in the use of triangular framing in the deck-framing and elsewhere; and as it is an utter impossibility to use diagonal pieces in frame-work without producing triangles, I leave every one to judge of the risk that will be run in adopting such evident infringements of my right.

Any farther information relative to the advantages to be expected from my patent method of constructing large ships from small timber, I will give with pleasure to any who have serious motives for the enquiry, or answer post-paid letters, directed to No. 9, George'sstreet, Minories, where I am now ready to receive proposals for superintending the construction of other vessels on the same plan.

I am, Gentlemen,

Your very humble servant,

J. W. Boswell.

Description of a self-acting Water-Closet; invented by T. W. Esq. of Batheaston, and communicated by Mr. BENJAMIN HOOKE, Optician, Fleet-street,

With an Engraving.

A, Fig. 5, Plate XVI. the reservoir.

B, a copper or leaden cylinder, having an inverted valve at the top, and an upright valve at the bottom, which are connected with each other, and to the end of the lever C, by a wire. or chain. The cylinder is terminated at each end by brass flanches, which unite it to the parts fixed above and below by screws; by removing which the cylinders may be detached, and the valves new-leathered, &c.

D, the seat of the closet, fixed at one extremity by hinges, and having a wire or chain fixed to the other

extremity

extremity against the side wall, which passes through the pipe E (soldered into the reservoir), over the wheel or crank F, to the lever at G.

I, the weight or counterpoise, of about three or four pounds.

K, the basin, communicating with the cylinder B at the side, and the stink-trap L and soil-pipe M beneath. N, an air-pipe, leading from the cylinder to the open air.

O, a male and female screw, fitted to the wire by swivels, to regulate its length.

The Operation.

The counterpoise operating powerfully on the upper valve prevents the escape of any water from the reservoir into the cylinder; but on a person sitting down, the seat D is depressed about an inch, when the wire or chain, passing over the wheel to the lever at G, raises the counterpoise, and opens the upper inverted valve, and closes the lower one, which prevents the water that rushes into the cylinder from making its escape into the basin. on the person's rising from the seat, the counterpoise again closes the upper valve, and permits the contents of the cylinder to rush into the basin by the opening of the lower valve.

But

N. B. The air-pipe N is soldered into the reservoir, and united to the cylinder by a swivel-screw. It should be made at least of inch-pipe, to admit air sufficient to enable the water to escape with its full force.

The basin should not be of the kind which admits the water obliquely, and gives it a circular motion, as in this case the water, being checked, has not sufficient force to drive the soil clear of the basin.

New

New Process for preparing the Muriates of Barytes and of Strontian.

By M. BOUILLON LA GRANCE.

From the ANNALES DE CHIMIE.

THE decomposition of the hydrogenated sulphuret of barytes by the muriatic acid, is the means most generally employed in the laboratories for obtaining the muriate of barytes. Several chemists have announced *, that all the sulphates, excepting that of lime, are decomposed by the calcareous muriate, but they have not bestowed particular attention upon this kind of decompositions. However, I have just been informed by Cit. Vauquelin, that in the year 7 Citizens Pelouze and d'Aracq had effectuated this decomposition in the laboratory of Ecole des Minés. Lately alsb, Cit. Julia, corresponding member of the Society of Practical Medicine at Montpellier, has told me that he, together with M. Figuier, in the year 10, likewise obtained the decomposition of the sulphate of barytes by the calcareous muriate; but nothing has yet been published upon this subject. It was therefore necessary to establish, by experiments, not, only a regular process for the preparation of the muriate of barytes, but also to make the application of the same process to that of the muriate of strontian. It is the more interesting to determine the state of purity in which the muriate of barytes thus obtained exists, because it has been applied to some useful purposes in medicine, as I shall shew hereafter. It was also necessary, in order to consider this

* See Essai de statique Chimique, par le Cit. Berthollet; Systeme de connoisances Chimiques, par le Cit. Fourcroy. Tom. III. p. 194; and my Manuel de Chimie, third edition, vol. I. p. 562.

new