of these improvements is to avoid the usual lift of backwater and that blow which an horizontal rectangular float strikes the water, and to attain that smoothness in the action of the engine, whatever the sudden immersion of the wheel may be, and to avoid tremour; to increase the speed of the vessel, to enable a vessel to take a heavy burthen without affecting the working of the engine or diminishing the speed of the vessel; and, by the general combination of such arrangement, to effect a reduction in the width of paddle-wheels, and, consequently, of the paddle-boxes. Having described my improvements, and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would, in conclusion, remark, that from the foregoing description, and the accompanying drawings, it will be readily understood, that by this arrangement the wheel is enabled to take a greater dip, or work in a denser medium, than the common paddle; and the speed of the wheel, and, consequently, the engine may be regulated by an alteration of the angle of the floats, and thus alter the actual propelling surface offered to the resistance of the water. In conclusion I would remark, that I claim the general arrangement and construction of the wheel, and of the floats or propellers, their form, the mode of adjustment, and the dip of the wheel, before described.-In witness whereof, &c. FRANCIS WOrrell Stevens. Enrolled May 19, 1840. I.-VOL. XVIII. E Specification of the Patent granted to WILLIAM BROCKEDON, of Queen Square, in the County of Middlesex, Esquire, for Improvements in the means of Retaining Fluids in Bottles.-Sealed January 31, 1840. WITH AN ENGRAVING. To all to whom these presents shall come, &c., &c.My invention consists of a mode of constructing and applying discs or capsules, which are fastened on the top of the stoppers which enter or cover the mouths of the bottle, serves, when tied or wired on, to keep the stoppers firmly in their place and retain them against the pressure from within the bottles. In order to fasten the disc upon the cork or stopper, I form, by means of a die, grooves across the disc or capsule, in which the wire will lie extended, and thus present wider and more secure points of bearing over the top of the bottle or vessel. In order to secure an equal pressure and contact of the flat stopper, composed according to my former patent of woven or felted wool or other fibrous elastic material faced with Indian-rubber, I adopt, among other forms one very well fitted for my purpose; instead of sinking a groove in the upper face of the disc or capsule, I raise bosses or ridges, which serve as guides to the wires or ties, to keep them apart and distribute their force of resistance, and securely hold the wire or string from slipping off the top of the disc, in fixing the disc to the mouth of the bottle. In making such discs or capsules, I usually form them of iron or other metal turned; but do not confine myself thereto : circular blanks being cut out of the sheet of iron, or other metal, is then placed in a die of the desired form and size, and, by means of a fly-press or stamping-press, the required form is obtained. Description of the Drawing. Fig. 1, represents a plan and edge view of a disc or capsule; and, Fig. 2, shews their application, by a section and outside view, of the neck of a bottle, the disc or capsule having a groove sunk in it for wire or string for fastening over the cork or stopper which enters into the neck of a bottle. Fig. 2, shews the invention applied to stoppers which are made according to my former patent. Fig. 3, shews an underside view. Fig. 4, a plan or upper surface view of a disc or capsule of a somewhat different form to that at fig. 1; and in place of the wire or string being held in a groove, it is held between projecting surfaces sunk in the disc, as shewn at a, a. Figs. 5 and 6, shew such capsule or disc applied to the neck of a bottle having a flat stopper made according to my former patent. Fig. 7, shews an edge view and plan of a similar disc or capsule and ordinary cork. Figs. 7 and 8, shew the application of such disc or capsule, with an ordinary cork, to the neck of a bottle. I would remark, that I do not confine myself to the precise form of the discs or capsules, nor to the material; and the capsules or discs may be made by other means than what I have described, without departing from my invention; and although I have shewn particular modes of stopping bottles by my patent stoppers, and by ordinary corks, they form no part of my present patent, excepting so far as the using of discs or capsules; but what I claim is, the mode of employing capsules or discs, as above described. In witness whereof, &c. WILLIAM BROCKEDON. Enrolled July 31, 1841. Specification of the Patent granted to JOHN Garnett, Merchant, and JOSEPH WILLIAMS, Manufacturing Chemist, both of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, for an Improved Method of Manufacturing Salt from Brine.-Sealed November 9, 1841. WITH AN ENGRAVING. To all to whom these presents shall come, &c., &c.— The nature of our improvements in making salt from brine, is as follows, that is to say :-Instead of applying heat to the bottom or sides of the pan containing the brine to be evaporated, we use pipes or tubes of metal, passing nearly horizontally through the fluid, and through these pipes we pass steam from any suitable steam-boiler or generator, for the purpose of conveying heat to the brine. This arrangement admits of the cistern or pan containing the brine, being made of slabs of stone, slate, earthenware, wood, metal, or any other similar substances, preferring those that are bad conductors of heat, and on which the salt may be deposited without injury. Description of the Drawing. The drawing shews a pan for evaporating brine. a, a, being a steam-pipe through which steam is passed, in order to heat the brine in the pan. The arrangement above given, is for making the coarser grain salt; if the fine grain salt be required to be made, then a larger extent of heating surface of the pipes will be used, in order to raise the temperature of the brine, and keep it at a boiling temperature. We would remark, that the shape of the pan may be varied, and also the size and direction of the steam-pipe employed. And we wish it to be understood, that we are aware, that triangular flues or chambers have been proposed to be used, and to have steam passed through them when contained in salt pans, but we believe without success; we therefore do not claim the use of chambers or vessels with three flat surfaces. But what we claim, is the mode of heating brine in the manufacture of salt, by applying cylindrical or curved surfaced pipes or tubes for conveying steam through brine. In witness whereof, &c. Enrolled May 9, 1842. JOHN GARNETT. Specification of the Patent granted to WILLIAM HENRY MORTIMER, of Frith Street, Soho, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for Improvements in Covering Ways and Surfaces, and in Constructing Arches.— Sealed November 16, 1841. WITH AN ENGRAVING. To all to whom these presents shall come, &c., &c.My invention relates to a mode of combining certain substances in the blocks used in covering paving ways and surfaces, and in constructing arches, whereby each block having its two opposite sides reversed in their cut, will go together in producing a covering arch, and give to each other support; and in order that my invention may be fully understood, and readily carried into effect, I will describe the drawing hereunto annexed. Description of the Drawing. Fig. 1, represents a block constructed according to my invention, in which it will be seen, that the side towards the left-hand is cut with an angular or inclined surface, from a to b, and then there is a projecting tongue produced at c, which enters a corresponding groove formed in the reverse side of the next block, then there is a |