IN

"N the history of speculative science we have seen a great many learned and ingenious theories to account for the varied phenomena presented by the elements that evade the direct tests of weight and measure-such as light, electricity, and magnetism, and more especially that called heat or caloric. With respect to the nature of the latter, directly conflicting views have been taken by philosophers of eminence, both ancient and modern, in expounding the causes of calorific phenomena,on the one hand denying and on the other affirming the identity or reality of heat as a natural element. Among the ancient asserters of the nonentity doctrine, we find the names of Boyle and his followers; and in modern times those of Count Rumford, Sir Humphry Davy, Dr. Joule, and many others of less eminence: and in support of the material nature of heat, we have the names of Boerhaave and his school, and in later times those of Dr. Black, James Watt, Sir James Leslie, Dr. Hulton, Dr. William Henry, and Dr. Dalton, with others of note. Without here discussing the diverse grounds of difference on the questions at issue (having elsewhere dwelt at length on their respective bearings) I proceed to explain those on which the materiality of heat appears to rest, and whereon the entire range of phenomena connected with the imponderable elements may admit of

rational solutions.

On this view of the mutations of heat, we see why it must become more or less redundant in the upper air, according to the varying rates of evaporation. These mutations of heat will account for its becoming redundant, or of higher elastic tension, as a neutral element, in the upper air, and comparatively deficient near the earth, whereby the balance of tension, or its equilibrium, must become more or less disturbed according as In this way evaporation varies at the surface. such continuous fluxions of heat into the higher regions, and its redundant state there, generates and sustains the return currents of the element from above towards the lower clouds and the earth, which elemental movements constitute the electrical currents, such as are shown by electrometers. The diurnal variations of these currents arise from the differing rates of evaporation in the day and night. The ordinary course of these elemental fluxions apply to the common invisible currents, but, in like manner, when the mutations are excessive, they will account for the more rapid and violent electrical phenomena, constituting the thunder storms and lightnings, which so often occur within the tropics, and sometimes in our latitudes when evaporation is very rapid.* In fine, all of the corruscations, or vivid transits of the said element to restore its disturbed equilibrium are to be taken as constituting what we call the electrical and magnetic currents-as before said.

compress the medium in front of her path, but its regions of the air, when its heat, both sensible and
equilibrium must be instantly restored by its reac- latent, is evolved. But this heat does not thence
tion in her wake. This reaction explains the return to the earth as sensible heat, because the
slight retarding force of the medium on the periodic temperature above the clouds is always at or near
motions of the planets. Now, the disturbing forces the freezing point. What then becomes of these
of this orbital movements, along with the axial rota-vast floods of sensible heat, that enter the vapour
tion of the earth, serve to generate continuous at the surface and entirely disappear in those cold
currents in the medium, and which constitute what regions above? The plain answer seems to be that
we call magnetism, or the magnetic currents, such the entire heat, so ascending and disappearing,
as flow from the central action in the earth's path simply passes into its normal, or elemental form,
towards the north and south poles. In addition to of neutral heat.
the invisible currents, shown by the magnetic
phenomena, we may fairly assume that this
mechanical action of the earth generates those
luminous currents in the medium that are known,
at certain seasons, as ground lightning, and at
others as auroras or corruscations of polar lights.
We have next to consider the frictional action
of the surfaces of the sun and earth upon that
portion of the medium which extends in a right
line between the sun and the earth, and which,
acting at the ends of the intervening column,
excites the medium into those undulations or
Vibrations that act on our senses, and give the
impression of white light when seen through clear
air, and of coloured light when the undulations are
disturbed by clouds or vapours. But, to receive
the impressions, we must be within the intervening
column, or near it, as in twilight. Now, although
this medium is only perceptible as light, yet the
medium itself is at all times present, equally in
the night and in dark rooms as in daylight,-for
when its action as light is cut off by opaque bodies,
still the ambient element continues to act on our
feelings and bodies as sensible heat, and this in
different degrees of temperature, and when the
heat is intense it becomes visible as red, or white
heat and light. The duplex nature of light, too,
is shown by the action of the prism. In the
spectrum, where an increase of heat appears by
moving the thermometer from the lightest to the
darkest of red rays, and a still higher temperature
is shown when the bulb is placed just outside of
the visible spectrum, viz., in the dark rays. Thus
clearly proving that, by this mechanical action on
transmitted light among the visible rays, it is
partially converted into heat, and wholly so con-
verted outside the spectrum or in the dark rays.
We find also that sensible heat obeys the same laws
of reflection and refraction that govern the motions
of light, and differs only in the transmission through
opaque or transparent bodies. Besides, we see the
mechanical action of the lens gives direct proof of
the conversion of light into heat by the simple con-
heat is produced. The plain inference, then, is
vergence of its rays upon a point, whereby intense
that an element thus alternately exhibiting both

Since we find that mechanical forces are exerted, as in telegraphy, &c., both by the electrical and magnetic currents, their materiality is clearly proved, for such action can only be by contact of natural bodies; and by conjoint action they are shown to be merely two conditions of one and the same element, just as the mingled and alternate action of light and heat show them to be but two forms of one element. The amounts of latent heat

I assume the existence of four distinct states or conditions of heat, and which are thus defined, viz.—(1) elemental or neutral heat, (2) latent or combined heat, (3) sensible or expanding heat, and (4) radiating heat. Of the two last forms little need be said beyond what is directly seen in their alternate changes into and out of the other forms of heat (explained further on). The existence of a pervading medium in space has been admitted by the most eminent physicists: but no explanations are given of its nature, except that of its elasticity, nor yet of what are the relations of this medium to those of light, heat, electricity, and magnetism. It is treated as a pervading "ether," or "luminous ether," and its resistance to the transit of light through space has been estimated and given in figures, by a profound philosopher, who, in treating of the undulations of light, describes it as "an elastic medium pervading all space, not even excepting what is occupied by what we call material bodies, that is, such as have weight and which to us constitute the visible and tangible universe of things."-(Sir John Herschel, Bart., "On Light," in "Good Words," for July, the mingled and separate phenomena of light and excess of heat so evolved is taken up by the water

1865.)

In the works of Boerhaave the said medium is described as "a calorific element, sui geners, pervading all space and all bodies, and being in itself of the nature of fire." Thus "a pervading element rests on very high authority, both ancient and modern; and it is of the nature of such element, and its agency in natural phenomena, that I propose to treat, and to show that the different forms of imponderable matter, as light, heat, electricity, and magnetism, are all essentially identical, and in proof of this we must look to their reciprocal interchanges with each other, whereby their common origin, in one pervading element, will be made probable, if not a physical certainty.

The term formerly applied to this pervading element was a "calid" or "calorific" element. thus conveying the idea of active fire or very great heat; but they do not accord with, the nature or properties which I ascribe to such pervading element, that of "neutral or elemental heat"; and the term latterly employed to indicate the same element is also inapplicable, since it only points to one of its properties, viz., elasticity. I have, therefore, adopted the term of "neutral heat," which is meant to convey the idea or notion that this element, in fact, constitutes the source, or fountain, whence all other forms of heat are derived, and into which they alternately return. This neutral element is everywhere of equal density, by reason of its elastic tension, and it therefore cannot exert or possess the force of gravity or of inertia, and it must remain in a quiescent state, except in cases where its equilibrium becomes disturbed by external forces, mechanical or chemical, as after

mentioned.

Let us consider the nature of these forces, and, first, the vast mechanical forces continually acting upon this medium by the earth's orbital passage through it. As the earth advances her force will *Literary and Philosophical Society.

in different bodies may be here passed by, but one
other case of latent heat in aqueous vapour should
be noticed, viz., the heat evolved in respiration.
Beneficent nature always provides for her own
lungs gives out the needful heat to keep up the
wants in excess.
temperature of the warmblooded animals, and the

The carbonic acid formed in the

breathing. Now, if the whole of the heat so ab-
converted into steam and which is carried away in
sorbed in the steam were to remain as sensible heat
in it, the 940deg. held latent therein would at once
produce a temperature quite destructive of the
living textures and would of course extinguish life.
Thus we
Providence is made to rest on these mutations of
the imponderable elements. Little need here be
said concerning radiating heat as apart from that of
light, yet one instance may be cited, viz., the
experiment of suspending a thermometer from the
top of a glass-receiver on the table of an air-pump,
then by rapidly drawing out the air the temperature
will fall to or near the freezing point, but the mer-
cury will again slowly rise till it reaches the
temperature of the room; but as the thermometer
(attached by a non-conductor of heat) is quite
isolated in a vacuum, how can the heat reach and
re-enter the bulb, except it be by radiating from
the external warm air through the glass and the
vacuum, and thus restoring the equal temperature
inside and outside of the receiver.
This process

see another of the sublime laws of

those several conditions of it are to be ascribed to
heat, must possess identical properties, and that
the mutations of one element when subjected to
the said acting forces. The facts adduced are
clearly explained on this assumption, viz., of the
identity of light and heat, whilst they present a
strange mass of anomalies, if viewed as produced
by the movements of two distinct elements in space.
I pass from mechanical action to consider the
chemical forces, continually acting on and by this
medium, whereby its mutations are effected, and
among these, the most extensive are caused by the
affinities between heat and water, as shown in
common surface evaporation. Without here dwell-
ing upon the diverse doctrines or views, of late
entertained, respecting the nature of latent or
specific heat, it will suffice to state the following
facts, viz., that 212deg. of sensible heat are
required to raise water to the boiling point, under
the atmosphere, and then to convert the water into
steam, 940deg. more, sensible heat, are absorbed-
latent, specific, or otherwise), but when the steam
this latter disappears, as sensible ho at (call it
is condensed and returns to water, then the same is of the same kind as that of heat radiating from
940deg. reappears as sensible heat. Now we alla common fireplace to warm a room.
know that such absorption and redischarge of heat
"Notes on Heat in Relation to Atmo-

is continually taking place, in the evaporation from
the earth's surface, by the action of solar heat.
becomes latent in the steam, or invisible aqueous
This heat then to the extent, at least, of 940deg.
vapour, at the surface, and the same heat is again
given out in the upper air, where the vapour is
condensed into clouds of fog. The experiments
and estimates of Dr. Halley enable us in some
degree to perceive the stupendous scale of the
daily ascent of water in vapour,* into the higher

has shown that more than five thousand millions of tons
Dr. Halley (in the "Philosophical Transactions")
of water ascend in vapour daily, from the surface of the
Mediterranean only." Now it follows that a mighty force
must be exerted in raising this stupendous weight of water

In my

spherical Phenomena," read at the Society, February 9, 1853, besides adducing reason for phenomena are simple consequences of the mutaassuming that all electrical and magnetical

(to the height of some thousand feet) against the force of gravity in the water, and the elastic force of pressure by

the air. But this evaporating force is solely due to the known relations of heat and water," and is (as before said) a chemical force.

The phenomena of aqueous meteors, such as rain, fog, and dew depend upon the known relations of heat and water; electricity appears to be a consequent, rather than an agent, in the formation and decomposition of ing of water in our houses or the drying of piece goods clouds, or if a necessary agent, it is equally so in the boilin a stove."-Dalton: "Memoirs Literary and Philosophical Society," vol. 4, 2nd series, page 123.

tions of one pervading element, I have therein shown how most of the great aerial and oceanic currents may be traced to the acting forces generated by the mutations of heat, when they are excited in conjunction with those of gravity. Now, since all philosophers recognize the presence everywhere of the three elements of light, electricity, and magnetism, as also the fact of their reciprocal interchanges of form, as exhibited in phenomena; and as we find, also, the general admission of "an elastic ether" in space, it would seem far more in harmony with "the simplicity of nature's laws" to ascribe those known forms of "the imponderable elements" to the mutations of one than to the existence, in space, of four distinct elements. I have accordingly aimed to show that each of the known conditions of imponderable matter are traceable to the mutations of the one pervading element, and, for the reasons before stated, I call this elemental or neutral heat.

STEAM FIRE ENGINE FOR SINGAPORE.

HE fire-brigade service of Singapore will soon which have just been shipped from the works of Messrs. Merryweather and Sons, of London. The municipal authorities, knowing the inefficiency of manual labour-especially in tropical countriespromptly decided to adopt steam fire engines in consequence of their now extended and successful use in most parts of the world. The engines in question are of a light class, similar to the pattern "L'Imperatrice," one of those engines for which the firm was awarded the first prize and only gold medal at the Paris Exhibition of last year; they each have a steam cylinder 8in. in diameter, and direct-acting horizontal pump 63in. in diameter, with a long stroke of 18in.; their weight is 32 cwt., and they are made so as to be drawn by hand or by the small horses of the country.

Tbe provided with two new steam fire engines,

parts or surfaces that there is no liability of the
apparatus getting out of order, and the wedges
give such an extent of bearing surface against the
conductors that no material injury is done to the
wood. In case of ice on the guides, its action is
found to be sufficiently powerful to pierce and
crumble the frozen particles, and to arrest the
cage as easily as if no ice had been present. When
once fixed there is never any chance of the appa-
ratus stopping the cage unless the rope or chain
breaks, and when it does stop it, from its very

FIC.2

Legal Intelligence.

VICE-CHANCELLOR'S COURT.
June 25.

(Before Vice-Chancellor SIR R. MALINS.)

GREENWOOD V. RIPLEY.

Mr. GLASSE, Q.C., and Mr. Higgins moved in this case to restrain an action to recover £100,000 in respect of the non-delivery of certain plant and machinery for the manufacture of Enfield rifles, originally ordered of the plaintiffs (who were military machinists at Leeds) for the use of the Confederate Government, the defendant, General Ripley, having been formerly an officer in the Confederate army. The plaintiffs were willing to deliver it to whoever was entitled to it.

Mr. J. Pearson, Q.C., and Mr. H. Shebbeare for the defendant.

The Vice-Chancellor directed the motion to stand over until the next seal, the defendant undertaking to take no proceedings meantime.

Correspondence.

TIDAL FLUSHING.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE "MECHANICS' MAGAZINE." SIR,-The time may come when very little house refuse will be precipitated into our rivers. Taking the metropolis as the most difficult city to deal with, we have in round numbers 1,338 tons of solid filtli daily finding its way into the river at Barking. The greater part of the water for flushing is taken from the waterworks, at an enormous waste. We require a large supply of fresh water for our houses, and in future years we shall require more. I therefore consider, as far as it is practicable, that the sewers should be flushed with river water. There is a certain portion of a tidal stream that is kept continually moving up and down a river, and as all rivers will contain impurities, more or less, it becomes our duty, as far as we can, to get rid of ap-driven by the tidal wave, and there is a point it. There is a point to which "Father Thames" is down the river to which he may flow down, to be again driven back to his former position at high water. Of course the more impurities in the water, the more is it necessary to get rid of it. So, were it practicable to form an inland basin at (say) Hammersmith, so as to dam up a sufficient quantity of water that all the available portions of the metroplis could be scoured, all the filth in the sewers would be swept away in one vast, sea, which, after being purified on meadow land, the quantity not absorbed by the land would find its way into the river. It is to be borne in mind that no filth is precipitated into the stream. Could we by this means take away the whole of the water, that portion which is filthy and is kept for long in the summer seas, or moving backwards and forwards, would be swept away down the sewers at each tide, and this would be the greatest blessing that could befall those dwelling on the banks of the Thames. But we cannot take it all away, yet let us take that portion that we can, and let the ocean fill up the void. It would be very refreshing to have salt water at Billingsgate. Thus the tidal wave would both flush the river, and keep old Father Thames in a healthy condition, and sweep away all the refuse of this vast city. It is past the eleventh hour; all the sewage is conveyed down the river to be again pumped up, and must be utilized one way or another before the fluid finds its way into Barking Creek. So I need not point out how a large extent of land above Chelsea could have been irrigated as proposed on the Essex coast. Hoping you will grant space in an early impression, I am, Sir, yours, &c., London, June 30. JOHN G. WINTON. out of his depth here.-ED. M.M.] [Has not our respected correspondent got a little

In some

BELLHOUSE'S SAFETY CAGE. THE loss of human life which is constantly T taking place from accidents with colliery We are glad to be able to state that this safety cages and hoists renders it imperative that we apparatus has been extensively adopted in mills, should take every opportunity of placing before warehouses, and hotels, and gives every satisfacthe public the means whereby these catastrophes tion, and we hope soon to see it used in mines, may be prevented. In this interest, therefore, we where it would prove invaluable. The wedges of now give a description of a very efficient appa- the hoists in mills, &c., are usually set against the ratus, the working of which we lately examined opposite corners, and press outwards instead of and found to be exceedingly perfect and trust-inwards, the majority of hoists in buildings worthy in its action. It is the invention of Mr. working in corner guides in a well or shaft suffiBellhouse, and consists in the application of the ciently strong to bear the pressure. wedge principle-the safest and simplest he could cases it is, however, necessary to fix side conhave chosen. In our illustrations, fig. 1 is a perspective view of a colliery chair or cage. The four weighted levers A are hung on to wrought-iron studs and fixed by means of a movable joint to serrated wedges B or inclined planes. The other ends of these levers are connected to the suspending rope or chain, which car ries the cage, either, as in our engraving, by chains passing inside the cage, or, very frequently, by rods passing outside, in order to leave more room and to allow of an iron-plate cover to the cage to protect the men inside from injury in case of the rope or anything else falling down the shaft. When the suspension chain or ropes break, the weighted levers fall, and the other extremities of them passing through a slot in the wedges are forced against the conductors and immediately prevent the wedges from moving further down the shaft. They are, in fact, fast to the conductors, whilst the cage acting the shaft or well are inadequate for the support of ductors, as in our illustration, where the walls of upon the studs, which form part of it, slides the the requisite strain. In hoists provision is also studs down on to the thicker part of the wedges, made for stopping the cage at will in cases where and thus the heavier the cage the further the studs straps slip-overloaded cages, or when the brake slip and the tighter are the wedges pressed against does not act so that its action is under the conthe conductors. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the trol of the man in the hoist, and yet perfectly selfwedge and weight. It will be seen from this ex-acting in case of the breaking of the rope. We planation that this apparatus differs in some respects from every attempt hitherto made to stop may add that Mr. J. W. Harland, of 56, Percivalfalling cages, for it does not depend upon springs Bellhouse's sole agent in the matter of these street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester, is Mr. or weights for the power required to arrest the falling chair, but upon the cage and load them-hoists, which we strongly recommend to public selves. Its action is, therefore, twofold-firstly, the rope being broken, a spear-shaped end of the lever strikes into the conductor, and the power re- In reply to a memorial praying for a reduction of quired to do this is very slight (a spring prevents the postage on printed price lists, patterns, &c., its slipping out again), and thus the wedge is pre-transmitted from England to continental nations, vented from sliding; and, secondly, the cage acts the Bradford Chamber of Commerce have received as a weight in wedging itself fast. Nothing could from the Post Office authorities a communication in which it is stated that from the 1st of July a reduction be more simple, and, as the weights, wedges, and studs are made of different metals, there is but little chance of them becoming fast at the joint from rust or disuse. There are so few working

notice.

will be made in the rates chargeable on printed
papers and patterns under the weight of 2oz. trans-
mitted abroad, the reduced charges being at the rate
of 1d. per oz. and 2d. for 2oz.

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To insure insertion in the following number, advertisements should reach the office not later than 5 o'clock on Thursday evening.

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ZINE at the rate of 6d. per line, or 5d. per line for 13 inser of about 10 words.

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ments.

RECEIVED.-F. W. B.-J. B. T.-G. W. H.-Messrs. S. deceased officer was one of the few survivors of the
and Co.-W. M. C.-R. R.-E. P.-R. S.-J. W. H.-B. C. army which sailed to Portugal with Sir Arthur Wel-
-A. W.-H. D. R.-A. S.-R. B.-J.T. L.-J. J.J.-Messrs.
K. and B.-E. F. M.-S. A. S.-A. D-R. I.-J. McS.-lesley, Sir John was present at almost every action

T. B.-M. S.-J. T. D.-J. W. H.-F. W. B.-A. S.

W. T. F.-G. F. L.-T. F.-J. G. W.-T. C.-S. J.-
J. H. B.-Messrs. M. and Co.-G. B.-W. H. H.-E. B.-
R. T.-R. A.-J. H.-F. W. B.

Nabal, Military, and Gunnery Items.

A COURSE of experiments on gunpowder and other explosive mixtures is about to commence at Woolwich under the direction of the Ordnance Select Committee.

LIEUTENANTS NOLAN and Chapman, of the Royal Artillery, the officers specially attached to the Steel Mountain Battery in Abyssinia, and who arrived at Woolwich a few days ago, give some interesting details of the effects of the fire from these little guns, which is said to have been most destructive, particularly with the Boxer shrapnel shell.

from Roleia to Toulouse. He had the honour of
beginning the battle of Salamanca by occupying the
Arapiles, which afterwards became the pivot of the
battle. The French simultaneously tried to seize
it, but were repulsed after a severe fight, in which
Sir John captured the colour of the 116th French
Regiment of the line with his own hand. At
Albuera, Sir John took part in Sir Lowry Cole's
famous charge; but perhaps the most memorable
event of his life occurred in the Pyrenees, on the
30th of June, when Wellington, after four days'
hard fighting on the road to Ostiz, determined to
seize a hill in the very centre of the French position
as a preliminary to a decisive movement. This hill
was captured from the French by Sir John, with the
6th Portuguese Cacadores, although defended by two
battalions.

Miscellanea.

THE number of visitors to the Patent Office Musuem, for the week ending June 27, was 2,635; total number since the opening of the Museum, free daily (May 12, 1858), 1,317,089.

apparent R. A., 5h. 27m. 55s. 85; north declination, 56deg. 16min. 38secs. 89; log. co-efficient for parallax in R. A. + 9-1618: log. co-efficient for parallax in declination + 0.8962. Observation corrected for difference of refraction.

A SINGULAR fact may be witnessed any day in the garden of Lincoln's-inn. For several years past, says the "Times," a pair of zebra parroquets have haunted this spot, living on the most familiar terms with the sparrows, and never seen except in company with them. During the winter months the parroquets disappear, but whither no one knows. On the return of spring they come back and rejoin their old friends. This year for some time one only was observed, but now both are visible, with a brood of five young ones. If anyone be curious to see them he has only to walk into the garden and disturb the flock of sparrows that will be seen feeding upon the grass, and on their taking wing the seven greenbacks will at once be distinguished. It is to be hoped that these beautiful strangers will become naturalized.

AN American paper states that the ramie plant, which was introduced into the States from Java, to the soil of which it is indigenous, is attracting much attention in the South. It is claimed that, if properly cultivated and worked, it will eventually take the place of cotton, and supply any deficiency in that great staple production. Its fibres are said to be much finer and stronger than the best flax, that they are as fine as Sea Island cotton, and that, after cleaning, they become very soft and white, and take colours as readily as the finest wool or silk. Several articles of clothing made from this fabric were exhiof the material. The cultivation of the ramie plant and attracted attention by the strength and beauty is said to have succeeded on a number of plantations

HOPES are entertained that the works of clearing the harbour of Sebastopol will be completed by the end of 1869. On May 20 the hull of the "Sviatoslaw" was raised, so that on the second line there only re-occasion the Ven. D. Stanley, Dean of Westminster,bited recently at an agricultural fair in Alabama,

main the "Ichesma," the "Maria," and the "Ratislaw." Afterwards the operations will commence on the first line, which, however, causes no obstruction to navigation.

THE monthly statement published by the "Bureau Veritas" of Paris shows that during May 171 vessels were reported totally lost. Of that number 84 were English, 35 American, 13 German, 12 French, 5 Norwegian, and 22 bearing various other flags. The total number of vessels lost in 1868, up to May 31, is 1,054, a diminution of 295 from the number recorded in the corresponding period of 1867. AT a meeting of the members of the corporation of the Royal Naval School, New Cross, on Tuesday last, Admiral Whish, Vice-President, in the chair, Admiral the Hon. A. Duncombe, M.P., was unanimously elected president, in the room of Admiral Sir W. Bowles, K.C.B., whose advanced age compelled him to relinquish a post which he had filled for a period of nearly a quarter of a century.

THE Secretary to the Admiralty has made a little reform, which means a great deal of comfort for a great many men. The white duck trousers which used to adorn the legs and distress the temper of the military have been abolished long ago in the army, but up to the present day they have been worn by the Marines. At length that service is to be relieved from them too. For white duck, blue serge is to be substituted, a change which, the "Pall Mall Gazette" says, will bring more comfort and less rheumatism.

WE (United Service Gazette ") learn that a soldier of the 13th Hussars, stationed in Montreal, was tried by court-martial about three weeks since for having caused the death of his horse by hard riding. He was sentenced to a term of imprisonment, and to be put under stoppage of his daily pay until the value of the horse (some £30 sterling) be made good! If the man is ordinarily careful of his clothing, and can manage to keep out of the cells and the hospital, the Government will probably have recovered the amount in about ten years from this date.

THE anniversary festival of the Printers' Pension
Corporation will be held at the London Tavern,
Bishopsgate-street, on Tuesday, July 7, on which
will preside.

THE tablet to the memory of Sir Joseph Banks,
which Dr. J. E. Gray has erected in the church at
Heston, near Hounslow, bears the following inscrip-
tion:-"In this church is buried the Right Hon. Sir
Joseph Banks, Bart., C.B., president of the Royal
Society from 1778 to 1820. He died at Spring-grove
on the 19th of June, 1820 aged 77 years.

THE "Hobart Town Mercury says the Duke of Edinburgh has taken away with him a large and varied collection of colonial birds and animals. In Tasmania he procured a very fine wombat, which was presented to him by Lady Dry, wife of the Chief Secretary of that colony. This wombat was SO tame and docile that it soon became a general favourite with all on board the "Galatea."

in Alabama.

ACCORDING to the Pottsville "Miner's Journal," the largest, longest, and heaviest wire rope ever made in one piece, for an inclined plane, has just been completed at the works of John A. Roebling, of Trenton, N. J. It is intended for plane No. 2 of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, located at the north slope of the Wilkesbarre mountain, in Hanover township, Luzerne County, for the purpose of lifting coal out of the Wyoming Valley. The load hauled up each trip consists of ten coal cars, weighing thirty tons, laden with fifty-five tous of THE works of the third portion of the Thames coal, making a total weight of eighty-five tons. embankment on the Middlesex side of the river has Speed of rope, nine miles per hour; inclination of just been commenced under the direction of Mr. plane, 14ft. 8in. in 100ft. The length of this wire Cooke, who manages the contract for Mr. W. Web-rope is 3,700ft.; its diameter over Žin., and weight It is stated that ropes of ster. The work extends from the Temple to Black-twenty tons net. friars-bridge, and although there are many engineer- double the above size and length can be made by the ing difficulties in the way, the undertaking must be powerful machinery used in laying up this one. completed in a year according to the terms of the contract. The section of the embankment in the neighbourhood of Hungerford-bridge seems to be much more backward than recent official promises led the public believe it would be.

THE visitors to the South Kensington Museum
during the week ending June 27, 1868, were-On
Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday (free), from 10 a.m.
to 10 p.m., 8,613; on Wednesday, Thursday, and
Friday (admission 6d.), from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m., 1,840.
National Portrait Exhibition, by payment, 1,893;
total-12,346. Average of corresponding week in
former years, 11,499; total from the opening of the
Museum, 7,474,903.

Ar a meeting of the Fellows of the Royal Botanic
Society, held on Saturday, Charles Robert Turner,
Esq., in the chair, the names of the following can-
didates for the fellowship were read:-Bonamy
Dobree, Esq., Mrs. Charles White, jun., Mrs. Devaux,
William Frederick Antonio Wilson, M.A., Mrs.
James Nisbet Robertson, Edward Ellice, Esq., M.P.,
William Henry Williams, G. H. Somerset Mackenzie,
in addition to twelve elected on the same day.

THE Swedish Polar Expedition was to sail from Gottenburg on Wednesday last. The officers and gentlemen appointed to accompany the expedition include two officers of the Royal Navy of Sweden, Captain Baron Von Otter, Lieutenant Palander; THE Marquis of Townshend has presented a Professor Nordenskiold, Dr. Lemstrom (who, under bill before the House of Lords to amend the Metrohis title of "Physiker," will take charge of obser- polis Local Management Acts. The bill, which is vations in physical science); next, four zoologists, confined to one clause, simply proposes that every Drs. Malmgren, Smitt, Nystrom, and Mr. Holmgren. vestry or district board shall provide and maintain and two botanists, Drs. Fries and Bergren. Besides sufficient and proper steam or horse rollers for the these there will be a geologist and a conservator. purpose of levelling every street in which broken GREENWICH HOSPITAL, so often the subject of granite or flint has been laid for the making or repairparliamentary inquiry, is now dealt with in an ela-ing of the carriage way. We sincerely hope the bill borate report by an Admiralty committee appointed may pass into law. to inquire into its management. It is suggested in this document that admission to the hospital should be allowed to all seamen of good character who are discharged from the naval hospitals as no longer capable of service; that the number of inmates should be increased to 1,200; that men of the Royal Naval Reserve should be admitted on certain conditions; and that there should be a reduction both in the executive and medical staff. It is expected that by the latter measure a saving of £6,500 will be obtained. There are various recommendations as to the schools, one of which, if carried out, would increase the number of boys from 800 to 1,000, and another would provide that consent to serve in the navy should not be required until a boy is thirteen years of age.

SIR JOHN SCOTT LILLE, C.B., Lieutenant-Colonel Grenadier Guards, and Major-General in the Portugese service, expired in London on Monday. The

THE great rose show of the Royal Horticultural Society was held on Tuesday last in the gardens at South Kensington, when there were a number of The chief prizes distinguished visitors present. awarded were to nurserymen, for 72 cut roses, distinct, one truss of each, Mr. B. R. Cant, St. Johnstreet Nursery, Colchester; for 48 cut roses, distinct, three trusses each, to Messrs. Paul and Son; to amateurs for 48 cut roses, distinct, one truss of each, the Rev. S. Holl, Cauton Manor, Newark; for 36 cut roses, distinct, one truss of each, to Mr. R. Keen, gardener to Mr. J. G.Sheppard, High House, Campsey Ash, Wickham Market, Sheffield.

THE balance sheet of John Brown and Co., limited, has just been issued. It is universally regarded as a genuine document. The report of this great firm shows an improvement in business, which is decidedly satisfactory to the trade. The whole of the contemplated works having been carried out, no more important additions are to be made for the future. The capital paid into the company has been £845,883, while the present value of buildings, machinery and stocks, and tools, every allowance being made for all possible depreciation, is £935,456. balance to profit of last year's account showed £23,074, that of the present year's statement is £30,145-an increase of earnings (at the worst of periods) to the extent of £7,071. The directors declare a dividend of £4 per share, being at the rate of £6 per cent.; and a reserve fund is kept for the purpose of steadying the dividend under any abnormal condition of trade.

Where the

DR. M'CALL ANDERSON, in a recent paper in the "Medical Journal," says:-During the treatment I accidently discovered what promises to be the most perfect black dye for the hair which has yet been seen. After having used the bichloride lotion for some weeks, I changed it for the lotion of hyposulphate of soda; and the morning after the first application the hair of the part, which before was bright red, had become nearly black. One or two more applications rendered it jet black, while neither the skin nor the clothing were stained. I saw this patient a couple of weeks later, and there was not the least deterioration of colour, although, of course, as the hair grows the new portions will possess the normal tint. He was by occupation a Turkey-red dyer, and was much interested in the discovery, though rather grieved to find, what medically must be considered one of its greatest advantages, that it did not dye the linen, and was, therefore, unavail

THE exports from Queensland in the year 1867
reached the value of £1,951,331, or about £20 per
head of population. No less than 20,879,8811b. of
wool, of the value of £1,427,774 were exported in
1867; gold dust of the value of £189,248; tallow,
£90,293; hides and skins, £48,597; copper, ore and
smelted, £66,033; cotton, £412,941, of the value
of £26,631. Large quantities of cotton were lost
in 1857 through very unfavourable weather and
various insect pests. 23.694 head of cattle and
434,335 sheep also left the colony borderwise in 1867.
THE following is the result of observations of
Winnecke's comet, made at the Durham Observatory,
by Mr. J. I. Plummer:-Greenwich mean time,
12h. 18m. 158. 6; observed apparent R. A., 5h. 25m.
Os. 14; observed apparent north declination, 56deg.
14min. 44sec. 16; hourly increment of R. A.,
59s. 1; hourly increment of declination, 36secs. 4;
by six comparisons with 22 Camelopardi.-Star's | able for his purposes.

Patents for Inventions.

ABRIDGED SPECIFICATIONS OF
PATENTS.

of

1867.

to which they are attached receding from the centre the shaft as they are waged by the eccentric. The other purposes. (A communication.) Dated December 11, cylinder is provided with ports placed opposite to each The patentee claims, first, reducing tin electro chemically other for the admission and emission of steam or water, in a solid cohesive condition, whatever may be the nature whichever may be used. Admitting steam, for instance, at of the bath, provided that the salts, oxides, or acids of tin the upper side, it passes between the two cylinders on employed are chemically pure. Second, he claims the that side where they are furthest from each other, until it several applications of the metal so obtained (as enumereaches the recess before spoken of on the surface of the rated in the specification), including the novel mode of inner cylinder, and here it comes in contact with the reproducing trade and other distinguishing marks obTHE Abridged Specifications of Patents given below are feather or float before alluded to. This feather or flat pre-tained by stamping, so as to imitate the application of a classified, according to the subject to which the respective senting a surface of resistance is driven round, and, as it seal or mark on a soft material, such as wax, plaster, inventions refer, in the following table. By the system approaches the upper portion of the outer cylinder, or lead, capable of receiving an impression. Also for of classification adopted, the numerical and chronological gradually withdraws towards the centre by means of the moulding in relief, or reproducing reliefs, such as medals, order of the specificatious is preserved and combined with eccentric arrangement beforenamed. It now reaches for instance, or objects of art, or ornaments, either in lead all the advantages of a division into classes. It should be the ejection port, at which the steam passes out of the or other suitable metal previously tinned. He also claims understood that these abridgments are prepared exclu- cylinder, the consecutive feather or float meantime reach- its application for electro chemically coating metals and sively for this Magazine from official copies supplied by ing the admission port, for a fresh charge, and as the first alloys used for cartridge cases, capsules, covers, or wrap the Government, and are, therefore, the property of the float comes round to its first position it is gradually pers, utensils of all kinds for plating glass and ornamentProprietors of this Magazine. Other papers are hereby drawn closer toward the centre until it reaches that ing other articles.-Patent completed. warned not to produce them without an acknowledg-point where the two cylinders touch each other. ing that point as it approaches the steam port, the eccentric BOILERS AND FURNACES-3514, 3529, 3554, 3565, 3580, 3586, ring on the outer cylinder gradually urges it out, and the 3592, 3599 operation is repeated.-Patent completed.

ment:

BUILDINGS AND BUILDING MATERIALS-3534, 3605
CHEMISTRY AND PHOTOGRAPHY-3542, 3559, 3566, 3581
CULTIVATION OF THE SOIL, including agricultural imple-
ments and machines-3509, 3518, 3538, 3583
ELECTRICAL APPARATUS-3608, 3609
FIBROUS FABRICS, including machinery for treating fibre,
pulp, paper, &c.-3510, 3520, 3533, 3540, 3547, 3449, 3557,
3567, 3382, 3598
FOOD AND BEVERAGES, including the apparatus for pre-
paring food for men and animals-3573, 3574
FURNITURE AND APPAREL, including household utensils,
time-keepers, jewellery, musical instruments, &c
3513, 8594, 3601
GENERAL MACHINERY-3511, 3241, 3555, 3556, 3558, 3563,
3568, 3570, 3571, 3572, 3578, 3585, 3587, 3590, 3591
LIGHTING, HEATING, AND VENTILATING-3527, 3582, 3544
METALS, including apparatus for their manufacture-3517,

3587

3504 R. G. LOWNDES. Improvements in finishing textile and other fabrics, and in the machinery or apparatus employed therefor. Dated December 10, 1867.

This invention essentially relates to a new arrangement and construction of certain parts of that class of machinery used for finishing textile fabrics by the process known as stenting or stretching. The object of the present improvement is to firmly hold the edges of the cloth or web by means of a clamp, instead of by pins, as at present in use, thus avoiding the necessity of forming a series of small holes along the edges of the cloth or web.-Patent abandoned.

8505 C. CONNER. Improvements in umbrellas and parasols.

Dated December 10, 1867.

Here the patentee combines with the frames of umbrellas and parasols, waterproof fabrics, whether woven, fulled, or felted, looped or knitted, such as cambric, linen, cloth, silk, or other textile fabric composed of textile or other fibrous substance. He cuts or divides the fabric into intercostal sections or gores, that is to say, sections, whereof each is intended to extend between two ribs. He scrapes or prepares the edges, and solutions them, or applies by other means a cementing substance, and he cements or sticks the sections together, so as to form the covering, the cementing substance being such as is ordinarily used for cementing such fabrics. To avoid the necessity of perforating the covering material he attaches it to the frame of the umbrella or parasol by first cementing or attaching to the waterproof material stays or strips of extra pieces, made preferably of the same material, and these latter he tacks or otherwise attaches to the frame.-Patent completed

3506 W. H. BARLOW. Improvements in apparatus for measuring approximately the quantities of earthwork in continuous cuttings or banks, such as are used in the formation of railways. Dated December 10, 1867.

Reference to the drawings is essential for a clear description of this invention.-Patent completed.

3507 W. PALLISER. Improvements in ordnance and in projectiles used therewith, as also in the processes employed in their manufacture. Dated December 10, 1867.

Pass

3509 J. GROUT and E. MATHEWS. Improvements in apparatus for training or growing hops and other plants, which improvements may also be applied to line posts and other posts or supports for various purposes. Dated December 10, 1867. These improvements have for their object, principally, the ready raising and lowering of the horizontal wires or lines to which the vertical wires or lines employed in training or growing hops and other plants are affixed, so that the said horizontal wires or lines, and with them the said vertical wires or lines, may be readily raised and supported at the required height for the training or growing of the hops or plants, and be readily lowered to such a level that the hops or plants may be conveniently picked. The inventor employs a species of nearly rectangular frame, in conjunction with various other detailed arrangements, a description of which we cannot with advantage give space to here.-Patent abandoned.

3510 J. W. BURTON. Improvements in the treatment of fibrous materials, and in apparatus used therein. Dated December 10, 1867.

3518 A. T. CARR. An improved manure. Dated December 11, 1867. This invention consists in the manufacture of an improved manure by treating coal or coal slack with sulphuric or other mineral acid. The coal or coal slack is first reduced to a fine powder by crushing, grinding, or otherwise, and the acid is then added and well mixed therewith in any convenient manner, sulphuric acid being used by preference on account of its cheapness.-Patent abandoned.

3519 J. M. NAPIER. Improvements in apparatus or appliances for serving mustard and other condiments. Dated December 11, 1867.

This invention has for its object improvements in that description of apparatus or appliances for serving mustard or other condiments in which the mustard is served by being forced through an orifice. Means for serving mustard in this manner are described in the specification of letters patent granted to the present patentee May 24, 1867 (No. 1552). In the improved mustard server he ejects the mustard through the serving orifice by means of a pump, having connected with it a vessel or reservoir from which it is supplied.-Patent completed.

3520 F. VITA. A new industrial product giving a textile material, and a pulp for making paper without rags, which product is named muraline. Dated December 11, 1867. This invention consists in taking the bark of the branches of the mulberry tree and macerating the same either in cold or hot water, or in steam, or in boiling it, in order that the textile material may be completely freed from heterogeneous substances which it contains. It is then dried, and the product serves to make cord, rope, lace, fibres, and other like products, as well as tissues of every kind, from the finest to the coarsest articles of lace.

-Patent abandoned.

3521 G. H. NICK. An improved sheave or pulley for ships' blocks or other purposes. Dated December 11, 1867.

This invention consists in treating felted fibrous materials with ammonia, in the manner and for the purpose described in the specification of a patent, dated April 25, 1866 (No. 1160); but the patentee also treats felted fibrous materials by means of steam when such fibrous materials are in a dry state, in the manner described for embossing; and the object in using steam in this manner is to fix the face or lustre obtained by boiling or pressing, and also to give firmness, strength, durability, and a cloth-like appearance to felted fibrous materials, thereby adapting such improved felts for the purpose of fabricating woollen cloth, braids and trimmings, in substitution for the ordinary woven braids and trimmings. But he also uses the ordinary finished woven cloths in plain and fancy colours for this purpose, either plain or embossed, as described. This invention consists in making sheaves or pulleys The improvements relate, further, to the embossing of from wood and metal combined. The patentee makes felted fibrous materials known as plain felt cloth, table the body or disc of beech, or other ordinary wood, and he covers, carpets, and the like felted fibrous materials covers the grooved periphery with a strip of brass, iron, (whether such materials have been dyed, printed, or dyed or other metal, the edges of which are turned over and and printed combined) by means of the embossing appa-stamped against the sides of the wood. He can thus give ratus described. The improvements further consist in the pulley a deeper groove than is usually made in pulleys embossing printed or dyed felted cloths, and other suitable of lignum vitæ, and the slipping of the ropes thereon is cloths, in ribs, squares, or other designs, in imitation of thereby prevented. To prevent wear at the centre, or to needlework, the cloth so embossed being suitable for up-in the body or disc, and he fits tightly therein a brass or readily replace the nave, he forms a central oval opening holsterers' purposes, and for other like features. The invention comprises other features.-Patent completed. other metal tube, oval externally or internally. In this tube he fits a bearing oval externally and cylindrical internally. This bearing can be taken out when worn and Two metal washers are secured, one to each face of the body to protect the wood.-Patent completed. 3522 T. A. WESTON. Improvements in saws. (A communication.) Dated December 11, 1867.

3511 J. WOOLFIELD. An improvement in machinery for
corrugating sheets of metal. Dated December 11, 1867.
The object here is to press any thin sheet of metal to be
corrugated into two flutes nearest the centre (called the
central flutes) of a metal plate fluted on the under side
with parallel curvilinear flutes like the intended corruga-
tion, and while such pressures continue to press the sheet
into the two flutes next on each side to the two central
flutes, and while all such pressures continue to press such
sheet into the flutes next but one on each side to the
central flutes, and so to proceed with the flutes succes-
sively from and on each side of such central flutes until
the corrugation is completed.-Patent abandoned.

3512 G. HOLCROFT and W. N. DACK. Certain improve-
ments in steam engines. Dated December 11, 1867.
This invention is not described apart from the drawings.
Patent completed.

3513 H. GILES. Improvements in the manufacture of hats
December 11, 1867.
and bonnets, and in the apparatus employed therein. Dated

This invention relates to hats and bonnets made of
cloth, and consists in forming on the outside of the hat or
bonnet, by means of moulds, a design or pattern similar
to the plaits of the straw or grass hats and bonnets at
present in use.-Patent abandoned.

3514 W. J. FRASER.

Dated December 11, 1867.

This invention relates, first, to improved modes of strengthening or "converting" existing cast-iron guns; second, to an improved mode of constructing compound guns composed of a combination of steel, wrought iron, and cast iron; as, also, to improvements in the processes employed in their manufacture. Third, to an improved system of rifling guns; and, lastly, to improvements in the form and manufacture of projectiles therefor. The invention will probably be described and illustrated in a future number of this journal. The details are too voluminous to be produced here.-Patent completed. 3508 W. B. LEACHMAN. An improved rotary water or steam-Patent abandoned. motive power engine. Dated December 10, 1867.

Through the sides or ends of a cylinder of suitable dimensions the patentee passes a shaft. Upon this shaft, and within the said cylinder, he mounts another smaller cylinder, provided with two recesses opposite to each other, and placed eccentrically with regard to the outer cylinder, the inner and outer cylinders touching in one portion of their respective circumferences, having on the opposite side a space. He also casts to the inner surface of one end of the outer cylinder a double ring or internal eccentric, which is concentric with the outer cylinder or casing itself, but not with the shaft that passes through it. Within this double ring three slide blocks are free to move, and with them are connected three bars (by means of fast studs) which extend across the diameter of the cylinder, and pass respectively through slot holes in the surface of the inner cylinder, such slot holes being opposite to the recess before named. To each of these bars is attached a feather or float, extending the whole width of the cylinder. The pins by which the bars are connected to the slide blocks admit of the floats along with the bars

Improvements in steam boilers.

another inserted.

This invention is not described apart from the drawings. -Patent completed.

3523 G. A. YOUNG. An improved curtain or screen for separating the stage from the audience part in theatres and music halls, in order to prevent the spreading of fire, also applicable to other buildings where it is desired to prevent the spreading of fire from one part of the building to another part. Dated December 12, 1867.

This invention consists in constructing a curtain or screen of wire gauze with fine meshes, which is by preference fitted on a roller, so as to be rolled up and unrolled as ordinary blinds or stage curtains. The above is one method described in the specification, but other arrangements are also set forth.-Patent completed.

3524 J. GOODMAN. Improvements in the manufacture or production of wheels used for carriages or other vehicles. Dated December 12, 1867.

The principal object here is to reduce the weight of the wheels of private carriages. The invention may, however, be applied to other vehicles. The inventor manufactures the spokes of the wheels of lancewood. These spokes permit of the carriage wheels being constructed employed.-Patent abandoned. of half the substance only, or thereabout, of those hitherto

3525 J. O. BUTLER. Improvements in securing the tyres of 1867. railway engine and carriage wheels. Dated December 12

This invention relates to tubular boilers, and has for its object the saving of fuel used therein. For this purpose the ordinary fire tubes (instead of being open for the free line, as usual), have a spiral thread or twisted mid-feather passage of flame and heat through them in a straight inserted or fixed in their interior, for the purpose of changing the direction of the flame or current of heat in 1859 (No. 2286), and consists in turning over the proThis invention relates to a former patent, dated October 7, its passage from the furnace to the smokebox or chimney.jecting lip on the tyre whilst the metal is in a cold state,

3515 A. CAMME and F. DELPECH. Improvements in manu-
facturing iron and steel chains without welding. Dated
December 11, 1867.

This invention is not described apart from the drawings.
-Patent completed.

3516 A. M. CLARK.

Improvements in presses for stamping or endorsing. (A communication.) Dated December 11, 1867.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for stamping and dating papers and merchandize in which the ordinary inking pad is dispensed with, and a strip containing ink substituted therefor. This strip may also be applied to all kinds of stamps or markers in which letters, characters, figures, or other distinguishing marks are employed. In order to change the days, months, and years, the inventor employs a system of adjustable dials, which are held in any position by springs.-Patent completed.

3517 A. M. CLARK. An improved process for the reduction of tin, so as to render it applicable for coating metals and for

or semi cold state, in a vertical or horizontal table or lathe. The spoke ring with the tyre on it are secured to the table or face plate of the lathe, and a suitable revolving or other tool, fixed in a powerful rest, is pressed against the lip by a screw or other pressure.-Patent abandoned.

3526 J. R. BAILLIE. Improvements in caissons. Dated December 12, 1867.

This invention consists in the adaptation and application to caissons of tanks or barrels for supporting the decks thereof, such tanks or barrels passing downwards, through cavities formed in the ordinary air chambers, and floating in the water. By these means the upper or platform deck can be readily raised or lowered to the extent required, so as when lowered to admit of the caisson being drawn into the place formed to receive it, and when raised to constitute a platform for the caisson in the ordinary manner.-Patent completed,

3527 J. WARD. Improvements in lamps to be used under water. Dated December 12, 1867.

This invention relates to lamps to be used under water, and consists in fitting the details for containing oil and