the boxes are removed, and others substituted in succession, for a repetition of the like operation. The plunger or presser consists of a block of cast-iron, or other suitable material, to which are attached two or more pistons, working into vertical guide holes, D; and by the intervention of a joint of the ordinary construction, and coupled to two or more eccentrics, as the case may be, affixed upon axles attached to the roof or other convenient part of the foundry, and impelled, either continuously or at intervals, by suitable gearing pulleys or bolts from the prime mover, as already stated.

And we hereby declare, that although we have found the method of obtaining our improvements, as herein stated, to be effectual for the objects of our invention, yet it is obvious that the same effects may be obtained in a variety of other ways than that just described, as by a cylinder or cylinders of greater or less weights and diameters, length or lengths or by a series of rollers; or the plungers may be made to act from below against a stationary plate, or other contrivance, placed above; or the carriage may be made capable of being conveyed to receive the pressure by a rack and pinion, or almost any other contrivance known amongst mechanics; or it may be wrought at right angles to the frame containing the plunger or plungers, rollers or cylinders, either in front of the longitudinal frame or from behind it, according to the requirements of the foundry or from local circumstances, or otherwise; all of which must be sufficiently obvious to any competent workman. And in conclusion, we hereby declare that what we claim under the aforesaid in part recited letters patent, is our improved mode or modes of pressing the loam or sand into mouldingboxes, for foundry purposes, by mechanical means, in lieu of hand labour, and by whatever means the same may be effected; and we wish it to be understood that our claim comprehends the exclusive use and privilege of so arranging, extending, or diminishing the various parts of our machinery or apparatus, so as to be adapted to every size and number of patterns and moulding-boxes that may be required in practice.-In witness, &c.

Enrolled June 10, 1846.

WILLIAM MUSHET.

ROBERT MUSHET.

Specification of the Patent granted to SAMUEL CUNLIFFE LISTER, of Manningham, near Bradford, in the County of York, for Improvements in Carding, Combing, and Spinning Wool.-Sealed December 12, 1845.

WITH AN ENGRAVING.

To all to whom these presents shall come, &c., &c.— The first part of my invention consists in preparing short fine wool upon cylindrical drums or surfaces, filled with teeth not less than nine to the square inch; and I prefer that these teeth should stand above the surface of the drum about three quarters of an inch, the wool being fed on by suitable feeding rollers; and when the spaces between the teeth become filled with wool, it must be removed from time to time, either by hand or some suitable method. Hitherto fine short wool has been prepared upon drums filled with teeth, so coarse that the wool has not been sufficiently opened and teased out; and when carded and combed, the yarn has been found, for some purposes, too much of the nature of woollen yarn, in contradistinction to worsted. The novelty of this part of my invention consists in using machines, as preparers, with teeth set so fine that the wool shall be well opened out before being filled on to combs, and afterwards worked by combs; and yet, at the same time, the yarn shall have less of the character of woollen yarn than when it has been carded before being combed.

The second part of my invention consists in arranging machinery, so that card, or what are known in the trade as "porcupine teeth," are caused to operate upon wool, to comb the same; and such card, or porcupine teeth, I cause to operate first upon the point of the wool, and gradually to work up to the head of combs filled with fine short wool.

Fig. 1, represents a plan, and

Fig. 2, a section, of so much of a machine, according to this part of my invention, as will enable me to explain this part of the invention. But, at the same time, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself thereto. This drawing shows only a part of a curved or endless comb, b, which is to have motion communicated to it, and have suitable feeding and drawing apparatus applied thereto. The wool is operated upon by means of

an endless sheet, filled with teeth, which I prefer should be an inch long. The sheet travelling over two rollers, d, and e, the roller, d, being the larger (say ten inches in diameter), and the endless sheet being driven by means of friction on the surface of the roller, d, (there being motion communicated to the axis of the roller, d,) will cause the sheet filled with teeth to revolve, and thus lash out the wool. When the spaces between the teeth of the endless sheet become filled with wool it must be removed by the workman and refitted on to the comb by suitable means. The same result may be obtained by a circular drum filled with teeth, but I prefer an endless sheet; but I do not confine myself thereto so long as the wool is first operated upon at the point, and is gradually worked up to the head of the comb, or works head and head with the comb that holds the wool (short fine wool), or when the combs filled with such wool are drawn off after being worked by card or porcupine teeth. But if the wool is slipped from or put on from one comb to another, after being worked, in order to be drawn off, then I claim for slipping the wool on to combs of a larger size than seven inches; as it will be found that a larger quantity of work may be done, and with greater ease, than by using smaller-sized combs.

I

The third part of my invention consists in combing short fine wool, in a dry state, after being carded, as the wool may then be drawn from the combs with much less heat than when combed in a moist or damp state. would remark, that I am well aware that fine short wool has been worked by a card cylinder, in connexion with a comb-that is to say, the comb holding the wool whilst the card cylinder worked it. But what I claim is, combing such wool whilst in a dry state, when worked by combs. It will be found that if the. wool be carded, and then combed in a dry state, that such wool will be a bad colour; and I claim for washing such wool, either before being prepared for spinning or after being spun.

And, lastly, my invention consists in spinning short fine wool upon mules, after being carded and combed. It is found that shorter wool may be combed after being carded, but the difficulty is to spin such wool; but by using the mule its spinning is much facilitated. And I claim for spinning short fine wool upon mules, after being carded and combed.-In witness, &c.

Enrolled June 12, 1846.

SAMUEL CUNLIFFE LISTER.

Specification of the Patent granted to THOMAS BELL, of Don Alkali Works, South Shields, in the County of Durham, for Improvements in certain Processes in the Manufacture of Alkali, which Improvements are applicable to the Purposes of Condensation.-Sealed November 3, 1845.

WITH AN ENGRAVING.

To all to whom these presents shall come, &c., &c.— My invention consists First, of improvements in condensing muriatic acid, evolved in that part of the process of the manufacture of alkali which consists of converting common salt into sulphate of soda.

Secondly, my invention consists in applying similar means of condensation to the acid vapours or gases in the manufacture of sulphuric acid. And in order that my invention may be most fully understood and readily carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the means pursued by me.

In condensing the acid vapours proceeding from the manufacture of sulphate of soda, I employ several columns, such as have heretofore been used for condensing; (I use four such columns, about twenty feet high and six feet diameter, but this may be varied;) these are filled with coke, broken into pieces of the size of large walnuts, down amongst which water is caused to flow from above in small streams, and the columns are so connected that the acid fumes, or vapours, are caused to ascend one, descend in the next, ascend in the next, and descend in the next, by connecting the columns together; and to this arrangement of condensing columns, I make no claim separately, nor do I confine myself to the details of the condensing apparatus, as described, and lumps of other material than coke may be used. My invention, consisting of combining with the use of such or other similar condensers, peculiar means of obtaining a draft through the condensers.

In carrying out the first part of my invention, I obtain an exhaustion, or draft, through such condensers by a jet of steam acting through a cone; or a tube might be used, but not so effectually, or steam might be employed to obtain vacuum, by condensing it in vessels, as is well understood, and then bringing such vacuum to act on the draft; or, I apply a fan, or other mechanical means, for obtaining a draft through such apparatus. When a fan is used, it is in connexion with the last column; the fan

withdrawing any uncondensable vapours from a flue or passage in connexion with the last column, or other mechanical means may be used in place of having, as heretofore, recourse to the ordinary draft of a chimney; or, in place of such means of obtaining draft, I, by preference, employ a jet of steam passing through a cone, as is shown at fig. 1, where a section is shown of the outer end of a passage or flue, from a condenser of the description above stated; a, being the passage or flue, b, the cone, and c, the steam-pipe for obtaining a constant draft through; and I would remark, that this mode of obtaining a draft is not of itself my invention, therefore, this part of my invention does not consist in the means of obtaining a draft, but in combining the use of the description of condensers above explained with the use of a fan or mechanical means, or by employing steam for obtaining exhaustion in such condensers when carrying on that process of alkali-making which consists of converting common salt into sulphate of soda; and it is by such means the acid vapours are drawn from the furnace, and in their progress to the source of exhaustion they meet with the impediment of the intricate condensers, and are thus forced in repeated contact with water, and are thus condensed; and, in order to prevent any escape of deleterious vapours into the atmosphere, I can employ a close cistern partly filled with water, having one or more partitions descending from the upper part, and dipping a few inches into the water, and I place such cistern between the exhaustion and the condensers above described, exhausting the furthest end at the upper part, and connecting the other end of the cistern with the condensers, by which any uncondensed vapours passing from the condensers, and rushing towards the exhaustion, will have to pass once or oftener under the water.

I will now describe the second part of my invention, which consists in applying similar condensers in combination with a jet of steam, or by condensing steam as above-mentioned, or with a fan or other mechanical means for obtaining an exhaustion for the purpose of condensing the acid fumes or vapours in the manufacture of sulphuric acid.

Fig. 2, is a section of an apparatus for making sulphuric acid.

Fig. 3, is a plan thereof; d, d, is an ordinary sulphuric