day and night; and I know few more disappoint-
ing sights, to me, than its badly-lighted interior
presents on a hot and crowded public holiday,
when whole families from London and its outskirts
flock to the building. Then young and old may
be seen gasping for fresh air in its galleries, with
no alternative but the hotter and dustier streets to
resort to. How different it would be were these
collections removed to the townward end of one of
the great parks; where spacious and well-lighted
galleries could be built, amongst trees, grass, and
fountains; and when whole families need not any
more be cooped up for the day in the building, but
avail themselves of the fresh air and its accesso-
ries at the same time as they profit by the collec-
tion. My remarks on the British Museum convey
no reflection on the able officers who have, in so
short a time, formed this wonderful collection;
and in mentioning them I would wish to pay a
passing tribute to the merits of the venerable Dr.
Gray, who has devoted his life to the development
of the geological department with a singleness of
purpose, liberality, and zeal that are beyond all
praise. In my own special science, the greatest
advances that have been made during the last ten
years have been in the departments of fossil botany
and vegetable physiology.

faithful and ever-green secretary, Professor Phil- terposition of any board or committee between the
lips, upon whose presence here I congratulate both superintendent of the collections and the govern-
you and him. I propose to offer you some re- ment must interfere with the responsibility of the
marks upon several matters to which the atten- superintendent and the efficient control of the
tion of your council was directed when at Dundee, minister. It was not for the first time that this
and then upon some of the great advances that subject had been brought before her Majesty's
have been made in botany during the last few government, and indeed before the self-same Prime
years-this will infallibly drag me into Darwinism Minister; for, ten years previously a few natura-
-after which I shall allude to some matters con- lists consisting of Messrs. Bentham, Bush, Darwin,
nected with that dawning science, the Early His- Huxley, Dr. Carpenter, and myself, together with
tory of Mankind, a theme which will be a dis- the late Professor Lindley, Henslow, Harvey, and
tinguishing collateral feature of the Norwich Henfry, presented a memorial to Mr. Disraeli, then,
Association. But for a severe accident, there as now, Prime Minister, embodying precisely the
would have been present here to-night the oldest same views as to the government of the natural
surviving, and indeed the first but two of the history department of the British Museum, to-
Presidents of the British Association. My geo-gether with a scheme for the administration of the
logical friends will understand to whom I allude whole metropolitan natural history collection, geo-
as that rock of science in whom age and the heat logical and botanical; and I have only to add, re-
and shocks of scientific controversy have wrought garding this document, that the surviving memori-
no metamorphosis, and developed no cleavage alists have not during the ten intervening years
planes a man of whom both Norwich and the found reasons to alter the views therein expressed
association are pround-your canon, our father, on any vital point. Of the objections to the present
Sedgwick. My first duty as president is the system of government by trustees, some of the
pleasant one of introducing to you the members most grave have been stated by Mr. Andrew
of the International Congress of Prehistoric Murray in a communication made to the Biological
Archæology, who under the presidency of Sir John section at Dundee, to which I would only add, that
Lubbock, himself a master of this branch of know- though the zoological collections are the finest in
lodge, open their third session to-morrow in this the world, and the geological and palæontological Our knowledge of coal plants, which since the
city.
of prodigious extent and value, there are of the days of Sternberg, Brongnart, and Lindley and
The next subject which I have to bring officially forty-five trustees only three who have any special Hutton, has been chiefly advanced by Gæppert and
before you will interest the members of the Con- knowledge whatsoever of the branches of science Unger on the continent, and by Dawson in Canada,
gress no less than ourselves, and relates to the these collections illustrate; that since Sir Joseph has received very important accessions of late
action of a committee which your council appointed Banks' death, nearly half a century ago, no botanist through the untiring energy of Mr. Binney, of
to represent to the Secretary of State for India has ever been appointed a trustee, though the Bank- Manchester, who has devoted nearly thirty years to
the great and urgent importance of adopting ac- sian Herbarium and Botanical Library, then amongst the search for those rarely-found specimens which
tive measures to obtain reports on the physical the most valuable in Europe, were left by their exhibit the internal structure of the plant. His
form, manners, and customs of the indigenous po-owner to the nation, and, in fine, that the interests elaborate descriptions of the most abundant, and,
pulations of India, and especially of those tribes of botany have by their trustees been greatly neg- till his researches, the least understood plant of
which are still in the habit of erecting megalithic lected. Much as has been written upon the uses the coal measures, Calamites, has just appeared in
monuments." Upon consideration the committee of museume, I believe that the subject is still far the memoirs of the Palæontographical Society;
decided that it would be better in the first instance from being exhausted, for in the present state of and some of Mr. Binney's materials having also
to direct the attention of the Secretary of State to education in this country these appear to me to formed the subject of a very recent and valuable
the last-mentioned tribes only, both because the afford the only means of efficiently teaching to paper by Mr. Carruthers, of the British Museum, I
whole inquiry was so vast, and because systematic schools the elements of zoology and physiology. may quote their joint results as one. These show
efforts are now being made by the Indian Govern- Much of the utility of museums depends on two that Calamites is an actual member of the existing
ment to obtain photographs and histories of the conditions often strangely overlooked, viz., their family of Equisetacea, which contained previously
native Indian tribes. Their efforts are, as regards situation, and their lighting and interior arrange- but one genus, that of the common mare's tails of
the photographs obtained in India, eminently suc- ments. The provincial museum is too often our river-banks and woods; as also, that nearly a
cessful, which renders it all the more disappointing huddled away, almost out of sight, in a dark, dozen other genera of coal measures plants may be
that the descriptive matter appended to them in crowded, and dirty thoroughfare, where it pays referred to it. In this most unreliable of sciences
this country, and which is happily anonymous, ia dear for ground rents, rates, and taxes, and can--fossil botany-we do but grope in the dark; of
most discreditable to the authority under which it not be extended; the object, apparently, being to the thousands of objects we stumble against, we
is issued. It will, no doubt, surprise many here to catch country people on market days. Such local- here and there recognise a likeness to what we
be told that there exists within three hundred ities are frequented by the town's people only have elsewhere known, and rely on external simi-
miles of the British capital of India a tribe of when on business, and when they consequently litude for a helping hand to its affinities; of the
semi-savages who habitually erect dohnens, me- have no time for sight-seeing. In the evening, or great majority of specimens we know nothing for
nares, cysts, and cromlechs, almost as gigantic in on holidays, when they could visit the museum, certain, and of no small proportion we are utterly
their proportions, and very similar in appearance they naturally prefer the outskirts of the town to ignorant. If, however, much is uncertain, all is
and construction, to the so-called Druidical remains its centre. Hence, too, the country gentry scarcely not so, and the science has of late made sure
of Western Europe; and what is still more curious, know of the museum's existence; and I never re- and steady progress, and developed really grand
though described and figured nearly a quarter of a member to have heard of a provincial museum results. The greatest botanical discoveries made
century ago by Colonel Yule, the eminent oriental that was frequented by schools, but rather the during the last ten years have been physiological;
geographer, except by Sir John Lubbock, they are contrary. I do not believe that this arises from and I here allude especially to the series of papers
scarcely alluded to in the modern literature of indifference to knowledge on the part of the upper on the fertilization of plants, which we owe to Mr.
prehistoric monuments. In the "Bengal Asiatic classes or of teachers, but to the generally unin- Darwin. The firstfruits of his labours was his
Journal" for 1844, you will find Colonel Yule's structive nature of the contents of these museums, volume on the "Fertilization of Orchids," under-
description of the Khasia people of East Bengal, and their uninviting exterior and interior.
taken to show that the same plant is never con-
an Indo-Chinese race, who keep cattle but drink There are plenty of visitors of all classes to the tinuously fertilized by its own pollen, and that
no milk, estimate distances traversed by the museums at Kew, despite the outer attractions of there are special provisions to favour the crossing
mouthfuls of pawn chewed en route, and amongst the gardens, and I know no more pleasing sight of individuals. This was followed by his paper on
whom the marriage tie is so loose that the son than these present on a Sunday and Monday after- the two well-known forms of the primrose and
commonly forgets his father, when the sister's son noon, when crowded by intelligent visitors, direct- cowslip, popularly known as the pin-eyed and
inherits property and rank. Dr. Thomson and I ing their children's attention to the ticketed ob- thrum-eyed; these forms he showed to be sexual
dwelt for some months amongst the Khasia people, jects in the cases. The museum should be in an and complementary, their diverse functions being
now eighteen years ago, and found Colonel Yule's open grassed square or park, planted with trees, to secure, by their mutual action, full fertilization,
account to be correct in all particulars. The un-in, or in the outskirts of, the town, a main object which he proved could only take place through
dulatory eminences of the country, some four to being to secure cleanliness, a cheerful aspect, and insect agency. The results of this, perhaps more
six thousand feet above the level of the sea, are space for extension. Now, vegetation is the best than any other of Mr. Darwin's papers, took
dotted with groups of huge unpolished square intercepter of dust, which is injurious to the speci-botanists by surprise-the plants being so familiar,
pillars, and tabular slabs supported on three or men as well as unsightly; whilst a cheerful as- their two forms of flower so well known to every
four rude piers.
pect and grass and trees will attract visitors, and intelligent observer, and his explanation so simple.
The Council of the Association, upon the recom- especially families and schools. If the external In myself I felt that my botanical knowledge of
mendation of the Biological section, appointed a accessories of provincial museums are bad, the in- these homely plants had been but little deeper
committee to report upon the subject of the go-ternal are often worse; the rooms are usually than Peter Bell's, to whom
vernment of the natural history collections of the lighted by windows on one side only, so that the
British Museum, which resulted in a deputation, cases between the walls are dark, and those oppo-
who represented to the Prime Minister, in the name site the window reflect the light when viewed ob-
of the council, that it was desirable that these col- liquely; and when viewed in front the visitor Analogous observations on the demorphism of
lections be placed under the control of a single stands in his own light. For provincial mu- flax flowers and their allies formed the sub-
officer, who should be directly responsible to a seums, when space is an object, there is no better sequent paper, during which he made the won-
minister of the crown; and that this opinion was plan than rectangular long rooms, with opposite derful discovery that the common flax, the pollen
shared by an overwhelming majority of British windows on each side, and buttress cases project-of one form of flower, is absolutely impotent
naturalists. The reasons stated were, that there ing into the room between each pair of windows. when applied to its own stigma, but invariably
appeared no reason why the national collections of In respect of its natural history collections, the po- potent when applied to the stigma of the other
natural history should be administered in a way sition of the British Museum appears to me to be form of flower; and yet both pollons and stigmas
different from that which was found applicable to a disadvantageous one; it is surrounded by miles of the two kinds are utterly undistinguishable
the Royal Gardens and Botanical Collections at of streets, including some of the principal metro- under the highest powers of the microscope.
Kew, the Museum of Practical Geology, and the politan thoroughfares, which pour clouds of dust His third investigation is a very long and
Royal Observatory at Greenwich-and that the in-and the product of coal combustion into its area laborious one on the common loose strife, which

A primrose by the river's brim
A yellow primrose was to him,
And-it was nothing more.

he showed to be timorphic, this one species the theories of continuous revolution or of natural so far as they have in the estimation of any people. having three kinds of flowers, all annually selection, or of both, take their stand upon physical Science has never in this search hindered the reliabundantly produced, and as different as if they grounds, or metaphysical, or both. Of those who gious aspirations of good and earnest men; nor belonged to different species; each flower has, rely on the metaphysical, their arguments are have pulpit-cautions, which are but ill-disguised further, three kinds of stamens, differing in form usually strongly imbued with prejudice and even deterrents, ever turned inquiring minds from the and function. It is impossible even to enume- delusion, and, as such, are beyond the pale of revelations of science. A sea of time spreads its rate the many important generalizations that scientific criticism. On the score of geology, the water between that period to which the earliest have flowed from these and other papers of Mr. objectors rely chiefly on the assumed perfection of traditions of our ancestors point and that far Darwin's on the fertilization of plants; some the geological record; and since almost all who earlier period when man first appeared upon the that appear to be commonplace at first sight believe in its imperfection, and many of the other globe. For this track upon the sea man vainly are really the most subtle, and like many other school, accept the theories both of evolution and questions his spiritual teachers. Along its hither apparent commonplaces, are what, somehow, never natural selection, wholly or in part, there is no shore, if not across it, science now offers to pilot occur to commonplace minds; as, for instance, doubt but Mr. Darwin claims the great majority of him. Each fresh discovery concerning prehistoric that plants with conspicuously coloured flowers, geologists. Of these, one is, in himself a trait, the man is a pier built on some rock its tide has of powerful odours, or honeyed secretions, are veteran Sir Charles Lyell, who, after having de- exposed, and from these piers will one day spring fertilized by insects; all with inconspicuous voted whole chapters of the first editions of his arches that will carry him further over its deeps. flowers, and especially such as have pendulous" Principles " to establishing the doctrine of special Science, it is true, may never sound the depths of anthers, or incoherent pollen, are fertilized by creations, abandons it on the tenth, and this, too, that sea, may never buoy its shallows, or span its the wind; from whence he infers that, before on the showing of a pupil; for, in the dedication narrowest creeks, but she will still build on every honey-feeding insects existed, the vegetation of his earliest work, "The Naturalist's Voyage," tide-washed rock, nor will she ever deem her misof our globe could not have been orna- to Sir C. Lyell, Mr. Darwin states that the chief sion fulfilled till she has sounded its profoundest mented with bright-coloured flowers, but part of whatever merit himself or his works pos- depths and reached its further shore, or proved consisted of such plants as pines, oaks, grapes, sess has been derived from studying the "Princi- the one to be unfathomable and the other unnettles, &c. The only other botanical paper of ples of Geology." I know no brighter example of attainable upon evidence not yet revealed to Mr. Darwin's to which I can especially allude is heroism of its kind than this, of an author thus mankind. And if in this track one bears that "On the Habits and Movements of Climbing abandoning, late in life, a theory which he had for in mind that it is a common object of Plants," which is a most elaborate investigation forty years regarded as the very foundation of a religion and science to seek to understand into the structure, modification, and functions of work that had given him the highest position attain- the infancy of his existence, that the laws of mind the various organs by which plants climb, twine, able amongst scientific writers. Well may he be are not yet relegated to the teachers of physical and attract themselves to foreign objects. The proud of a superstructure raised on the foundations science, and that the laws of matter are not within value of these discoveries, which add whole of an insecure doctrine when he finds that he can the religious teacher's province, these may then chapters to the principles of botany, is not substitute a new foundation; and, after all is work together in harmony and good. But if they theoretical only; already the horticulturist and finished, survey his edifice, not any more secure, would thus work in harmony both parties must agriculturist have begun to ponder over them, and but more harmonious in its proportions than it was beware how they fence with that most dangerous to recognize in the failure of certain crops the before; for assuredly the biological chapters of the of all two-edged weapons, natural theology-a operation of laws that Mr. Darwin first laid down. tenth edition of the "Principles" are more in science falsely so-called when, not content with What Faraday's discoveries are to telegraphy Mr. harmony with the doctrine of slow changes in the trustfully accepting truths hostile to any presumpDarwin's will assuredly prove to rural economy, history of our planet than were their counterparts tuous standard it may set up, it seeks to weigh the in its widest sense and most extended application. in the former editions. To the astronomers' ob- infinite in the balance of the finite, and shifts its Another instance of successful experiment in jections to these theories I turn with diffidence; ground to meet the requirements of every new fact physiological botany is Mr. Herbert Spencer's ob- they are almost vehemently urged in what is in that science establishes, and every old error that servations of the circulation of the sap and forma- many respects the cleverest critique of them that science exposes. Thus pursued, natural theology tion of wood in plants. Mr. Darwin's recent two I have hitherto met with, and which appeared in is to the scientific man a delusion, and to the revolumes "On Animals and Plants under Domesti- the "North British Review." It is anonymous, I ligious man a snare, leading, too often, to disordered cation," is a catacomb of data, observations, and am wholly ignorant of its author, and I regret to intellects and to atheism. One of our deepest experiments, such as assuredly no one but himself find that, in common with the few other really thinkers, Mr. Herbert Spencer, has said :-" If recould produce. It is hard to say whether it is hostile critiques, it is disfigured by a dogmatism that ligion and science are to be reconciled, the basis of most remarkable for the number and value of the contrasts unfavourably with Mr. Darwin's consi- the reconciliation must be this deepest, widest, and new facts it discloses, or for its array of small for- derate treatment of his. opponents' methods and most certain of facts, that the power which the gotten or overlooked observations, neglected by conclusions. universe manifests to us is utterly inscrutable." some naturalists and discarded by others, which In conclusion, the hon. president said-A great The bond that unites the physical and spiritual under his mind and eye prove to be of first-rate deal has been said and written of late about the history of man, and the forces which manifest scientific importance. Ten years have elapsed respective attitudes of religion and science; and themselves in the alternate victories of mind and of since the publication of the "Origin of Species by my predecessor, the Duke of Buccleuch, dwelt on matter over the actions of the individual, are, of all Natural Selection," and it is hence not too early it in his address last year with great good sense the subjects that physics and psychology have now to ask, what progress that bold theory has and good taste, and pointed out how much the revealed to us, the most absorbing and perhaps inmade in scientific estimation. The most widely-progress of knowledge depended on this attitude scrutable. In the investigation of these phenomena circulated of all the journals that give science a being mutually considerate and friendly. During is wrapped up the past and the future-the whence prominent place on their title-pages, the "Athe- the first decades of my scientific life, the word and the whither of his existence; and after a næum," has very recently told it to every country "science" was rarely within my experience heard knowledge of these the human soul still yearns. where the English language is read, that Mr. in the pulpits of these islands. During the sucDarwin's theory is a thing of the past; that natural ceeding, when the influence of the Reliquiæ Diluselection is rapidly declining in scientific favour, viana and the Bridgewater Treatises was still felt, and that, as regards the above two volumes on I often heard it, and always welcomed it. Now, of the variations of animals and plants under domesti- late years, science is more frequently named than

cation, they contain nothing more in support of

ever, but too often with dislike, or fear, rather than

ELECTRIC CLOCK IN THE CITY. WHILST passing through the heart of the City

W the other day, our attention was arrested by

origin by selection than a more detailed re-asser- with trust and welcome. The Rev. Dr. Hannah, an electric clock which has just been uncovered tion of his guesses founded on the so-called varia- in an eloquent and candid contribution to the for public use. It occupies a commanding position tions of pigeons." Let us examine for ourselves "Contemporary Review," has quoted a long list of at the top of the offices of the Liverpool and Loninto the truth of these inconsiderate statements. eminent clergymen of all denominations who have don and Globe Insurance Company, at the junction Since the "Origin" appeared, ten years ago, it adorned science by their writings and religion by of Cornhill and Lombard-street, where it forms has passed through four English editions, two their lives. I do not ignore their contributions, one of the most conspicuous objects in the City of American, two German, two French, several Rus- still less do I overlook the many brilliant examples London. The object of the Electric Clock Comsian, a Dutch, and an Italian; whilst on the work there are of educated preachers who give to pany, by whom it was erected, was to make the on variation, which first left the publisher's house science the respect due to it. But Dr. Hannah"globe" do duty as a clock face; some of its connot seven months ago, two English, a German, omits to observe that the majority of these ho- vexity has, therefore, been sacrificed, but the result Russian, American, and Italian edition are already noured contributors were not religious teachers in is a novel and beautiful object, the interest of in circulation. So far from natural selection being the ordinary sense of the word; nor does he tell which is only exceeded by its utility. The globe a thing of the past, it is an accepted doctrine with us in what light many of their scientific writings is surrounded by gilt stars which indicate the every philosophical naturalist, including, it will were regarded by a large body of their brother-hours, and by the shape of the dial so much light always be understood, a considerable proportion clergymen, those resident in the country especi- is thrown upon them that they are visible by night who are not prepared to admit that it accounts for ally, from whose pulpits alone an overwhelming all Mr. Darwin assigns to it. Reviews on the proportion of the population ever heard of the "Origin of Species" are still pouring in from the name of science. To return: Let each pursue the continent, and Agassiz, in one of the addresses search for truth-the archæologist into the physiwhich he issued to his collaborateurs on their late cal, the religious teacher into the spiritual history voyage to the Amazons, directs their attention to and condition of mankind. It will be in vain this theory as a primary object of the expedi- that each regards the other's pursuits from tion they were then undertaking. I need only add afar, and turning the object-glass of his that of the many eminent naturalists who have ac-mind's telescope to his eye, is content when he sees cepted it, not one has been known to abandon it; how small the other looks. To search out the that it gains adherents steadily; and that it is whence and whither of existence, is an unquenchpar excellence an avowed favourite with the rising able instinct of the human mind; to satisfy it schools of naturalists; perhaps, indeed, too much man in every age and in every country has A SAN FRANCISCO paper says that the volcano so, for the young are apt to accept such theories adopted creeds that embrace the history of his in the Sandwich Islands, which proved to be a "nine as articles of faith, and the creed of the student is past and future, and has eagerly accepted scien- nothing for travellers to witness but the ruins and days' wonder," has entirely subsided and furnishes also too likely to become the shibboleth of the tific truths that support the creeds; and but for desolation which it left. The suddenness of its cesfuture professor. this unquenchable instinct, I firmly believe that sation is a perfect contrast to the prolonged exhibineither religion nor science would have advanced | tions of former years,

The scientific writers who have publicly rejected

and by day, whilst the pointers contribute greatly to the general effect of the design. The clock requires no winding up. The dial is illuminated by Schaeffer's patent double burners; and by an ingenious apparatus the gas is turned off every morning and evening two minutes earlier and two minutes later every day as the days are lengthening or shortening, and it is adjustable as well for the foggy days of November as for the light nights of summer.

BOURDON'S FLEXIBLE TUBE MACHINE.
NOVEL motive power has lately been intro-
Aduced by Mr. Bourdon, who is well known as

is

with water. By holding the upright tube in a fixed | oscillating movement of the extremities is changed
position, it will be seen that on moving the free end into a continuous circular movement by means of
of one of the tubes the free extremity of the other connecting rods and cranks, and the working of the
displaced, but in an inverse ratio. Water being machine continues so long as rare faction lasts.
incompressible, it follows that an alteration of the
capacity of the whole system does not take place,
but by the change of the curve of one of the tubes
increasing its capacity, it follows that the capacity
of the others is diminished; from these results an
inverse change of curve.

This curious machine is thus an atmospheric
machine without a piston, of extreme simplicity,
and it is possible to give considerable velocity to the
rotation of the shaft. It offers henceforward con-
siderable advantages where small motive power is
required; for instance, to give motion to sewing
In the machine constructed by Mr. Bourdon the machines. In fact, exhaustion of air can be pro-
motive power consists of a flexible tube of a cres-duced by means of a current of water, utilizing the
cent form fixed by its middle. At this point a box ordinary water pipes of our towns. Mr. Bourdon
for distribution is adjusted having two very inge- has undertaken the construction of a more powerful
nious valves which are put in motion by the shaft machine, which, working by steam, will suit
of the machine, see figs. 4 and 5. A A' is a flexible medium force. Simplicity of construction, light-
tube of sheet steel fixed by the middle, and the ness, considerable rotatory speed obtained directly,
extremities of which A Al are separated from one complete absence of shock and trembling, absence
another when steam is introduced, returning to of piston and consequently of friction and of
their normal position when atmospheric pressure is greasing, are precious qualities which cannot be
re-established. B B' are two levers joined to the doubted. This is not the only novel application
extremities of the flexible tube by two small con- that Mr. Bourdon has made of the properties of
necting rods. CC are two connecting rods which flexible tube. One of these tubes sets in motion a
transmit the oscillating movement of the extremi- large clock, by the exhaustion of air, which a fall of
ties A A' to the arm with a double crank which is water from some height produces.
in projection at D D eccentric, transmitting motion
to the movable parts of the steam valve-box E.
Steam is introduced by the pipe F, and after having
acted on the machine, passes out by the escape pipe
shown in section above E. F is the valve which
regulates the admission of steam by means of an
apparatus working by centrifugal force.

the constructor of steam engines and of pressure
gauges. Having been much engaged in the study of
flexible tubes, such as are used in barometers and
metallic pressure gauges, he has made use of them
as a new motive power, that can be worked by
rarefied or compressed air, or by steam. The
following are the peculiar properties of these tubes.
If we take a brass band having the form of a
gutter, and coiled round itself, when unrolled the
bend of the gutter increases more and more; in
other words, when the bend diminishes in the direc-
tion of its length, the bend increases, on the con-
trary, in the direction of its breadth, and vico
versa. If a flat tube formed of two bands similar
to the foregoing be taken and soldered at their
edges, and bent in a circle, it will be found that by
pressing this tube on the outside in such a manner
that the transverse curve diminishes, we see that
the longitudinal curve increases; consequently, the
circle draws together, and its extremities approach
one another. There exists between these two
changes of the curve simultaneous numerical ratios
which can be determined theoretically, and which,
with the help of an apparatus invented by Mr.
Bourdon, can be verified. To these changes may be
added a third-the alteration of the capacity of the
tube. This is shown very easily by attaching a
vertical glass tube to a circle fixed horizontally,
and filling the interior of the tubes with water Suppose the movement is worked by rarefied air,
(fig. 2). When the curve of the circle is changed, when the interior of the tube communicates with
the level of the water in the tube is altered, and the the rarefied reservoir, the atmospheric pressure
variation of the volume can consequently be deter- makes the extremities of the flexible tube approach
mined from this displacement. Another demon- one another; by the action of the valves the interior
stration of this property can be shown by the of the tube is no longer in communication with the
apparatus in fig. 3. Two flat tubes bent in a rarefied reservoir, and is in connection with the
circle are joined at their similar ends by an upright atmosphere. The air reservoirs and the tube is
tube to which their surfaces are perpendicular. refilled, increasing the capacity, and causing the
The interior of the three tubes is completely filled extremities to diverge from one another. The

South Kensington will be open free on August 26th, THE Royal Horticultural Society's gardens at from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., as usual, in commemoration of the anniversary of the late Prince Consort's birthday. In consequence, however, of disorderly per sons abusing the privilege on former occasions, the Council have very properly decided on reserving to themselves the right ef excluding any persons from entering the gardens whom they think it would be undesirable to admit. We would urge upon the visitors on this occasion the necessity of assisting the Council in preserving order and preventing graceful that such an occasion should be to some the destruction to the Society's property. It is disopportunity of wilfully destroying private property. This propensity excludes innocent people from many a treat.

ABBEY MILLS PUMPING STATION. -GENERAL PLA N.

THE ABBEY MILLS PUMPING STATION unsurpassed in works of its kind. The engine-arrangeraents of the building. The cylinder floor

AND MACHINERY.

Others

house, as we stated in a previous article, is cruci-consists of perforated flanges, the plates being form in plan, each arm of the cross being 66ft. in bolted together through the flanges, and supported WE hrte now of cunt-iron & Bromley F'all stone 9in. deep, E have now nearly concluded the series of length and 37ft. in width, measured internally, upon cust-iron girders, some of which are bedded illustrated what may be termed the last great work brickwork above the level of 16:50 ordnanco datum and tailed 13 in. into the wall, and these stones are of one of the most colossal and important engineer- is built with Portland cement, and the remainder 6in. wider than the bottom of the girder. ing undertakings ever carried out. In our present in blue lias lime mortar. The roof over engine-are bolted to the bottom of the shafts of the large number we give engravings showing a general house is framed in wrought iron. We shall give columns, which are 15in. in diameter. plan of the works, the filth hoist and penstock, drawings and details of this roof, as well as those ings moulded on the face are bolted on to the outand a portion of the central pillars and entabla- of that over the engine-house, in our concluding side girders, so as to form an ornamental margin ture of the engine-house, the elegance of which is notice next week, so we pass on to the intornal to the floor. To this margin, and at intervals

Box cast

ABBEY MILLS PUMPING STATION.-CENTRAL PILLARS

AND ENTABLATURES.

on the outside girders, stands an ornamental iron | the flanges of which are enlarged for that purpose. |
fence, partly cast and partly wrought, and finished The plates of the beam floor are supported partly
on top with an elaborate handrail of polished on short girders between spring beams and the
nahogany. The portion of this floor in front of walls of the engine-house, and partly on cantilevers
he entrance to the spiral staircase connecting the of a highly ornamental character.
loors is supported at one end by a cast-iron canti-bolted to the web of the spring beams and entabla-
These last are
ever of ornamental pattern, and a similar descrip-tures round all the openings in the beam floor,
tion is used for the beam floor.
iron columns, 8in. in diameter, are supported by, The short girders are bolted at one end to the spring
The small cast-except those for the main beams of the engines.
and bolted to, the girders of the engine-room floor, beams, and at the other rest on stone templates.

All the openings of this beam floor, except those for
the main beams of the pumping engines, are por-
tected by an ornamental fence of cast iron, finished
with a mahogany handrail.

erected in the four turrets, which are placed one
in each of the four internal angles, formed by the
Each floor is approached by a circular staircase
turrets are built in brickwork, and the stone base
intersection of the four arms of the cross.
mouldings of the engine-house are carried all round
These