one of the lesser wheels revolve, the larger or fixed wheel moving from a common centre as heretofore. Patent abandoned.

1032. W. CLARK. Improvements in apparatus for sharpening saws. (A communication.) Dated May 7, 1858.

This invention relates to a machine for sharpening all kinds of saws by means of a small grindstone or surface, which enters between the teeth of the saw. Patent completed.

1033. J. T. ROBSON. Improvements in sheet-flue and tubular boilers. (A communication.) Dated May 8, 1858. This invention consists in arranging the flues of boilers one above the other in a serpentine form, extending from front to back of the boiler. Between these flues, and at intervals, are oval tubes placed vertically, and so that the second row of tubes are seen between the spaces of the front row. Tubes are also placed horizontally at the bend of each flue. Patent completed.

1034. A. V. NEWTON. Improvements in machinery for manufacturing paper. (A communication.) Dated May 8,

1858.

This invention relates to a mode of varying the width of the paper while the machine is in operation, and during the manufacture. It consists in making the lip or basin which conducts the pulp from the vat to the endless wire apron of two parts, and in connecting these parts with the "deckles" which, as well as the "deckle straps," are by a novel mechanism rendered susceptible of lateral adjustment. It also consists in a novel way of adjusting the usual guage employed for the even distribution of the pulp on the endless wire apron. These improvements are not completely described apart from the inventor's drawings. Patent completed.

1035. W. E. NEWTON. Certain improvements in grinding circular saws. (A communication.) Dated May 8. 1858. This consists in grinding one side of a saw at a time while its opposite side is supported by a roll which has a rotary motion at the requisite speed to cause the revolution of the saw as desired. It also consists in the employment of a rotating friction clamp applied to the saw during the grinding, so that it derives rotary motion from the saw through the agency of friction, and by the momentum thus acquired is caused to render uniform, or nearly so, the velocity of the saw, notwithstanding any differences of the thickness of the saw plate, and consequent tendency to variation in the action of the feed roll. Patent completed. 1036. A. V. NEWTON. An improved manufacture of hard and waterproof fabric, and the application of the same to the construction of boats, parts of carriages, and of furniture, portmanteaus and travelling cases, and vessels of capacity. (A communication.) Dated May 8, 1858.

In carrying out this invention, woven wire cloth or pierced sheet metal is coated on both sides with indiarubber vulcanite compound in a plastic state. Patent completed.

1037. G. DAY. An improved self-acting valve for regulating the flow of liquids. Dated May 8, 1858.

This invention consists in the adaptation of the ordinary spindle valve to the regulation of the flow of liquids, by adding thereto the common floating ball or an inverted basin. Patent abandoned.

1033. R. B. GOLDSWORTHY. Improvements in machinery for grinding emery and other materials. Dated May 10, 1858. This invention consists, 1, in the application of a loose weight or weights to the upper part of a pair of grinding mills, for the purpose of being able to regulate the weight thereof according to the sizes of the emery, or other mateterial to be ground. 2, In a mode of shaping the teeth of the mills used in grinding emery and other materials. These improvements are not described in detail apart from the inventor's drawings. Patent completed.

1039. C. F. VASSEROT. Improvements in the manufac ture of umbrellas and parasols. (A communication.) Dated May 10, 1858.

The inventor forms umbrellas and parasols with the handles out of the centre, that they may be carried directly over the head, (1) by placing the handle and the ribs excentrically, and diminishing progressively the length of the ribs on nearing the side where the handle is placed: (2) by making the handle with an arm or elbow projecting from the centre directly under the stretchers when the umbrella is open, this arm being hinged with the upper and lower parts of the divided stick, and retained in its horizontal position by a rod connecting the upper and lower parts of the stick. Patent abandoned.

1040. C. F. VASSEROT. Improved driving machinery applicable either for thrashing, winnowing, cleaning, and bruising grain, cutting straw, or other agricultural purposes. (A communication.) Dated May 10, 1858.

This machine consists of a case having in its bottom, upon a pivot, the main axle which passes through the top, and receives shafts or poles to which the horse or other power is applied. Within the case, and fixed to the axle, is a spur wheel which drives a small cog wheel upon an axle at right angles to the former, and also within the box upon this latter axle is fixed another spur wheel, which gears into a conical pinion fixed to the main transmitting shaft. This shaft passes out of the case, and is connected by riggers, toothed wheels, or pulleys to the machinery to be used. Patent abandɔned.

1041. W. H. OUDEN. Improvements in pumps. Dated May 10, 1858.

Here one piston or plunger is used in combination with a donble set of valves, which are fitted to a box or frame so placed that it can be readily fixed or removed by hand. This valve box is divided into two compartments, the bottoms of which are fitted with suction valves, and the tops with delivery valves. The cylinder is placed on one side of the valve box, and the communication between the valves and the pump barrel are formed by two pipes extending from openings formed in the side of the valve box between the upper and lower valves, one of which pipes extends from one of the valve chambers to the bottom of the cylinder, and the second from the other valve chamber to the top of the cylinder. On the up stroke of the piston the fluid is drawn up through the lower valve of the cham

ber connected with the lower end of the pump cylinder, and on the down stroke the lower valve closes, and the upper valve opens and delivers its water, and at the same time the water is drawn through the other lower valve, which is in communication with the upper end of the pump cylinder, by the down stroke of the piston, and is delivered through the upper valve on the up stroke, and so on alternately. Patent completed.

1042. W. C. FORSTER. An improvement in the manufac ture of bricks and slabs for preventing damp in the walls of houses and other buildings, Dated May 10, 1858.

This consists in the production of a vitrified substance in the interior of bricks or slabs. The outer surfaces remain unglazed, and the absorption of damp from the lower surface to the upper is prevented. Patent completed. 1043. I. L. BELL. Improvements in the manufacture of iron. Dated May 10, 1858.

This invention is described and illustrated at p. 601 of No. 1846 of the MECHANICS' MAGAZINE for Dec. 25, 1858. Patent completed.

1044. J. M. E. MASSON. Improvements in diving apparatus. Dated May 10, 1858.

Here the divers descend with a frame, to which reservoirs of compressed air are attached for supplying the divers. The frame is composed of two rectangular gratings, at a distance apart, so that the diver may walk between them. The reservoirs of air are attached to the upper grating, and in order that the divers may be supplied with air at the same pressure as the column of water under which they are working, the reservoirs communicate (by means of pipes with cocks) with two cylinders placed perpendicufarly between the two gratings, and open at the bottom; the quantity of air admitted varies with the pressure of the water. The air from the cylinders is transmitted by air pumps (one in each cylinder), through a flexible pipe, to the helimet or dress of the diver, and passes away from his dress through another flexible pipe into an apparatus where it is purified by passing through a shower of a solution of soda, and from there back into the cylinders on which the air pumps work, to be again used. The invention includes other details. Patent completed.

1045. R. WILLAN and D. MILLS. Improvements in ma chinery or apparatus for drawing in, twisting, or looming textile fabrics. Dated May 10, 1858.

Instead of drawing the yarn thread or warp through the eyes of the healds by hand, the inventors employ an apparatus worked by power or by manual labour. They place the reed in front of the healds as usual, but below the reed they have a dividing apparatus acted upon by change wheels, so that the divisions of movement may correspond to the spaces of the reed, and the drawing of the yarn through the healds is performed by a falling drum, cam, or eccentric, acting upon mechanical fingers, which push the hooks through the eyes of the healds; and after the drawing the yarn with them, which yarn is afterwards yarn is placed upon the hooks they are drawn back again, passed through the reed by a self-acting hook, the fingers and hooks being connected with the dividing apparatus and all the movements being self-acting. Patent adandoned. 1046. W. G. TAYLOR. Improvements in covering the rollers employed in spinning cotton and other fibrous materials. Dated May 10, 1858.

This relates to the covering of the rollers to be used in spinning machinery with a leather made from rabbit or hare skin, or similar skins of small dimensions and fine surface, in lieu of ordinary sheep and lamb leather. Patent completed.

1047. J. B. Prм and C. PAYNE. Improvements in recovering useful matters from oil or floor cloth, tarpaulin, American leather cloth, and other like substances. Dated May 10, 1858.

This consists in recovering the oil or paint from these materials. The patentees use old materials, by preference waste cuttings, which they treat with a strong caustic alkaline solution. With this they sometimes mix ammonia and sulphuric or muriatic acid. Patent completed. 1048. P. A. APPARUTI. A machine applicable for picking and choosing out corn. Dated May 11, 1858.

The inventor employs a slightly inclined table upon which the corn is laid, and which is moved by jerks. At each jerk the grains of corn are thrown up the incline a short distance (until they fall over the top), while the impurities which are all supposed to be spherical-will roll down the plane into a receiver. Patent abandoned.

1049. J. LUIS. A mechanical washing apparatus for iron ore and other matters. (A communication.) Dated May 11, 1858.

This consists in causing the matter to be washed to advance regularly in an opposite direction to the water. Patent completed.

1050. G. II. CRESSWELL. Improvements in pads and apparatus for inking stamps. Dated May 11, 1858.

In the improved pad printers' ink or thick colouring material is used, and a piece of drugget is thickly saturated with it and placed under the cloth surface of the pad, which is moistened occasionally with sweet oil, rubbed or brushed into it, which softens the ink, and causes it to work up or soak into the upper cloth, and keep it in a proper state for inking the stamps which are pressed upon it. Patent completed.

1051. J. H. JOHNSON. Improvements in madder dyeing. (A communication.) Dated May 11, 1858.

According to this invention the fabrics, which have been printed in suitable mordants, and prepared as usual, are submitted to the action of a hot decoction of garancine, madder, water, air, liquid ammonia, or other equivalent alkali, in proportion of about 10 lbs. of garancine madder to 40 galls, of water, and 1 pint of ammonia or other equivalent alkali. After passing through this decoction, and being acted upon by it for from 3 to 5 minutes, the colouring matter of the madder will be found to be completely fixed on those parts printed in mordants. The addition of about 1 pint of alcohol to the above ingredients will confine the colouring matter of the madder to those portions of the fabric printed in mordants and prevent it from being ab

sorbed by the portions which are to remain white. Patent abandoned.

1052. E. FAIRBURN. Improvements in machinery or apparatus employed in carding wool or other fibrous substances. Dated May 11, 1858.

This relates to the "single doffer condenser," and consists in having the surface of the doffer cylinder formed of rings (of wood, or other material) for rings of cards of corresponding widths to rest upon, with a flange or shield of thin metal on each side of the rings, projecting to and even with the surface of the cards, leaving a small space betwixt the two flanges. Also, in having similar flanges betwixt rings of cards on the stripping roller projecting above or beyond the surface of the cards, and so arranged that when the stripper and doffer are brought together, the flanges on the stripper will enter into the spaces formed betwixt the flanges or shields on the doffer, thus effectually separating the fibrous substances on the surface of the doffer info strips, the breadths of the card rings, which are then conducted by grooved rollers to the rubbers, where they are formed into slubbings or threads. Patent completed.

1053. J. SOUTTER. Improvements in washing machines. Dated May 11, 1858.

Inside a trough the patentee fixes a drum consisting of two discs for ends, and several laths let into the discs to form the sides. The drum is rotated by a crank handle. Inside the trough, and near the sides of the drum, he fixes upon springs, rods, bands and blocks, to act as rubbers, and provides means for regulating the distance thereof from the sides of the drum. Inside the drum he fixes projections for stopping or retarding the articles inside the drum to be washed. The laths, or some of them, are free to be drawa apart for placing articles inside the drum and removing them therefrom; also for nipping between them the ends of any large articles to be washed, such as sheets, tablecloths, &c., which are wound round the outside of the drum, and have both sides washed by turning the drum first in one and then in the other direction. Patent completed.

1054. W. PARE. Improvements in metallic and other bedsteads, and other articles of furniture. Dated May 11, 1858.

Here the sockets for receiving the side and end pieces of the horizontal frame of the bedstead (or other article) are cast in one piece with the legs and the pillars. Patent completed.

1055. A. PARKES. Improvements in the manufacture of tubes and cylinders. Dated May 11, 1858.

In place of employing hollow cast cylinders of copper, German silver, or other alloys of copper, the patentee uses cast dises, or discs cut from comparatively thick sheets of copper, German silver, or other alloy, and then, in order to produce short and comparatively thick tubes or cylinders, he subjects such disc to a raising process by means of by dies through which the metal is forced, or, forcers actuated by steam, causing the discs to be raised "drawn through." Or the discs may be forced by the steam forcers into hollow dies. When using German silver in making tubes or cylinders, he prefers to cast a short hollow cylinder, and then to extend it into the length and dimensions desired; he also in some cases combines German silver with copper, brass, or other tubes in order to coat the same with German silver. Patent completed.

1056. A. PARKES. Improvements in rollers or cylinders used for printing and embossing. Dated May 11, 1858.

In constructing rollers or cylinders when shells of metal are used on bodies, the patentee employs a body made of zine, brass, or of an alloy of copper, or of an alloy of fron and nickel, in combination with an engraved shell or outer surface; and he applies German silver, and also an alloy of iron or nickel in place of the metals heretofore used in the manufacture of such rollers and shells; and in making printing or embossing rollers or shells of copper, or alloys of copper, or of German silver, he first raises a disc of either of such metals by stamping, or by drawing the same through dies, and then extends the same by hammering or rolling, or drawing through dies. Patent completed.

1057. W. OLIVER. Improvements in combining ovens for the manufacture of coke with the furnaces of steam boilers. Dated May 11, 1858.

This consists in so combining ovens that the operation of making coke shall supply heat for the boilers. When the boiler is cylindrical, he places the coke oven underneath and in front of the boiler up to about one-third of the length. This oven is fed from the front. The furnace for the boiler is placed about the middle of the length of the boiler, and is fed from the side, a bridge with a damper between the two fires being so arranged as to shut off the one from the other when the coke is being withdrawn. The smoke from the coke oven is thus caused to pass over the boiler fire. The bed of the coke oven is built solid in brick, the boiler fire having the usual fire bars. Patent abandoned.

1058. R. HALLIWELL. Certain improvements in mules for spinning and doubling cotton and other fibrous materials. Dated May 11, 1858.

This is applicable to self-acting mules, and consists, 1, in a combination of machinery for effecting the changes performed by the cam shaft in Robert's Patent Self-Actors. The machinery consists of a lever, or combination of levers, and of a weight connected to the carriage and acting on the levers; this weight, with the levers, act on the machinery for putting in and out of gear the apparatus for drawing up and putting up the carriage, and on the machinery for putting the backing off friction cones out of contact. 2, In the application of duplex levers to which motion is given by wheels in combination with the squaring shaft or other part of the mules, for moving the driving strap on and off the fast and loose pulleys at the commencement and completion of the stretch. 3, In the application of a latch or curved plate and bar in connexion with the strap fork lever for allowing the backing off friction cones to be drawn into contact by a spring for backing off when the driving strap has been moved off or nearly off the first pulley. Patent completed,

1059. G. LoWRY. Certain improvements in machinery for heckling flax and other fibrous materials. Dated May 11, 1858.

This consists, 1, in supporting the troughs of heckling machines (along which the strick holders are traversed) by links or levers to which vibrating motion is imparted by sitable mechanism; this vibrating motion'imparts simultaneously the requisite longitudinal and up and down motion to the trough and strick holders. 2, În a combination of parts for traversing the strick holders along the heckling machine. 3, In a mode of combining two heckling machines, or two series of heckles, with mechanism by which the stricks of flax after being heckled at one end, in passing through the first machine or series, are liberated, then reversed, then taken through the second machine or series by which the other ends of the stricks are heckled. Patent completed.

1060. J. M. GILDERT. Improvements in the construction of cylinders and mandrils used in printing calico and other surfaces. Dated May 11, 1858.

This consists, as regards the cylinders, in the form given to their interior, which, instead of being one cone from end to end, is formed by two cones having their small diameters towards the middle. The mandril is constructed of three principal parts, two of which are hollow cylinders or shells formed conical on their exterior to fit the interior of the cylinder. The third part is a spindle or shaft made to fit the printing or other machines at the ends, and to carry the two coned shells at its middle part. By means of a right and a left hand thread or screw upon this shaft, and corresponding nuts or threads in the two-coned shells, the latter may be drawn together within the cylinder until a sufficiently tight fixture of the cylinder upon the shells is effected. The same means, but reversing the direction of the action, suffice for releasing the cylinder when required to be removed from the mandril. Patent completed. 1061. J. DYSON, E. W. SHIRT, AND H. SHIRT. ments in the mode of rolling strips of steel for crinoline and other purposes. Dated May 11, 1858.

This applies to a mode of rolling steel of small guage for crinoline, &c., in strips of greater length than the present system admits of. By the ordinary mode steel is rolled in sheets of about 10 ft. in length; the patentees propose after it has been reduced singly to No. 17 guage, to reduce it to the requisite guage in the required lengths by folding each length or strip, and passing it in two or more thicknesses between the rolls. This process will reduce the strip to so small a guage as to obviate the necessity of cold rolling. Patent completed.

1062. J. HENDERSON. An improved apparatus for measuring fluids. Dated May 12, 1858.

This relates to apparatus to be applied to taps, or pipes, for measuring off separate portions of fluids, and may be used by druggists, &c. According to one modification it consists of a glass vessel fitted to the outflow pipe, and communicating by its bottom with the pipe at a point between two stop cocks fitted to the pipe. The glass vessel is graduated to show the quantities of liquid when at various levels. In using the apparatus, the inner stop-cock between the reservoir and the glass-measuring vessel is just opened, the outer being closed, and the liquid is allowed to flow into the measuring vessel until it attains the level corresponding to the quantity wanted to be drawn off, or measured. The inner stop is then closed, and the outer one opened, when the liquid in the measuring vessel flows off into another vessel. In a modification of the apparatus for measuring gas, the measuring vessel is by preference inverted, and the gas is made to displace water when flowing into it, the liquid refilling the measuring vessel on the egress of the gas. Patent abandoned.

1063. L. DURAND. An improved tubular steam generator. Dated May 12, 1858.

This consists of a steam generator composed of one upper and two lower longitudinal tubes of comparatively large diameters, and communicating with each other by a number of very small tubes arranged side by side transversely, and in a zig-zag form. Patent completed.

1064. M. DIOSY. Improvements in machinery for preparing or manufacturing granulated potatoes for presercation. (A communication.) Dated May 12, 1858.

This relates to machinery for preparing granulated potatoes for preservation, and is not described apart from the patentee's drawings. Patent completed.

1065. J. A. DETROYAT and F. TEUBERT. Improvements in apparatus for cleansing hair combs and other similar articles. Dated May 12, 1858.

The inventors mount, on a handle, a spring band of steel, curving upwards, and terminating at each end in a roller or cushion; towards one of these the handle will slightly incline, and between the lugs of that one the shank ends of a series of steel blades or teeth will enter and be secured by a spindle passing from end to end through the cushion, the other end of each of these blades terminating with a hook, which, on the blade being depressed, will enter between the lugs of the opposite cushion and fasten on to the spindle passing through it. In use, the cleaner should be held in the left hand and the comb drawn perpendicularly along the blades in the direction of the holder. To clean the apparatus, press each cushion slightly inwards and, passing the hand beneath the blades, lift and clean them one after the other. Patent abandoned.

1066. J. A. CLARKE. Improvements in compositions for poating vessels' bottoms. Dated May 12, 1858.

The patentee employs white lead (free from admixture with carbonate of barytes, oxide of zinc, &c.), ground in naphtha to a paint-like consistence, adding thereto rosin varnish, by which he obtains a composition capable of being used either cold or hot for paying or painting over ssels' bottoms, as a preservative coating. Patent completed. 1067. W. MARK. Improvements in roofing and other tiles. Dated May 12, 1858. This consist, 1, in forming tiles for roofing, &c., with a feather or projecting rib along one of the edges, the opposite edge being formed with a channel or groove situated at the reverse side of the tile, and made to fit upon the

The lubricating vessel is attached to a revolving wheel, the boss of which fits on a plug fixed to the cap of the shaft to be lubricated; the lubricating material enters through a hole in the boss, and is delivered into a recess in the plug, from which it passes through a side passage in the boss to a hole in communication with the passage, running from one end of the plug to the other; this passage admits air, and affords facility for cleaning. The requisite rotary motion is given to the boss or to the plug by any means so as to deliver a supply of material at intervals to the shaft. The improvements in lubricators for connecting rods, slides, &c., having a vibrating motion, consist in the use of a plunger with recesses; this plunger is raised and lowered by a ratchet wheel, and in descending delivers a portion of the lubricating material to a chamber (furnished with a set screw to regulate its capacity) and in descending the lubricating material in the chamber descends on the article to be lubricated. Patent abandoned.

1070. J. SHARPLES. Improvements in extracting moisture from and drying porous and fibrous substances. Dated May 12, 1858.

This consists in extracting moisture from and drying fabrics or other porous and fibrous substances, by forming a partial vacuum on one side, and admitting air, either heated or otherwise, at the other side; the current of air passing through the materials removes the moisture therefrom. Patent completed.

1071. R. KNIGHT. Improvements in apparatus for refrigerating, also for bottling ærated liquids, and in the preparation of storing salts for the production of artificial mineral waters. Dated May 12, 1858.

The apparatus for refrigerating is formed of a metal vessel having an external cover, and in the space between the vessel and the cover is a bag of flannel or felt fixed around the lower edge of the inner vessel, and against the surface of the external cover is fixed a lining of felt or flannel. Between the inner surface of the bag and the outer surface of the inner vessel is placed ice. The apparatus for bottling ærated water consists of a moveable stand or block (to receive a bottle) fixed to the upper end of a rod, which is guided in its passage through a table or bench. This rod and stand or block is acted on by the foot. Above the block is fixed a socket, through which the corks are forced into the bottles. The corks are forced through the socket and into the bottles by a ram, or forcer at the end of a bar which moves vertically in guides, and receives its motion by a lever handle. To convert ærated water into artificial mineral waters the constituent salts in the exact proportions required for a given measure of water are mixed together and stored in small glass tubes or vessels, which are closed at their outer ends by corks so as to keep them dry. The patentee produces any of the artificial mineral waters by placing the salts into an open glass or vessel and drawing on to them ærated water, the salts being prepared so as to dissolve clear, and they are mixed and kept closed from the air till about to be used. Patent completed.

1072. J. G. JACKSON. A method of carrying roads over (or through) land covered with water. Dated May 12, 1858. The inventor constructs and places upon the surface of the water which covers the land to be crossed a water-tight tube. The railway is laid down in the interior of the tube, which may be enclosed in another similar tube for security. Picces of glass, &c., may be let into openings to admit light. When completed the tubes are to be sunk in the water on to the solid ground, which must be prepared to form a solid bed to receive them. Patent abandoned.

1078. J. BIGGS. Improved apparatus for compressing vegetable and other substances. Dated May 12, 1858.

The object here is to facilitate the pressing of tobacco. The inventor uses a hydraulic press fitted with a tram way, to receive the mould and facilitate its being brought to and from the press. To the side standards of the press he attaches a pair of rails or ways and turns up their ends to prevent the mould, which is mounted upon wheels, from running off the ways. Midway between these ways stands up the hydraulic ram, and immediately above the ram a pressing block is suspended from the cross head of the

press. This block fits the mould, and is intended, as the charged mould is raised up by the ram, to enter the mould, and compress the material contained therein. Patent abandoned.

1074. A. L. LIETOUT. Improved portable medical and hygienic gymnastic apparatus. Dated May 12, 1858. This apparatus consists of a foundation bed on which four uprights are placed. These four uprights serve as a support for all the ordinary parts used for gymnastic purposes, comprising a ladder placed at the side, an arm chair for straightening the body, a pulley or tackle for raising weights, a rope ladder with knots, rounds, blocks, &c., a horizontal bar, a swing bar, a horse, &c. The whole apparatus is arranged so as to be capable of disconnecting, folding up, and placing in a case, To mount it it is merely necessary to join the pieces and place it on a level surface.-Patent abandoned.

1075. J. S. and W. H. BAILEY. Improvements in machinery for preparing and combining wool, cotton, and other fibrous materials. Dated May 12, 1858.

This relates to a combination of circular or endless guides, grooves, or channels, with rotary comb frames for controlling the motion of the taking combs or instruments on their own axis or points of motion. The guides, grooves, or channels are mounted on an axis excentric to the comb frame but with which they rotate and perform an equal number of revolutions; crank pins project from the lever arms fixed on the axis of the combs or taking instruments, which pins are received in the grooves or channels; stops are placed in the grooves or channels; the crank pins coming in contact with the stops carry the grooves or guides round with them, but these, by reason of their excentricity, control the lever arms fixed to the comb axis, and cause them to assume the different positions required. It also relates to combing wool, &c., by operating on the material by taking instruments individually or in combination with other instruments, whereby the material is taken from the feeding apparatus and transferred to the receiving-comb, so that the end of the material which is last in leaving the feeding apparatus shall become the first end when delivered on to the receiving-comb. It further relates to the application of a pressing surface, to exert a pressure on card surfaces in carding or combing machinery, which has a tendency to bend the wires to their original form after they have been straightened by contact with the receiving-comb or surface, or the material that is thereon. The patentees also apply emery for sharpening the card teeth, which is effected by rubbing contact. Patent completed.

1076. J. HAMILTON.-Improvements in the preparation and use of starch for manufacturing, bleaching, and finishing purposes. Dated May 12, 1858.

Instead of finishing and drying up the starch, as is commonly done, the process of manufacture is carried on no further than the actual deposition or solidification of the starch, when it is at once taken for use without any further preparation. Starch used in this way is most effective in its action, whilst it is peculiarly economical. Patent completed.

1077. W. SIMONS.---Improvements in the construction of iron ships or vessels. Dated May 13, 1858.

This relates to arranging the deck beams of ships diagonally or with the reverse inclines, so as to gain superior strength. Each line of beams is disposed so that the individual beams lie at an angle with the keel line of the ship, and in every deck the direction of the angle is reversed. It also relates to the diagonal disposition of the staunchions, each staunchion or hold-fast beam or bar being inclined or set diagonally in one or more lines, the lines being reverse to each other, and the bars being attached at the intersections and at their upper ends where they join the beams. It also comprehends inverting the knees of the ship, that is to say, the knees are disposed above instead of below the deck, and iron plates are laid above or over the lines of knees throughout the ship fore and aft. Patent abandoned.

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NOTE. Specifications will be forwarded by post from the Great Seal Patent Office (publishing department) on receipt of the amount of price and postage. Sums exceeding 5s. must be remitted by Post Office Order, made payable at the Post Office, High Holborn, to Mr. Bennet Woodcroft, Great Seal Patent Office,

vessels of small draught of water, as compared with their breadth, are so uneasy." Further, the Napoleon is said to be deeper than the Agamemnon, and her cross sections less eccentric, and from both of these causes her motions are pronounced less rapid and less extensive; and towards the close of the letter the author says:

I have shown that to obtain the steadiest platform, the immersed body must approximate to the volume and form of a semi-cylinder; how far this is from being realised in the ships built during the last ten years may be gathered from the following dimensions."

Then follows a list of foreign and old English ships, with which our modern ships are made to contrast unfavourably with regard to steadiness, because the ratio of breadth to depth is greater in the latter.

Not content with this exposition of the causes of deep rolling, Captain FISHBOURNE makes a formula by which its amount and velocity may be determined. One would naturally expect to find in a formula based on such principles some index to the form, and also to find the proportion between breadth and depth so embraced that the discovered amount may be seen to diminish as the sections approach the semicircular form. But, strange to say, no notice whatever is taken of these things. The numerator of the fraction which is said to be proportional to both the amplitude and time of an oscillation, is the length of the ship, multiplied by the cube of the extreme breadth; and the denominator is the sum of the weights of the engines, coals, stores, and armament; so that the form of the section and the depth may be anything whatever. But that the formula is incorrect is evident enough from the consideration that there is no more reason for supposing the lateral oscillations of the ship to increase in amplitude according to the cube of the breadth, than for supposing the amplitude of the longitudinal oscillations to increase with the cube of the length-a supposition which is ridiculously wide of the truth. And again, it is not difficult to see that an increase of breadth will not

always increase the rolling on the contrary; we can imagine the breadth to be increased until, at the attainment of very great dimensions, the ship or raft became steady, and did not roll at all. Let us now observe how he applies this remarkable formula. He says:

"On the other hand we may compare the Orlando, a new class 50, with an enemy's sailing vessel; the former is 360" [300] "feet long, the latter we shall suppose to be 200 feet by 48, and give her precisely the same armament as the Or

lando.

ratios:Orlando.

360×523 2,900

200 × 463 1,400

= 13,900,

17,450. Enemy's that is, the motion of the former will be greater than that of the latter as 175 to 139, and if the former has used half her coals, these motions will be as 202 to 139."

He says again, with reference to this formula, that neither the Diadem nor Galatea, the armaments of which consist of 10-inch shell guns and heavy 68-pounders, would dare to approach a French sailing frigate armed with 30 guns like our long 32-pounders, and with 30 30-pounder short guns or carronades, in consequence of the superior steadiness of the French battery, as will appear, he says, "From the following table, which shows the

"

...

125

130

...

118

Diadem 176 ()" We cannot seriously discuss the gallant officer's disquisition further. We have said sufficient to show that his views of established science are false, and his speculations altogether baseless. In one respect, however, we can agree with Captain FISHBOURNE,- that is, in regarding the systematic collection and arrangement of facts connected with naval architecture as a matter of prime importance, demanding the attention not only of the Government and of private shipbuilders, but of every man who has to contribute towards our constantly increasing Navy Estimates; and we are glad to find that there is a

Cross. These designs may be traced to Christian workmen (Spaniards, Portuguese, Italians, and Maltese) who have, from time immemorial, occasionally resided in these countries; indeed, many of them have adopted the manners and religion. The people of Susa consider themselves a distinct nation, have a distinct language, said to somewhat resemble the Irish. They used to keep up an intimate relation with the Canary Islands. The above people, of which very little can be learned, owing to the jealousy of the Moors, are an active, intelligent class, sometimes employed by European settlers as trusty servants, and very seldom abuse the confidence placed in their fidelity. They are the celebrated snake charmers, vaulters, skull and choppers, of whom we read; and they are the carriers to Wednoor Mogador. If we could induce the Emperor to allow us to trade to Agadeer, a large and valuable trade from that place to Senegal and Timbuctoo might be carried on. At present it is not safe to enter the

Mr. T. T. Wilkinson, F.R.A.S., laid before the meeting a selection of Geometrical Investigations, of Wood House, Delph. Mr. Buckley (a pupil from the papers of the late Mr. Henry Buckley, of the late Mr. John Butterworth, of Haggate, near Oldham) was distinguished for his knowledge of the Ancient Geometrical Analysis; he died in July, 1856, and might almost be considered as the last of the Oldham group of self-taught mathematicians. He corresponded to the Diary, the York Courant, and the Educational Times, both in his own name and vnder assumed signatures. Since his death, Mrs. Buckley has consigned the MSS. to Mr. Wilkinson, who, on the suggestion of the President, promised to make a selection for the Society at no distant period.

country. movement among the scientific naval architects in and about town in that direction. We shall offer them our most cordial support. Captain FISHBOURNE advocates-and, we believe, has long advocated the establishment of a Statistical Office "for the collection, arrangement, and discussion of facts connected with naval architecture." We are inclined to think, however, that this matter would be better out of the hands of the Government. If it were undertaken by them, the scientific materials and facts would flow into the huge official machinery to the pecuniary benefit of younger sons, and of illustrious noodles not a few, to be faithfully recorded in thick folios, and deposited in secure presses, to the mystification of all who were privileged to examine them, and to the mortification of those who were not. Things of this kind must not be left to the management of clerks, or even of "young officers," as Captain FISHBOURNE innocently proposes. If our remarks here are worth anything, they must show not only that the work needs to be done, but that none but carefully educated naval architects can be entrusted with it.

A paper by Mr. Morris was read "On the Practicability of Counteracting a Portion of the Resistance at the Head of a Ship, by employing a Revolving Conical-Bow to work a Stern Propeller." Communicated by David Chadwick, F.S.S., Assoc. Inst. C.E. The following extract is sufficient to illustrate the author's notions:-" No one, at this day, will imagine that any power can be created; but a great deal is lost, and perhaps some may be saved. The ordinary head of a vessel may be regarded as a wedge employed to split open a

MANCHESTER LITERARY AND PHILOSO-channel for her. In her voyage, the water is at

PHICAL SOCIETY.

ORDINARY meeting, Dec. 28, 1858. W. Fairbairn, F.R.S., &c., President, in the chair.

The President stated that it was his painful duty to announce a loss which the Society had sustained in the death of their friend and colleague, the late Rev. H. H. Jones, M.A., F.R.A.S., &c., on the 21st inst. For upwards of twenty years he took an active part in the business of the Society. He served the office of Honorary Secretary from two to three years, in conjunction with Dr. Angus Smith; and on every occasion Mr. Jones as an ardent lover of science faithfully discharged the duties of that office. A sympathetic resolution was then unanimously passed by the Society.

Mr. Binney brought before the Society some Lithographs of Brooches and Ornaments. Mr. F. M. Jennings, M.R.I.A., F.G.S., some time since travelled in Morocco. Whilst there he collected a series of brooches and ornaments in common use in that country. These are very similar in form to specimens of ancient Irish brooches and ornaments now in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy, and are, in the opinion of the author, another evidence of the trade anciently existing between the Phoenicians, their show the African and Irish ornaments. colonies, and Ireland. The drawings exhibited Julote, a Manchester gentleman, who has resided Mr. C. J. in Morocco, says these brooches, &c., are not uncommon in Algeria and Morocco. They are made by Moorish and Jewish workmen. All the designs acknowledged as Moorish have reference to some geometrical figure. In others, some have waving lines with branches, others have reference to the

every moment making an effort to press the two sides of the wedge together, and yet no attempt has been made to economise this constantlysustained pressure. Now, a cone is a wedge in every direction-a circular wedge--and by surrounding it with spirals, it will become a revolving wedge, the flanges themselves constituting an active part of it. I submit that by driving through the water an immovable wedge, a large portion of the motive power is wasted; but by employing a revolving bow, that wasted portion may be economised. I believe that the result may be thus stated :-Resistance of plain conicalbow 100 + 10 for resistance of flanges + 5 for friction: =115. Available power, one-half of 100

=

A

50-15 35 clear again. This is upon the supposition that the revolving-cone is only checked to the extent of half the speed due to the resisting water." Several experiments were tried. laden model was balanced in the stream by a weight, and then a string attached to the shaft of the propeller, which revolved six times the speed of the bow. The string was fastened ahead, and the model wound itself forward. A second model was placed in the stream without a balance-weight, and it pulled itself ahead by a string fastened to the cone-shaft; and so on. the discussion which followed the paper, the from the water without decreasing the speed of President said it was impossible to take power the ship to the extent of the power gained. Joule thought that the effect of the revolvingbow might in some cases be to make a bad bow better; but denied the possibility of its producing any but a retarding effect if applied to a ship possessing good lines.

In

Dr.