The

Importance of Good Scouring. best cloth manufacturers of Germany-those who are likewise the most in repute for the brightness and durability of their colours, lay great stress upon the scouring department. They contend that the scouring of wool is of the utmost importance in enabling it to imbibe the proper colour in the dyeing vats, without risk of ulterior deterioration. The stress they lay upon this preliminary process is greater than it is in England, and this may be one reason why the colours of foreign manufacturers, generally speaking, are superior to those produced in England. I once heard a celebrated cloth manufacturer in Prussia declare that unless the first attempt in scouring wool succeeded, it could never afterwards, by any repetition of the manipulation, be sufficiently cleansed of the animal grease to admit of its taking the more delicate colours; and that in the event of such first failure he invariably disposed of the wool for inferior purposes, such as mixtures. Some of the best cloth manufacturers in Germany make it a point never to use wool until at least three months after it has been shorn, alleging that until the animal grease in the wool is hard and dry, it is impossible to eradicate it. This is the practice pursued by one of the most eminent cloth manufacturers in the vicinity of Elberfeld, whose colours (as well as the general quality of his fabric) are in high repute; and from whose manufactury the cloth is supplied for the uniforms which are used by the officers of the Bavarian army, the colour of which, as every one must know who has visited Bavaria, is of a most delicate blue. This very intelligent manufacturer himself told me that it cost him many years of application and perseverance to accomplish what he now performs without any difficulty; although constant attention is still necessary to enable him to keep up the reputation which he has once acquired.-Correspondent of Leeds Mercury.

New Motive Power.-An invention somewhat quaint as well as novel has been pa tented, for the protection of bees against the ravages of the moth. The invention partakes of operating mechanism, and is to be operated by hens. The hives are arranged in a tightly-joined house, provided with ventilated doors of wire gauze, which are to be regularly shut at night and opened in the morning. The patent was granted for combining, with the door of the bee house, a hen roost in such a manner that the weight of the fowls going to roost closes the door at night, and, by the reversed action on their leaving, opens in the morning.-Scientific American.

Substitute for Gunpowder.-The atten

213

tion of the scientific world has been drawn to the discovery, by Professor Schonbein, of an explosive compound which appears to possess many advantages over gunpowder. A cotton is prepared by a process not yet divulged, but which is, in all probability, one that depends on the formation of a nitrogen compound. This cotton possesses many remarkable properties. On the application of a spark, the solid mass is at once converted to a gaseous state; and a scientific gentleman who has witnessed some experiments in the laboratory of Professor Schonbein, informs us, that whereas an equal weight of gunpowder, when exploded, filled the apartment with smoke, the cotton exploded without producing any, leaving only a few atoms of carbonaceous matter behind. Common balls and shells have been projected by this prepared cotton, and it is stated to have nearly double the projectile force of gunpowder. An interesting experiment was recently tried on the wall of an old castle. It had been calculated that from three to four pounds of gunpowder would be required to destroy it, and a hole capable of holding that quantity was prepared. Professor Schonbein, being desirous of testing the explosive force of his new preparation, placed four ounces of it in the hole, which, when fired, blew the massy wall to pieces. Another valuable property of this cotton is, that it is not injured by wet, as it appears that, after being dried, it has lost nothing of its power. It of course remains to be seen if it is in all respects equal to gunpowder; but, under many circumstances, it must prove of great value. It is expected that Professor Schonbein will attend the meeting of the British Association at Southampton, when, no doubt, we shall hear more of this extraordinary discovery.-Athenæum.

Continental Canals.- Europe has just acquired another channel of navigation, destined to be of the highest importance to its commerce. The Rhine and Danube, and consequently the Black and North Seas, are united by a canal, opened a few months since, and which permits a vessel from Rotterdam or London to transport its cargo across Bavaria, Austria, Hungary, and Wallachia, as far as Trebizond and Constantinople. This canal, bearing the name of the Lewis Canal, (Ludwigts Kanal,) has been executed by the King of Bavaria, who has realized the project which Charlemagne conceived 800 years ago. The canal takes its rise at Bamberg, and falls at Kehleim into the Danube. A horse can draw on this canal a cargo of 2000 quintals, with a favourable wind, and 1000 when the wind is contrary, while the average weight on the English canals is not above 800 quintals.

Robert William Thomson, of Adam-street, Adelphi, Middlesex, civil engineer, for an improvement in carriage-wheels, which is also applicable to other rolling bodies. August 13.

Extension of a patent granted to Richard Whytock, of Edinburgh, manufacturer, for the term of five years; the original patent granted September 21, 1832, for an improved method, or manufacture, which facilitates the production of regular figures, or patterns, on different fabrics, particularly velvets, velvet pile, and Brussels, Wilton, and Turkey carpets, with a saving of material. August 17.

Peter Claussen, of Leicester-square, Middlesex, Esq., for certain improvements in machinery for weaving. August 18.

James Montgomery, of Salisbury-street, Middlesex, engineer, for certain improvements in the construction of steam-boilers, and steam-engines, and in steam vessels, and the machinery for propelling the same. August 18.

LIST OF ENGLISH PATENTS GRANTED BETWEEN AUGUST 22, AND AUGUST 26, 1846.

Matthew Gibson, of Wellington-street, Newcastleupon-Tyne, machine maker, for a machine for reaping, cutting grass, and other similar purposes. August 22; six months.

Maximilian François Joseph Delfosse, of Paris, but now of Regent-street, Esq., for improvements in preventing and removing incrustation in steam boilers. August 25; six months.

James Bishop, of Piccadilly, warehouseman, and Thomas Wood, of Upper Barnsbury-street, Islington, gentleman, for improvements in passengers' carriages. August 25; six months.

Thomas Russell Crampton, of Adam-street, Adelphi, engineer, for improvements in locomotive engines. August 25; six months.

Alexander Parkes, of Birmingham, artist, for improvements in the manufacture of candles, and in preparing and combining certain animal, vegetable, and mineral substances applicable to the manufacture of candles, and other uses. August 25; six months.

James Murdoch, of Staple-inn, Middlesex, patent agent, for a process for making a composition or artificial stone applicable to building and other useful purposes. August 25; six months.

Alfred Krupp, principal of the house of Frederick Krupp, of Essen, Prussia, but now of Leicester-square, for certain improvements in the manufacture of spoons, forks, and other similar wares, and in the machinery, or apparatus, employed therein, parts of which are also applicable to other manufacturing processes. August 26; six months.

Thomas Wroughton, of Eltham-place, Kennington, gent., for certain improvements in apparatus and instruments for ventilation and respiration. August 26; six months.

Henry Bessemer, of Baxter-house, Old St. Pancras-road, engineer, for certain improvements in railway-engines and carriages, parts of which improvements are applicable to the propelling of steam vessels, and to motive purposes generally. August 26; six months.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. Communications received from Mr. Gachet-Mr. Walker-C. E.-Tyro-Mr. B. Jackson-A Student -P. Q.-An Overlooker.

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