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the upper one being secured to the frames, and the lower one resting on the axle boxes. A cab to

protect the enginemen from the weather is placed

over the foot plate, having plate glass sliding windows at sides and ends. The total weight of engine in working trim is 32tons 1lewt. The tender holds 2,000 gallons of water, and is carried on six wheels, 3ft. 7in. diameter.

BOILER EXPLOSIONS. Defective material, bad workmanship, and bad management, are the great primary causes of exploDES ESPITE the long experience in steam boilers, sions. The best and strongest of boilers will explode there are very crude notions held as to the if improperly treated, and yet there are many men who have charge of boilers. The theory that ex-fitted with safety valves, steam and water gauges causes of explosions by the great majority of those who after furnishing a first-class boiler all properly plosions are invariably caused by a deficiency of water and cocks, think they have done all that is necessary has been pretty thoroughly exploded by many facts and to insure safety. There can be no greater mistake by tests and the experience of those instituting them. than to suppose that a good boilercan take care o

reference to the wants and wishes of the people as fied translation of M. Cabane's specification, which
expressed by their new representatives. Working forms an excellent memoire on the ventilation of
men are of opinion that they should be consulted as millstones, and a clear explanation of his drawings.
to how best to recast the Acts relating to patents. His original patent and his first brevet d'addition,
They would rather wait till Parliament deals with both for applications of the blast, are respectively
the subject as a whole than witness appointments dated May 29, 1845, and August 18, 1845. Allud-
which might give rise to damaging suspicions. The
societies which have addressed the Lord Chancellor ing to these, he begins by saying:-I believe I
on this subject, begging of him and his colleagues to have made sufficiently clear, by the specifications
add to their number, would do better to apply to and drawings which accompany my first brevets,
Parliament. No changes in existing arrangements that my invention of an "accelerator apparatus'
will satisfy the country unless they have been first applied to corn-mills rests upon the employment
debated in the House of Commons and discussed by of a current of cold air introduced between the in-
the press. Any reform instituted and carried into terior surfaces of the millstones. It has been seen
effect by the Commissioners of Patents themselves that to put this idea into execution I at first indi-
will probably be regarded as tainted with jobbery. cated a fan, as being the most simple and econo-
The Commissioners have the power to call fresh
colleagues to aid them in their labours; but, ifmical apparatus, then a pump, a syphon, or any
rightly advised, they will wisely decline to place blowing machine; and, moreover, I took the pre-
themselves in a false position by exercising their caution of closing the eye of the millstone so as to
privileges.
intercept its communication with the interior of the
millstone case, so that all the air of the fan passes
completely between the surfaces of the millstones.
My system, therefore, comprehends three essen-
tial features-1. The idea of sending cold air
between the working parts (grinding surfaces) of
the millstones, 2. The apparatus suited to intro-
duce this air in great quantity. 3. The hermetical
closing of the eye of the runner in order that all
the air introduced might be forced to pass between
the two working surfaces.

itself. The "U.S. Railway Times" very properly
observes that it requires brains, tact, judgment, and
a certain amonnt of experience to get the best, and
especially safe results, in the working of even the
best and strongest made boilers. There is no mystery
in boiler explosions; every explosion is somebody's
fault, either in design, construction, or management.
Mr. Thomas Dodamead, superintendent of the Rich-
mond and Danville Railway, who has had some
thirty years' experience in steam boilers, locomotive
and marine, in a recent letter attacking the low
water theory, states that after a thorough examina-
tion of some eighteen or twenty exploded boilers,
and a familiarity with all the circumstances connected
with the explosions, he is of opinion "that the
explosions were caused by a direct pressure of steam
greater than the strength of the boilers could sustain.
In some instances the boilers have been found to be
defective to a certain extent, but yet, in the judgment
of those competent to form an opinion, of sufficient
strength to have borne with safety the pressure
prescribed for them. In other cases no defects could
be observed, and in some instances the boilers were SIR,-All who are acquainted with the practical work-
of extraordinary strength. In such cases the explo-ing of the Patent Laws must feel the justice of your
sions have been of the most violent and terrific remarks, in yesterday's impression, as to the inade-
character, showing that the pressure at the moment quacy of the remedy proposed by the petitions to the
of the explosions must have been far greater than Lord Chancellor for the appointment of additional
allowed or necessary for the performance of the Patent Commissioners. If appointed, their functions
duty assigned to the engine. In some of these cases would neither be judicial nor merely ministerial; but
I have had the most positive evidence of the supply it is to be feared that, by the usual process of de-
of water in the boiler being ample. Being long velopment, their certificates that it is proper a patent
since fully impressed with the correctness of my shall be granted on an applicant's petition will come
views on the subject, I have invariably instructed to be regarded as evidence of the validity of his The very important results which I have ob-
the operatives under my superintendence in accord- patent. What is really required is the more strin-tained by this system in mills, the very much in-
ance with my opinion, and had the necessary pre-gent remedy of depriving the Court of Chancery of creased quantity of the produce a quantity which,
cautions taken to keep the arrangement of the safety all jurisdiction in regard to patents, and erecting a in the eyes of some people, seems incredible-have,
valves, &c., correct. The result has been, that tribunal in which patent litigation may be promptly as in the case of all good inventions, given occa-
although, as previously stated, my opportunities of and at a moderate expense disposed of. A well-sion to, if not flagrant counterfeits, at least imita-
observing the results of boiler explosions have been known patentee remarked lately, "There never is
extensive, yet only three of the explosions mentioned any trouble in trying these (patent) cases before tions more or less close. I make a point, there-
have occurred with boilers under my direct superin-judges." He was then trying the validity of his fore, of repeating my first descriptions in order
tendence, viz., two locomotives and one steamboat patent before a jury, and was experiencing the that it may be clearly recognized on what prin-
boiler." It must be remembered that it is always gravest difficulty. The significance of his remark ciple, on what basis, my invention rests. The new
the interest of someone to tack a mystery to every ex- deserves attention from all who would amend the developments which I am about to give do not
plosion of a boiler. The engineer, if not killed, has present system. He was a very sagacious and ener-really serve any other purpose than to make more
an interest to sustain his character as an expert and getic man, but never since the Court of Chancery evident, if that is possible, the principal parts
careful man; he will tell you that his gauges were
was empowered to deal with all the questions arising which constitute the essential features of my patent
all right; the boilermaker will likewise attest that upon a patent, did he bring an action at law upon his of May 29, 1845, and the modifications which they
the iron and the workmanship were of the best, and patent. He instituted many Chancery suits upon it, may be subjected to in practice, whilst all the time
all concerned concur in finding something very and was uniformly successful. The reason for this causing them to fulfil precisely the same conditions
mysterious in the whole matter, so that coroners' is to be found in the direct inversion by the Court of acceleration of the work, of the cooling of the
juries, knowing very little about steam working, of Chancery of the principle and method on which a
are befogged into rendering a verdict of the in-patent would be tried at law. At law the rule meal, &c.
scrutable, mysterious, and providential character, would be on each trial to disregard entirely the
so common on these occasions. Mr. Dodamead verdict on any previous trial, and to exclude from
promises hereafter to give some observations in consideration the question whether the evidence on
regard to the proper means of preventing explosions the present trial was given by the same or by other
in locomotive boilers, and we trust that in dealing persons. But in Chancery it has been established
with the subject he will not hesitate in putting the that a defendant in a patent suit is not entitled to
blame for explosions where it properly belongs. Ex- have a jury to try his cause, and it may become his
plosions are always due to someone's want of skill ill-fortune to submit his evidence to a judge who has
already decided in favour of the patent, and who
not unnaturally regards this fresh trial as impuguing
his former decision, and a waste of public time; and
the question in his mind is, not what conclusion
ought I to arrive at upon this evidence now before
Tabove important subject, recently appeared in
this ciets bertsion
HE following notice and letter thereon, upon theme, but is there such evidence in this case other than

or their carelessness.

THE PATENT LAWS.

When I spoke of a fan, or of any blowing apparatus whatever for introducing the air between the millstones, it is evidently understood that this fan or this apparatus may exactly fulfil the same object, whether it be so arranged as to blow in the air or so as to exhaust it. In fact, if in the one case as in the other the eye be closed from the interior of the millstone case so as that all communication between them should be entirely intercepted, it is evident that, if at the outlet of the latter there be placed a fan or pump, or any other exhausting apparatus, the outer air passing through the middle precipitate itself by way of the eye between the part of the millstone case round the feed pipe will the "Daily News":-Of late we have had to record which should lead me to a different conclusion from grinding surfaces of the millstones in the same the adoption and presentation of several memorials, that I then arrived at? So it has come to pass that manner as if it had been blown in so as to issue praying for the appointment of additional Commis-actions at law are rarely brought upon patents, and at the circumference with all the meal. sioners of Patents. It is said that three new that a single success in a Chancery suit comes to be fig. 1 of the subjoined plate 1, will make such an Commissioners ought to be entrusted with the duties nearly as valuable as an Act of Parliament, giving arrangement easy to be understood; the fan A, of supervising the patents granted in the several absolute validity to a patent; and it is not surprising which is represented in elevation, communicates departments of invention. We are told that an that patentees should offer to indemnify an engineer should attend to the patents for dis-opponent from all cost provided he would submit to by the tube B with the interior of the millstones coveries in mechanics; a chemist to those relating to having a perpetual injunction granted against him at the part whence the spouts or conduits C, which chemistry; a professor of natural science to those (nominally), with costs. I would, therefore, as you which concern the field of study to which he has have done, recommend the petitioners to seek their devoted special attention. These proposals may be remedy in Parliament, rather than by petition to the alike laudable and desirable. Indeed, few will Lord Chancellor.-I am, &c., contend that the constitution of the present board is either perfect or complete. The law officers of the Crown for the time being, along with the Master of the Rolls, are the Commissioners nominated in the Act of 1852. It is clear that a board thus composed

LEX.

afford outlet to the meal, branch off.

Thus

so as to give entrance to the outer air, and is closed The central part of the millstone case D is open, against the inner part of the millstone case by a species of collar E, of leather, or of any other LAUNCH OF THE GREAT FLOATING similar substance, so that the air introduced is DOCK FOR BERMUDA. forced to pass into the eye and to go between the is incompetent to the exercise of any functions B ETWEEN the signal failure to effect the launch fan be made to revolve in the proper direction, it two approaching surfaces. In consequence, if the which demand either previous knowledge or an exon Wednesday afternoon and the higher tide of will tend naturally to exhaust the air exactly as penditure of time. All the work of real importance to apply the power and adjuncts to start this great if a similar fan or any other blowing apparatus yesterday, strenuous efforts were made successfully must devolve upon the Master of the Rolls, because he is not subject to removal as often as the Ministry structure. A pair of hydraulic engines was fitted to were arranged so as to blow in the air by forcing is changed, or the Attorney or Solicitor General is act upon each of the eleven ways, and a large num-it to enter into the millstones, as I have reprepromoted to another post than that of Lord Chan- vided. Perfect success attended the efforts of the present it in the drawing on plate 2, whether the ber of breast shores to aid the start were also pro- sented in my former drawings, and as I again recellor. The latter is seldom long enough in office, firm and Mr. Barnaby, Admiralty overseer. The fan be intended to supply a single pair of millbecome thoroughly versed in the affairs of the Patent dock took the water with ease and safety, and was stones, or, on the contrary, to supply two, three, Office. Besides, this anomaly prevails, that the immediately towed down the river by sight Govern- or a larger number of millstones at once. invention may themselves be one day either counsel the water furnished conclusive evidence of the skill the examples which I have before given and now officials who sanction the grants of letters patent for ment tugs. The perpendicular seat of the dock upon It is important to well observe that in each of or judges in actions questioning the validity of those of Mr. Campbell, the patentee whose, firm has con-repeat, the eye of the running millstone is always grants. These arrangements are far too faulty to be capable of defence. But if changes are to be made, let them be thorough and above-board. It would be absurd to appoint new commissioners as the remedy for the shortcomings of the Patent Law. The addiN the above engraving we illustrate a method tion of new men to the board would not even palliate of ventilating millstones, which was invented defects which an Act of Parliament can alone remove by M. Cabanes, and patented by him in 1846. It by the introduction of fundamental and sweeping is interesting in connection with the numerous changes in the patent system. This is a matter of actions Mr. G. H. Bovill has instituted for infringenational concern, and should not be treated without ments of his patents. The description is a certi

and when in office has seldom sufficient leisure to

structed it.

VENTILATING MILLSTONES.

closed from communicating with the inside of the millstone case. This is a condition of the greatest importance, inasmuch as it allows of obtaining the whole benefit of the air exhausted or blown in by causing it all to pass between the millstones. Without this closing of the eye it is wholly impossible to obtain the benefits I have stated.

Thus, let us suppose for an instant that the eye is open as in ordinary cases, then introduce air

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into the millstone case by any means, whether by which I applied in figs. 5 and 6. It is easy to
blowing or exhausting. This air will not produce see that in all these cases the air is forced
the same result, because it will not be wholly entirely to pass between the millstones, whether
sent between the millstones. It will penetrate it be blown in or exhausted. In order not to be
between them all the less because these latter, obliged to make the enclosing tube G to rise and
lying close together, oppose its entrance, and fall with the feed pipe H, I suppose this last
if there be other passages for it, it will enter crossing the thickness of the millstone case, and
them in preference. It is evident that the means of one piece with the hopper I, which I place
which may be employed to close the eye may be upon a cast-iron crossbar J, in order to regulate
modified. Thus, in my first brevets, I supposed from without the quantity of corn to be supplied
only one washer of leather or other substance to the millstones by means of the two small set
closing the eye, whilst leaving at the centre a
hole for the passage of the tube G which conducts
the air to the interior of the millstones, and
which encloses the feed pipe H. Such, again,
is nearly the same construction as I have in-
dicated in fig. 1, plato 1; or, again a species of
collar or funnel E may be arranged like that

screws K. The enclosing tube G, into which the
air comes from the fan, is then motionless, and
fixed to the millstone case itself, or by other means.
Two fans, or two apparatus fulfilling the like
object, may be applied at once-the one, A, to blow
in the air between the millstones in the manner
described, and the other, A', to exhaust the stive,

the hot air, or the evaporation produced in the
interior of the millstone case. These two fans may
be quite distinct, entirely separated the one from
the other; or, again, they may be in close connec-
tion, and fitted on the same spindle, as I have
supposed in the fig. 3 in plate 2, consequently
driven by one and the same pulley L, whether this
last receive its motion directly from the running
The stive or
millstones or by any other means.
hot air being exhausted through the tube M passes
through the fan, and is driven by its blades into
the tube N, which conducts it outside; or, better,
into a box arranged for this purpose; or, finally,
into the rake chamber. I have indicated some-
times horizontal fans, and at other fans, placed
vertically, and I furnish them all with regulators
0 and O, in order to regulate the quantity of air
which should enter each set of millstones.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

THE MECHANICS' MAGAZINE is sent post-free to subscribers of £1 1s. 8d. yearly, or 10s. 10d. half-yearly payable in advance.

All literary communications should be addressed to the

Miscellanea.

THE total expenses of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire railways and canals, including rents, tolls, duty, &c., from July 1 to August 23, 1868, amounted to £74,349, as against £81,167 for the corACCOUNTS have been received of an alarming shock responding period of 1867. The proportion of the of earthquake at Jaszbereny, in Hungary, on the South Junction receipts accruing to this company from July 1 to August 23 amounted to £6,115, as AN omnibus drawn by steam power, and contain-against £6,737 for the corresponding period of 1867, ing thirty-five persons, was successfully tried, a few and the expenses to £3,046, as against £2,990. To insure insertion in the following number, advertise-days back, on the road from the Boulevard Mazas to ments should reach the office not later than 5 o'clock on Thursday evening. Nogent-sur-Marne, by way of Vincennes.

Editor of the MECHANICS' MAGAZINE. Letters relating to the advertising and publishing departments should be ad dressed to the publisher, Mr. R. Smiles, MECHANICS' MAGAZINE Office, 166, Fleet-street, London.

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28th ult.

IN consequence of the late inundation of the valley of the Arq, it is not expected that the postal service will be established over Mont Cenis until six weeks hence.

LAST year 56,000,000 cigars were sold in France. The consumption of tobacco since 1852 has increased from 800,000 kilogrammes (nearly 800 tons) to 3,046,000 kilogrammes (about 3,046 tons).

THE total number of people who visited the Royal Horticultural Society's Gardens on the occasion of the anniversary of the late Prince Consort's birthday was 115,303.

It is announced that great complaints having been made relative to the high charges exacted by the different railway companies in Austria, for goods in transit for England, France, and Germany, the Austrian Minister of the Board of Trade has determined to endeavour to obtain a modification of the present high tariff, and for this purpose has convened a meeting of all the managing directors of the various Austrian lines, the result of which will be shortly made public.

J. W. S.-R. J. E.-W. H. L.-T. F. P.-J. S.-W. H. S.- and storage of petroleum. After February it is not match was held on Colonel Kingscote's farm at

W. A. B.-J. I. S.-G. R. F.

AMONG the recent acts was one as to the keeping
to be kept within 50yds. of a dwelling, or to be sold
for illumination. The inspectors of weights and
measures are empowered to test petroleum.
THE number of visitors to the Patent Office
Museum, South Kensington, for the week ending
Total number since the
opening of the Museum, free daily (12th May, 1858),

Nabal, Military, and Gunnery Items. August 29, was 10,340.

THE next examination for admission to the Royal Military College will commence on Wednesday, December 16, 1868, and that for admission to the Royal Military Academy on Monday, January 4, 1869, at Chelsea Hospital.

FIFTY seamen, four warrant officers, one staff commander, two navigating sub-lieutenants, and one assistant-paymaster, have been selected from the "Fisgard to navigate the large iron dock from Silvertown to Bermuda, for the service of the North American and West India stations.

MESSRS. RANDOLPH, ELDER, AND Co. have just launched from their shipbuilding yard at Govan the "Guinevere," a composite ship of 1,073 tons, builders' measurement, of the following dimensions:-Length over all, 217ft.; breadth, 34ft.; depth (moulded), 21ft. She is intended for the China trade, and, among other improvements, it is fitted with Skinner's vertical steering gear, which, we are glad to see, appears to be coming into general application.

IN a few weeks the "Great Eastern" will leave the Mersey on another cable-laying expedition, having been chartered to the new Franco-American Telegraph Company. The big ship, which is now lying in the Mersey, is undergoing a complete overhaul, and preparations are being made on board for the construction of the cable tanks. The ship will, as a matter of course, be commanded by Sir James

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THE sum of £170,000 is to be placed in the next navy estimates, for the purpose of defraying the cost of constructing storehouses on the occasion of the conversion of Deptford Dockyard. The river side of the dockyard will be retained by the Admiralty for the storing and shipment of stores required for foreign stations, and the remainder of the dockyard will be handed over to the War Department, who will erect storehouses on it in connection with the military store department. The Royal Victualling

Yard will remain as heretofore.

THE method adopted to render ships of war built in private yards at a less cost than those built by the Government, has been exposed in the breaking up of the "Sepoy" at Devonport Dockyard. In opening this vessel it was found that the copper bolts were what are technically termed "dummies," that is, were of short lengths, scarcely holding the timbers together. In these there were about 9001b. of copper, instead of over two tons, which would have been their weight if of the proper length. A strict inquiry, it is said, will be made into this matter with a view to the exposure of the contractor's name and the punishment of the inspector who superintended, on the part of the public service, the building of the vessel.

1,374,739.

GRANITE, notwithstanding its exceeding hardness, splits as straight and clean as a chestnut stick. At one of the granite quarries of Maine, recently, a block was split out which measured 100ft. long, 8ift. wide, and 5ft. thick. It weighed over 300 tons. SEVERAL large brewers are experimenting on the properties of strychnine, with a view of testing how far it is safe to use it in bitter ales. It is maintained that, used in infinitesimal quantities, it effects a great saving in hops, besides serving as an admirable tonic.

IN boring an Artesian well at Chicago, a vein of water was found at the depth of 1,200ft. The direction of the flow was ascertained by lowering into the bore, by means of a fine wire, a long lead plummet. The weight would descend steadily until it reached the stream, when it would be suddenly jerked in the direction of the flow.

THE number of visitors to the South Kensington Museum during the week ending August 29, 1868, was-On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and SaturThursday, and Friday (admission 6d.), from 10 a.m. day, free, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., 44,019; on till 6 p.m., 1,182; total-45,201. Average of corresponding week in former years, 15,093. Total from the opening of the Museum-7,723,877.

THE first All England ploughing match of this season came off on Friday last, under the patronage The of the Kingscote Agricultural Association. Latterwood, and the day being fine a large company assembled to witness the proceedings, including many of the aristocracy of the neighbourhood. The Champion Prize was won by Messrs. Ransomes' man Barker, with one of their celebrated ploughs, against seven competitors, whilst the first prize in the boys' class was taken by one of Colonel Kingscote's own servants with one of the same implements.

A

EXPERIMENTS have just been made at La Spezzia, by order of the Italian Minister of Marine, to test the quality of a bed of coal recently discovered in the valley of the Taro by Colonel Leonard. comparison was made between this fuel and the best anthracite from Cardiff, on board the steamer Anthion, and the result, relative to the speed attained, was quite satisfactory. Coal extracted from the Taro pits was used to light the town of Spezzia, and no perceptible difference was found between the gas produced and that from the combustible usually em

ployed.

AT a meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society,
held on Tuesday last, Mr. W. Wilson Saunders,
F.R.S., in the chair, the following candidates were
elected Fellows of the Society:-Messrs. W. Darley
Hall, F.G.S., and Francis Whitbourn. Many beau-
tiful objects, especially several striking varieties of
Amongst the
elm, were exhibited at this meeting.
rarities, one of the most prominent was an interest-
Adiantum Seamanni were sent by Mr. Bull, which
Young plants of
ing orchid Masdevalla Veitchii.
obtained a first-class certificate, together with some
fine palms and foliaged plants.

THE Berlin correspondent of the "Daily News"
AN aeronautic excursion of an interesting kind mentions that two new improvements in the famous
was made a few days back at Calais. The balloon, needle gun have recently been submitted to the
the "Neptune," under the guidance of M. Durnof, Prussian War Office for approval. One, which is the
was driven to sea by the wind, and everything gave invention of Lieutenant Random, gets rid of two
the idea that the Channel would be crossed. How-movements in loading, and increases the rapidity of
ever, when well out from the shore, the balloon met fire about twenty-five per cent. The other, which
with quite a different current of air, which brought is due to a country gentlemen named Borst, also gets
it back to land, and it eventually came down near rid of some of the movements, and nearly doubles the
Boulogne.
rapidity of fire, raising it to fourteen or fifteen shots
per minute. The latter invention moreover fills up
the hollow chamber behind the charge, diminishes
the escape of gas, and increases the force of the ex-
plosion.

BRAEMAR has been visited with a severe snow
The cold was in-
storm, which lasted some hours.
tense, and the tops of all the hills were covered with
snow to a considerable depth, some of which, after
the lapse of twenty-four hours, still remained on A SERIOUS gas explosion is reported from Wey-
them. A violent gale of wind from the N.W. pre-mouth, on the premises of Mr. Hann, a confectioner
vailed for forty-eight hours. It is many years since of that town. The circumstances under which the
so heavy a fall of snow has been seen in this district accident took place are rather peculiar.
in August.

No escape

of gas had been noticed, and yet at about ten o'clock
THE falls of rain will set the plough to work in on Saturday night so severe an explosion took place
all counties, and enable the farmers to prepare for that the whole contents of the shop were blown into
autumnal tillage very satisfactorily, and the land is the street, and the building completely wrecked.
likely to break up well. They will have most The shopwoman was seriously injured, one of her
splendid seed corn this season, and, being an early legs being broken, and the flesh torn off the other
one, the land may be sown in reasonable time, and and her arms. Some children in bed upstairs were
so far the foundation will be laid for another good unhurt, but the opposite houses and their inmates
prospect. The yield of wheat is giving great satis-were much damaged. The noise of the explosion
faction generally, and present prices will prove re-
munerative.

FOR the last twenty years there has not been so few coal vessels in Belfast as at the present time. At the Queen's Quay, which is the coal-quay proper, there were only two vessels anchored on Saturday last, and at Prince's Quay there were only three vessels. The several coal-yards in town, are, however, well stocked, so that a coal famine need not be feared; and it is expected that a great many coal vessels will arrive in the early part of the week.

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THE monthly meeting of the Quekett Microscopical Club was held at University College on Friday evening, August 28th, Mr. Arthur E. Durham, F.L.S., president, in the chair. A paper was read by Mr. Martinelli on The tubules of crabshell." Among the numerous objects exhibited in the room were two species of young hippocampi or sea horses, the electric spark from induction coil with magnesium terminals, living and mounted specimens of mosquitoes and British guats, showing arrangement of lancets, wings, &c., the latter giving rise to an animated discussion. Eight members were elected.

was as loud as that of a large piece of ordnance, and
the whole of the glass in many houses was shat-
tered.

communicates the following facts:-A vessel sailed
A CORRESPONDENT of the "Liverpool Albion
from Liverpool for Bilbao, with a cargo of wheat
on the 6th inst., with a clean bill of health
from the Spanish Consul, had a long passage of
twelve days, and were ordered three days' quaran
tine, at the end of which she was ordered to Vigo to
perform another quarantine of ten days, and the wind
being strong in, she is still detained at the bar;
whereas, steam vessels sailing after the 6th have
been admitted with three days' observation.
Will
not our rulers try some means to bring the Spanish
government to reason? Shipowners have continually
to complain of the obstructions placed in their way
by the Spanish authorities, and until our government
makes up its mind to retaliate on Spanish vessels
coming to English ports, we are not likely to
obtain any amelioration of the obnoxious and sense-
less regulations which exist at many of the Spanish
ports.

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Patents for Juventions,

ABRIDGED SPECIFICATIONS OF

PATENTS.

material, arranged within the box or frame, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. Second, lubricating the cartridges and projectiles in the box or holder substantially in the manner described.-Patent completed.

479 W. WOOTTON. Improvements in envelopes. February 12, 1868.

Dated

This invention has for its object the production of adhesive envelopes that cannot be opened by either steam or water without being so defaced as to show they had been tampered with. To prevent opening by stearn or water, the patentee applies to the under part of the lap of the envelope a thin coating of a composition of shellac, and spirit or naphtha, to which a small quantity of gum benzon may be added. The white or bleached shellac is preferred, as that renders the mixture as near as possiblethe colour of the mucilage which is next applied. This composition is superior for the purpose to other waterproofing compounds.-Patent completed.

471 H. S. BARRON. Improvements in double-action reciprocating pumps, by which the usual suction and delivery valves are dispensed with, and their functions performed by means of a sliding action of the barrel. Dated February 12, 1868. Here the inventor employs a piston, to which a determinate reciprocating action is given by any prime mover, and which works in a barrel having open ends, and furnished with a series of circumferential openings at a certain distance from either end. This barrel is also susceptible of a reciprocating action within another and THE Abridged Specifications of Patents given below are outer barrel, which it is made to fit accurately, and classified, according to the subject to which the respective eccentric with that portion on which the piston works; inventions refer, in the following table. By the system at either end of this outer barrel are two series of circumof classification adopted, the numerical and chronological ferential openings in communication with the suction order of the specificatious is preserved and combined with and delivery pipes respectively, and corresponding in all the advantages of a division into classes. It should be length with those already referred to in the said inner understood that these abridgments are prepared exclu- barrel. The action of the pump is as follows:-The piston sively for this Magazine from official copies supplied by being put in motion is made to come in contact with certhe Government, and are, therefore, the property of the tain projections provided on the inner barrel at a short Proprietors of this Magazine. Other papers are hereby distance from the end of its (the piston's) stroke. The warned not to produce them without an acknowledg-inner barrel is thereby caused to move with it. By this means the openings which were, during the preceding portion of the stroke, in communication with the delivery The object of this invention is more conveniently and openings of the outer barrel, become closed thereto, and economically than heretofore to produce from crude or open to the suction openings; as soon as this takes place, impure acetate of lime (such as is met with in commerce, or such as is obtained by the neutralization of impure the pressure which has hitherto acted on the annular surface at one end of the inner barrel, in conjunction with acetic acid), a commercially pure salt, and further to obtain For this the partial vacuum at the other end, is replaced by the from such salt a commercially pure acetic acid. partial vacuum of the suction. The inner barrel then purpose the patentee adds chloride of calcium to a solution slides without the piston's aid until the change of open-of crude or impure acetate of lime, and crystallizes out ings is completed. The piston immediately begins to from the mixed solutions an aceto-chloride of calcium, of recede, and this action is repeated at the other end of which the composition is Ca Cl, Ca (C4 H3 04) + 10 Aq, which is a salt having the property of freeing itself readily the working barrel.-Patent abandoned. from impurities in crystallizing. Also from this pure salt and distilling off the acetic acid from the mixture-Patent he obtains a pure acetic acid by adding to it a strong acid, completed.

ment:

BOILERS AND FURNACES-546

BUILDINGS AND BUILDING MATERIALS-485, 515, 525, 528,
532, 541
CHEMISTRY AND PHOTOGRAPHY-469, 480, 493, 496, 499,
501, 506
CULTIVATION OF THE SOIL, including agricultural imple-

ments and machines-None.
ELECTRICAL APPARATUS-535
FIBROUS FABRICS, including machinery for treating fibre,
pulp, paper, &c.-470, 483, 508, 513, 518, 520, 530, 531, 539
FOOD AND BEVERAGES, including the apparatus for pre-
paring food for men and animals-533
FURNITURE AND APPAREL, including household utensils, mal and vegetable substances, and for evaporating the solutions
472 J. SMITH. Improvements in apparatus for boiling ani-
time-keepers, jewellery, musical instruments, &c-obtained in such processes. Dated February 12, 1868.
477, 497, 522, 524
GENERAL MACHINERY-467, 472, 478, 474, 475, 476, 484, 502, vessel in which a circulation of hot water or other liquid
This invention consists in the application of a closed
505, 512, 529, 542
is kept up, as described in the specification of letters
LIGHTING, HEating, and VENTILATING 492, 504
patent granted to the present inventor on August 3, 1867
METALS, including apparatus for their manufacture-No. 2243), to boiling bones for extracting the size and
MISCELLANEOUS 468, 471, 479, 482, 486, 487, 491, 494, 500,

481, 547

503, 507, 510, 517, 521, 523, 527, 536, 540 ROADS AND VEHICLES, including railway plant and carriages, saddlery, and harness, &c.-488, 495, 498, 509, 514,

516, 526, 537, 538

SHIPS AND BOATS, including their fittings-None.
STEAM ENGINES-None.
WARFARE-478, 511, 519, 534

467 W. E. NEWTON. An improved apparatus for saving life in cases of shipwreck. (A communication.) Dated February 11, 1868.

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

fatty matters, to boiling dye woods for extracting the

colouring matters, and for various other similar purposes
where animal or vegetable substances are required to be
subjected to the action of boiling liquids. When the
apparatus is used for evaporating the solutions obtained
in the above-named processes, the manhole must be taken
off, or an outlet provided for the escape of the steam. By
means of these improvements the offensive and injurious
effluvia given off in the boiling of bones and other pro-
cesses are avoided, or greatly diminished.-Patent aban-

doned.

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468 W. T. WOOLLEY. Improvements in locks or fastenings
for purses, pocket-books, bags, and other articles. Dated Feb-efficiently act. It is screwed or otherwise fastened to the
ruary 11, 1868.

This apparatus consists of a tube of metal, hollow and
the suction power of the syringe to which it is fitted will
curved at the end, and may be of any length upon which
end of the syringe, instead of the top ordinarily employed,
and is removable at pleasure. The tube can be fitted to
any syringe, but the larger sized syringe will be found to
answer best. A small rose, removable at pleasure. can be
readily fitted to the end of the tube if required. If desired,
the tube may be constructed so as to open and shut like a
telescope, or be fitted to a gutta-percha pipe.-Patent
completed.

474 J. THORNTON and F. W. Voss. Improvements in port-
able weighing apparatus. Dated February 12, 1868.
The patentees claim the application of the principle of
the steelyard to a series of slides, so as to form a portable
weighing apparatus, as described.-Patent abandoned.

This invention has for its object improvements in locks or fastenings for purses, pocket books, bags, and other articles, and relates to such description of locks or fastenings known as double-action locks, in which a spring bolt and another bolt acted upon by the key are employed, the spring bolt being hitherto unfastened by the finger nail acting upon the "pipe" of the lock, whereby, in addition to the inconvenience of the arrangement, the lock or fastening was frequently broke or injured by the key being left in the lock when the article to which it was applied was closed, and the hasp forced into the lock. Now, according to the present invention, the inventor connects the spring catch or bolt to a sliding plate or ornament on the outside of the lock, so that it can be 475 R. YOUNG. Improvements in apparatus for training, operated by the hand, whilst the pipe of the lock is a levelling, and dressing millstones. Dated February 12, 1868. fixture therein, and is altogether independent of the spring The patentee claims, first, the training, levelling, and catch or bolt. By these meaus, whether the key is left dressing of millstones by means of improved combinain the lock or not after unlocking, the spring catch may tions of apparatus, substantially as described. Second, be operated to connect or disconnect the lock with its the dressing of millstones by means of a diamond or suithasp without any injury occurring to the lock.-Patentable hard stone to which a simple rectilinear motion is imparted, and which is supported, adjusted, and guided the fixing of the diamond by adjusting it in a cavity with by improved apparatus, substantially as described. Third, a contracted outer orifice through which its cutting angle projects, substantially as described.-Patent completed.

abandoned.

469 J. WENDEN and S. P. B. FUSSELL. An improved process for ornamenting glass. Dated February 11, 1868.

The object of this invention is to produce a diaper, damask or other pattern on ground glass. In the improved process the inventors first grind the whole surface of the glass, and then lay on the pattern with varnish or other resisting medium in the ordinary way, but instead of eating away or etching in the pattern by strong acid, so as to produce a sunken surface of clear glass, or nearly 80, as is usually done, they dilute the acid with from ten to twenty times its own bulk of water (more or less), so that the acid, instead of eating away or etching down the surface of the glass, merely produces a stain upon the same. By these means they produce a diaper or pattern upon the glass with a perfectly level surface, and of a superior and more delicate appearance than the ordinary etched designs, and at the same time effect a very considerable economy in the cost of the hydrofluoric acid employed.-Patent abandoned.

470 S. C. LISTER. Improvements in looms for weaving cut pile fabrics. Dated February 11, 1868. This invention relates to that class of .loom in which

476 R. C. Ross. Certain improvements in mechanism or apparatus to be employed for cutting paper, pasteboard, textile fabrics, and similar substances or materials. Dated February 12, 1868.

This invention is designed for the purpose of cutting paper, pasteboard, textile fabrics, or other similar materials, either by means of a circular revolving knife, or a laterally traversing knife having an inclined or angled cutting edge or surface. The improvements consist, first, in arranging or applying a circular cutter (or disc having a sharp cutting edge) on a shaft mounted in bearings, which shaft may be driven by hand or power, and the bearings may be fixed, and the cutter revolve in one position or movable direction, so that the disc cutter may travel or advance whilst revolving, and as the disc sharpeners arranged in the framing of the machine. rotates its sharpness is maintained by a pair of bones or Second, the improvements consist in the use of a knife or cutter having a lateral traverse, or, if desired, a lateral two pile fabrics are woven together face to face, and are reciprocating motion, and an inclined or angled cutting cut asunder by a knife which severs the pile between edge, which may be adjusted to any angle by slots and set them. Heretofore it has been proposed to cut the pile screws; or the knife may be double-edged, and the angles by means of a knife or blade which is moved to and fro right and left, so as to cut both in a forward and backward from side to side of the loom, and it has also been pro- movement; or two cutters may be used one above and the posed to sharpen such knife by causing it, near each end other below, to cut towards the centre of the thickness of of its to and fro movement, to rub against stones or grind- the paper. The material to be cut is secured by clamp or ing surfaces. According to this invention, the patentee otherwise on a table or bed, and which may either be employs revolving, grinding, or polishing surfaces to act on the knife whilst it remains at rest at one end, or it stationary, or may move laterally, instead of the cutters moving. The inventor also applies a small stationary might be at both ends, of its stroke. He employs one knife or knives to the framing of the machine towards revolving grinding surface to act on the under surface of which the cut is made, so that the large cutter shall act the knife, and the other on its upper surface, and by pre-against it and ensure the corner or last edge being cut ference he places both revolving surfaces at the same side of the loom, and supports the axes which carry such resmoothly.-Patent completed. volving surfaces in a frame which can be alternately raised and lowered, so as first to bring one revolving surface against one side of the cutting edge, and then the other revolving surface against the other side of the edge; This invention is not described apart from the drawings. the revolving surfaces are not brought into contact with-Patent abandoned. the knife until the knife is at rest. The raising and lowering of the frame carrying the axes of the revolving surfaces may be effected by a lever acted on by a cam wheel, or otherwise,-Patent completed.

477 W. G. C. HUDSON. Improvements in revolving stands for culinary purposes. (A communication.) Dated February 12, 1868.

478 S. B. TUCKER. Improvements in cartridge boxes or holders. (A communication.) Dated February 12, 1868. The patentee claims, first, constructing cartridge boxes or holders with portions of india-rubber, or other elastic

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482 J. TOWLE. Improvements in the arrangement of sewers and drains for the collection and distribution of sewage matters. Dated February 12, 1868.

Here the inventor proposes to carry off the storm waters of towns by means of a separate small barrel drain, or pipes of suitable material and size, according to circumstances, laid under the present rain-water gutters, close to the kerb of the foot path, one on each side of the way, except the street be a narrow one. These drains are to be laid as shallow as possible, so as to be safe from injury by carriage wheels, and for the obtaining of one uniform fall.-Patent abandoned.

483 S. SEVILLE. Certain improvements in machinery or apparatus to be employed for sizeing and balling yarns and threads. Dated February 13, 1868.

This invention consists in combining or applying to the delivery end of such machines as "tape legs," "slashers," or other suitable apparatus used for sizeing yarns, a peculiar construction of balling machines, so as to constitute a sizeing and balling machine combined to accomplish both objects at one continuous operation.-Patent completed.

484 W. G. H. TAUNTON. Improvements in the construction of pumps, and in mechanism employed in working the same. Dated February 13, 1868.

This invention is carried out as follows:-Within the

head of the pump, which can be cast in one piece, or otherwise constructed, as desired, the inventor forms an annular space closed at the bottom, and causes to reciprocate vertically therein the free end of a hollow cylindrical bucket to which the spear rod or rods is or are attached. The said hollow cylindrical bucket is fitted with a valve on its closed or upper end, which is free to open outwards, and is provided with a packing ring or packing rings to bear against one or both of the metal surfaces of the annular space. The passage or way through which the liquid is lifted is encircled by the said annular space, and the bottom box" is lifted on or near the top of the said against the internal surfaces of the pump to a minimum, passage or way. To reduce the friction of the water he carries the suction pipe upwards in a straight line into the said passage or way. Pumps now in use can be altered and adjusted in accordance with this invention by fitting within the working barrels thereof a hollow cylindrical or tapering piece with the bottom valve therein, and securing a hollow cylindrical bucket, packed preferablyon its outer surface, to the ordinary spear rod.-Patent abandoned.

485 R. GEORGE. Improvements in gas stoves for heating and ventilating. Dated February 13, 1868.

This invention relates to improved arrangements in the mode of admitting air to. and in carrying off the products of combustion from, gas stoves, and also in the arrangement and construction of such stoves for heating and ventilating apartments or buildings. For this purpose the patentee prefers to construct the chamber or body of a stove of thin sheet metal, access being had to the burner to exclude the atmosphere from entering the stove, except or burners by means of a door which can be closed so as through the air supply pipe. The air for supporting combustion enters the lower part of the stove by means of a pipe in communication with a chimney flue or pipe, which is also connected by a pipe with the upper part of the stove to carry off the products of combustion. The combined inlet and outlet pipe may be so arranged as to transmit heat to the part of the apartment or building through which it is conducted. Diaphrams are by preference arranged in the upper and lower ends of the stove to distribute the air and products of combustion within the chamber. The door or other part of the body of the stove may be arranged to transmit light through glass or mica panels, if desired.-Patent completed.

486 F. GRENIER. An improved kneading apparatus. Dated February 13, 1868.

This invention consists in the employment in the construction of the improved kneading apparatus of a wooden tub turning on a vertical axis; in the centre of this tub is a kind of nave or boss, leaving an annular space in the tub, its section being that of a trapeze. Between the inside surface of the tub and the nave, and at equal distances apart, are placed two vertical shafts, giving motion to two sets of blades or beaters; the first set, which is of a helical form, serves to raise the dough; the second set, which is formed of straight or oblique blades, is to mix the

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