different elevations, for tapping or running off the iron scoria or slag, and the regulus of copper separated or subsiding therefrom.

Secondly. The use or employment of a refrigerator, placed at the outside of the masonry of the cupola, whether consisting of a case or box, adapted to contain the cold liquid, and embracing the external surface of the shaft of the cupola, or part thereof, or of pipes, for the conveyance of the cooling fluid round the whole or any part of the cupola; or of the application of cooling liquid, by injection, infiltration, or otherwise, to the external surface of the cupola, or any part thereof.

Thirdly. The use of a chamber, tower, chimney, or other erection or compartment, for the deposit of the vaporizable products arising from the cupola during the process, and of the employment of substances to be placed in this chamber, having surfaces for condensing the fumes of the furnace, the deposit from which is washed down by water and collected in the receiving vessel below.

Fourthly. The smelting of copper in a cupola, so as to separate, in one operation, the copper regulus from the ferruginous and earthy constituents of the copper ore, by means of the greatest portion of the iron being kept in a state of scoria or slag, which permits the copper regulus, by subsidence, to be obtained.

Fifthly. The treatment of the subsidiary incrustation, before mentioned, with acid solvents, so as to separate the iron from the copper; and also the employment of pressure on this substance, when in a hot state, so as to effect the separation of the copper.-[Inrolled in the Petty Bag Office, July, 1840.]

Specification drawn by Messrs. Newton and Son.

To WILLIAM GALL, of No. 11, Beresford-terrace, Walworth, Surrey, Gent., for certain improvements in the construction of inkstands.-[Sealed 22nd May, 1841.]

THESE improvements in inkstands will be seen by reference to the sectional figure in Plate XIII. Around the lower

part of the glass ink-holder a, a flanged collar b, is fixed, having a flexible membrane c, fastened to it, which serves as the bottom of the ink-holder; the flange of this collar works in a groove in the top of the case d, and is retained in its place by the cap e, which is screwed over it. To the under side of the membrane, a circular plate ƒ, is attached, furnished with a stem g, which is formed into a screw, and works in a nut h, in the centre of the bar i; a portion of the screw is cut away, at the upper and lower ends of the stem, in order that it may turn freely in the nut, when the membrane is at the top or bottom of the ink-holder. j, is a spring, upon which the lower end of the stem rests; k, is the ink cup, or dipping place; and 7, is a hole for the admission of ink into the ink-holder, which is closed by the

screw m.

The action of the mechanism is as follows:-In order to fill the inkstand, the membrane c, is depressed by turning the ink-holder in an opposite direction to the thread of the screw g; by this means the screw is forced out of the nut h, and the membrane is distended. Ink is then poured in at the hole 7, and when the holder is full, the screw m, is inserted.

Upon reversing the action of turning, the ink will rise into the cup k, by the ascent of the screw, which forces up the plate f, and with it, the ink in the glass holder.—[Inrolled in the Inrolment Office, November, 1841.]

TO WILLIAM WESTLEY RICHARDS, of Birmingham, in the county of Warwick, gun maker, for improvements in the construction of gun and pistol locks and primers, for the discharge of fire-arms.-[Sealed 14th December, 1842.]

THESE improvements in the construction of gun and pistol locks and primers, for the discharge of fire-arms, consist, firstly, in an improved form given to the main spring, whereby, without the employment of a swivel for connect

ing the end of the main spring to the tumbler, the eye or hooked end of the spring may be dispensed with, and a greater length and elastic action afforded than has heretofore been found practicable in the construction of the locks of muskets and other fire-arms; and secondly, in enclosing the priming or detonating composition, by which the gunpowder is to be ignited, in a small waterproof frame or case of pasteboard, milled board, papier-mâché, or other suitable material, which can, with the greatest facility, be slidden or pressed into, or otherwise attached to a suitable holder, contiguous to the touch-hole of the gun, pistol, or other fire-arms.

In Plate XII., fig. 1, represents the internal construction of the improved gun lock, suited for a musket, at full cock. a, a, is the lock-plate, the lower edge of which is formed more nearly in a straight line than usual. b, b, is the main spring, the end of which has a boss or knob c, acting upon the hollow part of the tumbler d, and the other end of the spring bears against a solid block or ledge e. The bridle piece f, which receives the axle of the cock g, and holds the scear h, is secured to the lock-plate by the two screws i, i. The striking plug k, of the cock, is made hollow, and has perforations through its sides, for the purpose of letting out the smoke after the ignition of the charge; it also assists in keeping the touch-hole clean, and prevents the plug being injured by the repeated explosions. Fig. 2, represents the external appearance of a fowlingpiece, having the improved holder and touch-hole adapted thereto. l, is the breech through which the touch-hole passes, and m, is a holder to receive the primers; this holder may be made part of the touch-hole piece, or detached therefrom, if preferred.

Figs. 3, represent the touch-hole piece and priming holder, separate from the gun; fig. 4, a top view of the same; and fig. 5, a vertical section, taken through the holder and touch-hole. This piece is screwed into the breech l, as shewn at m, in fig. 2. The improved primers are shewn at figs. 6, 7, and 8. A piece of milled board, papier-mâche, or other light suitable material, is cut out

to the slightly wedge form shewn, about one inch long, and the sixteenth of an inch in thickness; in the middle of this piece a perforation is made to receive the percussion priming matter. The frame or case of the primer should be made firm, which may be done by rolling or pressing the paeteboard or other material. Fig. 6, represents the flat side of the case. Fig. 7, its edge view. One side of the case is to be first covered with tinfoil, or other thin waterproof material, stuck on with shellac or other adhesive matter, not liable to be effected by water. Into this recess in the case, the detonating priming composition is then to be introduced, and the other side of the case covered with tinfoil, or other suitable thin waterproof material, as before, which will enclose the priming and keep it secure and dry, as at fig. 8; or the priming may be made secure in the recess without a covering.

In priming the piece, one of these cases, so changed, is to be slidden sideways into the holder m, as at fig. 9, the holding lips being dovetailed to retain the priming case more securely. The plug of the cock, then descending with great force upon the central part of the primer, will explode the detonating composition, the fire from which, descending through the touch-hole, will thereby discharge the fowling-piece, or other fire-arms, to which it is so applied. Fig. 10, is another form of case for holding the detonating composition, which is to be made and prepared in the same way, as before described. This form of primer is to be inserted into the holder over the touch-hole, in the way shewn in two views at fig. 11.

The patentee, with respect to his improvements in gun and pistol locks, claims merely the construction of the main spring, divested of the hooked or bent end, the extremity of which spring works upon the tumbler without a connecting link or swivel; and, as respects the primer, he claims the manufacture of primers for guns, &c., by the insertion of the priming or detonating composition in a recess, within a thin case of milled board, papier-máché, or other suitable light material, so formed as to admit of its being securely attached to the touch-hole of the piece, by sliding

laterally, or by pressing it into a suitable clip holder, placed contiguous to the touch-hole, thereby obviating the necessity of employing a spring or cover for keeping the primer securely in its position.-[Inrolled in the Petty Bag Office, June, 1842.]

Specification drawn by Messrs. Newton and Son.

TO ACHILLE ELIE JOSEPH SOULAS, of George-yard, Lombard-street, merchant, for improvements in apparatus for regulating the flow of fluids,-being a communication. [Sealed 22nd March, 1841.]

THESE improvements are for the purpose of regulating the flow of gas or other fluids, and consist in placing a disc, having a small rod rising from its centre, in an enlarged part of a supply pipe, or in a cylinder formed in that pipe; the disc being sufficiently small to leave a space round it for the passage of the gas. When the pressure of the gas exceeds that required, the disc is forced upwards, carrying with it the rod above mentioned, which, entering the supply pipe above the enlarged part, reduces the size of its interior, in proportion to the height to which it rises in that pipe; and thus, the size of the opening, through which the gas passes, diminishing as the pressure increases, an equilibrium is established, and the flow becomes uniform.-[Inrolled in the Inrolment Office, September, 1841.]

To GOLDSWORTHY GURNEY, of Bude, Cornwall, Esq., for certain improvements in the production and diffusion of light.-[Sealed 25th March, 1841.]

THE first part of this invention consists in a mode of improving the illuminating power, and reducing the heat of coal gas, when burning, by submitting it to the action of a mixture, composed of five parts of muriate of zinc, two parts