms for weaving. July 3; six months.

George Kemp, of Carnarvon, North Wales, doctor of medicine, for a new method of obtaining power by means of electro-magnetism. July 3; six months.

Richard Jex Crickmer and Frederick William Crickmer, of Page's-walk, Bermondsey, engineers and co-partners, for improvements in packing stuffing-boxes and pistons. July 3; six months.

Charles Cowper, of Southampton - buildings, Chancery-lane, Middlesex, patent agent, for improvements in the preparation of cotton for dyeing, and bleaching. July 3; six months.

Charles Barlow, esq., of Chancery-lane, London, for improvements in rotary engines. (A communication.) July 3; six months.

Date of

ger for Messrs. Ormerod and Son, engineers, for certain improvements in steam engines, and in apparatus for generating steam; such improvements in engines being wholly or in part applicable where other vapour and gases are used as the motive power. June 10.