OCTOBER 7, 1859.] ON THE NOMENCLATURE OF METRICAL MEASURES OF LENGTH. By G. JOHNSTONE STONEY, M.A., M.R.S.A. In this paper many circumstances were pointed out which render the French names of decimetre, centimetre, and millimetre, unsuited to this country. They are foreign to the genius of our language, which delights in short pithy words; the information they convey is useless, as the fact that each measure is one-tenth of that above it is one of that class which it is impossible to forget, and they fail in several common requisites of a good nomenclature. Names of measures for ordinary use should, if possible, be monosyllables; for the convenience of reference they should begin with different initial letters; they should so wholly differ in sound that even when imperfectly pronounced they could not be mistaken for one another; and they should convey some information which would facilitate the use of the measures by those who are unfami liar with them. To combine these advantages it was suggested that hand or handbreadth should be used as the English equivalent for decimetre; nail or nailbreadth for centimetre; and line for millimetre. The author stated that he had had abundant ex perience of the assistance afforded to beginners by these names, from their promptly suggesting, without any mental effort, the absolute length of each measure. Attention was also directed to the importance of giving a distinct name to the tenth part of the line or millimetre, in order to discourage the use of binary subdivisions. Mite was suggested as a suitable name. The paper closed by urging that the use of footrules graduated along one side to metrical measures should in every possible way be encouraged. MR. LOSEBY ON BIG BEN. TO THE EDITORS OF THE " MECHANICS' MAGAZINE." October 1. GENTLEMEN,-The great bell of the clock-tower has again been broken. This has resulted from the use of a much larger hammer, for the weight of the bell, than the usual proportion, and the employment of so great a quantity of tin in the composition as to render it unusually brittle. For this disaster, as well as for the former, Mr. Denison is entirely responsible. After the confirmation of the views concerning the enormously disproportionate force of the first hammer, which I published in the MECHANICS' MAGAZINE months before the first bell was broken, others have shared the opinion that the second bell would meet the same fate as the first. I may particularly mention Mr. Quarm as having expressed his conviction to that effect, and Mr. James as having proved the extreme brittleness of the metal by breaking three small bells, made from the same composition, with very light blows, in Mr. Denison's presence, at Messrs. Mears's foundry. Surely Mr. Denison's career as bell-founder and clock-maker, under the sanction of Government, will now come to an end; for it has resulted in more failures, and brought greater discredit on the arts of bell-founding and clock-making than we otherwise find recorded in this country during the last century. Yours, &c., E. T. LOSEBY. October 4. GENTLEMEN, Since the above letter was written, an account has been published in which the cause of the fracture is ascribed to the bell having been tightly screwed up to the frame, without the possibility of motion when it was struck. This is erroneous, as I noticed the bell whilst sounding the hour on Wednesday last, and observed it to recede at least three-quarters of an inch from one of the blows; and it must, moreover, be remembered that where clock hammers are used on swinging bells they are placed at a right angle to the plane in which the bell swings, and that they cannot • Abstract of British Association Paper, 1859. | therefore recede from the blow beyond the small In order to carry out these views Mr. Quarm far than a casual glance at the instrument of death would lead one to suppose. Suffice it to say that Mr. Hayes' very lucid account of it met with the cordial approval of his brother foremen, who, after the discussion, and at the instance of Mr. Briggs, accorded him a vote of thanks for his pains. Mr. J. Newton, who filled the chair on this occasion, took the opportunity of saying towards the close of the proceedings that he had a very gratifying duty to perform, and it was that of proposing also a vote The beautifully-made implement of war of thanks. which lay on their table had been in the kindest manner possible sent for their inspection by Col. W. M. Dixon, R.A., Superintendent of the small-arms factory at Enfield Lock, and who had on several prethe interests of the Association of Foremen Engi vious occasions shown the utmost anxiety to forward neers, and it would ill become them not to acknow- of the vote to the Colonel. Shortly after this the meeting came to an end. Our Weekly Gossip. Mr. the last one; and all accumulating or uncertain E. T. LOSEBY. SPILL'S MILL BANDS. THESE bands are now being applied to the Government works at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, and at the Ordnance Small Arms Department at Enfield, to drive machinery at both these important official establishments. Besides the tests to which they have been, and are continued to be submitted at the Government contract works on Stepney Green, several of our most eminent engineers have put the material privately to various extreme tests, and many very interesting conclusions have Not the least of these is its perfect resulted. adaptability to paper mills, where from their thorough uniformity of thickness throughout, great smoothness of motion is secured, and the breakage of the paper or disintegration of the flocking of the fibre is entirely got rid of. This will be shown to those acquainted with the peculiar necessities of the case and the singular evenness of the patent band. likewise gives it singular advantages in flour mills where "lifts" are employed. Another peculiarity in the economy of these bands is worthy of notice; although one surface may wear in process of time, the layer may be altogether removed, and thus the band is only decreased in thickness, but not in comparative utility, as with its regular diminution of thickness it merely sinks to a lower application of power; for instance, say a six-ply band has been in use for months upon a 30-horse power engine, the necessity of the removal of one ply may or may not make it necessary to place it upon a 20-horse power. The same reason ASSOCIATION OF FOREMEN ENGINEERS. Ar the ordinary monthly meeting of the Association of Foremen Engineers, held at 35 St. Swithin's-lane, City, on Saturday last, Mr. Hayes continued his series of papers illustrative of the manufacture of the rifle. The portion of the weapon which was more particularly alluded to on this occasion was the bayonet-the strength, lightness, and beauty of which, as a mechanical piece of work, are remarkable. The various processes connected with the completion of the warlike fitment were described carefully by the reader of the paper, but his explanations were rendered much more plain from the fact that a perfect and exquisitely finished Enfield rifle lay on the table for the inspection of the members. Space will not admit of our going, at present, fully into detail with regard to the manipulations of the rifle-bayonet, but the number of these is considerable-more, indeed, by Under the provisions of the Mercantile Marine Act the Great Eastern would not be permitted to carry passengers on her trial trip, and the directors have just discovered that they would be liable to heavy penalties if they did so before receiving the certificate of the Marine Department of the Board of Trade. We are informed on good authority that Mr. Scott Russell will take charge of the paddle-engines and boilers. on the next occasion, and that Messrs. Boulton and Watt will in like manner hold themselves responsible for the screw engines and boilers, both finding their own officers and men. We hope to be on our way to Weymouth, for the purpose of being presont at the trial trip, before this Number reaches our readers. A course of six lectures on Social Science, embracing all the relations between labour and capital, is about to of the Committee of Council on Education, at the be delivered by Mr. Wm. Ellis, under the authority South Kensington Museum. These lectures are particularly addressed to school teachers, but the general public will be admitted as far as there may be room in the theatre. The first will be given on Tuesday, 11ta Oct., and they will be continued on each succeeding Tuesday. Sir The Illustrated News of the World, of Saturday :-"In the Times' graphic delast, has the following:scription of the opening of the Swansea docks the other day, there was a slight but interesting notice of the delicate potency of Sir William Armstrong's hydraulic apparatus, evidenced in the case with which the presiding young lady of the occasion made huge gates and other heavy masses move by a trifling pressure of her hand. Sir William Armstrong's fame, with the general public, rests upon his celebrated gun; but his most intimate friends and admirers always maintain that eventually his application of vastly improved hydraulic power will be of paramount value and importance, and will yield results second only in importance to those of the steam engine William's gun experiments date only from 1854, but his hydraulic inventions are much older. born in 1810, and at the age of twenty-eight, when still a lawyer, he wrote to the MECHANICS' MAGAZINE on the improved application of water-power, then (and, perhaps, now) his favourite subject. Some of our readers may remember the steam-electrical machine which he exhibited at the Polytechnic Insti tution, and which attracted such very general atten tion. If all we hear be true, perhaps some Great Eastern of the future may be worked by an improved hydraulic engine of Sir William's. What a triumph of mechanical skill; no coals, no over-heating, little or no dread of fire or of explosion." We need hardly say we do not share in the anticipations of the last two sentences. He was The following report on the state of the Thames is from Mr. Bazalgette, the engineer of the Board of Works:-"I beg to report that in consequence of the decrease in the temperature the liming operations were maintained during the daytime only from the 12th of August to the 3rd instant, at which latter date, upon the advice of Dr. Miller, the operations were discontinued. The total quantity of disinfectant agents used during the past season has been about 4,251 tons of chalk lime, 478 tons of chloride of lime, and 56 tons of carbonic acid, at a cost of £17,733. The following information respecting the Royal Gardens at Kew, furnished by W. J. Hooker, Esq., the Director of them, will be of value to many readers:-The Botanic Garden constitutes one portion of the Royal grounds of Kew. It comprises 75 acres, includes all the plant-houses, and is separated by a light wire fence from the pleasure-grounds. It is accessible to the public every day (Good Friday alone excepted), from 1 o'clock (2 o'clock on Sundays) till sunset, throughout the year. The pleasure-ground is an adjacent part of the demesne-a richly-wooded park, bordered on one side by the Thames, consisting of nearly 250 acres, and now, by recent planting, constituting a noble arboretum of all trees and shrubs that will bear our favoured climate, and intersected with extensive and well-kept walks. A lake of five acres, with islands, is forming, and a new conservatory, or winter garden, of unprecedented size, for tender trees and shrubs (rhododendrons, camellias, &c.), is sanctioned and provided for by the Crown. This building will be erected by Mr. Decimus Burton, the architect of the palm-house, and is to be commenced forthwith. This fine piece of ground, possessing no particular attraction in winter, nor much shelter in bad weather, has not hitherto warranted the cost of gate-keepers, &c., necessary for the admission of visitors at that season. of the public has, however, been considered by the The expressed wish First Commissioner of Works, and Mr. Hooker has been instructed by that gentleman to keep open the pleasure grounds during the present month of October. There are three entrances to the pleasure grounds from the public road; first, by the Brentfordgate; second and third, by the Lion and Unicorn gates on the Richmond-road. The entrance to the Botanic Garden is open daily, and during the period when the public have access to the pleasure-grounds there are communications by four gates between these grounds and the Botanic Garden. The Times' Paris Correspondent still contends that the French Government is most active in respect to its fleets and naval defences. He tells us that in the Moniteur de la Flotte, the semi-official organ of the naval interests of France, the following passages appear:-" There has just been finished at L'Orient the Couronne, ship-of-the-line of the second class. This vessel is one of 10 now in construction, and which are to be finished within a year from this time." The Armoricain of Brest says:-"Our port has just put upon the stocks the ship-of-the-line Magenta, the construction of which has been ordered by the Emperor, and the plans of which have been made by M. Dupuy de Lome, Director of Matériel at the Ministry of Marine, after the Emperor's own ideas. This vessel will be blindé (steel-plated). Its length will be, it is said, 100 metres (328 English feet), including the large iron spur which it will bear in its front. It will be a pattern vessel of a new model." Letters from the provinces confirm, he says, what he recently wrote respecting the general armament of the French ports and coasts. "I am assured that on the Provençal coast the Government has purchased pieces of land at very high prices, for the purpose of erecting fortifications upon them." The Echo Agricole has the following paragragh:-"The War Department has just sent to Cherbourg, St. Malo, and other points of our coast the plates which are to be used in the establishment of revolving batteries. are broader and stronger than those employed on These plates railways to change the direction of locomotives and waggons; like these last they are composed of various pieces, which fit into each other when mounted on the wooden framework which puts them in motion. Thus a cannon placed on these new platforms may be turned in an instant in any direction, at the will of the gunner." A letter from Boulogne says that a floating battery is about to be constructed there, with a double tier of guns. It is to be iron-plated, without masts or sails, navigated by steam, and armed with ritled guns. The prospectus has been issued of the East India Steam Navigation Company, with a capital of £120,000, in £5 shares. The object is to send out steamers to navigate the inland rivers of India-the principal existing company engaged in that trade having for years past realized great profits. THE MECHANICS' MAGAZINE. NOTICES. We have to acknowledge the receipt of numerous letters, at an early opportunity-some of them next week-but are papers, periodicals, and other communications which we cannot here refer to in detail. Many of these will appear unavoidably deferred for the present. The MECHANICS' MAGAZINE will be sent free by post to all subscribers of £1 1s. 8d., annually, payable in advance. Post Office Orders to be made payable to R. A. Brooman, at the Post Office, Fleet Street, London, E.C. TO ADVERTISERS. are charged at the rate of 5d. per line for any number of two. Wood-cuts are charged at the same rate as type for To ensure insertion, Advertisements must reach the Office CORRESPONDENT'S QUERY. GENTLEMEN,-Will some of your readers favour Patents for Inventions. ABRIDGED SPECIFICATIONS OF PATENTS ROADS AND VEHICLES, including railway plant and car- 628. FOOD AND BEVERAGES, including apparatus for preparing food for men and animals, 565, 605. 609. 594, 619. [OCTOBER 7, 1859. This relates to a construction of stay fastening, which permits of the stay being slackened or tightened as required without interfering with the lacing. This result is attained by forming the steel busk with slots for the reception of a hook. Patent abandoned. 556. W. E. NEWTON. construction of barometers, or instruments to indicate "Improvements in the pressure." (A communication.) Dated March 2, 1859. The object here is to produce a portable barometer in a cheap form. One of the essential features of the instrument is a box made of metal, glass, caoutchouc, or other material which is sufficiently elastic by its nature, or by the form of the ox, to admit of the atmospheric pressure compressing or acting upon it naturally. Patent completed. 557. J. H. JOHNSON. "Improvements in the con. struction of grease boxes, and bearings generally. (A communication.) Dated March 2, 1859. The objects here are efficiently lubricating the working parts of the axle, &c., preventing the escape of lubricating material, and avoiding the entrance of cannot give space to the details of the invention. dust or other foreign matters into the bearings. We Patent completed. apparatus employed in weaving." Dated March 2, 558. J. KERSHAW. "Improvements in means or 1859. This consists, 1, in means for regulating the delivery of the warp as drawn from the warp beam or roller. 2. In means for effecting a uniform winding on of the work on to the work-roller beam. Patent completed. propelling of ships and vessels." 1859. This invention is not clearly described apart from the drawings. Patent completed. other fabrics." Dated March 2, 1859. Here the lengths of cloth, &c., are passed over a metallic bar, the upper surface of which is indented, placed immediately above the castellated bar, a cirturretted, or castellated in divisions of the required width, the end which first passes over being secured to a revolving roller. On the fabric to be finished is being that the only parts of the fabric upon which the cular revolving knife which presses the cloth between it and the bar before mentioned, the consequence knife operates are those which touch the top surface of the turrets, the other part falling into the spaces chine will have the appearance of having furrows cut between each turret; the fabric upon leaving the matherein. Patent completed. 561. W. BROWN. "Improvements the manufacture of pipe mounts or stems, cigar tubes, and similar articles." Dated March 2, 1859. The object here is to make the stems of pipes, cigar tubes, &c., of English pipe clay, in lieu of the bone, METALS, including apparatus for their manufacture, horn, &c., and ornamenting them either in moulds or CHEMISTRY AND PHOTOGRAPHY, 589. WARFARE, 564, 566, 573, 611, 620, 624, 625. and clasps." Dated March 2, 1859. with fat or oil, to the coating of the bottoms of iron 551. E. ROCHE. "Improvements in the manufac- the leaves, and the leaves and the juice of tobacco, to This consists of a coat so cut and arranged as to be worn either as a frock or dress coat. Patent aban doned. 563. J. HARRISON. "An improvement or improvements in the construction of rotating window-sashes." Dated March 3, 1859. turned inside, and the inside turned outside. of the ready introduction of the charge. On the side The cover bolt and cause it to close the end of the barrel, when This consists in the use and arrangement of one or more grooved cylinders or rollers revolving in a grooved or ribbed case, and acting against a stationary kuife, such grooved cylinders having also tapering or duninishing grooves, so as to prevent the passing of the article until cut finely enough, and also to keep the article continually against the cutting surfaces or knives. Patent abandoned. 566. J. D. DOUGALL. "Improvements in fire. arms. Dated March 3, 1859. This chiefly consists in forming the breech with a solid conical igniting conductor, to ensure the igni tion of the charge at the front of the cartridge instead of the back. Patent completed. 567. W. JACKSON. Improvements in shuttles for looms." Dated March 3, 1859. This consists in a method of constructing the shuttle so as to prevent the cop from flying off; for this purpose the inventor constructs the tongue of tempered steel, and adapts it so as to be fast at both ends upon the shuttle peg. Patent abandoned. 568. W. SCORE. Improvements in the manufac. ture of soap." Dated March 3, 1859. This consists in a method of forming boiler stays of 579. J. M. DUNLOP." Improvements in machinery The object here is to make the "Me Arthy Gin" suitable for working by manual labour. The pa tentee applies a first motion shaft carried in bearings fixed to the gin sides on each end of which he fixes a handle; on one end of the said shaft, and immediately behind the handle, he fixes a spur wheel which drives or gears into a spur pinion fixed in the roller covered with leather usually used in the abovenamed gins. These wheels are of the necessary re spective diameters to obtain sufficient speed for the efficient working of the gin when driven by hand. Patent completed. 590. J. LEIGH. "Improvements in the purification of coal gas." Dated March 5, 1859. This consists in rendering the fatty and oily 569. H. LEONARD. "An improvement in the manufacture of paraffine candles." Dated March 3, 1859. Here the inventor employs a candle mould in which the body and tip matrices are separate from each other, and the tip matrice is applied to the tubular body matrice so as to be capable of being moved therein so as to enable a person by such movement to expel the candle from the mould. Patent completed. 570. W. TUCKER. "An improvement in bit stocks or auger handles." Dated March 3, 1859. This invention is not described apart from the draw. ings. Patent completed. 571. T. COOK. "An apparatus for raising and lowering coffins and bodies, either for burial or disinterment." Dated March 3, 1859. This consists of a framework with supports which bridge across the grave, together with a winch and straps suitably arranged for lowering and raising the coffins. Patent abandoned. 572. W. MITCALFE. "Improvements in discharg ing cargoes, and in raising and lowering bodies." Dated March 3, 1859. This consists in taking advantage of the flow of the current (by means of a water-wheel) to accumulate power, by which baskets of coal, &c., may be readily hoisted out of a ship's hold. Patent abandoned. 573. C. F. DENNET. "Improvements in bayonets." Dated March 4, 1859. This consists in forming bayonets of a lozenge, rhomboidal, elliptic, or other suitable section. The sides of such bayonets may be grooved out so as to reduce the thickness of material in the section, two sharp edges being left throughout the length of the bayonet, the section gradually decreasing from the shoulder to a sharp point. Patent completed. 574. M. RIDER. Improvements in, or applicable to, machines for preparing, spinning, and doubling cotton, and other fibrous materials." Dated March 4, 1859. This consists in certain combinations of machinery particularly applicable to the machines for spinning called throstles, the object being to facilitate the operations of doffing the full bobbins, and replacing empty bobbins on the spindles. Patent abandoned. 575. J. CowBAN and E. ANDREWS. 66 Improvements in machinery or apparatus for spinning fibrous materials." Dated March 4, 1859. This relates particularly to that description of mules in which the mangle motion is used commonly known as "Smith's" plan. The patentees employ a shaft through the headstock for connecting the spindle gearing in each carriage, which shaft is driven by one band for putting the twist in the yarn equally in each carriage. They also use a quadrant similar to that employed in Sharp and Robert's" mules for procaring a positive winding-on motion; thus instead of two run bands they employ but one, which in connection with the quadrant enables them to have both a positive twisting and winding-on motion. Patent com. pleted. 576. R. A. BROOMAN. "An improvement in boiler stays." (A communication.) Dated March 4, 1859. This consists in manufacturing the mould boards of ploughs so as to have one portion harder than the rest. The part exposed to severe wear is chilled in the casting, whilst the other part is left soft. Patent completed. 582. F. W. PARKER. "Improvements in sewing machines." Dated March 5, 1859. Here the patentee employs a needle with an eye near the point, and attached to a piece of metal sliding up and down in a guide, and driven by a crank. The needle moves up and down through the work which is laid upon a table with a hole for the passage of the needle. Below the table is a hook or looper capable of turning on a horizontal axis or spindle, which has also an end motion. When the needle has passed through the work, and commences to rise again, the thread bends or bows out at its side, and the hook is then passed through the loop thus formed. The spindle of the hook or looper receives an end motion as soon as the looper has passed the side of the needle, and the looper is caused to hold or present the loop in a line with the seam so that the needle is sure to pass through it in its next descent. When the needle has thus entered the loop, the looper slides endways, and partially turns on its own axis so as to bring it back to its original position. The motions are then repeated, and the looper now enters the new loop and holds it as before. Patent completed. 583. E. VIGERS. "Improvements in the construction of ships and other vessels." Dated March 5, 1859. This consists in a novel combination of wood with iron in constructing the frames of ships, by which greater strength combined with other advantages is secured. Patent abandoned. 584. W. P. SAVAGE. "An improved machine for excavating, raising, and depositing soil. Dated March 5, 1859. Here the earth is raised by two sets of iron cups or buckets revolving upon axes. The two sets of cups descend into the land at different depths; one set is arranged to cut into and remove the upper surface, and the other set to cut into and raise the earth from below. Patent completed. crossing at or near the centre or other convenient part of the hank. Patent completed. 587. F. MORTON. "An improvement in the construction of strained fences." Dated March 5, 1859. The inventor proposes to draw the strands, cords, wires, wire rods, hoops or bands of strained fences up to tension by passing them through rollers, barrels, or pulleys provided with any convenient contrivance whereby rotary motion may be communicated to them. Patent abandoned. 588. R. LEAKE and M. SYKES. "Improvements in furnaces for consuming smoke and generating heat, parts of which improvements are applicable to furnaces generally." Dated March 5, 1859. This relates to a former patent dated 1st May 1857, and is based on the fact that 4-5ths (by weight) of water is oxygen, and, bulk for bulk, water is 825 times heavier than common air, so that when 4-5ths are taken from the gross weight of water it gives 660 times more oxygen in one inch of water than is contained in atmospheric air of the same bulk, and when water (in proper quantity) is introduced to the fires in furnaces of steam boilers through the spaces between the fire bars, instead of having a cooling affect it will give off a large quantity of gases, and produce a more intense heat than can be produced in any other way except where means similar to those employed in blast furnaces are adopted. Patent completed. 589. H. W. PATRICK. "An improvement or improvements in an apparatus for chemical and dental laboratories, or other manufacturing or experimental uses,, which he proposes calling a 'paragon laboratory forge." Dated March 7, 1859. This consists in the construction and arrangement in an apparatus of a smelting furnace, an annealing furnace or oven, a digester with a dry hot bath for dry heats, a sand bath, and a steam bath, a brazeing lamp, to be used separately or detached, and portable; and the whole so constructed as to be heated by coalgas or any other gases or fuel, and by means of a portable funnel to connect the same with the flue of a chimney; or it can be used without such connexion. Patent abandoned. 590. D. PROoudfoot. "Improvements in Turkey. red dyeing." Dated March 7, 1859. This relates to the application and use of the fruit of the velam tree or Turkish oak in the preparing and dyeing of cotton cloth and yarns according to the Turkey-red process." Patent abandoned. 591. A. CABANY. "A new system of quoins (wedges) for railways." Dated March 7, 1859. The inventor substitutes for the ordinary quoin or wedge used to maintain railway chairs and rails in position, one which he terms a double or twin wedge, so arranged that the parts shall, as it were, dovetail, the traction and lateral jerks of the rolling stock at speed serving more securely to fix the combination of rail-wedge and chair together. Patent aban doned. 592. W. PALMER. "An improved railway carriage break, and coupling apparatus connected therewith." Dated March 7, 1859. Here each carriage carries its own apparatus and each wheel is locked by means of a friction wheel or short a time as a short train. Patent completed. pulley, so that a long train may be stopped in as 593. F. AYCKBOURN. 66 Laminating india-rubber cloths with paper sheets." Dated March 7, 1859. This consists in coating the surfaces of suitable fbrics, and also the surfaces of sheets of paper, with india-rubber solution, bringing the solutioned sur faces together, and passing the whole between rollers. Patent abandoned. 594. W. GoSSAGE. "Improvements in the treatment of certain ores of copper for the extraction of metals therefrom." Dated March 7, 1859. The patentee claims, 1, a combination of processes by which he extracts copper and oxide of iron (suitable for the production of malleable iron) from burned sulphurous coppery pyrites, by the use of per-salt of iron in solution, which per-salt of iron is by such extraction of copper reduced to the state of proto-salt of iron, and which combination of processes or operations includes the conversion of proto-salt of iron so "Improve-produced into per-salt of iron, by exposing it when in a dry state to the action of heat and atmospheric air ; also the application of such combination of processes and use of per-salt of iron together with common salt to the extraction of silver from such burned sulphurous coppery pyrites as contain silver. 2. The use of persalt of iron contained in the "mure waters" used for extracting copper from the burned sulphurous coppery pyrites. 3. The use of metallic iron, and of protosulphuret of iron, both obtained from the burned sulphurous colutions containing such metal. Patent pyrites for the precipitation of copper from completed.. 585. F. VERDEIL and E. MICHEL. 586. G. LEACH. "Improved machinery for reel- 1859. This relates to machinery whereby yarn or thread may be reeled into hanks, and in doing which the threads are made to cross cach other so as to form a 595. J. ASPINALL. "Improvements in evaporating in vacuo." Dated March 7, 1859. The patentee claims evaporating in vacuo by means of steam or hot-air pipes whether free to rise and fall or stationary, maintained at the upper part of the vacuum pan, or at or about the surface of the liquor or substance to be evaporated. Patent completed. 596. P. E. AIMONT. "Improvements in the construction of waggons and other carriages for railways and ordinary roads, and of apparatuses connected therewith." Dated March 7, 1859. The patentee claims, 1, a method of constructing waggons or carriages so that the wheels of the same shall be able to pass over any inequalities in the ground or round a curve without the body of the waggon, &c., departing from its vertical position. 2. The employment of rails with an upright tongue, and with a bottom having sloping sides, such rails being for waggons or other carriages to travel on, together with a method of attaching or linking the same together and fixing them to the ground. 3. The employment of an instrument provided with a plumb-weight to indicate the gauge of the way and the position of the rails. 4. The employment of a single line of rail in the middle of the rail or tramway as described. Patent completed. 597. J. ORR. "Improvements in weaving ornamental fabrics." Dated March 7, 1859. This relates to a previous invention patented 23rd April, 1855. One part of the present invention consists in laying two shoots in place of one into each shed of the inner warp. Another part consists in producing fabrics of a similar description, but having one face only. Patent abandoned. 598. J. P. CLARKE. "Improvements in the manufacture of reels for the winding on cotton, linen, threads, silk, or other fibrous materials." March 7, 1859. Dated This consists, 1, in inlaying discs or rings of bone, or ivory into the ends of reels. 2. In covering the ends of reels with a flanged disc of bone or ivory. 3. In forming holes in the cylinders of reels, which holes will show the extent of cotton, &c., the reel contains. 4. In making reels with two or more compartments, so as to wind cotton, &c., of different sizes or colours upon the same reel. Patent completed. 599. J. L. JULLION and G. PIRIE. "The manufacture of gelatine." Dated March 7, 1859. This refers to the treatment of bones so as to obtain therefrom gelatine in a solid form, and consists in chemically separating the constituent parts thereof by causing them to be first cut or broken, and subsequently submitted in vacuo to the action of such acids as are suitable for forming soluble compounds of phosphate of lime. Patent completed. 600. J. KING and A. WILCOCK. 66 Improvements in certain parts of machines used in preparing, spin. ning, and doubling cotton and other fibrous materials " Dated March 8, 1859. This consists in a mode of weighting and cleaning the drawing rollers. The top rollers are made so heavy that the hooks and weights may be dispensed with, and they are covered with flannel that the clears may be dispensed with. Patent abandoned. 601. A. BоoтH and A. Воотн, jun. "Improvements in machinery or apparatus for making or manufacturing tags for laces." Dated March 8, 1859. The patentee employs a series of circular shears or cutters placed the length of the tag apart, so that the metal may be cut into several strips at once, which are coiled upon spools as the cutting proceeds. Any suitable number of the said coils are then placed in a creel, and the strips brought to a machine adapted for cutting, punching, and finishing several tags at one revolution of the driving shaft. The said machine is furnished with a number of circular or other formed feeders for guiding and feeding the strips at a speed according to the desired size of the tag, the various sizes being regulated by change wheels. The measured lengths of the strip are cut, shaped, punched, and afterwards released by means of sliding movements effected by the compound action of cranks, excentrics, or cams, a vibrating or sliding gauge being employed to regulate the shape of the tag. Patent completed. 602. W. HALLIDAY. "Improvements in apparatus for preventing smoke and economising fuel." Dated March 8, 1859. This consists in placing inside the boiler or other flues, a short distance behind the bridge, an apparatus composed of a suitable number of fire-clay tubes of from two to three feet in length, fitted into and between two end pieces of fire-clay. Patent abandoned. 603. G. TWIGG. "An improved fusee-igniter for the use of smokers." Dated March 8, 1859. This consists in the construction of a small apparatus for the pocket, which apparatus shall form a safe receptacle for fusees, and also a self-acting | igniter, so that a person may be enabled to carry with him a large number of fusees in small compass, and readily obtain a light without breaking the fusee or burning the fingers. Patent completed. 604. C. MILLS. Improvements in the action of pianofortes." Dated March 8, 1859. Here the fly, as heretofore, is hinged at its lower end to a block fixed in a key of an instrument, as is also, as heretofore, pressed back by a suitable wire spring. At the front of the block is formed a stump which rises above the block, and the fly has a screw fixed into it at a point above the hinge. The screw passes through a hole formed in the stump in the block, and has mounted on it a button or stop which comes against the stump so as to stop the fly at the point required. Patent completed. 605. J. N. RYDER. 66 'Improvements in preserving fruits, and in apparatus used for such purposes." Dated March 8, 1859. Here the fruit is placed in a suitable vessel, to which heat can be applied by a steam jacket, and from which the air and vapour can be removed by an air pump. Around the upper edge of the vessel a hollow groove is formed to receive the lower edge of a dome-shaped cover. At the bottom of the hollow groove is a ring of vulcanised india-rubber, so that when the cover is pressed down by the external atmosphere the joint will be sufficiently air-tight. Patent abandoned. 606. E. DEANE. "Improvements in apparatus for the transmission of gas and other fluids." Dated March 8, 1859. This consists in placing a screw, or threaded rod, or wormed plug within the bore of the pipe used for transmitting gas, &c., from the reservoir to the point of use. Patent abandoned. 607. W. CLARK. "Improvements in submarine telegraph cables." (A communication.) Dated March 8, 1859. This consists in winding a copper wire spirally round the cable, and of placing one of the extremities of this wire in communication with one pole of the pile and the other extremity with the ground, whereby the inventor believes several advantages to be obtained. Patent abandoned. 608. B. M. BELLING. "Improved apparatus for hardening india-rubber for the bases of teeth." Dated March 8, 1859. This consists of a wrought iron chamber of rectangular form, furnished with perforated shelves. The bases are subjected in this chamber to certain degrees of heat. Patent abandoned. 609. J. PILBROW. "Certain improvements in, or a new method or methods of, obtaining and applying motive power, a modification of which is also applicable for pumping or forcing liquids, gases, and fluids, as also for measuring liquids, gases, and fluids." Dated March 9, 1859. Here a flexible and elastic tube is placed between two rollers, the rollers being pressed together with a force (by the agency of springs) sufficient to close the tube at the point where such rollers are placed. One end of the tube is left open to the atmosphere, and the other end is in connection with an air-pump. Upon the air being exhausted from the tube it will collapse; thus will the rollers be placed out of equilibrium as respects the pressure or elastic force of the tube on either side of them, and hence they will move over the collapsed part of the tube. Patent abandoned. 610. J. A. WILLIAMS. "Improvements in machinery or apparatus for cultivating land by steam power." Dated March 9, 1859. This invention comprises various features in connection with agricultural implements. The specification is too elaborate for us to quote it at sufficient length for an intelligible abstract. Patent completed. 611. Sir W. G. ARMSTRONG. "Improvements in rifle ordnance and its projectiles." Dated March 9, 1859. This invention was described at page 199, No. 39, Vol. 2, of the MECHANICS' MAGAZINE (New Series). Patent abandoned. 612. J. R. NICHOLSON. "New or improved machinery to be used in the manufacture of needles, a part or parts of which said machinery may also be used for pointing pins, and other like articles." Dated March 9, 1859. This consists of machinery in which the wires to be operated upon are pointed by the action of grinders, the said wires being previously cut or ground of uniform length where necessary, and when the said wires are to be converted into needles, operated upon after the grinding processes by means of dies which produce the gutter and the impress of the eye of the needle. Patent completed. 613. J. ERWOOD and J. SKERTCILY. "Improvements in the manufacture of glass, sand, and emery | papers and cloths, and other similar articles used for like purposes." Dated March 9, 1859. In these improved abrading papers and cloths, the patentee raises or depresses certain portions of their surfaces by embossing or otherwise, producing lines, patterns, indentations or other forms upon them in order to destroy their level character. The object is that in their use the portions highest in relief are brought in contact with the substance to be abraded first, and as these portions are gradually worn away, fresh and unworn parts of the papers or cloths are successively brought into action until the lowest part are finally worn out. Patent completed. 614. G. C. PEARCE. "An improvement in cornets, trumpets, trombones, and other like wind instru ments." Dated March 9, 1859. The object here is to reduce the number of bends in brass and other metal instruments, and to cause the air to travel through the same number of bends whether the keys are up or down. This the inventor effects by one bent or semicircular passage, and two straight passages in a moveable valve placed in a box or cylinder. By turning the valve in one direction the wind enters and returns by and through the bent passage, while on turning it in the other direction, the straight passages through the valve are opened to the passage of the wind. Patent abandoned. 615. J. S. RUSSELL. "Improvements in building ships and other vessels." Dated March 9, 1859. This invention was described at page 199, No. 39, Vol. 2, of the MECHANICS' MAGAZINE (New Series). Patent completed. 616. J. COOKE. 66 Improvements in apparatus for giving signals on railways and vessels, and other such like uses." Dated March 9, 1859. Here an air tight vessel is filled with air by means of an air pump, and a whistle is blown by the action of the air therein. Patent abandoned. 617. A. V. NEWTON. "Improved machinery for rolling horse-shoe iron." (A communication) Ďated March 9, 1859. Here the inventor combines in a pair of rolls a groove and creasers, which, by their joint operation, exert pressure in a lateral as well as in a longitudinal direction, and thus produce, by a continuous operation, horse-shoe iron, which is concave on its upper side, thin on its inner edge, thick on its outer edge, creased on its under side, and gradually diminishing in width from heel to toe. Patent completed. 618. W. E. NEWTON. "Improvements in billiard tables." (A communication.) Dated March 9, 1859. This consists, 1, in supporting the rail by rhombshaped studs which leave room enough in their centre for bolts to pass through, while they are bevilled down towards both ends, so that an open space is left between the bed of the rail nearly all the way round, so that a ball can be reached with a cue just as easily when it lies close up to the cushion as it can when it lies further from the rail. 2. In forming the pocket bows of the same pieces which form the rail, joining the same in the middle of the bows, and giving them a bevel underneath, so as to throw the balls down when played at the pockets, and yet keeping the pocket bow on a line with the top of the rail. 3. In a particular construction of the cushion, the object being to give a perfectly true angle. Patent completed. 619. H. FISHER. 66 Improvements in machinery or apparatus for cutting thin sheets of metal into strips, and for tempering sheets or strips of metal." Dated March 9, 1859. This consists in preventing thin strips of metal from twisting or curling during the process of cutting them from the sheets by rotary cutters, by causing a bar to press the material upon the said cutters, which material also passes between rollers. Also in the use of rollers for keeping strips or sheets of metal at tension during the process of tempering. Patent abandoned. 620. J. C. MARTIN. "An improvement in the manufacture of cannon and small fire-arms, and of projectiles to be used with the same." Dated March 10, 1859. This consist in forming a smooth chamber at the breech of the gun by increasing the diameter of the bore of a rifle to the depth of the grooves, or rather more so, and in length slightly greater than the projectile to be used; a chamber for the powder somewhat less than the bore may be formed at the breech of the previously-described chamber. The object of increasing the diameter of the bore at the breech is to admit at the mouth of the gun a projectile that shall on reaching the chamber expand and fill it, and be forced by the action of the powder into the grooves closely and perfectly filling them as the gun is discharged. The projectile on reaching the chamber consists of two parts, viz., a conical plug of iron somewhat in the form of a sugar-loaf, and an outer moveable casing of lead or other suitable soft material. Patent abandoned. 621. J. YUILL. "Improvements in saddle-trees." Dated March 10, 1859. Each saddle-tree or curb, according to this invention, is cast wholly in a solid piece, as near as can be to the ultimate bend required, and it is afterwards bent to the exact form necessary. Patent com. pleted. 622. R. F. WOODWARD. "An improvement or improvements in the manufacture of certain kinds of scale beams and fittings used therewith." Dated March 10, 1859. This relates to scale beams made of iron or steel, and consists in making them by the process of stamp. ing instead of by forging. Patent abandoned. 623. H. LODGE. "Improved means of protecting ships, batteries, and other constructions or buildings from the effects of projectiles of various kinds." Dated March 10, 1859. This consists in the use of corrugated sheets of metal. Patent completed. 624 J. H. BURTON. "An improvement in breechloading fire-arms." Dated March 11, 1859. This consists in constructing the steel or iron breech-plug, so that the part coming in contact with the explosive force of the powder is separated from the main portion by interposing a cylinder or ring of copper or other suitable metal, and all are secured together by a screw or other device. Patent abandoned. 625. J. C. HADDAN. "Improvements in casting mortars and cannon." Dated March 11, 1859. This consists in causing the mould to revolve either during the time that the metal is being poured into it, or afterwards, until it has become partly or entirely solidified. Patent abandoned. and leaving the other parts uncut. pleted. Patent com 632. W. E. NEWTON. "An improvement in endless chain propellers for boats and other vessels." (A communication.) Dated March 12, 1859. This consists in attaching the chains to the buckets of endless chain propellers at points in, or nearly in lines passing longitudinally or horizontally through the centres of the faces of the buckets, and in bracing the so attached buckets to the links of the chains by diagonal braces attached to opposite sides of the buckets, and on opposite sides of such central lines. Patent abandoned. 1 1989. R. A. Brooman. Improvements in treating auriferous and argentiferous ores and substances. (A communication.) Dated Sept. 3, 1859. 626. R. HELLARD. "Improvements in reaping and mowing machines." Dated March 11, 1859.* The object here is to effect a better raising than heretofore of laid or beaten-down corn, and bringing 2014. W. Suffield. Improvements in the manufacit up into or towards the knives or cutting apparatus facture of artificial teeth, and in machinery to be emof the machine, and thus placing it in a more favour-ployed in the said manufacture. able position to its being cut, and further correctly disposed of, and this object is effected by the use of creepers made of iron or other suitable material. Patent completed. 627. S. WHEATCROFT. "Improvements in the construction of goffering and rouching machines, in order to render them self-registering and self-indicating." Dated March 11, 1859. This consists in appending apparatus to the goffering or rouching machine, so that it shall itself indicate when the determined quantity has passed through the machine, aud also that it will, if necessary, cut off this goffered portion, which will then contain the predetermined length, and also that when necessary by additional indicating apparatus, it will show the amount of plain material that has passed through the machine in a given time. Patent completed. "A new and useful or improved machine for rolling tyres for wheels." Dated March 11, 1859. 628. N. WASHBURN. This invention consists in a combination of a set of reducing rollers, a series of adjustable carrying rollers, and a frame or holder of the carrying rollers, supported so as to be capable of rising upward within the wheel-tyre in proportion as the diameter of the inner periphery of the tyre increases during the rolling of the tyre. Patent completed. 629. F. CLARK. "An improved mode of, and apparatus for, cutting, drying, and preparing peat to be used as fuel, or for other purposes for which it may be usefully employed." Dated March 11, 1859. Here the patentee cuts large slices of peat of about 3 feet wide, from 12 to 18 inches thick, and from 15 to 20 feet long by means of an apparaus which consists of a cutting tool of suitable form, and provided with a long handle or shaft. This cutting tool is worked by toothed or other suitable gearing. The slabs of peat having been pressed and solidified are put upon a travelling web made of metal, and passed into or slowly through long narrow drying chambers constructed of brick, stone, iron, &c. Patent completed. 630. A. V. NEWTON. "An improved construction of steam-engine, applicable also to the raising of water. (A communication.) Dated March 11, 1859. This invention is not described apart from the drawings. Patent completed. 631. J. CUNLIFFE, F. PIGGOTT, and G. MALLIN203. "Improvements in the manufacture of ornamental woven fabrics." Dated March 12, 1859. Here fabrics are woven by any suitable mechanism with the weft floating over the warp, so as to leave Faces, and the ornamental velvet effects or patterns required are produced by cutting parts of the races 2016. G. Davies. Improvements in printing, and in apparatus connected therewith. (A communication.). Dated Sept. 7, 1859. 2042. J. L. Jullion and G. Pirie. The manufacture of gelatine, and apparatus to be employed therein. 2044. A. V. Newton. An improved manufacture of metallic strips or bands applicable to ladies' skirts. (A communication.) 2018. W. Rothwell and T. Watson. Improvements in screw gill-boxes. Dated Sept. 8, 1859. 2050. T. O. Small. Improvements in the stereoscope, by means of tinted media, and by the application of the pulley and lever, or spring, in changing the lights. 2052. J. H. Johnson. Improvements in cocks and valves. (A communication.) other steam-boilers. 2054. J. Tandy. Improvements in locomotive and 2056. G. Gowland. Improvements in nautical and surveying instruments for measuring angles. Dated Sept. 9, 1859. 2060. S. Worssam. Improvements in sawing machinery. 2062. W. E. Gedge. Improvements in the manufacture of nails. (A communication.) 2064. A. V. Newton. Improvements in the process of, and machinery for, manufacturing hat bodies. (A communication.) Dated Sept. 10, 1859. 2066. A. Smith. Improvements in strengthening umbrella and walking stick handles, and other articles or details wherein the cross or transverse grain of wood or other material is subject to strains. 2068. W. Ross. Improved apparatus connected with the discharge of liquids. 2069. E. J. Mallett. Improvements in axles. 2070. T. J. Perry. An improved construction of hot air oven. Dated Sept. 12, 1859. 2076. J. Eason. Improvements in the manufacture of buff or losh and other oiled leathers. 2078. W. H. Morrison. Improvements in the manufacture of bonnet and cap fronts, and in the means or apparatus employed therein. 2080. J. Mason. An improvement in boxes or cases and cards to contain or hold pens. 2082. W. Elliott. Improvements in the manufacture of African or Guinea rods. Dated Sept. 14, 1859. 2091. C. G. Gumpel. Improvements in the application of motive power to the propelling of vessels. 2003. J. P. Kennedy. Improvements in steamboilers. 2095. C. Beslay. Improvements in preparing and obtaining printing surfaces with designs sunk as also in relief. 2097. J. S. Slocum. Improvements in projectiles, suitable for ordnance. (A communication.) Dated Sept. 15, 1859. 2099. J. Robinson. An improved agricultural implement. 2101. J. Brière. Improvements in railway breaks. 2103. H. Winter. A machine or apparatus for lifting and weighing loaded sacks, and also merchandize. Dated Sept. 16, 1859. 2105. J. W. Hadwen. An improvement or improvements in apparatus or machinery used for drawing fibrous substances or material in any of the processes or machines for preparing to be spun, or for spinning the same. 2107. N. Heckford. A method of purifying the Thames and other rivers, and of treating night soil. 2109. W. E. Newton. Improvements in machinery for forming hat bodies. (A communication.) 2111. H. Jackson. Improvements in fire-bars. Dated Sept. 17, 1859. 2113. J. Luis. A new brick and tile-making machine. (A communication.) 2115. J. Luis. Further improvements in breaks for railway carriages. (A communication.) 2117. J. Luis. A slip bridle for stopping runaway horses. (A communication.) 2119. J. Luis. signal with double repeaters. (A communication.) An improved disc and lantern 2121. S. N. Rodier. Improvements in the regula tion of gas to burners, which he calls "Rodier's regulating gas valve." 2123. A. J. Norman. Paving roads and surfaces. Dated Sept. 19, 1859. 2125. F. N. Gisborne. Paying out submarine telegraph cables. 2127. W. Robertson and J. Tweeddale. Improvements in hydrostatic jacks, or lifting apparatus. (A communication.) tion of carriages, coaches, omnibuses, and other such 2129. J. Wright. Improvements in the construclike conveyances. (A communication.) 2131. P. Fairbairn. Improved machinery for finishing the teeth of spur and other gearing. 2133. R. A. Brooman. Improvements in elevators or lifts for hotels, warehouses, and other structures. (A communication.) proved system of insulators for electric wires. 2135. L. Engler and E. F. Krauss. A new or im Dated Sept. 20, 1859. 2139. W. Weild. Improvements in fluted rollers used in machines for preparing, spinning, and doubling cotton, wool, flax, silk, and other fibrous materials, and in the manufacture of such rollers. 2141. J. Beads. Improvements in machinery or apparatus for spinning cotton, wool, and other fibrous substances, part of which improvements is applicable to other purposes. 2143. W. E. Newton. Improvements in projec tiles. (A communication.) 2145. E. Collier. Improvements in ear dilators. Dated Sept. 21, 1851. 2147. H. Corless. Improvements in apparatus for washing, wringing, and mangling. 2151. W. E. Newton. An improved mode of, and apparatus for, condensing the waste steam of marine engines. (A communication.) PATENT APPLIED FOR WITH COMPLETE SPECIFICATION. 2154. E. B. Dimock and J. H. Baker. A new and useful improvement in mechanism or apparatus for drying woollen or other cloths. (A cominunication.) NOTICES OF INTENTION TO PROCEED WITH PATENTS. (From the London Gazette, Oct. 4, 1859.) 1240. J. Valda. Stud-fastenings. 1244. G. J. Parfitt. Gas burners. Lubricating cans. 1253. J. R. Scart liff. 1261. J. Knowles. Power looms. 1280. J. Gibbs. Treating coal, &c. 1282. G. Hadfield. Heating and evaporating. 1290. E. Maw. Metallic bedsteads. 1298. J. Webster. Gauges. 1304. G. F. Chantrell. Charcoal kilns. 1306. J. Draper. Indices. 1311. W. Weild. Pile fabrics. 1314. L. Farrence and B. Subra. Gas lighting. |