nued by a single rod to king head of the principal next the dome, and so run along the ridge to the wrought-iron curb at the base of the dome. The principals are secured to cast-iron shoes. These shoes are bolted through the cut stone into the brickwork of the walls, each by two 14in. bolts with cast-iron washer plates. The purlins are 7in. by 3in. deal, wrought three sides, and stop chamfered on two arrises, and are fitted one over ridges, one

over shoes and struts, and two intermediate between | bolted to iron rafters and secured with gin. coach
the large struts and ridges. The common rafters screws. The roofs are boarded, slated, and ridged,
are 5in. by 3in. deal, wrought on three sides,
notched over purlins, and secured to the ridge piece
with wrought-iron knees and coach screws. One
rafter is fixed over each principal, and one inter-
mediate. The bottom purlins are securely pre-
vented from canting by wrought-iron straps, and
the purlins secured to rafters by L-iron knees,

as described in an earlier impression. The drawings of the boiler-house roof show the details clearly and speak for themselves. On the whole, this establishment reflects the highest credit on Mr. Bazalgette, the engineer; Mr. Webster, the contractor for the works; and Messrs. Rothwell, the contractors for the machinery.

(Continued from page 169.)

money was voted it should be shown how much of each vote was to be charged to shipbuilding and manufacturing, not only for the whole of the twenty-two dockyards, but also how much of each vote for each individual yard. The finance accounts should give the same details, in the same form, as the navy estimates, so that the total for each yard should in these finance accounts actually be considered as the debtor side for the ships to be built and maintained and the goods to be manufactured. The effect of this would be that it would be impossible in future for the Admiralty, without the sanction of the House of Commons, to add or omit any items from the cost of ships or manufactures. Another important change would be that the estimates should be so arranged as to insure the proper statistical appropriation of the wages and salaries of each person to the proper manufactory or factory to which he belonged, so that the proper cost of the articles made in each manufactory might be correctly ascertained.

Sir J. Bowring said, as an old naval reformer, he believed the first thing to be done in such matters was to get hold of the money, and then to see that it was dispensed with due care. He hoped that one of the results of Parliamentary Reform would be that men of business, like Mr. Seely, would be returned to the House of Commons, for he believed that millions might be saved annually in the national expenditure.

SECTION G.-MECHANICAL SCIENCE.

PRESIDENT G. P. Bidder, C.E. Vice-Presidents-
C. Hutton Gregory, President of the Institution of
Civil Engineers; J. Whitworth, D.C.L., F.R.S.;
J. F. Bateman, F.R.S.; W. Fairbairn, F.R.S.;
Professor Rankine, F.R.S.; James Nasmyth,
F.R.S.; General Lefroy, F.R.S.; C. Vignoles,
F.R.S.; Admiral Belcher, K.C.B. Secretaries-
P. Le Neve Foster, M.A.; J. F. Iselin, M.A.;
Lieutenant-Colonel Manby; and W. Smith, C.E.

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.

to that port. Speaking of the Suez Canal, which boats, of which the merchant seamen were now
now approached completion, he referred to the almost totally ignorant. The committee was re-
fact that it would be necessary to fill certain lakes appointed, for the purpose of obtaining further and
in the vicinity of the canal (which were now dry) more complete information.
from the Red Sea, which was distant eighteen The Committee on Agricultural Machinery pre-
miles; and as these lakes covered an area esti-sented an interim report, stating that they had
mated by some at 300 square miles, and evapora-been at work, and had obtained much information,
tion went on in Egypt at the rate of lin. per diem, but were not at present prepared to present a de-
the evaporation from the lakes would be equal to tailed report. They would, however, do so at a
3,600,000,000 cubic feet per diem, or 250,000 future meeting if re-appointed.
cubic feet per minute. As soon as the canal was
opened, he thought the Association should be put
in possession of all the phenomena attendant upon
its opening, for he could not help thinking that it
must exercise some influence upon the atmosphere
of the adjoining district which would be worthy the
attention of the Associationt.

Professor Rankine read a paper on the probable connection between the resistance of ships and their mean depth of immersion. He explained the laws to which this resistance was due, and the means of calculating the extent of the volume of disturbance caused by the passage of a body through the water at a speed greater than the natural speed He next approached a question which he said of the waves; and also stated the result of some had excited a great deal of public attention, viz., observations made by himself with reference to the state of the British Navy; and he might begin three steamers travelling at different velocities. by saying that, however satisfactory that state This subject was considered in connection with the might be to some departments, it was not satis-next paper, read by Mr. C. W. Merrifield, on the factory to the country in general. He would necessity of further experimental knowledge reendeavour to point out in what way public opinion specting the propulsion of ships. Mr. Merrifield might be brought beneficially to bear upon this stated what had been already done for the purpose important subject. They would no doubt all agree of obtaining knowledge on this subject, and with with him that they had all but one desire, viz., the view of acquiring further information he sugthat this country, whatever might be the cost, gested that a vessel of considerable but manageshould have the best ships the ocean could carry able size should be drawn through the water by a and that machinery could propel. With regard tow rope, and an accurate measure taken of the to the ships, he thought the great source of the power expended, and also of the velocity and direcpresent unsatisfactory state of things was the total tion of the currents of water at every point in the absence of any system upon which their construc-neighbourhood at which it might appear desirable ; tion was conducted. Before building their ironclad and then that similar observations should be made navy it should have been considered what they while the vessel was propelled by her own screw. in the merchant service. They should also deter- conducted by private persons without a ruinous were to be filled with, according to the plan adopted These, he said, were experiments that could not be mine before a vessel was built what its speed expense; but the Government had all the means would be; and no ship should be considered a at their disposal for carrying them out, and might while all should be as nearly as possible of the scientific objects, instead of merely cruising about success that did not accomplish a sea-going speed, advantageously employ some of their ships for same speed, in order to enable them to act for exercise.

efficiently. He did not purpose entering into the
relative merits of broadside guns and turret guns,
but he would say that, whatever difficulty there
might be in getting fine lines with broadside guns,
that difficulty did not exist in the case of turret
ships. Another point was that at present they did
not know until they sent a ship to sea to what
extent she was going to roll; but the mechanical
principles upon which this depended under ordinary
circumstances, were so well known that the extent
to which a ship would roll should be known before
a quarter of a million of money was spent upon her.
The trials of ships in Stokes Bay he characterized
as a sheer delusion, and said that trials, to be of
any value, should be conducted at sea by men
independent of any department or of any other
influence whatever; and until that was done they
would not be able to bring to bear such a check
upon the Admiralty department as the country had
a right to demand. With regard to the armour of
ships, he contended that this was a subject that
should be subordinate to the considerations he had
mentioned, for it was of no use to have a ship so
over-weighted that she became useless as a movable
fort. He concluded his address by some remarks
on technical education (contending that it should
comprise a sound knowledge of the elemental laws
of mechanics, and be specially directed to the
position the student was to fill in life) and on the
application of machinery to the economical working
and ventilation of mines.

Mr. C. J. Appleby read a paper on mechanism for utilizing and regulating convict labour. He referred to the ordinary methods of employing convict labour at Dartmoor, Portland, Chatham, and elsewhere, and added that the work done by convicts unaided by machinery was so small and unprofitable that it would have been cheaper to employ free labour. Consequently, he was requested to design and construct machinery at Chatham which would assist the men and at the same time act as a check on the quantity of work done; and the result was so satisfactory that the principle was soon extended. The crank had become practically obsolete, and more recently the treadwheel had been adapted to useful work, as at Walton, near Liverpool, where the machinery was designed by Dr. Fairbairn. This machinery was used in weaving cocoa-nut fibre matting, in working mat-dressing machines, and pumping water for the supply of the gaol. The speed of the machinery was admirably governed by Siemens's governor, and the results obtained were highly satisfactory.

MR. BIDDER delivered an opening address occupying about an hour. The object of the Association, he said, was to advance and apply science to the great objects of life, and in that section they had to consider the operations of the laws of mechanics with a view to benefit the world in general, and this country in particular. The laws they applied were certain and sure, and there was no doubt that in their application they would conduce to the happiness of mankind in general. He referred to some of the principal topics engrossing public attention in the present day; and noticing, first, the great water question, he congratulated the committee on having present some of the greatest and most eminent authorities upon that subject, who would, doubtless, give information that the Association would diffuse for the benefit of the public in general with reference to the supply and utilization of water in various ways, and preserving rivers from pollution by sewage and the refuse from manufactories. A more beautiful and interesting subject than the habits of rivers could not engage the attention of engineers; and whether they looked at the circumstances of the constitution of the great rivers of India and America, or came down to those in their own neighbourhood, they would find that the same general laws pervaded all. It was well known that the greatest rainfall was at the highest levels. At the top of the Himalayas the rainfall was no less than 400in. per annum; while on some of the mountains of Cumberland it was 200in., but in Norfolk only about 20in. He suggested that the quantity of water that fell on the whole course of a river should be gauged, and that observations should be taken to show the meteorological conditions of the atmosphere under which it fell. If that course were pursued, a body of facts would be brought together which, he thought, might be ap- The report of the committee on the safety of Mr. Thorold, C.E., read a paper on an auxiliary plied for the benefit of the country to a very great merchant ships and their passengers was brought railway for turnpike roads, and passing through extent. He next referred to the peculiar charac-up by Sir Edward Belcher. It referred to the towns. The author stated that his object was to teristics of the rivers in the neighbourhood, viz., absence in the merchant service of such regula-utilize the existing highways for the purpose of a the Wensum, the Yare, the Waveney, and the Bure, tions as were applied to the navy and the emigrant tramway, and to accomplish this object he proposed and spoke of the influence these were supposed ships, and recommended that a load-line should laying down a single rail on one side of the existto have in maintaining the bar at Yarmouth. He be marked to prevent overloading, and that more ing roads, out of the way of the ordinary traffic, regretted that tidal observations, which could have efficient means should be provided for clearing and as this rail would admit of curves of 20ft. easily been obtained from Yarmouth and Low-vessels of seas that they might ship. They also radius, it would be peculiarly adapted for new estoft, had not been laid before the Association; recommended that deck loading should be restricted countries by passing up ravines and mountain and expressed his belief that a thorough investiga- within certain limits, and that the engine-room sides with any gradient not exceeding 1 in 12. tion and careful collection of facts would show should be covered in so as to prevent shipped seas It was proposed to have four wheels following each that the land water gave little, if, indeed, any, ad- from getting into the engine-room and rendering other along the centre of the truck, which wheels vantage to the port of Yarmouth, and that a large the ship water-logged. The boats should also be would carry the load, and the balance would be extent of land now rendered almost unproductive provided with greater facilities for use, and the preserved by a pair of ordinary wheels so arranged by flood waters might be utilized without damage seamen should be properly trained in the use of that they would act equally well upon level and

Professor Rankine, F.R.S., then read the report of the committee on the performances of steam ships, which stated that the committee had collected a great deal of information with regard to the performances of upwards of 350 vessels, which were being prepared, and would shortly be published in a tabular form with the transactions of the Association. It had been the duty of the committee only to collect such data, and not to form any practical conclusion therefrom.

Captain Douglas Galton, C.B., F.R.S., read a paper giving a description of a ventilating fireplace, with experiments upon its heating power as compared with that of ordinary fireplaces. This paper was illustrated with numerous lucid diagrams; the merits claimed for the invention were that it was peculiarly applicable to barracks, hospitals, and large public institutions, as well as private houses, inasmuch as it secured a perfect system of ventilation, and an equable temperature throughout the rooms or wards, by forcing a quantity of partially heated air through an aperture near the ceiling, which, again in its turn, assisted in feeding the fire; and by a peculiar formation of the fire lumps at the back of the grate, creating a more perfect combustion of the fuel, and thereby less smoke, and also a reduction of one-third less fuel. The results of experiments made by General Morin and others were given in extenso.

uneven surfaces. The carriages it was proposed to propel by means of a traction engine; but the system was equally available for drawing by elephants, and other beasts of burden. The adhesion of the traction wheel could be regulated to any weight, and by an arrangement of the other wheels the engine could even lift its traction wheels out of a soft place. The cost of a tramway of this description is estimated at £500 per mile. The details of this invention were explained by the aid of a number of diagrams and models. It was proposed to use a hollow rail, and carry in the cavity a telegraph for communicating from one end of the system to the other-the telegraph being not only cheaply laid, but secured from all interference or danger of injury from storms or other causes.

We have merely noticed these papers in passing, as we purpose to report them fully in a future number.

Exeter has been chosen as the place of meeting for the British Association in 1869, and Professor Stokes, F.R.S., has been selected for the presidency.

LAMP FOR USE UNDER WATER.

R. JOHN WARD, of Port Glasgow, has lately

Mpatented an invention which relates to lamps

to be used under water. It consists in fitting the details for containing oil, and holding a wick in a translucent case or lantern, which is closed, excepting at the bottom and top, where there communicate with it two tubes, the upper open ends of which are to be kept above the surface of the water. With this arrangement the heat of the flame will itself cause the continual renewal of the air necessary to keep up the combustion by inducing an upward current by the tube communicating with the top of the lantern, and a downward current by that communicating with the bottom. The lantern is made with two shells when it is of glass, an air space being enclosed between the inner and outer shells, so that the heat of the flame may not make the outer shell liable to be cracked by the external cold water. Our engraving shows a vertical

ing 11. The bottom plate 3 is cast with a cylin-
drical part 14 below, which forms a chamber con-
taining the oil vessel 15, and with space for the air
which first enters this chamber by the descending
air tube 16, which is attached by a coupling 17 to a
branch pipe 18 fixed in the side of the chamber 14.
The air inlet into the chamber is situated a little
above the bottom, so that any little water in the
chamber may not close it.

The oil vessel 15 is constructed so as to be screwed
into the bottom of the chamber 14, a rubber ring
being applied to the joint to make it tight. Small
holes are made through the plate 3 so as to commu-
nicate with the space between the outer shell 1 and
the inner shell or chimney 13, and thereby admit of
the air in that space being gradually changed as it
becomes heated. The metal parts of the lamp are
cast of considerable thickness so as to make the
lamp heavy enough to sink, but weights may be
added if necessary. The lamp may be of any shape,
provided that the air inlet and outlet are arranged
at the bottom and top. A lamp constructed in this
way is found to be practically effective, and will be
of great utility in searching for sunken articles, in
assisting divers in their various operations, in ex-
amining the bottoms of ships, and in fishing and
other operations.

THE NEW CHASSEPOT BREECH-LOADING

RIFLE.

|

employment of flanged cartridges, and to provide the arm with an automatic arrangement for extracting the cartridge cases. Fig. 1 of our engraving is a longitudinal section of a firearm constructed according to the present improvements. Fig. 2 is a section showing the extractor in the act of withdrawing the cartridge case. Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the line 1-2 of fig. 2. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are separate views of the extractor. The moveable head shown in the engravings of the first gun is dispensed with, and the caoutchouc obturator is replaced by a metallic piston a. Through the centre of this piston a channel of truncated conical form is formed for the passage of the striker or needle R (which is shortened), when impelled by the spring T. The metallic piston a is lodged in a chamber in the front end of the breech-bolt B, and is held by a screw b passing through the side of the bolt and entering a circular groove c on the outside of the piston. A square tooth or projection d is formed on the periphery of the piston near its head. This tooth serves to operate the extractor. The rear or tail f of the extractor is in the form of a flat ruler terminated at the front by the extractor proper g, which is a curved piece having the form of a portion of the inner circumference of the barrel, and having a recess to receive the flange o of the cartridge. The cartridge is shown in two positions; in fig. 1 it is seen in the charge chamber, and in fig. 2 as withor slot i is formed in the rear flat portion of the extractor, into which the tooth d of the piston takes. The extractor slides in a recess h in the bottom of the breech chamber.

section of a lamp in which the external shell is a plain IN our impression of March 8, 1867, we described drawn from this chamber. A longitudinal groove

and illustrated the Chassepot rifle, which holds glass cylinder, 1, which is held between metal plates a very prominent position in the history of small or rings 2, 3, at the top and bottom, the whole being secured by screwed rods 4 and nuts 5, and made tight arms, especially in France, where the weapon is by rubber washers 6 applied between the edges of the adopted arm of the army. Failures, however, the glass cylinder 1, and the plates or rings 2, 3. have occurred in practice with this gun, which are The top plate 2 is formed with a conical nozzle 7 for traceable to the form of cartridge, the base of the attachment of the ascending air tube 8, this at- which hitherto had no rim, but was swelled out tachment being effected by means of screw coupling at the base of the bullet and fitted into an enlarge9. The top plate has also fixed on it a pair of bow ment of the breech chamber, as will be seen on pieces or handles 10 for holding the lantern or for reference to the engravings above referred to. attaching a cord to suspend it by. The bottom plate The defects which actual use have developed led 3 is formed with a central opening 11, up through the inventor to modify the arm in the manner which the wick holder or burner 12 projects, and which opening also allows the fresh air to pass up illustrated in the accompanying engraving, and to feed the flame, the inner glass shell or chimney 13 being mounted on the plate, so as to enclose the central space communicating with the central open

The employment of flanged cartridges modifies the form of the charge chamber, and dispenses with the combustion chamber in the old rifle. The rear of the charge chamber, that is, the rear end of the barrel, has a circular groove o to receive the flange o of the cartridge. A cavity h' is formed to receive the extractor proper g, which completes the annular portion at the entrance of the charge chamber. In withdrawing the breechwhich renders it simpler and better in every re-bolt, the tooth d of the piston a reaching the end spect. The principal object of M. Chassepot's of the groove i of the extractor, draws back the present improvements is to adapt the gun for the extractor, and with it the cartridge case, which

The other improvements in the Chassepot rifle are as follows:-The screw formerly passed through the main or top piece to enter the slots in the bolt is now replaced by a plate p (figs. 1 and 2), passed through this main piece, and held by a jin. This piece serves as a tenon to slide in the groove of the bolt B. The tenon on the spring carrying rod f2 is dispensed with, as well as the corresponding mortise in the button at the hind part of the bolt. The whole is replaced by a button or stopper L, screwed into the rear end of the bolt. The sight rises on a hinge towards the front of the barrel to facilitate operating it.

THE GLASS WORKS OF VENICE AND
MURANO.*

(Continued from page 133.)
NOR the production of coloured or enamel beads

taken out of the tube, and separated by sifting from or of any tint that may be required. When well
the sand and ashes. The beads are then sorted manufactured, these three layers, after being fired,
according to their various sizes by sifting, and the become perfectly united to each other, and form a
perfect are separated from the imperfect by being homogeneous body. If this operation be perfectly
of a perfectly globular form roll off into a box placed against all possibility of injury, either by atmospheric
turned out on to a slightly inclined table. Those successful, the metal will be for ever protected
below, whilst the imperfect, badly-shaped ones action, dust, gas, smoke, or insects, and in such a
remain on the table. The workmen employed for manner as not to lose any of its brilliancy or colour,
this purpose are called governadori. The beads are even after many centuries of exposure. When this
next polished in a very simple manner by the lustra- delicate film of glass possesses the requisite thin-
dore, or polisher, who shakes a certain quantity of ness, fineness, and purity, and the whole surface of
them in a bag with a little bran. The finished beads the sheet exhibits no inequality of thickness, the
are finally threaded on strings, and tied up in bundles metal appears in all its native beauty, and the glass
of dozens, grosses, &c. This is chiefly done by with which it is covered is scarcely discernible.
The manufacture of mirrors and chandeliers also
women and girls (infilzatrici).
forms an important branch of industry. These
mirrors are usually decorated with figures, leaves,
&c., of most original design, engraved at the back,
and are afterwards silvered. The frames of these
mirrors are decorated with leaves and flowers in
white or coloured glass. These mirrors have ob-
tained a great success at the Paris Exhibition, and
are being sent in large quantities to Paris and Lon-
don.

FARADAY'S ROYAL INSTITUTION
APPARATUS.

ONE of thin his great mechanical ingenuity and

NE of the faculties of this truly great man con

constructiveness, as evidenced in the apparatus for conducting the original and elaborate experiments by which he arrived at such great results. Their main characteristic was simplicity, which is, indeed, the perfection of ingenuity, and is the distinguishing feature of the work of genius. As has been lately remarked by a good judge, "the practical powers were never, perhaps, "more strikingly

The art of bead making at the lamp, "Perle alla Lucerna," is, as we have said before, quite a separate business. In working at the lamp, tubes and rods of glass and enamel are used. It is impossible to describe all the manipulations of this ingenious art, over which the taste and dexterity of the artist so entirely preside. But we may give an example: a black bead, decorated with roses, forget-me-nots, and leaves of aventurine. The artist first takes a rod of black glass, and melting it in the blow-pipe flame of the lamp, twists it about an iron wire until he has made a small ball of the required size, rolling it on a kind of iron mould with a circular groove, and smoothing it with an iron tool until it has acwhich they are composed are costly, especially the small rod of aventurine, and softening it in the flame, imitations of coral, cornelian, ruby, opal, agate, traces on the black glass ball leaves of any other mother-of-pearl, &c.; some of these, as the cornelian, pattern that may be required, and smooths it again are composed of two qualities of paste, the first with the iron tool. He next traces with a small rod of rose-coloured enamel the roses on the ball, smoothopaque, forming the core, and the second transparent, of another colour. The tubes, or canna, of which ing it as before with the smoothing tool. The the ingredients contain oxide of gold or silver, do forget-me-nots are next traced on the bead with a not present their true colour until they have under- small rod of blue and white enamel, that has been gone a second action of the fire in the process of previously twisted together spirally in the flame, and drawn out to about the diameter of a shawl pin. reduction into beads. Prismatic tubes are also drawn, The bead thus completed is taken off the wire, and displayed by man than in the various contrivances and are used for different shaped beads. Besides the production of an infinity of shades of left to cool in a box filled with sand. An endless he adopted whilst conducting his researches—some of them being almost equivalent in ingenuity to enamels, or sm lti, as they are called, Murano still variety of beads are made in this manner of every the compilation of a steam engine." We regret to possible colour. Gold and silver beads are made preserves the secrets of producing imitations of pre-by rolling a bead made of common glass, whilst still have to record the fate of the greater portion of cious stones of the most dazzling brilliancy, sap- hot, on a leaf of gold or silver; some of these are these contrivances. Shortly after Faraday's death phires, rubies, emeralds, topazes, opals, lapis lazuli, ornamented with little points of crystal, ruby, tur- they were given by Mrs. Faraday to the porter of malachite, and avventuring, which is exclusively the speciality of Venice and Murano. The inventorquoise, &c. Artificial eyes for stuffed birds, animals, the Royal Institution, who, we need not say, could of this most beautiful material was the celebrated and even for human beings, are also made at the scarcely appreciate them. He accordingly sold Miotti, in the thirteenth century, who discovered it lamp. Spun glasses of every tint is also made, and them piece-meal, and even parts of the same apby accident, whilst engaged in the preparation of a paratus, to different buyers, and thus broke up certain enamel for mosaic; the name avventurina combinations that probably few men besides Farawas given to it from avventura, which signifies chance. According to the most eminent chemists, day himself really understood. avventurina owes its rich golden iridescence to a crystalline sepa ation of metallic copper from the mass coloured brown by the peroxide of iron. The following is an analysis of the aventurina of the present celebrated manufacturer, the Cay. Pietroherent one to another; such kind of mosaic is Bigaglia, of Venice:

Silicic acid

Lime

Protoxide of iron

Binoxide of tin

Protoxide of lead
Metallic copper

67.3

9.0 3.4

2.3

1.0

4.0

is used for making feathers and flowers of most sur-
ladies' hats.

prising lightness, baskets, mats, trays, and even

of manufacture at Venice, and may be divided into
Mosaics also constitute a most important branch
two distinct classes. The first, inlaid, or marque-
terie mosaic, which is produced by all the enamel
pieces having their edges perfectly close and ad-

generally used for the production of personal ornaments, such as brooches, earrings, bracelets, &c., or objects of household decoration, such as table tops and other furniture. The Venetian differ from the Florentine and Roman mosaics, being chiefly of complicated geometrical patterns, of extremely showy colours, in enamels, aventurine, artificial agate, chalcedony, lapis lazuli, &c., instead of being made up of stones, as in the Florentine; or like the Roman mosaics, which are manufactured of very thin pieces Almost infinite are the uses to which it can be ap- of enamels of numberless colours, rubbed and plied in jewellery and ornamentation. The glass-polished, and represent landscapes, fruit, flowers, blowers of Murano are enabled to remelt and intro-views, animals, &c. The other kind of mosaic is duce it as a decoration to their celebrated glass made by using stone or enamel pieces, cut into shapes

Potash

Soda

wares.

5.3
7.0

which are not quite regular or geometrical. These
pieces are then put together more or less near to
each other, so that between them the joints are seen,
and the work does not in this case appear smooth,
but rough. This style of mosaic is known as the
Monumental, or Byzantine. This is most fitted and
generally adopted for the purpose of architectural
decoration, both for the interior and exterior of
buildings.

Obituary.

the death of William Henry Barton, Esq., late WE have the painful duty this week of announcing Deputy Master and Comptroller of her Majesty's Mint. The deceased gentleman was connected with that establishment for the long period of thirty-eight years, and since 1851 had held the combined offices named above. Mr. Barton was always distinguished for urbanity and kindness, and his decease leaves a vacancy in the Mint which is not likely to be more ably or honourably filled than it was by himself. The late officer was an excellent amateur mechanic, and several useful inventions owe their origin to his knowledge and skill. His career, indeed, was notable in many respects, and it is not improbable that a more lengthened notice of him may, ore long, appear in our columns. Mr. Barton died at Bushey Park on Tuesday last in the 67th year of his age.

Correspondence.

ENGINEERING IN RUSSIA.

The reduction of the glass tubes or canna into beads consists of the following operations:-1. The sorting of the tubes, according to size, as it is impossible in drawing that they should be all equal. This is done by women (cernitrici), who acquire by practice a marvellous dexterity at this work. The sorted tubes are next passed over to the tagliatori, who chop them into small pieces of uniform lengths, on the upright edge of a fixed chisel. The next opera- Venice, in nearly all ages, seems to have been the tion is the dividing of the bits of tube from the home of mosaic, and here the walls of the fine broken pieces by sifting. The next process is to basilica of St. Mark's have been during many ages round off the angular ends of these cylinders, and covered with masterpieces of mosaic decoration. In for this purpose they have to undergo a second England fine specimens of modern Venetian mosaics action of the fire. The workmen employed for this may be seen at the South Kensington Museum, and TO THE EDITOR OF THE "MECHANICS' MAGAZINE." purpose are called tubanti, from the tubes used by St. Paul's Cathedral, London. The whole vaulted have just arrived from Russia, that on and after the SIR,-I have been informed by some relatives who them for reducing the little bits of glass into beads. roof of Cardinal Wolsey's Chapel, at Windsor, repre This tube is made either of copper, brass, or iron, senting the kings and queens of England, is now 1st of May, 1869, a tax of 6s. 10d. per hundred and is fixed at the end of an iron rod. Before being being decorated in mosaic, a great part of which is weight will be levied upon engines, tools, and every put into the tube, these little pieces of glass are put already fixed, and Dr. Salviati is now executing kind of machinery sent from this country into into a mixture of lime and powdered ashes, moist-mosaics for the National Memorial to the late Prince Russia. Can you, or any of your readers, inform me ened with a little water, and are stirred about until Consort, now in the course of erection in Hyde-park. if this is really the case.I am, Sir, yours, &C., their cavities are filled up. This is necessary to pre- Enamels are much more permanent than any other Accrington, August 26. vent the bore of the bead being partially or wholly substance that has been used in the composition of closed whilst undergoing the action of the fire. A mosaic, whether stone, marble, or clay, on account certain quantity of the little bits of glass are put of their less porous and less dilatable body. into the tube with a proportion of sand and powdered ashes, according to the quality of the beads, to prevent their sticking together. The tube is then introduced into the furnace, the heat of which can be regulated as required, and the workman continues turning it round until the cylindrical bits of glass assume a smooth rounded form. The beads are then allowed to cool slowly, and afterwards

"Society of Arts Journal."

With regard to the gold and silver enamels, which are used with such effect in monumental mosaics, great improvement has been made of late years in their production. On a ground of thick glass, or enamel, according as it is desired to render the gold enamel transparent or opaque, or to impart to it a warm or variegated colour, there is laid a leaf of gold or silver, to which it is attached principally by the action of the fire; then a film of the purest glass is spread over it; this film may be perfectly colourless

We must absolutely decline attending to any communi- Navy, who has been requested by the Admiralty to SOMETHING similar to the "spectre of the cations unaccompanied by the name and address of the furnish the drawings and plans for a powerful iron-Brocken writer, not necessarily for insertion, but as a proof of good clad single turret-ship for the defence of the coast. when the sun was seen the other evening in Weardale, faith.-ED. M. M. was just above the western horizon, Advertisements are inserted in the MECHANICS' MAGA- The "Glatton" will be 245ft. in length, and 49ft. in beyond the mountain of Kilhope, on which the fire ZINE at the rate of 6d. per line, or 5d. per line for 13 inser-breadth, with a burden of 2,700 tons, and a mean was raging. On the night in question a gentle tions, or 4d. per line for 26 insertions. Each line consists draught of water of 19ft. She will be furnished breeze brought the smoke down the vale of Kilhope, of about 10 words. Woodcuts are charged at the same rate with one turret, protected by armour-plating 14in. at the end of which it ascended the skies, presenting as type. Special arrangements made for large advertise- in thickness, and will carry two guns, each of 25 a pillar between the sun and the spectator. CAPTAIN ROWETT.-It is a matter of public notoriety tons-the largest yet placed on board a vessel of Between the pillar and the sun were four men bethat Mr. Willoughby Smith is absent on telegraphic busiShe is to be completed and ready for undock-labouring the fire on Kilhope with tree branches, ness. It would, therefore, be unfair to insert your lettering before the close of the next financial year. We trying to extinguish it. The shadows of these men until Mr. Smith has had an opportunity of replying to your have given details of this ship in our present were thrown on the pillar of smoke and appeared as previous communication. issue. monster giants, every movement of whom was distinctly observed.

ments

RECEIVED.-D. B.-R. R.-T. C.-R. J.-W. H. P.-C. E. -W. B.-R. S.-J. D.-R. B. S.-S. K. M.-S. A.-R. P. D. -J. F.-T. H. W.-E. D. B.-J. P.-R. T. C.-T. J.-R. M. -C.R.-H. W.-J. F.-G. D.H.-J. M.-J. F. D.-C. W.R. -R. J.-M. A.-C. B.-H. D.

war.

Miscellanea.

THE process of destroying the Colosseum in
Regent's-park will be shortly began, and that once

A DISCOVERY of human remains has just been made in the neighbourhood of Shap, Westmoreland, where men are engaged by the side of the London and North-Western Railway cutting stone for ballast for the line. One of them, as he was striking his pick into the stone, came in contact with somethat it was a skull, and other hones were found. They appeared to have belonged to a full-grown male. The place where the bones were found was at one time waste ground, and frequented by gipsies; hence it is conjectured that the remains are those either of some of the gipsy tribe or of some one who

Habal, Military, and Gunnery Items. favoured place of resort, but of late peculiarly for-thing which felt soft. On examining it he found

THE Emperor of the French, on the occasion of his fete day, granted commutations of punishment to 938 soldiers in the military prisons.

Two English staff Artillery officers have gone to Turin to examine some new models of field artillery recently invented.

THE Prussian musket factories are actively engaged in completing the armament of the Northern Federal troops who are not yet provided with the needle gun. The whole of the landwehr of the kingdom has been supplied with this weapon since December last.

lorn edifice, will soon be removed, to make way for
a work of more immediate utility.

66

SEVERAL Correspondents having inquired the proper
way of spelling the name of the territory just
acquired from Russia we, Philadelphia Ledger,"
have to state that the best authorities write Alinska.
The word is pronounced Al-yas-ka.

THE number of visitors to the Patent Office
Museum, South Kensington, for the week ending
August 22, was 5,571.
opening of the Museum, free daily (12th May, 1858),
Total number since the
1,364,399.

THE Isle of Man Steampacket Company have CAPTAIN E. COTINEAU, of the French ship "Bor-issued an order that no more paraffin oil for the deau," at present in India, has received the order of island will be shipped on board their steamers. The the Legion of Honour from the French Government, company have been led to take this step from the in addition to the gold medal which was presented fact that a vessel laden with paraffin oil has recently him by the English Government, for his gallant conbeen blown up in the Channel. duct in saving the crew and passengers of the English ship"Royal Family," which was on fire in Madras Roads.

A COMMUNICATION from Brussels, in the "Courrier de l'Escaut," says "The news which reaches me from the camp at Beverloo is not very favourable to our improved military armament. The new muskets are certainly loaded at the breech, which is all very well, but some of them also discharge themselves at the same place, which is not precisely advantageous for the soldier, who thus receives the projectile

which he wished to send to the enemy."

LIEUTENANT STURM, of the Prussian army, who accompanied the English expedition in Abyssinia, has just presented to King William the drinkingcup used by King Theodore, and which was found on the bed of the African monarch half filled with It is an enormous buffalo horn, the thick end of which is closed by a metal plate forming the bottom; the pointed extremity is cut off, and the opening thus made is closed by a wooden stopper. This cup is covered with buffalo skin, and is suspended to a leather strap. It is entirely destitute of

rum.

ornament.

It is a remarkable fact that when there were only
three mail steamers monthly between San Francisco
and Panama, the average number of bags of printed
mail matter received was about eighty. Now there
are four steamers per month, the number has
increased to one hundred and fifty bags.

On Saturday, the 5th September, a paper will be
read before the members of the London Association
of Foremen Engineers, by Mr. Joseph Stone, on the
Manufacture of Iron. The chair will be taken at
8 p.m., by Mr. Newton, of the Mint, and the place of
City.
meeting will be the George Hotel, Aldermanbury,

AN American paper states that the last winter in
the Polar Seas was the mildest known for twenty-
five years, and that the natives of those seas lost all
their winter supply of meat, which is usually pre-
served by being frozen. It is likely that the whalers,
through the mildness of last winter, will be able to
penetrate during this summer even farther than they
did last year into the Polar Sea.

THE wood of the red Quebracho has been successfully applied to tanning purposes in Buenos Ayres. AN order has been received by the heads of de-at the Paris Exhibition, a collection of leathers Messrs. Bletscher and Company, of that city, showed, partments at Woolwich Arsenal from the War Office, tanned with the powder of this wood, and were decreasing the number of cartridges to be manu- awarded a silver medal for its employment. The factured. Of the number ordered at the commence- trial of new tanning and dyeing substances in various ment of the financial year, 52,000,000, there had countries cannot be too much recommended. been manufactured 24,000,000, leaving 28,000,000 to be completed; but this number has been reduced by 14,000,000, and for next year an intimation has been given that not more than 10,000,000 of cartridges will be required, notwithstanding a heavy outlay has recently been made in erecting additional buildings, and supplying machinery for their manufacture.

THE number of visitors to the South Kensington Museum during the week ending August 22, 1868, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., 14,737; on Wednesday, was-On Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday, free, Thursday, and Friday (admission 6d.), from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m., 2,365. National Portrait Exhibition, by payment, 8,634; total-25,736. Average of correTHE experiments lately conducted at Shoebury-sponding week in former years, 11,332. Total from ness for the purpose of testing the Moncrieff gun the opening of the Museum-7,678,676. carriage are considered very satisfactory. The gun mounted on the carriage was the ordinary 7-inch land service Woolwich gun. Two shots were fired with service charges of 14lb. powder and 115lb. shot; and afterwards the firing was continued with full battery charges-viz., 221b. powder and 115lb. shot. After a few rounds one of the break wheels of the carriage broke, but the firing was continued with still greater success, the carriage being worked with the ordinary tackling by men who previously knew nothing of the working of the apparatus.

AN account, moved for by the Marquis of Hartington, has just been issued, distinguishing original from supplemental estimates, and showing the amounts voted on each vote of the army and navy estimates in the years 1865, 1866, 1867, and 1868, with the totals of such original and supplemental estimates, and the entire sums voted in each year respectively. The total of the estimates for the army for the years in question were £14,338,447 for 1865-66, £14,340,000 for 1866-67, £15,232.200 for 1867-68, and £15,503,879 8s. 8d. for 1868-69. For the navy the amounts were £10,456,139 for 1865-66, £10,650,721 13s. 9d. for 1866-67, £11,104,888 for 1867-68, and £11,284,898 for 1868-69.

THE mechanics at Chatham Dockyard have commenced preparing the keel blocks for the new turret powerful armour-clad ship "Glatton," which is ordered to be built at that establishment from the designs of Mr. E. J. Reed, Chief Constructor of the

had fallen into their hands.

necticut, which is an open buggy and weighs about A CARRIAGE has been made in Bridgeport, Con125lb. The body is one piece of hard rubber, oneusual carriage bolts and screws, and presents a eighth of an inch in thickness. It is without the perfectly smooth surface, which is not soiled or tarnished by rubbing or handling. The rubber is tougher than wood, and very much more elastic. The running gear is of wood, but the next carriage made will be entirely of rubber. The material is unaffected by wet, hot or cold weather, and was prepared at a temperature of 300deg., the body having first got into a plastic mass, like dough.

A COMMUNICATION from Naples states that Vesuvius is again showing disquieting symptoms; for some days past eruptions have taken place at the upper cone. Deep rumbling sounds are followed by jets of incandescent matter, thrown to a great height. The lava frequently appears at the brink of the crater and then stops. About three in the morning of the 17th the spectacle became imposing. Columns of thick smoke rose high in the air, followed by burning stones. After shining a moment they fell and rolled, still red hot, down the side of the mountain. This eruption lasted so long as the darkness permitted it to be seen, as at daybreak the and showed that, even after sunrise, the same volfire paled. The smoke was, however, still thick, canic phenomenon continued.

for the destruction of wild beasts in the four diviIT appears that in the year 1867 the rewards given sions of the central provinces of India amounted to upwards of 41,000 rupees. This outlay represents the slaughter of nearly 3,000 beasts of prey, viz., 902 leopards and panthers, 535 bears, 527 tigers, 475 hyenas, and 467 wolves. The greatest amount rupees; and much more than half this sum (4,520 by far was paid in the Sangor district, viz., 7,135 rupees) was for the destruction of wolves (353). The item next in importance is one of 4,250 rupees for the spoils of 86 tigers in the district of Raepore, in the Chutteesghurgh division. Five of these Raepore tigers are said to have been man-eaters, as were three in the Nagpore district, and one at Belaspore. whose death a reward of 100 rupees was given. Mention is also made of a man-eating panther, for

called by the Bheels panka billee, has been shot by A NONDESCRIPT animal, said to be a flying cat, and Mr. Alexander Gibson in the Punch Mehals. The dried skin was exhibited at the last meeting of the Bombay Asiatic Society. Mr. Gibson believes that the animal is really a cat, and not a bat or flying fox,

some contend. It measured eighteen inches in length, and was quite as broad when extended in the

THE "Courier des Alpes reports a fact of rare occurrence. Enormous quantities of ants, very large, black, and having long wings, have descended on various localities of Savoy. Pont-Beauvoisin and Chambery were literally inundated by them. No-have a difficulty in settling the genus to which it thing is known as to whence they came, or whether their appearance is due to some violent storm or to a natural migration like that of locusts.

AN exhibition of bees has just been opened at Moscow, under the auspices of the Acclimatization Society of that city. It comprises a collection of hives of all times and all countries, of instruments and utensils employed in apiculture, and of the perfumed honey furnished by the bees which suck the plants known popularly by the names of Ivan-tchai and Koporski-tchai. The honey and the wax are shown in all their stages, from their appearance in the comb to that which they present when variously prepared for commerce.

THE operation of tracheotomy was performed by Mr. A. E. Boulton, surgeon, of Horncastle, upon a lad named Hensman. It appears that on Sunday afternoon the boy, with others, was playing in the Market-place, and put a marble into his mouth, which, in his excitement, he swallowed. It lodged in his throat, and on the doctor being sent for, he found it was impossible to remove the obstacle by ordinary means. Upon consultation with Mr. Jalland, it was determined to open the windpipe, and the operation was attended with complete success.

air. As the head is demolished naturalists will belonged. Mr. Propert is said to have offered rewards for a specimen, but the Bheels were never able to procure one. The Friend of India remarks that if Mr. Gibson were not well known as a member of the Asiatic Society, and a contributor to its journal, it should be inclined to pronounce the cat to be a "preparation."

THE following is reported in the country papers: -A storm of snails has fallen at Milbury Heath, turnpike road for a distance of about 100 or 150 yards, near Thornbury. The storm reached along the and lasted about ten minutes, covering the road with a quantity of small shelled snails, similar to sea snails. Some persons in the neighbourhood recollect a similar occurrence at Tockington, a few miles distant, about forty years ago. Another somewhat remarkable affair has recently been noticed near Thornbury. During several days the earth for several miles adjoining the river Severn, in the neighbourhood of Cowhill, Oldbury, and Shipperdine, was thickly covered with insects, commonly called "lady cows." It was impossible to walk along the warth without being covered with them; and persons bathing, who left their clothes on the warth, on returning found them completely covered with them.