vessel a, for containing the mixed oil, from the lower part of which a pipe b, descends into the vessel c, and terminates in a perforated nozzle d. The vessel c, contains a number of metal plates e, finely perforated, and supported by the brackets fƒ, and rods g; the upper part of the vessel is furnished with a pipe h, which is formed into a worm, and immersed in a vessel i, filled with cold water. Steam, at a pressure of three atmospheres, is admitted into the lower part of the vessel c, by the pipe j, and ascending through the perforated plates e, meets with the intermediary fat oil, which enters the vessel through the nozzle d, and descends through the perforated plates; the steam carries off any essential oil that may remain, into the worm h, where it is condensed, and the intermediary fat oil falls to the bottom of the vessel c, and is drawn off through the pipe k, into the chamber. The intermediary fat oil, thus prepared, is passed through a filter, and is then ready to be applied to all kinds of machinery.

The essential oil, obtained from the schist and asphalte, is now distilled in a common retort, heated by steam, the temperature being gradually raised from 100° to 300° Reaumur. The different kinds of essential oil, obtained by the different temperatures, are applicable for dissolving caoutchouc, the manufacture of varnishes, the separation of colors, and other similar purposes. A small quantity of tar may remain in the essential oil, after this distillation, and it is now carbonized and precipitated by the addition of twenty per cent. of concentrated sulphuric acid to the oil, whilst in an agitated state, and at a temperature of 66° Reaumur. The mixture is allowed to rest for some time, and then the essential oil is drawn off, washed with fresh water, and ten per cent. of caustic potash lees added thereto, for the purpose of purification.

The treatment of the refuse, resulting from the above operations, constitutes the last part of this invention. The refuse consists, Firstly,-of the ammoniacal water, formed in the distillation of the schist,-this may be used in the manufacture of ammonia by the ordinary methods. Secondly, of the acidulated tar, forming the residuum after

the rectification of the essential oil,--this, by the addition of chloride of sodium, will be rendered applicable for producing sulphate of soda. Thirdly,—of the coal or carbon, remaining after the distillation of the schist and asphalte.

The carbon of schist contains much pyrites, and is placed, when taken from the retort, in well-closed boxes, to prevent the air from coming in contact therewith; when cold and dry, it is thrown into a leaden vessel, filled with water, acidulated at 66° Reaumur with sulphuric acid. After soaking for twenty-four hours, it is washed with cold water, until no trace of acid remains, and re-carbonized in the apparatus shewn at fig. 1, (but the vapour is not condensed, as in the distillation of the schist); it is then reduced to powder and sifted. The carbon of asphalte does not contain pyrites, and therefore only requires to be pulverized and sifted.

The carbon, thus prepared, may be used as a discolorant in sugar-refining; as a manure; and as a black color. As a manure, it has a great affinity for ammoniacal matter, and the gases proceeding from putrid matters; and it absorbs, in large quantities, the azote and ammoniacal gas contained in the air. If mixed with animal or putrid mat ters, it forms a most powerful manure, without any smell, and continues in force for a long time: the best proportions are forty parts of animal matter to one hundred parts of carbon.

The patentee claims the making of manure from the carbon of schist and asphalte, although such carbon may be obtained by processes different from those above described. The carbon of schist also possesses powerful disinfecting properties, and is therefore useful in hospitals, and other places where infectious diseases occur.

The claims made by the patentee are, Firstly,-the process carried on by means of the apparatus or machinery exhibited in fig. 1, for obtaining oil, of the three characters before described, from schist or clay-slate. Secondly,the process carried on by means of the apparatus or machinery exhibited in fig. 2, for obtaining oil, of the characters before described, from asphalte. Thirdly, the pro

cess carried on by means of the apparatus or machinery exhibited in fig. 3, for purifying and rectifying the oil, and adapting it for manufacturing purposes. Fourthly,—the process for rendering the refuse of the schist and asphalte, after distillation or carbonization, subservient to manufacturing and agricultural purposes, as herein before described. Fifthly, the following products, as obtained by means of the several processes before described: 1st,-the several oils of schist and asphalte, as well before as after rectification; 2nd, the tar, produced by the distillation of the thick oil of asphalte; 3rd,-the carbon or black refuse of schist and asphalte; 4th, the acidulated tar, remaining after the rectification of the essential oil; and 5th,-the ammoniacal water. Sixthly, the application of these several products to the several manufacturing, commercial, and agricultural purposes before described, and to any similar purposes to which the same may be found applicable.-[Inrolled in the Inrolment Office, March, 1842.]

On the 16th of July, 1842, Count de Hompesch attached a Memorandum of Alteration* to the specification of his patent of September, 1841; in which memorandum he commences by saying, that whereas he did declare, in the specification referred to, that the bituminous matters, to which his invention related, were schist or clay-slate and asphalte; he is now desirous of confining and limiting the description, by substituting the terms bituminous schists, shales, or slates, or other rocks or minerals, containing bitumen, or bituminous substances,' in every part of the said specification, for the term schist or clay-slate;' and also by substituting the terms solid and other bituminous substances, such as mineral pitch, mineral tar, and naptha,' for the term asphalte.'

For the information of the Patentee, we would inform him that until this Memorandum of Alteration is enrolled with the CLERK OF THE PATENTS, his invention is liable to be infringed, without the possibility of obtaining redress, although the assent of the Solicitor-General has been given to the alteration.

To JOHN BEVAN, of Whitehead's Grove, Chelsea, Gent., for an improved mode of expelling the air from certain cases or vessels, used for the preservation of various articles of food.-[Sealed 6th April, 1842.]

THIS mode of expelling the air consists in connecting the cases or vessels, by pipes, furnished with stop-cocks, with a vacuum-chamber, or other exhausting apparatus, and with a vessel containing gelatine, or other suitable material, in a fluid state; so that upon the cominunication being opened by turning the cocks, the air will rush from the case into the vacuum-chamber, and the gelatine will flow in to supply its place. The case is made of tin, and, after receiving the matters to be preserved, is placed in a water-bath, heated to 120° Fahr., and the cock upon the pipe, leading to the vacuum-chamber, is opened. By this application of heat, the air in the case is exceedingly rarified, and the animal or vegetable substance becomes cooked; and after a short time (say about fifteen minutes for a fowl) the fluid gelatine, being admitted into the case, expels the remainder of the rarified air, and occupies its place. The case is then hermetically closed, and the operation is finished by submitting it to the action of boiling water for a few minutes. The vacuum-chamber is a hollow metal sphere, which is first filled with steam, and then a vacuum is produced in it by condensing the steam; the gelatine is kept in a fluid. state by placing the vessel, which contains it, in a warm bath.

The patentee claims the use of an exhausted or vacuumchamber, for the purpose of expelling the air from cases employed for the preservation of animal and vegetable substances, to be used as articles of food; and, where the articles are such as will admit of it, the introduction of gelatine, or other like substance, into the said cases, as described.— [Inrolled in the Petty Bag Office, October, 1842.]

To ROBERT HAZARD, of Clifton, near Bristol, for improvements in ventilating carriages and cabins of steam-boats. -[Sealed 3rd September, 1812.]

THE improvements in ventilating carriages consist in removing the vitiated or impure air, by means of a rotary fan, or like apparatus, which receives motion from one of the wheels, or any other suitable mover. The air enters through an opening in the front of the carriage, and passes from the interior into an air-chamber in the roof and back, from whence it is drawn off by the fan or ventilator, fixed beneath the carriage: the fan may be placed in any other

convenient situation.

The object of this invention is to enable the inmates of the carriage to ride, for any length of time, with the windows closed, to exclude the dust and damp, and yet enjoy perfect ventilation.

The patentee has, in his specification, omitted to describe his improvements in ventilating the cabins of steamboats. He claims the mode of ventilating carriages, by means of fans or exhausters, as described-[Inrolled in the Inrolment Office, March, 1843.]

TO FREDERICK BOWLES, of 61, Moorgate-street, in the city of London, for a new method, by machinery, of preparing flour from all kinds of grain and potatoes, for making starch, bread, biscuit, and pastry,-being a communication. [Sealed 15th September, 1842.]

THE first part of this invention consists in separating the starch from the gluten of wheat, or from the mucilaginous and other constituent parts of rice and maize, without putrid fermentation, by the use of water, in a suitable machine.

The wheat, rice, or maize, is ground, bolted, and made into a paste, which should contain one-third of its weight of cold water; this paste, being placed at the bottom of