A WEEKLY JOURNAL OF PRACTICAL INFORMATION, ART, SCIENCE, MECHANICS, CHEMISTRY, AND MANUFACTURES Vol. XX.---No. 1. $3 per Annum [NEW SERIES.] NEW YORK, JANUARY 1, i~69. [IN ADVANCE.] The advantages of a reliable dynamometer have several times been commented upon in our columnssomething that would show the amount of power transmitted at all times and under all circumstances. When the object is merely to ascer- tain the amount absorbed or required by a single machine, a series of machines, or a line of shafting, or the necessary means of transmitting power, a temporary attachment of the power measurer will be sufficient; but there are cases where a permanent attachment of the device is desirable. Such are all cases where the users of mechanical power are hirers, and unproved Device for Measuring Power in Trans- outer arm of the bell crank, and the other at right angles to mission, it, receiving near its upper end a pivot passing through a swivel hung to the rim of the fixed wheel, and having its ex- treme end pivoted to a stud fixed on the inner side of the rim of the receiving pulley. It will be seen from this description that the strain of the power received through the belt on A, will necessarily react on the levers, and, through them, on the fixed wheel, which may be considered nothing more nor less than a support to these levers in sustaining them in position to connect the loose receiving pulley with the shaft. At B it will be seen the levers are connected by pivots with the sliding collar, in the annular groove of which is seated a especially adapted for spinning frames, looms, etc.; another to be connected by belt to a line of shafting, or any kind of ma- chine. And one especially adapted for testing turbine water wheels, to which it is easily applied, with but comparative small expense. Patented by James Emerson, July 7, 1868; whom address for further particulars at Lowell, Mass., Postoffice box, 582. Supply of Iced Water to Paris. Every one who has visited the caffs of Paris must have ob- served the carrafes crceppees, that is to say, water-bottles with a great block of ice, often very curiously crystallized inside. The pay so much per horse power used. The method of guessing or averaging, based on width of belt, size of pulleys, and weight of shafting is hardly accurate enough where the cost of production of power is felt, as where the power is supplied from a steam engine, or a water source liable to diminish in amount, or fail entirely. The dynamometer should also be so simple in construction, and so exact in operation, as to be readily understood, and afford no possible or justifiable cause for controversy between hirer and letter of power. Such is the design of the device herewith illustrated. We have seen several of them in use, and from inquiry have ascertained that their performance was satisfactory to both parties. This fact speaks loudly in favor of the machine. It is very simple in construction, and direct in operation. The pulley, A, is loose on the shaft, and receives the power. Its connection with the shaft is made by means of a wheel, keyed or screwed firmly to the shaft in close contiguity with the receiving pulley, its hub, in fact, forming one of the guides to the position of the pulley on the shaft. To connect this fixed wheel with the loose receiving pulley, a bell crank lever is pivoted into projecting ear~on the rim of the fixed wheel on opposite sides, the long arm of which connects with an an- nular slotted collar on the shaft by means of the short bars, B. The short arms of the bell crank levers connect on the inside of the fixed wheel with two radial bars, one parallel to the EMERSONS LEVER DYNAMOMETER. strap with which is conne~ted a forked lever, the fulcrum at C. To the end of the long arm of this lever a rod with a short section of machine chain is attached. This chain runs over the cylindrical head, D, of a pendulum weight, E, having a pointer that traverses a fixed quadrant, F, properly divided by a scale to denote the relative pressure exerted through the medium of the receiving pulley on the shaft. The pulley, G, is fixed to the shaft, and delivers the power. With this description of the parts, and an examination of the engraving, any of our readers may understand the operation of the device. It will be seen that all the motions are absolute, there being no chance for play and backlash, except that of joints and pivots; and this, by good workman- ship, can be reduced to the minimumtoo little to be taken into consideration practically. There is no dependence upon springs, spiral, or other forms, which are so liable to be affect- ed by changes of temperature, and so unreliable between ex- tremes of demand. It is a weighing machine as correct in principle as the old fashioned steel yards or the platform scales; in fact, it is simply a rotary platform scale, and each machine is weighed and tested in place by hanging to the pul- ley, A, sealed weights, and marking the index as each weight is added. The length of the connecting bars and chain are adjustable. The machine is made of sizes, and in different styles suitable for testing all kinds of machinery. One kind production of these frozen decanters has become a very import- ant operation, which is carried on in the ice-houses situated in the Boulevard Lannes, on the Passy side of the Bois de Bou- logne. The establishment, according to the Journal of the Society of Arts, consists of ten great underground ice-vaults, protected from the action of the sun by buildings raised over them, and covered with straw. Each of the ice vaults is nearly 500 feet long, and about 86 feet high, and the ten are capable of holding 10,000 tuns of ice. The department in which the water bottles are frozen is a curiosity. These decanters are two-thirds filled with filtered water in the receptacles of the freezing machine, and the freezing is produced by means of salt water and vaporized ether, with the help of a steam en- gine of sixteen-horse power. When the water within the de- canters is reduced below freezing point, it is rapidly stirred with a stick, when the freezing takes place as if by magic. More than 6,000 of these frozen carrafes are sent out daily in hot weather, at a very trifling charge, and each being filled up with fresh water as often as required, will serve during a long summer day, and cool ten gallons of water.American Gas Light Journal. STEEL hammered when black hot may be condensed in its substance to a spring temper, but for subsequent tempering it should not be hammered after the glow has departed. [JANUARY 1, 1869. THE COTTON ILANUFACTURE IN THE SOUTH. In a recent article we proffered some advice to the South, as to the proper course to pursue in the reconstruction of her industries. In that article we recognized the possibility that some of the industries w ich under the old system of things we~e prosperous, could not under the existing state of affairs be profitably restored, and suggested the substitution of others. Since that article was published a correspondent has called our attention to the feasibility of cotton manufacturing in the southern states, and as evidence of the correctness of his views, has furnished us with some interesting details of the Augusta (Georgia) Manufacturing Company, as shown in the report of its President, for the first six months of the present year. Mr. Win. E. Jackson, the President, says in his report: In presenting my twentieth semi-annual report it is with pleasure I can state the condition of the company is very favor able. The gross earnings for past six months have been Interest received $135,510 65 3,921 65 $139,432 30 From which is deducted expense account.. 8,731 64 Repairs account 3,475 11 Taxes paid 19,691 41 $31,898 16 Leaving as net profits $107,534 14 From which two dividends of five per cent each; amounting to $60,000 have been paid, enabling us to carry to the credit of profit and loss account $47,53414, making the amount now to to the credit of that account, 224,79822. Goods manufactured from December 14, 1867 to June 13, 1868: lbs. Pieces. ?4~4 707,018 54,139 7-8 363,801 33,475 Drills 60,685 4,589 3-4 53,341 6,145 1,184,845 98,348 Bales goods on hand December 14, 1867: 7-8 19 Made 1574 1593 Sold 1558 On hand 35 Yards. 2,135,418 1,324,691 178,143 250,049 3,888,301 4-4 Drills. 3-4 Total. 47 6 0 72 2567 254 294 4689 2614 260 294 4761 2561 253 270 4642 53 7 24 119 lbs. Cotton consumed 1,362,571 Average cost of cotton 1998 Average yds. per loom, per day 4913 Avera0e number of looms running 505 Average number of hands employed 507 Aggregate wages paid $87,54693 Aggregate sales $519,96501 The operations of the company for the past three years, or since the close of the war; viz., from June, 1865, to June 13th 1858, have beim as follows: Nominal balance 17th June, 1865 $562,583 09 Amount paid creditors due them in Confederate notes 35,775 22 $598,358 31 Deduct depreciation in Hamburg. and Columbia Railroad stock Deduct dep~eciation in various assets, Deduct suspense account St. Louis, True balance, profit and loss account, 17th June, 1865, in United States currency Gross earnin~,s from 17th June, 1865, to 13th June, 1868 932,906 57 Expense account $78,300 61 Repairs 33,386 72 Taxes 244,479 81 New machinery 92.686 76 Dividends paid 360,000 00- 808,853 90 Add to profit and loss account $26,625 00 446,284 05 4,703 71477,612 76 100,745 55 124,052 67 $224,798 22 Bales goods made 23,545 Aggregate sales $3,765,30180 Aggregate wages paid $52228015 Average yards per loom per day 459 Average number of hands employed 578 Production for three years: Pounds. Pieces. Yards. 4.4 3,726,014 292,~40 11,337,660 7-8 2,120,137 200,154 1,711,451 Drills 362,173 28,275 1,065,759 34 53,341 6,145 250,049 6,261,665 527,114 20,364,919 Itmay not be uninteresting to some of our present stock- holders to state what has been accomplished in the past ten years. It will be remembered by those who were among the original purchasers, that the property was purchased of the city for 140,009 on ten years credit, with interest at seven per cent, payable semi-annually, and one tenth of the principal an nually, the purchasers paying in as commercial capital $60,000. This amount, in consequence of the dilapidated condition of the property, was almost entirely expended in the first two years, in repairs rendered necessary by the then condition of the property. We have, since the purchase, paid for the en- tire property without calling on the stockholders for another dollar; added largely to the property by purchase and build- 4ng, bought about $100,000 worth of new machinery, increased the capital to $600,000 by the addition of a portion of the sur- plus; paid dividends regularly, and have now a property worth the par value ($600,000 in gold). Our correspondent, who writes us from Nashville, Tenn., says; Should you wonder how it is, that the people of the South (who are usually snppos~d to b~ quite ignorant in regard to manufacturing knowledge) could sit~eeed so well in making s6 profitable a matter of a cotton mill, I can readily solve the mystery. In the first place,.owing. to the mildness and salu- brity of our olimate~ equally free fr6hi the intense cold of win ter, or the extreme heat of the further South, added to the un- bounded fertility of our soil, we produce provisions of all kinds, not only the bare necessaries of life, but as well many of the luxuries at the lowest possible cost of capital or laborhere we have cheap labor and especially of that class (I mean the youth) who are most needed as operators in cotton manufactur- ingand this class of labor too, is quite abundant, as there have been but very slight drafts as yet made on it. Beside cheap labor and cheap means of living, we have a great abun- dance of cheap fuel of all sortswood, away from the cities or large towns at a merely nominal costwith a supply of bitu- minous coal enough to run every steam engine on the conti- nent for centuries. And again, we have the raw material (cotton) right at the doors of the mills that fabricate it into cloth, saving the enor- mous cost, of transporting it to Lowell or Manchester, and re- transporting its manufactured product back again. If you will estimate this item alone, and suppose for argu- ment sake (for it is not otherwise supposable) that the labor employed in converting it into cloth is as great as it is in New England, you will at once see that it allows as much profit as any reasonably avaricious man should desire. Our correspondent assures us that the above is not an isolat- ed case, and there are plenty of others which although their business has not been so extended, have achieved equal success in proportion to their investments. He says all that is needed to develop the resources he has enumerated is capital. The capital of Tennessee as of the other slaveholding states in past times, consisted largely in their slaves. This is lost to the South, and until it is in some way replaced in part at least, manufacturing growth must be inevitably retarded. He states that clever, honest, industrious people will be welcomed to Tennessee, and their personal safety, and that of their property, willbe as assured there as in the North. The journal from which we have copied the above extract challenges a comparison of the report of the Augusta Cotton Manufacturing Co., with that of any similar establishment in the Northern States, and thinks the ~cotton manufactures of New England had better look to their laurels. vv~jndenA~e. The Editors are not responsible for the Opinions expressed by their Cor. respondents. Propulsion and Dynamical Levers. - Mnssus. EDITORs : The prsvailing opinion among engi- neers, and, in fact, with scientific men generally, is, that no power can be saved or gained by use of a lever. While this is absolutely true, as relates to the use of the statical lever, it is radically wrong and a very great fallacy as relates to dy- namical levers, as will be seen by the following argument. Under the head of statical levers are included the common scales, the pulleys, the wheels ef fixed machinery, and every other kind of levers where the axis is fixed and stationary. Dynamical levers are those where the supposed axis is not fixed or stationary, but actually the point and line of motion; and under this head are included the wheels of any vehicle, the oar, the legs of all animal and insect organisms, the wings of a bird, the fins of a fi~h; the ducks foot, and, in short, the one vital principle of the propulsion of all animate and much of inanimate nature is the dynamical lever. Let us inquire whether or no anything is gained by this kind of lever. Now, it is a solid fact, that a horse can pull a Inn wei,,ht on wheels, at a speed of two or three miles per hour; whereas, if the tun weight were not on wheels, he could scarce- ly move it at all. Why is this? The general answer given is, because the wheel overcomes a large amount of friction. This, of course, is correct, but does not give a full solution; for it may also be asked, why a mere wheel being rdnnd, produces this economy ; the morephulosophical answer being because the vifal principle of the wheel is a lever of the dynamic series. From this fact, one of two deductions only can be made; name- ly, that economy or saving of power is produced by use of a dynamical lever, or that the wheel is not a lever. Again, take another variety of this kind of levera mans legs. Given, A and B, two men of exactly equal powers, let A use his own legs, and B have stilts added to his, enabling hhu at eaehstride to step three times the distance of A, and it must be conceded that if there is no gain or economy in the dynamic lever, that A will be able to walk as far in any given time as B. But we know that this is impossible, hence the manifest gain by use of the lever; and those who would deny the gain or savin,,, produced by the lever, will be forced to deny the fact that legs are levers. Furthermore, the closer the student of nature examines the wonderful structure of all living creatures, he finds that nothing is created by accident, everything that God has created being supplied with most perfect means for any desired end, and becomes more and more impressed with the wonders of the universe, and the goodness and absolute wisdom of its divine architect. Therefore, he who would still dispute the economuy of the dynamic lever, must be prepared to deny the wisdom of the All Wise. Were the practical effect of this fallacy limited to the mere expression of opinion, and did it not interpose a serious obsta- cle to the advancement of a very hupo ant branch of science, namely, that of propulsion and steam navigation, it would be ~n error of small importance. The paddle-wheel, owing to its axis being the actual and true line of motion by which the speed of the boat may be measured, acts as a lever of the dynamuic series, and much is to be gained in economy by the proper application of power; for from the application of power to the axle of the cart wheels, and to the axis of the levers we call legs, it is evident that the nearer the power is applied to the axis or line of motion, and the longer the lever used, the greater the economy. There- fore, it stands to reason, that the shorter the crank by which the axis is turned, the greater the economyprovided al- ways, however, that this gain or saving shall not be ~ost or counterbalanced, owing to some radical defect in the present rotary system, as is actually the case. Hence it is that well-informed engineers, and many scientific men, overlooking the fact of the difference in effects produced by statical and dynamical levers, and not realizing the fact that the paddle wheel acts as a dynamical lever, having its great economy overshadowed by the natural defects of the present rotary s tem of steam navigation, have erroneously decided that there is no economy or saving in theshort crank. The writer has spent seveial years, and some thousands of dollars, in the practical study of propulsion, and has abundant evidence to show that, given the same boat, the same power, and the same paddle, if the crank be one half length of radius of paddle, the slip will be much greater than if some power is applied to a crank of one eighth or one tenth. Now, as it can be proved that propulsion is simply a question of power and comparative resistance, and that the slip~~ is diminished by shortening the crank, it follows, that if some other system, not rotary, could be adopted, that the applica- tion of the power as near the axis as possible, and as far away from the fulcrum (which in - propulsion is the water at the propellers) that the limits of increased economy can only be esthuated by mechanical possibilities. The writer has invented such a system, possessing not only the advantages of great economuy in fuel and machinery, but also many important mechanical advantages over either screw or paddle wheels, which will form the subject of another paper. I hope these remuarks will clearly show that there are two classes of levers; namely, the statical and dynamical, and that while nothing can be gained or saved by use of the former, that the economy produced by the latter is almost lim- itless; and that by so doing, one of the errors that obstruct the path of the worlds progress may be removed. New York city. F. R. P. Poisonous Drugs and Cosmetics. MEssRs EDITORS In your issue of November 25, I notice an article headed Poisonous Drugs and Cosmetics. Now while the writer fully agrees with you that the evils to which attention is called are very great, he begs leave to differ as to the best curative measures, and he also thinks that the state- ment, we believe there is no department of trade in which, as a rule, retailers know so little that is requisite to the proper conduct of their business as in the drug trade, was made with- out due consideration, and that it is altogether too sweepiug a condemnation of the class. The head of the largest drug house in New Ydrk remarked, after twenty-five years of daily dealings with retailers in every State in the Union, that, outside of the learned professions, no class of men possessed so munch intelligence. You fortify your statement by the fact thata druggist doing a large pre- scription business did not know that -vinegar contained acetic acid. Now, unfortunately for the public, they are very ap:t~o~ give their patronage to the man who will sell the cheapest, in this trade as in others, forgetting that they cannot judge of the purity of drugs, ov heability of the dispenser, with the s~ e accuracy as they can the quality of cloth, or the taste of the draper. Thus many a man builds up a large business who, judged by the standard of an experienced pharmacist would not be thought fit for a third assistant in a first-class store. If mistakes occur, and ignorance is shown, in such cases, who should bear the blame,the class of intelligent apothecaries, or an uhwise public? We answer, so long as the public will employ physicians or apothecaries who are not regularly edu- cated they must take the consequences if mistakes occur. We advocate the most thorough education on the part of the apothecary, but ve think that the public are bound on their part to liberally support such men. That nothing should be done blindly is impressed upon the mind of the youngest boy in the trade, as one of his ear- liest lessons, in all well-regulated stores. No rule is more thoroughly established and constantly acted upon than this. If an overdose of a powerful medicine is ordered, the prescrip- tion is re-submitted to The prescriber; thus many times when physicians wish to order large doses of powerful medicines they find it difficuitto get the prescription put up by the care- ful apothecary. Finally, prescriptions should be written plainly in plain English. One would suppose, to hear what is said, and to read what is written on this subject, that physicians adhered to obsolete and inconveulent Latin names for drugs, for the sole purpose of mystifying their patients. Let us examine this matter. That certain exact and invariable names, understood alike by the physician and the apothecary, must be used, is evident. The botanical names of plants, and the chemical name of chemicals, form the basis of the nomenclature of the United States Phermacop~ia. Should we gain anything by a resort to English names? Let us see. What, for instance, is the English name of the plant known in the Pharmacopecia as Uyprfpedfmsm pubescens? It is called in various localities, nem-ve- root, nervine, moccasin plant, and ladies slipper; What is the English for the Gaultheria proczcmnbens? It is known as win- tergreen, partridge berry, deer berry, tea berry, mountain tea, and checkerberry; and no two old ladies well versed in herbs will be found, who can agree that these names all refer to the same plant. Wintergreen, indeed why thats another thing altogether, one says. To be sure, the common princess pine is also known as wintergreen. Indian hemp may mean the 6/annce1h~s Indica, or it may mean the Apocynum Uanncdd- nmemtwo articles -widely different both in nature and use. Among chemicals, the synonyms are not so many, yet who would choose ~o give up the simple, exact, and descriptive chemical names for the inaccurate, and in many cases foolish common ones? If common names are not adopted, how are 2 JANUARY 1, 1869.] ~ieutifh~ eem the mass of mankind to know what they are taking; for how many people in the hundred know evun that Epsom salt is sulphate of magnesia? If people have studied medicine suf- ficiently to be able to judge whether the dose presented to their lips is calculated to heal their infirmities or send them to eternity by the run, they ought at least to know the scientific names of medicines. The fact that these names are used is, too, something of a safeguard to the public, as it obli~es the apothecary to know at least this much, although it is a very smail part of the knowledge of the intelligent man, who will know thoroughly the thing itself, not barely its name. The nomenclature of our Pharmacopceia, as well as the body of the work is revised once in ten years by .a committee of able and scientific men, of whom Dr. Squibb has done, perhaps, more than any other man to perfect it. The subject of abbreviations has been often and well dis- cussed, and those sanctioned by use are such as cannot without gross carelessness be mistaken, if plainly written. We deny that the profession is behind any other in intelligence, or in a desire for advancement, and would ask all skeptics to read the Journal of Pharmacy and the proceedings of the American Pharmaceutical Association, at its annual meetings. Five colleges of pharmacy are already in existence, where lectures on botany, chemistry, materia medica, and the art of pharma- cy are delivered by able professors. Young men are encour- aged by their employers to atten these lectures, and to gain the diploma of these institutions. But something more is neededit is this: a wise legislation which shall provide in every State a board of examiners whose duty shall be to test the qualifications of all who desire to practise the art, and whose certificate of ability shall be necessary before they are allowed to do so. Then, the public will have some protection, and not till then. The public, also, must be educated to look upon the business in its true light, and it must be as willing to pay the educated pharmacist for faithfully compounding a prescription, as it is now to pay the physician who prescribes it. Then, perhaps, the assistant who works now, for fourteen hours a day, for from $12 to $18 a week, may earn as much as a mechanic. All cosmetics and secret preparations should be obliged to pass examination before a Government assayer befor~ they are allowed to be vended to a credulous and ignorant public; then perhaps we shall hear of fewer cases of poisoning from this source. I beg leave respectfully to commend these sug- gestions to our legislators as the view of A PHARMACIST. [We cordially give place to the above excellent communica- tion, and add that the suggestion that all ready-made prepara- tions kept for sale by druggists should be submitted to exami- dation by an official appointed for that purpose meets with our entire approval. In the matter of prescriptions, we do not object to ~he use o Latin names when there is ally ambiguity involved in the use of an English one; but the names of drugs are not all that is con- tained in a prescriptionthere are also quantities and directions for use. We yet fail to see why every other hour should be written in Latin: ~alterna quaque hora, and abbreviated at that into alt. q. k., or why coehl, amp. is better than a tablespoonful ; bis indies, abbreviated into bis md., bet- ter than twice a day, and so on. When our correspondent shows why they are better we will unsay what we have said on the subj ect of prescriptions. If the sug,,estions we made in the article referred to by our correspondent were ~arried out, there would be no danger that the public would patronize incompetent druggists on account of cheapness; there would be none of that character to patronize. We admit that all people are not competent tojudge whether drugs prescribed are beneficial or hurtful; but when, as in the instance we alluded to in the article questioned by our corres- pondent, a mistake is iade in so powerful a drug as opium, and one patient is able to detect that the dose is too large when the prescription reads Tine. Opii, more could be found who could detect the same error, the drug being called simply laudanum. Practical Tanning. MESSRS. EDITORSThe article on tanning, in No. 18, cur- rent volume, is more theoretical thait practical in its details. As a practical tanner in the good old way I should like ~to make some remarks showing the inconsistency of the corres- pondent in regard to tanning. The making of leather is a chemical process and therefor~ rests upon a principle that knows no change either in France or America. The first thing done, is (so the article rcads) to throw the hides in the lime to loosen the hair. Now a good tanner would laugh in his sleeve at the simplicity of the i ea, for, if that was all, then we gould easily dispense rith the liming process, as we do in n~aking~ sole in our large tanneries. I was taught that it was for the purpose of softening the gelatine, a constituent of the skin, and leaving nothing but the cuticle or true skin to work upon. Lime having the solvent q- ality, performs its of- fice in a perfect manner, at the same time loosening the hair so that it can be easily removed. The next step in practical tanning is of the utmost importance, and one which the arti- cle referred to completely ignores. My opinion is, that the tanners at Pont Audemer threw dust in the eyes of the corres- pondent, so that he was left in the dark as to their method of preparing the skins for the ooze. In limin we have softened the tissue and the next step is to remove the gelatine or gluey substance so that we can have a soft pliable kin to work up on. This is done by what dyers call a mordant. Now I doubt very much if the waters that run throu~b Pont Audemer possess the power, ithough the correspondent says double chemical affinity, the silicate of soda and lime water, they threw the skins in the river to rem6ve the lime, and as I will presently describe, I convert the woody fiber into a thence to the vats and cover them with juice of tar which mineral substance. This process is the most reliable and econ. is a ridiculous blunder on his part. The mordant used in this omical of any I have seen. country and Englan is the droppings of the hen or pigeon Railroad sleepers have to be replaced, under the circum- house; others are used, but these are the principal ones em- stances ost favorable to their durability, every five years, ployed in all sections for upper and calf. We, practical tan- never relunining sound over seven years, and generally lasting ners, call this process ,bating, that is, we mix a certain amount only three years.. I saw in California, in the gold diggings, of this manure with water, and throw our hides or skins into timber that had rotted in two years, and was informed that it. Once or twice a day they are raised, and as soon as they cross ties seldom lasted longer than that period. If we calcu- begin to soften, work them over on the beam; this is done un- late the number of railroad sleepers to the mile, which is til they are cleansed from lime, and glue and present a soft 2,112, and their cost at 50 cents each, keeping in mind the fact pliable appearance when they are ready for the tan, but that we have 40,000 miles of railroads in the United States, not the tar. the annual cost per mile of replacing sleepers appears to be The idea of putting skins from the bate into strong about $1 0, even if they lasted an average of seven years. ooze is simply absurd, as it would be to eat alum or a Statistics show that farm houses ~of wood, wooden bridges, green persimmon before taking a piece of pie or sweet cake. etc., last on an average about 0 years, and demand no less French calf is remarkable for its fine grain and soft velvet ap- than $~00,000,0O0 anflually for repairs. A large proportion, if pearance which can only be secured by careful handling in a not the most of this immense sum, could be saved by the use weak solution of tan. To put green skins in strong tan of soluble glass. would draw the grain hard and coarse, it being an astringent My method, described years ago, is simply to steam the tim- in its nature; and hence the philosophy of handling in weak ber, then inject a solution of silicate of sdda for eight hours, ooze and gradually raising the strength until a good color and and then soak the wood the same period in lime water. grain are secured when you can bring on the tan. The idea Dn. L. FEUCHTWARGER. of laying away in dust may do, yet there is nothing gained by the operation, as the leather cannot absorb the tan without moisture, hence you only loose time. You want sufficient to cover the mass and let it lay three to four months ; then change and make a degree stronger, until your leather is completely tanned, even if it takes a year or two, the longer the better. I wish some of your scientific readers would give the reason why the tanning principle in bark grows weaker as you go West. I have conversed with tanners in various western States who have emigrated West and they all agree upon this, that it takes more bark than it did East to tan a given number of hides. S. P. W. Mechanicsburg, Ill. [We are always liappy to receive letters from practical men and hope our correspondent will follow up the subject by sending us other articles. Juice of tar, in~ the original ar- ticle may have been a typographical errorEDS. A Central Invention Bureau, MEssRs. EDITOR I am much pleased to see you advoca- ting the necessity of a National Invention Bureau. I have thought a great deal in regai-d to such a thing, and have de cided that the country calls for it. About eighteen months ago I sent a letter, containing hints of the necessity of an association of the kind, to the Farmers Institute Club, in New York,; it was published in the New York Tribune, but that seemed to be the end of it. Probably its source was too obscure to de- mand attention. If Henry Ward Beecher, Horace Ekreeley, or some othei~ shining light had made the suggestion, doubtless it would have been heeded. An association, or stock company, organized for the purposes as mentioned by you in the ScIEN- TIFIC AMERiCAN, would;beyuad di5ubt, be a source of much profit to the association, a good thing for the inventor, and a still greater benefit to the country at large. As soon asit would be known by inventors that they could have their machinery advertised and exhibited by competent mechanics, at the com- mercial metropolis of the United States, they would make ap- plication, and either pay a sum for exhibition, or have their rightsfor sale on commission, at a placewhere the people gen- erally could see them. No better advertisement could possibly be obtained. It would be an inducement to inventors~ to con- struct their models in a workman-like manner, and put them in good running trim. All the inventors in the country would visit a placelike that; all noted patent right dealers would go there for information. It would save the country from being imposed upon by bogus patents; it would save a vast deal of false circular printing; it would throw on the market, at once, any invention which might be useful to the farmer or the mechanic; it would save thousands of ddllars to individuals, spent now lawing each other over some infringement in bogus sale. In fact,the present system looks very much like a headless man walking about over thq countrymaking nu- merous mis-steps, for want of brains and eyes. In truth, we want a head and shoulders,. as a grand center directory for the exhibition and sale of the new productions of the country. Please stir the subject till the right men take hold of the matter. As for myself, I have three or four patents, and pro- bably may have more in a short time, and I feel personally anxious about the muatter. JAMES H. REYNERSON. Clayton, Indiana. Pres& vation of Wood from Decay. MEssRs. EDITORS :For the past thirty-six years my atten- tion has been directed to the subject of defending every species of wood from decay, and also to make it incombustible or fire proof. Beside making thousanAs of experiments, I have as- sisted others to ins~,itdte them, and have watched the progress which has been muade by the various patents issued for this purpose, such as kyanizing by the use of bichloride of mer- cury; the Burnett process, (chloride of zinc); the Earl process, (protosuiphate of iron); Behrs plan, (solution of borax); Heine- manns patent, by the use of resin; the carbolizing method, the subject of two patents, one for cold carbolic acid, and one for hot acid; the tar and petroleum, method as nsed in the Nicolson pavement, and many others,which have been brought out from time to time, but without having achieved perma- nent success. I claim the first application of silicates in their various forms to all organic substances, such as woody fiber, paper, pasteboard, etc., for preventing the attack of the teredo navalis, fire, and water. I have frequently shown that by applyino., by What Farmers Want.-Inventors take Notice. MEssRs. EDITORS :While machinery has done very much for the farm, there are yet some unsupplied gaps to be filled to make the mechanical aid complete. One in the hay-making process. We have excellent mowing machines, and horse ted- ders, and horse rakes, and good horse forks for unloading hay in the barn, where there are no cross beams in front of the mow, but it costs as much as it ever did to ,get the hay from the field to the barn. We want a machinea kind of rake on wheels, eight or ten feet apart, drawn by a single horse, that will go into the spread hay, rake up and load upon itself eight or ten hundred pounds of hay, and bring it to the barn without further aid than the boy that drives it can render. Most farmers have two horses, and most meadows are not one quarter of a mile from the barn; and with two such ma- chines, ten times the amount of hay usually gathered by the two-horse hay wagon, and the pitcher, and loader, and raker after, could be stored in the same time and with much less labor. The farm pays heavily for the machinery it wants, and for some that it does not want. And the inventor who can make a simple machine for the purpose named (first reading editorial article in SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, entitled, Poor Me- chanical Work on Agricultural Machinery, December 16, p.98) need h~ve no apprehension about its not paying. Give over velocipedes and rat traps, and give the old Mother of Artsahoist. A. N. C. Sheffield, Mass. What a iViechanic Thinks. MESSRS. EDITORS :It gives me the greatest pleasure to send in this $8 for the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN another year. I cannot help giving vent to my feelings by saying a word in praise of the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN. It meets from me a hearty welcome every week. I often wonder how such a paper can be got up for $8 a year, when we have to pay that amount for common papers, printed on poor paper, poor type, done up badly, and sent any how; and a person is none the wiser who reads them. I have worked in a machine shop, and run steam en- gines for more than twelvc years, and the SCIENTIFIC AMER- ICAN just hits my case; I have learned more from it than any one thing I ever read. People often say that the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN is just the paper for me, because it is a mechanical paper. Now I contend it is just the paper for them also. I value my Sc NTIFIC AMERICAN papers very highlyso much so that I have them nicely boundand I should not take for them what they cost me. They make a book to be proud of I was the means of your having a few subscribers for the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN last year. In fact, I often advise my shopmates to take it. I often wonder how some mechanics slide along, year after year, and only learn what is pounded into them. One more important thing and I close. I o en read of boiler explosions, and I wonder why they are not more fre- quent. I think if those using steam power should furnish their engineer with a copy of your paper, they would bel the gainers by it. EDWIN FlINT. East Canaan, N. H. Dangerous Hair Washes. MEssRs. EDITORS :The article in your paper of 9th inst., on Hair Washes, should receive the widest publication, as a warning against their use. Nearly all of the boasted Ve- getable (?) Ilair Pestorers, which are so extensively adver- tized, and correspondingly extensively used by theinnocent public, contain lead in one or more chemical formsmostly sugar of leadthe poisonous qua!ities of which ingredient can be attested by any one acquainted with medicine or chem- istry, and by those who have been using any of these restor- ers. If the country is to be flooded with articles for the pur- pose of satisfying the vanity of, those who have lost their beauty, by the blanching of their foi-mer raven locks, the makers of these comupounds should know the peril to which they subject all who use them. It would also be proper, if hair restorers, or hair color restorers, are to be used, to invite the attention of inventors or chemists to the propriety of the production of such articles as will have the desired effect, without the danger which now- threatens those who use them. By devoting your columns to the ventilation of this subject you will be adding much to their usefulness, and be doing at the same time a favor for much suffering Philadel hia, Pa, Hu ~ TIT~. 3 [JANUARY 1, 1869. Patent Wire Shears and Pliers Combined. Artisans have long felt the need of such a tool as the an- nexed engraving represents. Its advantages over others for the same purpose are very great. The jaws of the pliers are constructed in the required form, without the knives at the sides to obstruct their free use, as in the old combined cutting pliers. The she~rs are made in the joint, which is formed of two moothly faced surfaces held firmly together, and moving on a common center in opposite directions, as the pliers are opened and closed. These surfaces are, in fact, two circular plates of steel, which being angularly notched at the periphery in one or more places, form the most perfect wire cutters in use. They are arranged so as to operate to the best possible advantage, either for ease of cutting or durability. The superiority of the shear cut, together with the increased lever- age, enable the operator to cut a wire by one hand with these shears that cann6t be cut by both hands with the ordinary cutting pliers; and while the mere at- tempt in the latter case would be almost certain destruction to the tool, the shears will cut the wire without showing any evidence of having been used. The utility of these combined pliers is obvious. Beside being useful to all who work in wire, such as tinsmiths, machinists, telegraph builders, hoop-skirt manufacturers, etc., every farmer and every house- keeper will find them quite as useful as a hammer or saw. They are made from best cast-steel, and are said to be equal in quality to the best Stubbs goods. The manufacturer has so much confidence in the success of these pliers that he will supply responsible parties in the trade with them, to be returned at his expense if found unsalable. All orders or letters of inquiry addressed to L. Button, man- ufacturer of steam and hand fire engines, steam pumps, etc., Waterford, N. Y., will receive prompt attention. Inter-Conimnnication---The Pacific Railroad and the Proposed Darien Ship Canal. The New York Shipping and Gommerci Li8t, in favora- bly quoting our brief article on page 345, last volume, on the facilities for international communication, very truthfully says: Our cotemporarys views~ with regard to th~relative~cost of water and land transportation, are substantially correct. Still, a good many light costly goods, from Japan and China, such as silks, opium, etc., must inevitably come by the Pacific Railroad. But the transportation of tea, in any considerable quantities, over this route, may reasonably be doubted, as, in the opinion of the trade, the length of the carriage by rail would result in so pulverizing the article, as to detract materially from its value. There cannot be the slightest doubt, however, that the traffic between the Eastern and Western portions of the Continent, to- gether with the business which a short route to China is certain to bring, will afford the Pacific Railroad all the business which it can accommodate, to say nothing of an important interme- diate commerce, which it must build up. Nothing is more cer- tain than that this great highway will, within a brief period, be instrumental in thickly populating a vast extent of country, stretching away from the Missouri River to the Rocky Moun- tains, thus rendering necessary a network of railroads similar to that in the Middle and Northern States. East of the Missis- sippi~and Missouri Rivers there was, in 1860, a population of twenty-seven millions: westward there was less than one thir- tieth the population, though double the area. And yet this great area is full of mineral and agricultural wealth; so full, that thirty-five millions of dollars of gold and silver are drawn from it every year, and the rich valleys of the pregnant rivers yield a maximum of agricultural products in return for a mini- mum of toil. The greatness of the traffic which will come to the great national highway between the Atlantic and Pacific, all contributing to its success and profit, can hardly be over es- timated. That it will be so vast, a few years hence, as to ne- cessitate one or more through roads may, we think, be taken for granted. But, for our countrymen to control the rich trade of China, India, and Japan, a cheaper and shorter water route is absolutely essential. This want will be supplied, as soon as science shall assure us the projected Darien Canal ; the Isthmus being unquestionably the key to commerce between the Atlan- tic and Pacific Oceans. Since Cortez first viewed the two oceans from an elevation on the Isthmus, this magnificent project has been the dream of philanthropy and of liberal enterprise. The Spauiards, the French, and the English have repeatedly, during the last three centuries, sent expeditions to solve the problem. No less than nineteen canal routes, and seven railroad and com- mon road lines, have been contemplated, only one of which the Panama Railroad, an American enterprisehas been ac- complished. This avenue, in~ connection with the steamship lines, has been a potent element in the development of com- merce; but what it has accomplished, cannotbe regarded as an accurate index of the success that wouid be likely to attend the canal. We are pleased to know that this grand project is as- suming a shape that will, sooner or later, insure its consumma- tion. The leading merchants and capitalists of the United States have taken it in hand, and with them there is no such word as fail. der 8,500 locomotives, 5,500 passenger cars, 2,700 baggage and express cars, and 160,000 freight cars. The available statistics show that passenger cars make an annual mileage of 28,400 miles, or 88 75-100 miles per day of 320 days per annum; the average load borne en each car wheel to be 3 1-3 tuns. With this load the average life of a wheel is 45,000 miles or 1 58-100 years. On trains running at express speeds, the average life does not exceed 10 months service, while wheels under tender trucks huye a life of 18 months. Un- der freight service in the State of New York, with an annual train mileage of 11,483,123 miles, transporting 755 tuns of freight per train, the annual mileage per car was 14,649 miles, each wheel bearing an average load of 147 tuns, which gives 308 years as the life of a freight wheel, corresponding with the WIRE SHEARS AND COMBINED PLIERS. experience of one of the principal roads in the State. But as- suming that the average life of car ~heels, under all kinds of service, as being five years, the total number of wheels worn out annually in the United States will not be less than 250,000. At an average cost of eighteen dollars per wheel, allowing one- half for their value for the old wheel, the annual loss may be stated at two and a quarter millions of dollars. POCKET SHEET METAL GAGE. The difficulty of accurately measuring the thickness of sheet metals is well known to all persons who have occasion to use or deal in them. The edges of metal being often im- perfect, ordinary gages are prevented from going on readily. It also usually happens that the extreme edges are thinner than the-rest of the sheet and cannot therefore be relied upon to give the thickness correctJ~. J~ s~ec~ng sheets for many purposes, it is desirable to have a gage to indicate the exact thickness in parts of an mcli, and to accomplish this result the gage shown in the cut has been devised, which will show the thickness of a piece of metal up to three tenths of an inch in thousandths of an inch, and at some distance from the edge of the sheet. The piece in form of the letter U has a projecting hub, a, on one end. Through the two ends are t~4ped hole~ in ohe of which is the adjusting screw, B, and in the othe~the ~gage screw, C. At- tached to the screw, C, is a thimble, ID, which fits over the ex- teri6r of the hub, a. The end of this thimble is beveled, and the bevelededge graduated i~ito twenty-five parts and figured, 0, 5, 1045,20. A line of graduations 40to the inch is also mad& uponthe outside of the hub,a, the lin~ of thesedlvisions running parallel-with the center of the screw, C, while the graduation& on the thimble are circular The :pitch of the screw,- C,being40 to the inch one revolution of the - thimble opens the gage uo or ~ o~ an inch.- The divisions on the thimble are then read off for kny additional part of a~ revolu- tionof the thimble and the number of such divisions are add- ed to the turn or turns alread4~ made by the thimble allowing 25 Tvww for eachgraduation on~the hub, a. For example, sup- pose--the thimble to have madefour revolutions and one fifth. It will thenbe noticed that tl~e beveled edge has passed - four of the graduations on the hub, a, and opposite the line of graduation will--be found on ~e thimble the line marked 5. Add this number to the amoux(t of the four graduations, which is -~%%-, and it equals j~%ii~J, which is the measurement shown by the gage. The gage illustrated above,~which is full size of implement, will measure the thickness of-sheet metal or other material, by thousandths of an inch up to three tenths of an inch at any point within half an inch from the edge and will also answer to measure the diameter of wire. Means of adjustment are provided in case of wear by continued use. - The attention of machinists is called to the usefulness of this gage for convenient ana accurate measurement. It is light, small ,and suitable to carry in the pocket. Address for further particulars, Brown & Sharpe Manufacturing Company, Providence, R. I. The Wheel, the Axles and the Rail.~~ This is the title of a circular containing valuable tables and other information for railroad men, compiled for the Ramapo ____________________________ (N. Y.) Wheel and Foundery Co., by W. G. Hamilton, engi- A CITIZEN of Mechanics Falls, Maine, has a very old coin, a neer. We extract from it the following statistical informa- Spanish silver dollar, bearing the date 1179. The figures and tion about car wheels: There are in daily use on the 37,000 miles of railway in the lettering are very perfect. Qn both sides there are several United States, not less than 1,250,000 truck and car wheels, un- Chinese letters or characters, about twenty-three in number. - The Origin of Porcelain. An apothecarys assistant at Berlin, John Frederick Bottehe? by name, being suspected of alchemy, fled thence to Dresden, where the Elector, believing him possessed of the secrets of the transmutation of base metals, and their conversion into gold, placed him in the laboratory, and under the close surveil- lance of Tschirnhaus, who was seeking for the Universal Med- icine. It was here that the contents of some crucibles, pre- pared for aichemical purposes, unexpectedly assumed the ap- pearance of Oriental porcelain, which had been introduced into Europe from China, after the voyage of the Portuguese navi- gators around the Cape of Good Hope, and which was even then much prized by and only in possession of the wealthy. Au- gustus II. appreciated the impor- tance of the discovery of Bottcher, and removed him to the Castle Al- brechtsburg, at Meisscn, where, with an officer as a constant at tendant, he was provided with every comfort and luxury, and with eVery facility for his re- search, till, in 1709, the true white porcehdn was produced; and, in - the succeeding year, the great - manufactory at Meissen was es - tablished, with Bottcher as direc-- tor. - The secret thus discovered was carefully and jealously guarded; strict injunctions, with respect to secrecy, were enjoined upon the workmen. The establishment in the castle was a complete fortress; the porteullis raised neither day nor night, and no stranger allowed - to enter, whatever the pretence. The chief inspector and all under him, were sworn to the closest si- lence, with the punishment of im- prisonment for life attached, for divulging aught connected with the manufacture. Every where around -the establish- ment was the warning motto: Be Silent unto Death. Despite these injunctions and precautions, and even before Bottchers death, which occurred in 1719, one of the foremen escaped from the manufactory; and, going to Vienna, was cordially received by Charles VI., and granted the exclusive manufacture for twenty-five years. Thence the process, no longer a secret one, spread over Europe, and the art, relieved - from its cramping restrictionsand with the incentive of ri- valry among various manufacturersassumed ~ts proper -im~ portance, and made its products available to all classes. What it Costs to Go Aronnd the World. Putnamv .AIonthl9J for4aniiary says the circumnavigation - of the earth has beconie~n easy and not a very expensive uri- - dertaking. A European journal gives the following estimate, taking Paris as the starting point; we translate the sums into greenbacks: From to First class fire. Paris Marseilles, $11 - Marseilles - Alexandria, 127% Alexandria Suez, 25% Suez Aden Aden, 266% Point de Galle, ceylon, 260 From Paris to ceylon, 6111 From Point de Galle the circumnavigator has choice of two routes. The first and most direct is a Japan, as fol- lows: From to First class fare. Point de Galle Hon Kong - $liO Hong Kong San ~rancssco. 420 an rancisco, via Panama and St. Nazaire, to Paris, - 517 Ceylon to Paris, - $1117 The other, via Australia: From to First-class fare Point de Galle Sydney, illi - Sydney Panama, - 410 Panama Paris, Ce~jlon to Paris, $1066 The time occupied by the two routes is thus given: From to Days. From to Days. Paris Ceylon, 15 Paris Ceylon, II Sydney, - 24 Ceylon Hong Kong, iS - Paris, - 55 Hong Kong Paris, 64 Total, 104 1 Total, 104 It is estimated, how~ever, that when the Pacific railroad is completed, the journey around the earth will be reduced to eighty days, traveling time. Not only the intercourse be- tween China and Japan and Europe, but between Australia and Europe, will then find its speediest route across the AmeriJ can continent. A Better Umbrella Wanted. A correspondent in one of our exchanges asks the question: Will no inventive genius improve upon the construction of the umbrella? As at present formed this indispensable article is shockingly ill adapted to its purposes. The best part of it, - where one would put his head, is occupied by the stick and wires, so that only hnlf the sheltering cover is available. Then the roof is so contrived as to cast the rain that falls upon it either on to the shoulder or i-nto the coat pockets, or down over ones knees and feet. To remedy these evils the stick should: be placed out of the center, and a turned-up rim should be made to constitute a gutter, with one shoot or spout only, which can be turned into such a position as to throw the water always to leeward of the pedestrian. If I were an umbrella maker I would endeavor to work out these improvements; as it is I can only enforce them upon the attention of those whom they may concern. A CONVENTION of white lead manufacturers was held in St. Louis on November 11. The object was to effect a coiicert of action on matters relating to the trade, and the further object of promoting the interests of Western white lead manufactur ers exclusively, reducing the price of white lead, and ridding the markets of adulterated material. 4 JANUARY 1, 1869.] organic life exists would be oniy a small fraction of an inch in thickness. The lecturer next proceeded to define the word barometer a measurer of weight. Until the 17th century the air was gen- erally believed to have no weight. Aristotle tried to demon- strate the weight of the atmosphere but failed to do so. Gali- leo determined it first. He showed that water would only rise in a tube when the pressure of the air was removed from its up- per extremity beyond a definite hight. His pupil, Torricelli, following in the footsteps of his illustrious master, conceived the idea of substituting mercury on account of its greater weight for the water column. He filled a tube, closed at one 5 Improvement in Plane Stocks and Irons. pliQable to this instrument as were made of the aneroid barom- Even when constructed of the best seasoned wood and of eter. The siphon barometer is the only one that approaches such necessary dimensions as to make it heavy and unwieldy, in reliability the original Torricellian barometer. This form of the ordinary plane stock occasionally warps and has to be re- instrument, instead of having a tube of mercury inverted in a dressed on the face. The common method, also, of adjusting cup of mercury, has the lower end of the tube bent upward in the bits or irons tends to spring the plane and to destroy the the form of the letter U. The external pressure upon the open wooden key or wedge. Both these difficulties are intended to end of the upturned leg of the tube sustains the column in the be obviated by the improvements shown in the accompanying leg of the tube, sealed at the upper end, so that the mercury in engravings, that branch receives no pressure from the external air. The Fig. 1 shows an improved plane, the stock lighter than addition of an ivory float upon the surface of the mercury in usual, and stiffened, strengthened, and adjusted, as to weight, the open end of the tube having a thread attached to it, the by an ornamental malleable iron or brass casting extending thread passing over a small wheel attached to a hand upon a its whole length. Fig. 2 is an dial, and a counterpoise fixed to iron cap similar to that in Fig .1 the end of the thread opposite but. specially adapted to planes the float, the whole being in- as ordinarily used, these being closed in a case, constitutes the susceptible of receiving this im- commom well-known wheel ba- provement without costly altera- rometer. Another common form tion. Fig. 3 is a common plane of the barometer is the tube and iron, or bit, with a metallic wedge cup fitted into a wooden case instead of the wooden wedge, and with a vernier scale at the top. double or stiffening iron, both of These different forms of the in- which it su ersedes. p strument were illustrated by dia The planeFig. 1has a fixed grams. Two of the diagrams dis- incline, A, secured in the throat played upon the stage, one illus- of the plane by a common wood trating the self-registering and screw passing through a slot in printing barometer invented by the incline so that it may be ad- Prof. Hough of the Albany Ob justed as necessary. This has a SNITH & CARPENTERS PATENT PLANE. servatory, and another the curve bearing on the inclined supports of hights from Oct. 5 to Nov. 3 of the metallic top, seen plainly at B, Fig. 2. The pointed, end, with mercury, and, inverting it in a cup containing the 1868, as delineated by that instrument, were not alluded to downward projections, C, same figure, engage with the upper same substance, found that the mercury settled to a given by the lecturer, probably for want of time. It is much to be surface of the wedge, D, Fig. 3, and the thumb screw, E, by point, above and below which it fluctuated as the outside pres- regretted that an explanation of this beautiful and intricate turning one way, brings the wedge firmly against the bit near sure varied. device could not have been given. It depends upon the making its edge, and by turning in the other direction, after being Prof. Guyot here reproduced the Torricellian vacuum, with a and breaking of an electric circuit by the rising and falling seated in the plane, presses the of the mercury, for the communica- wedge, D, against the projections, 1~59~. 2 j~CL 3 tion of impulses to electro-magnets, C, holding both bit and wedge - which unlock a train of clockwork firmly. The recesses, F, Fig. 2, so devised as to not only to describe are for the reception of the handle a constant curve upon a piece of pa- and guide, G, Fig. 1. In the or- per, representing the hight of the dinary slotted plane iron the column at any time of day and night screw, E, turns in one end of a for many days in succession, but also strap that slides in the slot of the to print upon pages, which may be bit, the other end being held to subsequently bound, the hights of the bit by the ordinary flat headed screw. glass tube and a tumbler; and stated that that apparatus was the column as often as may be de- In the plane represented in Fig. 1 the screw, E, sets against the best barometer that had yet been invented, although some sired; thus, making a printed record the plane iron or bit, which has no slot in it. In this figure improvements for convenience of transportation, but not with great accuracy, and with scarce- two adjustable screws passing through the metallic capping affecting the essential principle, had been added to better adapt ly any attention being required oth- serve the same purpose as the projections, C, in Fig. 2, acting the instrument for scientific investigation. Scales of different er than to renew the battery and to as fulcrums against the wedge. By this improvement the kinds have been devised, but they all have for their object the substitute new slips of paper as often width of the mouth may be instantly adjusted to suit the dif- measurement of the distance between the level of the mercury as they are filled with the record. ferent kinds of wood work~j or the~different demands of the in the cup and the top~f the c~h ni-n in the tube. This being - - The tubelsed is a siphon, and the work. The metallic covering of the stock may be removed the case, it is always important that the mercury in the cup means by which the above results from a worn out stock and. adjusted readily to another block, should be adjusted to a fixed level, the zere of the scale, or that - are accomplished rank among the Practical workmen will readily discover the advantages of the error arising from its variationfrom that point, should be most ingenious and remarkable of modern in ventions. The this improvement. allowed for in reducing the observation. Other sources of er- value of such an instrument to science can scarcely be over- Patented through the Scientific American Patent Agency ror arising from differences in temperature, etc., were pointed estimated. Neither was any mention made of the barometro- August 25, 1868, by Smith & Carpenter. Other features are out. The Torricellian vacuum could not be relied upon as being graph, illustrated and described on page 149, of the current covered by a caveat subsequently filed. For further infor- sufficiently perfect, unless all air had been removed from the volume of the ScrExTIrIc AMERIcMr, but it could scarcely mation address F. Smith, 11~ West King street, Lancaster, mercury by boiling it in the tube before inverting it. The be expected that more than a mere allusiQn to these inge- Pa. surface of the upper end of the column is convex, owing to the nious devices should have been made in a single lecture. mutual repulsion of the glass and.the mercury. The highest Such an allusion, however, was due to these instruments, as point of the convexity, is therefore, not the true reading. A a tribute to their great scientific value and the genius displayed ___________ mean between it and the lowest point must be taken. This in their construction. ___________ can, however, be easily corrected by calculation. The speaker pointed out the fact that in the use of the ordi nary wheel barometer errors were liable to occur, owing to the friction upon the float caused by the oxidation of the urer- cury and from other causes. These errors, and the fact that the public had in general been led to expect too much from them as weather indicators, had tended to make this form of the instrument unpopular. The value of a barometer as a weather indicator depends upon the correctness of the inter- pretations put upon its indications. It does all that it pur- ports to do, that is, it indicates variations in the weight of the atmosphere. These variations are intimately connected with changes of weather, as they depend upon differences in heat, moisture, and direction of winds; but as the precise nature of the relations existing between these phenomena are in gene- ral very imperfectly understood, it follows that observers are by far more numerous than competent interpreters. The form of instrument best adapted to scientific use is that adopted by the Smithsonian Institute, and hence known as the Smithsonian instrument. It is a mountain and obser- vatory barometer, so called from its use in measuring hights in mountains and for observatory purposes. The lecturer him- self had the honor of introducing these instruments into this country on behalf of the Smithsonian Institute. It can be di- vided into pieces of suitable lengths for easy transportation; has an adjustment for bringing the level of the mercury in the cistern to zero, a vernier scale for reading fractions of an inch, and adjustments which can be made to correct all the errors above enumerated, so that a simple reading can be made as exactly as can be done with the old form of the moun- tain barometer, without the necessity of subsequently reducing the results of the observations. This instrument is so perfect in its operations that a variation of su1oo- of an inch can be read. The lecturer has determined the hights of moun- tains with it within three feet of their actual hight as deter- mined by angular measurement. The lecturer next proceeded to show the causes for fluctua- tion of the mercurial column. These fluctuations may be diviz ded into regular and irregular. The irregular fluctuations in- crease from the equator toward the poles. At the equatoi~the fluctuations are mostly regular and uniform. The regular fluctuations are monthly, daily, and hourly. The monthly THE BAROMETER....ABSTRACT OF A LECTURE BY PROF. GUYOT. Reported for the Scientific American. The third lecture of the scientific. course before the Ameri- can Institute, was delivered by the veteran physical geograph- er, Prof. Guyot, whose labors in this field were eloquently al- luded to by Judge Daly, in introducing the lecturer to the large and appreciative audience present on the occasion. The lecturer introduced his subject by an allusion to the three forms of matter of which the earth is composed, viz., solid, fluid, and gaseous. The aqueous portions of the globe contain all, or nearly all, the lowest types of animal life, the solid land being the home of the higher types, including man, the crown- ing work of creative power. The gaseous portion of the globe the atmosphereis composed chiefly of oxygen and nitrogen; one volume of the former to four of the latter, or 2382 parts by weight of oxygen to 7555 parts of nitrogen. The motive power of animals, as well as much of that used in engines for the propulsion of machinery, is derived from the minion of the oxygen contained in the air with other substances. Most of the influences which affect the life and growth of the higher orders of animals and plants, and to which the general name of climate has been applied, originate in the atmos- phere and depend upon changes in its heat, moisture, and weight. Although the subject of the piusent discourse per- tained trictly to the weight of the atmosphere, it could not be considered independently of some of the phenomena of heat and moisture. Prof. Guyot next discussed the depth of the atmosphere, and its variations of density for different altitudes. The depth of the atmosphere is estimated at forty-five miles, but the lower four miles of this depth contain more than one-half its entire weight. This point was illustrated by a large and beautiful colored diagram, in which the blue color of the atmosphere was shown gradually shaded out- toward its upper limit, and the hights of the loftiest peaks of the Alps, Andes, and Hima- layas, contrasted with the entire depth of the cerial ocean. It must not be supposed that a definit6 upper limit to the atmuos- phere can be fixed although it can be approximated. A very thin pellicle of air surrounding the globe contains nearly all the organic life upon it. If a globe fifteen feet in diameter should be taken as a representative of the earth, a stratum of any substance taken to represent the layer of air in which The speaker next proceeded to describe various other barom- eters. The aneroid barometer was described as being an air- tight box with elastic walls, which are compressed when the weight of the atmosphere increases, and expand when the ex- ternal pressure diminishes. The motion caused by the com- pression and expansion is multiplied by an ingenious muechan- ism and marked upon a dial by a hand. Although the instru- ment is sufficiently accurate for many purposes of observation, it can not be reccommended for scientific investigation.. The circumstances which render elasticity constant are subject to frequent disturbance; and a slight blow upon the exterior of an aneroid barometer is sufficient to change its zero, and give rise to grave errors. The instrument, although good for home use, is a bad traveler. Another instrument, invented by a French savant, consists of a hollow angular tube bent like a bow, which straightens or contracts with the varying exter- nal pressure, and which, by mechanism similar to the aneroid, marks the variations upon a dial. - The same u~marks were an- c~ienti~h~ [JANUARY 1, 1869. fluctuations are caused by the change in the relations of the position of the earth to the heavenly bodies. The daily fluctuaA tions are caused by atmospheric tides, and the hourly to a va- riety of causes some of which are yet obscure. These varia- tions are so uniform that Humboldt said of them that it was quite possible at the equator to determine the time of day by the barometer. The monthly variations are greatest in the tropics. The baremeter stands lower generally in summer than in winter, the difference depending chiefly upon the greater amount of moisture contained in the air during the summer season, which renders the atmosphere lighter, the gas of water having only about six tenths the weight of air. The speaker dwelt at some length upon this point, but entire- ly omitted to mention the effect upon the atmosphere, of water existing as water in the air, as it occurs during the fall of rain or when it is suspended in the vesicular condition known as fog. The irregular fluctuations are caused by changes in the tem-, perature, hygrometric condition, and disturbances of the at- mosphere by winds, which, as it were, roll a wave or swell of the ierial fluid before them. Such variations increase toward the poles, so that in our latitude the barometrical column is in a state of almost constant perturbation. These perturba- tions are so small, as in the ordinary mode of observation to be imperceptible, but they are none the less real. The lecturer next introduced and explained diagrams illus- trative of the variations in the barometrical column correspon- ding to the direction of winds, both in North America and Europe, and followed these with a diagram, which we repro- duce herewith, illustrative of Redflelds theory of storms or cyclones, which he said was now fully established. The large arrow in the diagram shows the general direction of a storm for the northern hemisphere, but while the storm, as a whole, proceeds from the southwest toward the northeast, it at the same time revolves around a center in the direction of the arrows, or in an opposite direction to the hands of a watch, the wind blowing in any part of the area covered by the storm as indicated by the direction of the arrows in that part of the diagram. As these storms approach, the barome- ter first rises abruptly then rapidly falls. As the first part of the storm that reaches us at any point to the ri~ht of the large arrow is the northeast pa , the wind will consequently at first bh~w from ~he south east. As the storm advances the wind will blow successively from the south; southxvest, west, and northwest, at which time the weather clears up and be- comes settled. If at the approach of a storm to any point the wind blows from the northeast or east, that point lies to the left of the line of approach, as shown by the large arrow. The wind will then change, firet to the north ud from thence to the northwest which will end the storm. Hundreds of millions of dollars might be saved if sea cap- tains would understand arid apply this theory. The position a vessel occupies in relation toithe general line of progression, can be determined by. the direction from which the wind blows at the point it occupies, and the vessel can then be headed so as to get out of the gale by the shortest route, as shown in the diagram, which explains itself. Our limited space prevents us from doing full ju~tice to this interesting and practical lecture, which was listened to through- out with profound attention, and frequently applauded, al- though more than usually protracted. surplus being employed in converting the water into steam York, and see the perfection, the finish, and the smoothness of which escapes from the vessel. Having heated water in a the work, a result possibly solely due the genius of Watt; be- glass vessel to the boiling point, we remove the fire and cork cause without that power we could not have had the appara- it up. It continues to boil; and upon pouring cold water upon tus with which to apply it. Professor Silliman next proceed- the surface, it boils still more violently. Why? Because the ed to illustrate the irregular expansion of water near condensation of the steam removes the pressure, and the wa- the freezing point. He filled a vessel with water at 55 ter boils more readily, even at a lower temperature. He pro- and surrounded it with ice and salt to reduce its tempera- ceeded to try Count Rumfords experiment of building a hot ture. A freezing. mixture is compose of two solids fire, with a temperature of not less than 2,000 above a vessel having an affinity for each other, but which cannot unite of water. The surface of the water boiled, as shown .by its with& ut becoming fluid; and in order to become fluid a large condensation upon a cold glass plate laid above it; but the amount of latent heat is required, which must be borrowed water in the vessel was not heated. It is necessary, therefore, from the surrounding substances. In the vessel of water he to heat the tea-kettle at the bottom, and not at the top. If we immersed two thermometers, one near the top and the other desire to boil substances which will be injured by the tempera- near the bottom. As the temperature of the water fell, the ture of 212, we may readily boil them at any lower tempera- temperature of the lower thermometer descended to 394, and ture above 100 by removing the pressure of the atmosphere. there remained stationary, while the. upper thermometer con- Taking equal quantities, by weight, of ice at 32, and boiling tinned to fall, and at last reached the freezing point. Why water at 212, the ice was melted by the water, and the tem- does not that system of currents keep going on like the boil- peratureof the mixture was 52. There had disappeared 140 ing of water in a flask, so that the whole shall freeze at .the of heat, and this was the latent heat, without which the water same time? That is just where this wonderful exception would remain ice. Everyone has noticed that the melting of takes place, and it is the great delig ~t of a devoted mind to ice in the spring causes a great chill in the atmosphere; for believe that the exception is a part of the original intention whenever and wherever ice is melted, it absorbs inevitably of the Great Architect in the formation of the world. in 140 of heat. On the other hand, the vaporization of water adapting it to be inhabited by human beings, because we takes up a great deal of heat, which is rendered latent; for may readily believe that, except for this irregularity in the steam itself, at the pressure of the atmosphere, has only a tem- expansion of water the world would be uninhabitable. At the perature of 212. If we measure the heat thus becoming la- temperature of 394 the very contrary effect takes place, and tent, we shall find that it amounts to about 970. By adding the water begins to expand, it increases in bulk, and conse- constantly a given quantity of heat, we shall find that it takes quently becomes specifically lighter, and, like a cork, floats 4 times as long to convdrt a given quantity of water into upon the surface, or immediately beneath it; so that you will steam as to raise it from 320 to 212. This latent heat would have the surface of the water cooled down to 2, and con- be enough to heat water, if a solid, red hot. If we add to the verted into ice, and yet that freezing does not extend much pressure of the atmosphere, we shall have a higher tempera- below the surface. You rarely find in the coldest winter ture of the steam; but the amount of latent heat in the steam that ice is formed more than two feet thick. If you observe will be less, the sum of the latent and the sensible heat being a caldron of molten iron as it cools, does it solidify first on the a constant quantity, equal to 1,180 Fahrenheit. The conver- top? No. Does a mass of lead in a ladle solidify at the top? sion of water into steam will expand it into 1,700 times its for- No; but equally at the bottom. In most cases the solid, mer bulk, and this exerts a prodigious amount of mechanical which is the result of congelation, is heavier than the fluid in force which is utilized in the steam engine. Heat is nothing which it is formed and sinks to the bottom, whereas in the but a mode of motion; and the steam engine enables~ us to case of the water the solid is much lighter than water. We make that motion useful in the form of mechanical power. have here another exception that the ice which is formed is He illustrated the reconversion of motion into heat by rapidly lighter than the water and it floats upon it. When we see an turning a brass tube containing ether and corked up, and iceberg from 100 to 200 feet above the surface of the sea we holding around it a wooden clamp until sufficient heat was know that for every foot of elevation above water there are 10 generated to convert the ether into vapor and blow the cork feet of depression beneath the surface; so that what we see from the tube. Count Rumford, in the latter part of the last is only one eleventh of the whole bulk. Lake Superior. has century, tried a similar experiment upon a much larger scale. a uniform temperature of about 40, and beneath the surface When in the employment of the Bohemian government at in the Winter, in any of our lakes we shall find water at about Munich, he made those remarkable ex~eriments which have that temperature. This is an important fact with reference signalized his name in this department of knowledge; for he to the inhabitability of our globe.; because, you observe, that employed horse power in the boring of cannon held in a vessel if water as it solidified continued to shrink and to become of water at the ordinary te~mperature,;.fioting the time occupied, heavier, the whole. ~.ass would become frozen in a single and the amount of force supplied. In about two hours and winter so that no sum~ier would, be long enough to. melt it, twenty minutes he brought this lar~e .body. of water into a and eternal death would rest upon the surface of the globe. state of ebullition, simply by the mechanical power applied in In the freezing mixture Professor Silliman inserted one end boring; and he determined by these experiments that in order of a closed tube, containing vapor, and containing water .in a to raise a pound of water through one degree of Fahrenheit, bulb at the upper end; and the condensation of the vapor there must be a different power applied to raise one pound to from the abstraction of the heat by the freezing mixture, in the hight of 772 feet. This is what is called the mechanical its turn, abstracted the heat from the water in the bulb above equivalent .of heat. Professor Silliman next treated heated so rapidly that it was frozen solid. water in a closed spherical vessel connected with a column of He then illustrated the heating of houses by hot water mercury and a thermonmeter. When the pressure of the steam pipes, showing that the heated water would rise, from its being had forced the mercury to the height of 33 inches, correspond- lighter than not heated; and thus a circulation of water never ing to a pressure a little more than that of the atmosphere, heated above the boiling point, and, therefore not liable to the thermometer had risen to 245. He then opened a tube to burn the atmosphere by charring particlesof dust in it, would allow the steam to escape into a vessel, at first producing a be constantly maintained. He proceeded to speak of the rattling sound in consequence of the condensation of the steam chemical constituents of water, being two atoms of hydrogen by the water .and the falling of the water to fill the space thus and one of oxygen. These two gases which have never been left vacant; but very soon the water wail~ raised to the boiling reduced to liquid forum by mechanical power, would readily point, and the rattling ceased, and the steam passed noiseless- unite by the magical power of chemical combination, and form ly through the water, and escaped. It is easy to convey heat that wonderful matter which we call water. The ancients in in the form of steam; and it is now common to convey it in theirphilosoplmy said the earth is composed of four elements, pipes sometinmes for long distances to wooden vessels, where it earth, water, air, and fire. We may interpret this under the is desired to boil water. Steam is the most wonderful vehicle light of modern science thus.: Earth is the solid, water is the for transporting heat with which we are acquainted. This liquid, air is the gaseous condition of matter, and fire is the hall is heated by steam from a boiler in the celler, giving us force that converts them all from one condition into the other. PHILOSOPHY OF THE TEA-KETTLE--A LECTURE BY PRO- FESSOR SILLIMI~N. [neported for the New York Tribune.l Professor Silliman delivered a lecture on the above subject before the American Institute, Dec. 16, 1868. After the usual introduction Professor Silliman commenced his lecture by nar- rating briefly the story of Watts experiments with the tea-ket- tle in his youth, which first attracted his attention to the study of steam and its application to mechanical works. After some remarks upon the phenomena of heat, while the water in a vessel upon the stand was gradually rising in temperature, by the heat of a Bunsen burner, he said: This vessel which we are heating has now become filled with bubbles. Fishes breathe water because it contains atmospheric air, while it is richer in oxy,,en than common air. The first phynomenon therefore in seeing that kettle boil is the displacement of the ing rapidity that it sufficiently warrims the atmosphere of the air. Tasting water that has been boiled, after the air has been room, furnishing one of the most efficient means of heating expelled, and before the air has time to return, it is flat and which is known. Heatin~ either by hot water or by steam, unpalatable. The tea-kettle is boiling under the pressure of the relative merits of which I am not now discussing, is by the atmosphere. Every individual carries a tun weight in the far the most economical, the most efficient, and the most agree- pressure of the atmosphere upon his person. Ordinarily we able of all artificial mmmeans. Professor Silliman then exhibited do not feel it; but in walking on the surface of miry clay we a toy steam engine, rated at two-mouse, power [laughter], and feel it, because then the upward pressure on the soles of our proceeded to give an explanation of the steam engine asinvented feet is removed. The second condition we have to consider, by Watt. The first step of improvement was to close the cyl- then, in the boiling in the tea-kettle, is that we are boiling the inder at the upper end; hitherto it ~had been open. In the water under the pressure of 15 pounds to the square inch. .former steam engine the steam had forced up the piston, and Boiling is not always necessarily connected with temperature. upon the condensation of the air in the piston by cold, the at- If the pressure of the atmosphere is taken off, in whole or in mospherial pressure brought it back again. Watt had intro- part, there may be ebullition without great heat. [Water at duced other improvements, among which were the injector, 120 was here boiled in the air pumps.] Boiling consists sim- the governor; and the cut-off. There has never been in the ply of little bubbles of vapor rising and escaping from the sur- history of inventions since the world began any machine or face of the fluid. An egg mmmight be boiled all day in water at apparatus which was so perfect as it left the hands of the in- 120 without being cooked, because it requires a greater heat ventor, as the steam engine was when it left the hands of to cook it. As these little bubbles rise in the tea-kettle, they Watt.. You may stand to-daybeside the most stupendous piece strike a colder stratum of water and are condensed, the water of steam engineering in the world, and you will see connected failing to fill the vacuum, producing the sound we call the with it no essential change from hin invention. It is truethat singing of the tea-kettle. The next stage o~ our proc~ss of boil- h~ had no machinery or tools com petent to reach the exact re- ing will be the process of distillation, which consists in the suits that we can now produce. He had no turning lathes, transfer of particles of water out .of the liquid state into vapor, boring-machines, planing machines, but all was ~lone by a then its translation and final recondensation in another place. cold cldsel, the hammer, the file, ete;; and th marvel is that The amount of heat passin~ into the water in the tea-kettle he produced such results as he did. I have often thought would be measured by the thermonmeter until it reached 212. with what delight that great mau would aiauid upon oneof our ~hat point t7~e thermometer would cease to rise, althou~h first-class steam frigates, or by one of our first-class pumping was still passing as rapidly. before into t~e water; t e engines, such a~ are uced at ti~e reservoirs in Brooklyn and New We have in water the solid ice, and permanent as granite, so long as the temperature is unchangid. We have in water an inelastic, mobile, transparent fluid. We have in waterthe perfectly elastic invisible gas which we call steam. Although we cannot by mechanical means compress the gases which constitute water into liquids or solids, yet by their union we can condense them into water, and we can by their union produce the highest degree of artificial heat which it is in the power of man to produce mechanically. Two vessels, one con- taining hydrogen and the other oxygen gas, were connected with a single tube. The former being turned and lighted pro- duced an ordinary flame (the gas not being pure), but upon turning on the oxygen gas the two produced a much whiter and more brilliant light. Placing in the blaze a mass of cold iron, the water produced by the union of the gases was condensed upon its surface; falling from it in drops. lIe next placed in the blaze a slender bar of steel, and the heat was so great as to burn the steel, scattering it in a. shower of in- tensely brilliant sparks. hess two elements, by their colli- sion, produce an amount ofheat, as a mode of motion which is beyond that which we can produce by any other artificial means which is purely mechanical. We can, indeed, by this voltaic current, acting chemically, produce a current of eleetri& ity in the focus of which everything which can be melted, melts, and everything that melts volatilizes. That, as I have said, is a mode of motion. It can be conVerted into motion, and motion in like manner can be converted into heat. We are living upon a ball of mmmatter muoving through space with planetary velocity, and if ~liat mechanical motion with which th~ earth is moving in its orbit could be suddenly aufested the amount of heat which would be equivalent to that mechanical motion 1,000 degrees of heat, the latent heat of the steam beconming sensible as it is condensed in the pipes, and with such astonish- 6 A Ai~ JANUARY 1, 1869.] c~denfi~k ~~e~i~nu would not only be sufficient to melt the whole earth, but to chine at a cost of nearly %O,OOO. This dock was built by actually volatilize it into the nebulous state again; nay, it would Messrs. Campbell, Johnson & Co. of the Albert Works, Silver- be sufficient to volatilize six worlds as large as that which we town, from plans patented by Mr. Campbell, and adopted for occupy. I am prepared to show you some wonderful experi- the Royal dockyard at Bermuda by Colonel Clarke, II. E. the ments with the spheroidal condition, but I have not time, and government director of works. Tbis gre~t iron floating struc- I will close this already too long lecture with a single illus- ture, the largest in the world, is of the following dimensions: tration more. Extreme length, 381 feet; width inside, 83 feet 9 inches; width There is an erroneous idea that steam-boiler explosions are over all, 123 feet 9 inches; depth, 74 feet 5 inches. The produced by the formation of a certain gas. The only gas is weight of the dook is 8,3 0 tuns, and it is asserted that a vessel steam, and it is only because there is too much steam. There weighing 10,000 tuns or more may be easily lifted, making is often too much steam because there is too little water; and the total approximate displacement about 19,000 tuns. also owin~ to the fact that when water comes into contact The dock is U-shaped, and the section throughout is similar. with superheated surfaces of irou it is suddenly converted with The iron-clad Bellerophon, and ships of similar and of smaller great violence into steam, sufficiently powerful to tear the size, may be easily received into this capacious hollow, and strongest metals. Chemists utterly deny that there is any when once the dock is in position ships fo mine the squadron foundation whatever for the popular notion amon~ mechahics on the West Indian station will no longer be subje t to great that there is produced, in cases of explosion~ of steam-boilers, and ever-recurring inconvenience. It is built with two skins a kind of gas. fore and aft, at a distance of 20 feet apart. The plans show The lecture of Professor Silliman was illustrated by a great that the space between the skins is divided by a watertight variety of exPeriments, many of which were received with bulk-head, running with the middle line the entire length of much applause. the dock, each half being divided into three chambers by like bulk-heads. The three chambers are respectively named load, balance~ and air~~ compartments. The first-nameb __________ chamber is pumped full in eight hours when a ship is about to be docked, and the dock is thus sunk below the level of the horizontal bulk-heads which divide the other two chambers. Water sufficient to sink the structure low enough to admit a vessel entering is forced into the balance chambers by means of valves in the external skin. The next operation is to place and secure the caissons and eject the water from the load chamber. Then the dock with the vessel in it rises, the water in the dock being allowed to decrease by opening the sluices in the caissons. The dock is trimmed~ by letting the water out of the balance chamber into the structure itself. The inside of the dock is cleared of water by valves in the skin, and it is left to dry. When it becomes necessary to undock the vessel the valves in the external skins of the balance chamber are opened in order to fill them, and the culverts in the caissons are also opened, and the dock sunk to a given depth. From keel to gunwale nine main water-tight ribs ex- tend, further dividing the distance between the two skins into eight compartments. Thus there are altogether 48 water- tight divisions. Frames made of strong plates and angle iron strengthen the skins between the main ribs. Four steam en- gines and pumps on each sideeach pump has two suctions, emptying a division of an air~~ chamberare fitted to the dock, and these also fill a division of the load chamber. When it becomes necessary to clean, paint, or repair the bottom of the dock it is~careened by the weight of water in the load cham- bers of one side, and the middle line is raised about five feet out of the water. This gigantic structure is a splendid speci- men of workmanship; and, althou~h intrinsically ugly, the skillful toil of the artisan for two years is manifest in the tout ensemble of the first great fi6ating dock ever put together in Enoland. Two other vessels of this kind, have, we inlieve, been built and sent abroadone to Cadiz and another to Callaoin pieces; but this is the only dock fitted in this country ready for trans- port in a complete condition. The question has been asked whether it would not have been judicious to construct an ordinary dock at Bermuda; but when it is remembered that the island itself is only a coral reef, and that no good foundation can be got, the answer is directly given to this query. Then arises a surmise whether such a leviathan machine could successfully encounter bad weather in the high seas. There is no reason to suppose that the dock would foun- der, because it can be made as tight as a bottle; and should it get in the trough of a heavy sea, end on, the water would en- ter at one end and flow from the other. It would, in fact, live on the wave like a well corked bottle. The vessels towing it out would have to keep its head to the ,~ale, and avoid colli- sion; then there would be no risk and little danger. The Bermuda dock has an enormous rudder, and this has lately been increased considerably in area at the after-end by FACTS CONCflRNING THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE SOUTH. The following facts concerning the financial condition of. the South were furnished to us by the manager of a leading journal, published at Mobile, and are doubtless substantially correct. IDuringthe war, and while Confederate currency was abun- dant, the planters entirely paid up their debts. For the two years subsequent to the war, but little capital was embarked in trade in the South, and hence but little credit could be extended to the planter~, and they were forced to work through, economically, with the little specie currency they quite generally had stored away. That they might live within themselves, the attention of planters was largely direc- ted to the growth of breadstuffs and meats, and more corn, wheat, and bacon were made in the South than ever before. During this present year a fair crop of cotton has been made, and generally made with provisions and feed of home growth, so that the planter hds received but small advances and is not now in debt. From the high price of our staplecotton more money will be distributed in the South this year than ever before, not excepting the year of the great crop1560. This years cotton crop will net the planters of the South the immense sum of two hundred and fifty snillion dollars. The crop of Mobile alone will bring not less than thirty million dollars to be distributed from that point. The entire debt of the South, abroad, and in the North and West, is less than fifty million dollars. The vast sum of more than two hundred million dollars will be loose money in circulation in the Cotton States. The restoration of political quiet, following the determ ma- tion of the Presidential ele~tlon, Will cause a confident free use, circulation, and expenditure of all this currency. In the old time the planter in the Southused the gains of each year (in fact was generally a year ahead in debt to his factor) in the purchase of more negroes or more lands, and hence had but little or no money to expend for luxuries and the merchandise of trade. Now there are no negroes to buy. The principle of small and well cultivated plantations is ac- cepted, and no planter wishes to buy more land. The gains of the planter will now be invested in the purchase of improved farm implements, household furniture, articles of comfort and luxury, dry goods, clothing, books, sewing ma- chines, pianos, and other musical instruments, etc., etc. The trade of the South will now be an exceedingly rich one. While the great West is now undergoing hard times incident to the low prices of breadstuffs, the South will be prosperous in the wealth of her staple, now brin,,ing the most profitable prices. No part of the country to-day offers a richer field for the enterprising merchant and manufacturer than the Cotton States. These views are plain and simple, and will present themselves with force to every shrewd observer and thinking man. The man who sees this condition of things aright, and takes immediate advantage by placing himself before the peo- ple of the South with his business properly advertised, can- not fail to secure a lucrative trade and large returns of profits for his expenditures. The Great Floating Dock for Bermuda. This enormous maritime structure is now completed. The following is a concise history and description of the gigantic undertaking: The British ,,,overnment, being impressed with the ab- absolute necessity of providing dock accommodations for the iron-clad ships and other vessels constituting the North Amer- ican and West India squadron, determined some time since to build a capacious floating dock of iron for service at Bermuda. When Admiral Sir Alexander Milne commanded on that sta- tion he point d out to the Admiralty this great want. During the past ten years many iron-dads have been added to our fleet; and alt ough most of thece have been payed below wa- ter line with various compositions, the hulls of most ships af- ter service afloat were exceedingly foul. The iron men of war on the North American and ,Vest India stations were no ex- ception, but after a shorter or longer time afloat were more or. less covered below water-line with barnacles, weeds, and parasites, thus impeding the speed of the vessel and causing other annoyances. The want of a deck in the West Indies, inwhich a ship could be laid up for cleaning the bottom and for necessary repairs, ~ndueed the government to ~onstru t a monster floating ma a large number of planks, in order to give more steerage power. Its cutwaters are formed like the bows of a barge, to divide the water, and by that means diminish the resistance, and en~ able the dock to be more easily towed.London Scientific lIe- view. Interesting Planetary Discoveries. The planet Mars is the only object in the whole heavens which is known to exhibit features similar to those of our own earth, and the accumulated explorations and discoveries of as tronoixers during the last two hundred years have resulted in the construction of a globe representing the characteristics of this planet as astronomers believe them to exist. At a recent meeting of the Astronomical Society of England, a globe of Mars was exhibited, on which lands and seas were depicted as upon an ordinary terrestrial globe. By far the larger portion of these lands and seas were laid down as well known enti- ties, respectin~ which no mQre doubt is felt among astrono- mers than is felt by geographers~ cbncerning the oceans of our 6wn globe. An interesting description of this globe appears in Frasers agazine. To the lands and seas, developed in the planet, are applied the names of those astronomers whose re searches have added to our knowledme on the subject. Each pole of Mars, it seems, is capped with ice, which varies in ex- tent according to the progress of the seasons. Around ea~h cap is a polar sea, the northern sea being termed the Sebroter Sea; the southern, Phillips Sea.. The equatorial regions of Mars are mainly occupied by extensive continents, four in number, and named Dawes Continent, Madley Continent, See- chi Confluent, Herschel I (Sir W.) Continent. Between Dawes and Herschel Continents flows a sea shaped like an hour glass, called Kaiser Sea, the large southern ocean out of which it flows being denominated Dawes Oceen. Between Madler and 7 Dawes continents flows Dawes Straits, connecting a large southern ocean and a northern sea, named after Tycho Her- schel continent is separated from Secohi continent by Hi gins inlet, flowing from a large southern sea,~termed Maraldi Sea. In like manner Bessel inlet, flowing out of Airey Sea (a north- ern sea) separates the Madler and ~ecchi continents. Dawes Ocean is separated into four large seas, and large tracts of lend lie between, but whether they are islands or not is not certain. In IDelarue Ocean there is a small island, which presents so bright and glittering? an aspect as to suggest the probability of its being usually snow-covered. These ~eas, separated by lands of doubtful extent, reach from IDelarue Ocean to time south pole. One of the most singular features of Mars is the prevalence of long and winding inlets and bottle-necked seas. These features are wholly distinct from anythin~ on our earth. or inst~ ace, higgins inlet is a long, forked stream, extendin for about three thousand miles. Blesse inlet is nearly as lcnc, and Nesmith inlet still more remarkable in its form. On our earth, the oceans are three times as extensive as the conti- nents. On Mars, a very different arrangem~nt prevails. In the first place, there is little disparity between the extent of oceans and continents, and then these are mixed up in the most complex manner. A traveler, by either land or water, can visit almost every quarter of the planet without leaving the element in which he began his jourucyings. If he chooses to go by water he could journey for upward of thirty thousand miles, always in sight of landgenerally with land on both sidesin suchintricate labarynthine fashion are the land and seas of Mars intertwinedBoston Journal. Vesnvus on the liami age. A correspondent of the Pall Ball Gazelle has been to look at Vesuvius, to see for himself what the eruption of a volcano is like. lie finds it sufficiently terrible. He went up the mountain and stood upon the lip of the crater, and peeped into the rearing abyss on one side, taking advantage of a strong wind that was driving all time ~uffocating steam ~nd vapor to the other. Presently the eruption came: It does not consist, as the pictures necessarily lead one to suppose, of a continuous shower at all. Still l& s does it con- sist of a continuous ahower of black ashes shot out f cm a fire blazing on the top of the mountain; it is rather a ~eries of ex- plosions. But the roar and glare of the great abyss is continu- ous. You look into the pit, and though you see no actual flame, ~iet its sides are in a state of constant incandescence; from the mouth of it there roars up incessantly a dense cloud of steam; and in the depths of it below you hear the noise of preparation for the outburst that is next to come. Then you hear a sharper crackel, and then, without further warning, fol- lows a loud explosion, which shoots into the air a terrent of white-hot missiles of every shape and size. So enormous are the forces at work, that not only small pieces of stone and sul- phur, such as you might carry away as mementos of your visit, but huge blocks of mineral,~each enough to load a rail- way ballast wagon, and all in a. state of perfectly white heat, are tossed up as though they were so many cricket balls. The explosion lasts, perhaps, no longer than a minute; and then there is a cessation of some seconds, with the n6ise only of in- ternal preparation once more, after which the explosion is re- peated. Printing in ~o or-s, A St p in Adv~ nec. We have before us a copy of a new illustrated weekly, the Western World, a popular literary and family paper, published by French & Wheat, L Park Row, New York. We lye this new enterprise a cordial welcome and Predict for it large and increasing public favor. The contributions to the number be- fore us indicate thorough acquaintance on the part of the pub- lishers with the tastes of the American ublic. The, stories are chaste and entertaining, the miscellaneous matter selected with great care and judgment, and the editorial matter of a high order in subject, thought, and style. But the most striking feat res of this publication are its illustrations, heading, and border. These a e printed in colors by a patented process by which the different colored impres- sions are given to the paper by a single feeding. The process is still in its iemfanoy, yet, notwithstanding the di iculties which attend the earlier stages of any improvement,the effects produced are novel and striking, approximating very nearly to chrome-lithography. The general appearance of the paper is very pleasing, and this method of printing in colors must be considered a decided step in advance. OBITUARY. We regret to announce the death of Prof. Win. E. Jilison, which occurred at his home in Jamaica Plain, ~ ass., on flee 29th ult. Mr. Jillson will be remembered by inventots and others who had occasion to consult the Patent Office Library, from 1860 to 1805, as its accomplished librari~n. In 1865 ho resigned this position to accept one in the Boston Public Li- brary, where he remained up to the time of his death. He was considered one of the most accomplished bibliographers in the country. Tun Pittsburgh Dispatch, in speaking of some of its more useful exchanges, says: Anotimer paper, of a very different class, which we always read with interest, is the 5cr -NTJFIO Ameunreurt, the best jour- nal of the kind published. It not only abounds with inform -- tion, of the most useful kind to inventors and mechanics, but its general articles are always well written and full of interest. The number before us is~ one of the best of the paper which we have yet read, and shows that the publishers are up to the spirit of the times in the way of progress and improvement. are indebted to Messrs. E. H. Jewett & Co., Buffalo, for proof sheets of engravings, designed to illustrate the Patent Office report for 1867. We have so often spoken in p~ al a of these artistic illustrations, that it is unnecessary now to s~y more thanto commend the great fidelity with which these drawings exhibit the real point upon which the elai~ns to a )atent ,. re based. [JANUARY 1, 1869. Improvement In I3~ngine Governors. For all stationary engines the governor is absolutely neces- sary. So much importance is attached to its proper action that it is not surprising that it has been the subject of numer- ous patents. The governor, to be effective under all circum- stances, should act quickly, if not instantly, when resistant force is suddenly added to, or suddenly thrown off the engine; it should maintain an equable speed under occasional and moderate variations in the force to be overcome, and should entirely close the inlet valve should the belt that drives the governor be thrown off or break. It would seem, from an examination of the governor shown in the en- gravings that these requisites are fully met in this improvement, and thie opinion is borne out by letters from the managers of concerns in which this governor has been used for months. A brief description of the invention aided by a reference to the engravings, will enable the engineer or mechanic to easily understand its construction and operation. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the governor with its at- tachments complete and Fig. 2 a vertical sec- tion of the valve chamber and its parts. The valve chamber, A, may be either rectangular, as seen, or of other external form, as may be desired. Interiorly the chamber is divided by a partition of an angular S-form, the horizon- tal portions of which are connected by verti- cal walls and by the walls of the valve cham- ber. The two upper horizontals of the dia- phragm are bored to form seats for the valve, which consists of three disks attached to the upright valve stem and connected by wings or ribs, being either straight bars or of a spi- ral form; the latter preferable, as the move- ment of the valve or combined disks is similar to that of a piston in a cylinder, and the spiral form of connection insures an even bearing and wear against the sides of the apertures forming the valve seats. In the sectional engraving the valve is shown open. B being the inlet for the steam, the arrows show the directions the steam will take, when admitted, and its escape through the passage, C, to the steam chest. It will be seen that by the provision of double ports for the valve a much smaller valve than is usu- ally employed can be used, which, of course, is an improvement, as its movement can be much more easily governed. The inventor says that the area of an ordinary governor valve of two inches diameter is 31416 square inches and that this area may be obtained by the use of one of his improved valves of only one and a half inchea diameter.. The valve stem coupling is connected to the governor stem by the ordinary swivel. In this coupling is a slot to receive the end of a lever, B, carrying an adjustable weight seen in Fig. 1, the fulcrum of the lever being on a stand rising from the valve chamber. It is evident that this weighted lever may be used to give a variety of speeds to the engine, or to adjust the speed to the number of revolutions. It is plainly seen, also, that the weight of this lever, when not counterbalanced by the centrifugal motion of the governor balls, will effectually close the valve and prevent the inlet of steam. Thus, if the governor belt should break, or be suddenly thrown off, the valve would close and the steam be cut off. So, also, when the engine is stopped no steam could reach the steam chest and cylinder through the valve chamber. To keep the valve open when about to start the engine, a weight- ed catch, E, is used to hold the lever, B, up. Soon, however as the velocity of the governor is sufficient to raise the balls and the lever, the catch is released, and falls by its own weight to the position shown in the dotted lines at E, Fig. 2, leaving the lever ready to act in case of accident. Patented June 9, 1868, by William Bellis, whom address for additional particulars at Richmond, md. MECHKNICAL P~RACTICE AT HOIIIE---THE EFOOT LATHE. Foremen of machine shops get their best material for ap- prentices from the farm. In this statement all managers of shops who have had a lengthy experience will coincide. Why is it? These farmer boys perhaps never saw a machine shop or foundery, yet they betray an aptitude and a liking for the wori~ of the machine shop seldom shown by the city bred boy. To be sure, the lad whose early life has been spent in a manufacturing town or village where the hum of the spindle andthe clatter of the loom, or the detonations of the hammer daily assaulted his ears, takes readily to the duties and disci- pline of the machinists apprentice; yet frequently the farm- ers boy becomes the most intelligent and successful work- man. We answer our question bythe simple statement that farmers boys are compelled to ~practice mechanics in their daily labor. It is not always convenient to stop work and run or ride to the blacksmiths shop whenever any portion of a implement gives out by breakage or wear; and the farmers boy is compelled to repair the break, often by the use of very inferior tools. He is largely employed in mending, repairing, and making on rainy days and in winter. Even his play- things are more frequently made by himself than bought at the store. I-Ic thus becomes, insensibly perhaps, a mechan- ic; at leaet he learns the first lesson of the mechanics ap- prehtice, the use of tools. Every farmer 9hould have a shop room fitted up with such tools as are used by the carpenter, joiner, machinist, and bell shape, which is not absolutely necessary). The tool is blacksmith, or with those that would be valuable in making made by upsetting the end of a steel bar or rod and forming repairs. Above all, we consider a good foot lathe very desir- the head in a die. The shape of the head is precisely like that able. It would be impossible within the ~limits of a newspa- of a common wood screw, and the shank being cylindrical no per article to merely notice the advantages of this machine obstruction to its gradual rotation in the hands of the work- and its varied uses. A good foot lathe costs from sixty to one man is offered. The tool being fastened in a common chisel hundred dollars and the money-is well expended in the pur- handle engages with the work as shown, and while the shank chase. Articles of use and ornament made of wood, ivory, bears upon the rest the hand keeps it against the work and and metal may be turned out by the foot lathe convenient for steadily rotates it. In sharpening it the face of the tool is use in the house or on the farm. The practice on the lathe is placed against the grindstone and is turned gradually until a one of the most fascinating pastimes for a stormy day or an perfect edge is secured around the whole circumference. Fur- ther description is unnecessary. BELLIS PATENT ENGINE GOVERNOR. - unemployed evening. Apart from its use in making and re- pairing, the foot lathe is a pleasant companion for the busi- ness haunted and brain weary. One who adopts it as a com- panion of his leisure hours will soon become an adept, and the more he uses and becomes acquainted with his machine the better he will like it. He will be surprised at the number and elegance of the little articles of use and ornament he can produce from the rough material, and at the pleasure that the practice of a mechanical art will afford. HAND TOOLING-.-THE BUTTON TOOL. There is little doubt that the practice of hand-tooling for turning metals is not so extensively practiced in this country as it might be with benefit. The superiority of hand tooling over the absolute action of the fixed tool in the engine lathe, under some circumstances, is as apparent as is the hand turn- ing of wood over the work performed on the automatic lathe. In our experience as a practical workman we derived great benefit from our knowledge of the use of hand tools. There are various forms of these tools, and they can be made from worn out files or from steel bars, as may be desired. The or- dinary triangular file makes a very handy turning toolin fact it may be ground in three forms, each of which are useful in particular cases. The ordinary fiat file is very useful in smoothing or finishing. A square file or square bar, ground at an angle across the corners, is a valuable tool. We show, however, one not so frequently employed as its merits deserve. It is called the button tool, from the form of the head or cutting portion. (The artist has made the head a graceful CONDENSATION IN STEAK PIPES---LOW PRESSURE. A correspondent says: I notice on page 8Th, last volume, your three line article on steam pressure in the boiler and cylinder be- ing necessarily unlike. How much is the al- lowance for friction and condensation in the pipes? Please show the probable and actual differences between boiler and piston press- ure. Our correspondent misquotes our state- ment, which was: Steam pressure in the boiler and steam pi~essure on the engine pis- ton are not necessarily alike. Allowance must be made for condensation in conveyance by pipes. Our object in stating this self-evident truth was to intimate to engineers and others that in estimating the pressure upon the pis- ton of the engine, as that shown by the gage on the boiler, they may not be correct. Indeed, they are frequently far out of the way. The condensation of the steam in the connecting pipe between br dler and engine is more or less, according to ci cumstances. If the steam is led through a pipe undefended from the at- mosphere, the pipe being fifty or a hundred feet long, as is sometimes the ease, it is evi- dent that quite a large percentage of the steam will be condensed, and reach the cylinder in a state of mere vapcr, the whole body of steam being lowered in temperature, and its pressure consequently diminished. But if the steam is taken directly from the boiler into the cyl- inder, as in those portable engines where the engine and boiler are closely connected (the cylinder attached to the top or side of the boil- er, and the connecting pipe being only a few inches long), the loss of heat and consequent pressure would be inappreciuble, and, there fore, the boiler pressure could be safely taken as an indication of that in the cylinder. Our cta-respondents question as to the ainouxub6r condensation and friction is sufli- ci~fr~y ~nsw~1~d by the above. As no two circumstan~e5 are alike, no unvarying rule can be given; it must be left to the judgment of the experienced engineer or millwright. It is safe, however, to observe the following sug- gestions, or to approximate to them: Place the engine as near th~ boiler as possible. Use steam pip~ of generous size, with the elbows of much larger transverse area than the straight pipe, If gates are used, let them have large apertures, so as not to cramp the steam, and, finally, insu- late thesteam pipe thoroughlyby good non-conducting lagging, or by boxing it with sawdust, tan, or some similar substance. It is well, also, to have a little drip pipe, through which the condensed steam may be drawn off before starting the engine, so as not to depend entirely on the cylinder pet cocks. The working of water in a cylinder is terribly straining. The Herring Fishery of 1868. Br. Louis Feuchtwanger has lately returned from a trip Bown East, and sends us some facts in regard to the eastern herring fishery. He says this season has been one of the ~uost prolific of herrings known for many years, 50,000 herrings be- ing taken at one haul. On the 12th of October 50 hogsheads of herrings were taken at one haul and 80 hogsheads two tides before. Every two hogsheads will yield one barrel of fish oil worth in th~ market $2250 per barrel, the oil being used in currying leather and for mixing with other fish and lubricating oils. Beside this product the remains of five hogs- heads of fish will produce one tun of pumice or fish guano, the best fertilizer known, and used to mix with inferior guanos and the superphosphates of the various brands, and worth by itself $20 per tun. If mixed with sulphate of soda or even plaster (sulphate of lime) intended for absorbing the ammonia produced by their decomposition, it is not excelled in value by the best Peruvian guano. These facts prove the profitable- ness of this branch of industry. The Dunderjerg Not a Failure, The ram, Dunderberg, which was sold to the French gov- ernment a year ago last summer, has withstood batteries of adverse criticism, to which, unlike the more soliJ compliments of. an armed enemy, she was unable to reply. In addition to the attacks made upon her when she was the property of her builder, it was stated, after her sale to the Emperor of the French, that she was a mere tub for sailing qualities,, and a mere eggshell for defensive purposes. Time and trial have, however, refuted one of these calumnies, as we learn that the Rocha eau ne~ Dunderberg performs her fourteen measured miles-with ease. - We are glad to hear that the reputation of her enterprising builder has been sustained, 8 JANUARY 1, 1869.1 NUNN & COlY1PA1~Y, Editors and, Proprietors. I~iJBLISHED WEEKLY AT ~O. 37 PARK ROW (PARK BUILDING), NEW YORK. 0. D. MUNN, S. H. WALES. A. E. BEACH. 0~ The American News Company, Agents,121 Nassau streetNew York. I~ The New York News Company, 8 Spruce street. ~ Asher & Co., 20 TInter den Linden, Berlin, are Agents for the Ger. man States. ~ Tubuer & Co., Si Paternoster Eow, London, are also Agents to receive subscriptions. ~ Messrs. Sampson, Low, Son & Marston, Booksellers, Crown Building, lii Fleet street, London, are the Agents to receive European subscriptions or advertisements for the SCIENTIFIC AMEEICAN. Orders sent to them will be promptly attended to. VOL. XX., No. 1... .[NEW SERIES.].... Twenty-fourth Y~ar. NEW YORK. JANUARY 1, 1869. Contents: (Illustrated arttcles are marked with an asterisk.) *Improved Device for Measuring ObituaryWin. E. Jillson 7 Power in Transmsssson 1 *Improvement in Engine Gover- Supply of Iced Water in Paris 1 nors 8 Cotton Manufacture in the South 2 lechanical Practice at RomeThe Propulsion and Dynamical Levers 2 Foot Lathe 5 Poisonous Drugs and Cosmetics 2 *Hand ToolingThe Button Tool S Practical Tanning 3 Condensation in Steam PipesLow A Central Invention Bureau 8 Pressure 8 Preservation of Wood from Decay 3 The Herring Fishery of 18 5 What Farmers WantInventors The Dunderber,, Not a Failure 8 Take Notice 3 The Eventful Year of Our LordiSiS 9 What a Mechanic Thinks 3 InsuranceDuties of Companies Dangerous Hair Washes S and Insurers 9 *Patent Wire Shears and Pliers Will Steam Ignite Combustible Combined 4 Substances 9 The Pacide Railroad and the Pro- Abolishing the Frankllig Privilege 9 posed Darien Ship Canal 4 Submarine Drilling and Blasting The Wheel, the Axle, and the Shelbourne Submarine Shell 9 Hail 4 Conceptions of the Iflilnite 10 *Pocket Sheet Metal Gage 4 What is Science~ 10 The Ori~in of Porcelain 4 Reminiscences of Travel in Spain 10 Whet it Costs to Go. Around the American Institute Lectures 10 World 4 The Late Kin,, of Slam 10 A Better Umbrella Wanted 4 SensatiOnsin a Balloon ii Ireprovement in Plane Stocks and Exploration of Central Asia 11 Irons 5 Wooden Railways ii iThe BarometerAbstract of~ a Geographical and Archelogical 11 Lecture by Prof. Guyot 5 Editorial Summary ii Philosophy, of the TeakettleA Applications for Extensions 12 Lecture by Prof. Silliman 6 Manufacturing, Mining, and Rail- Facts Concerniub the Financial road Items 12 .Condition of the Sonto 7 New Publications 12 The Great Floating Dock for Ber- Inventions Patented in England muda 7 by Americans 12 Interesting Planetary Discoveries 7 Recent American and Foreign Vesuveus on the Rampage 7 Pateflts 12 Printing in ColorsA Step in Ad- Answers to Correspondents 13 vance 7 Patent Claims 13 THE EVENTFUL YEAR OF OUR LORD 1868. From Whatever point of view we consider the year just passed into history, we are struck With the number of import- ant events that have been crowded into its annals. With its political or religious aspects, although they present much food for profitable thought and study, it is not our province to deal. The progress of science, and the remarkable physical phenom- ena so numerous, and in some instances so appaling, during the twelve short months t~t h~e ~i~hed past us, give ample scope for a brief and profitable retrospect. The year 1868 will henceforth be known as the earthquake year. History has not on its records a period of such universal terrestrial convulsion as the one just left behind~us, and scarce- ly one of greater disaster from this cause.~ The eruption of Vesuvius, and the excited state of many other volcanos throughout the world, indicate that the mighty forces to which these phenomena are due, are still at Work. Whether their energies are in such measure exhausted that no further imme- diate danger isto be apprehended, is yet undetermined. These terrible visitations are gradually changing the physical as- pect of our globe; and from them we can gather some idea of the power of the immense volcanic disturbances, Which, age~s ago, threw up our vast mountain ranges and engulfed whole continents. No less grand and impressive have been the celestial phe- nomena of the year. The great solar eclipse,. possessing in some respects features of greater interest than any .that has occurred for a long time past, or that will occur for a long time to come, has been not the least of these remarkable occurrences both on account of its special peculiarities, and the results which have been obtained from organized observation. Add to this the splendid meteoric shower of November, and we may well say that the heaven above and the earthbeneath have been prolific of wonders. The progress in the most mighty undertakings which the world has ever Witnessed is no less remarkable. The most gi- gantic railroad enterprise ever attempted has been pushed this year almost to completion. The Suez canal now almost joins the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, while during the year a movement has been initiated for the construction of a similar Work across the Isthmus of Darien, which will unite the twQ great oceans. A new sub-Atlantic telegraph of greater length than any heretofore attempted, has been made and Will soon connect the two continents, to be followed, no doubt, by others of greater magnitude. It has also been the subject of serious contemplation to lay a cable between the Pacific coast and China, and we would probably hazard little in pre- dicting that some even now old men will live to see that work accomplished. Never has the earth seen a period of greater enterprises; never before has civilization made such triumph- ant advances. The discoveries and improvements in the sciences and the arts have been numerous and important. To review them and specify them as they demand would fill a volume; A glance at the index of the volume we have just closed will show the great variety of subjects upon which scientific minds are now at worknot in mere speculation, but in actual and accurate ex- periment. Almost daily, nature responds to some bold inquiry of this kind, and a new truth is born to ~science. As this article meets the eye of our numerous friends and readers, the congratulations and kind wishes of friends will be mutually interchanged upon the advent of the new year. That the year 1869 will be as fruitful of progress and as pro- motive of the welfare of the entire human race,as the eventful year that has passed, is our prayer, while we beg to unite with other friends in wishing each and all a Happy New Year. INSURANCE---DUTIES OF COMPANIES AND INSURERS. The occasional if not frequent litigations between insurance companies and policy holders are calculated to do great injury to both. That company which soonest and quietest adjusts its affairs with a holder of a policy after his loss is always the most popular. The fact of an early payment of the amount is heralded by the recipient, and given currency in the newspa- pers, making one of the best, although gratuitous, advertise- ments the company could have. But litigation before a jury or a suit bef6re. a refereedoes more damage to the company than can be offset by their success in that particular case, and injures the business of insuranee~generally. Insurance is a perfectly legitimate business, and its institu- tion has done much more to nurse and protect enterprise in building, manufactures, and commerce than is generally sup- posed. The Chicago Insurance Ohioniele gives an idea of the history of insurance that may be of interest to our readers. It says that the earliest recorded application of the principle was in marine insurance, which was the invention of mer- chants and ship owners engaged in the commerce of the Med- iterranean, s6mewhere about the twelfth century. Its object can scarcely: be more clearly and fully set forth than it is in the language of the English statite of 1691, which declares that, by means of insurance, it cometh to pass, upon the loss or perishing of any ship; there followeth not the undoing of any man, but the loss lighteth rather easily upon many than heavily upon few, and rather upon those that adventure not than upon those that adventure; whereby all merchants, especially of the younger sort, are allowed to venture more willingly and freely. It was not long before the same princi- ple was applied to the insurance of buildings, and so to the protection and encouragement of trade. Further on the writer says; It is vain to argue that insur- ance was designed for the use of business, and not business for the use of insurance. Insurance is governed by certain laws, which cannot be violated with inlpunity. The premium must be equal to the average risk, and exceed it by a sufficient mar- gin to cover the necessary expenses of conducting the business, or bankruptcy is inevitable. This ideal may not be always attained with mathematical precision, but the departures from it will oscillate within ever narrowing limits. If the premiums are calculated too high,the business will decline; if too low, impending ruin will soon teach the insurers their error. It is folly to consider the interests of the insurers and of the insured as distin9t ~ It ~ raadness to regard them as inimicaL Insfrrance is the friend of. industry and thrift every: where. Despite the crudities of its present clei,ssification of hazards, that classification is the result of long experience and careful observation, and is established as much in the interest of the insured as of the insurer. It cannot be materially chane,ed without defeating the very objects of insurance. The practical question, therefore, in the case before us is this: If the present rates are prohibitive to the manufacturer, and yet unremunerative to the insurer, what is the remedy? What, in the name of common sense, but thisthe co-operation of both in the search for some sufficient safeguard, some measure of protection, that shall reduce the hazard and so reduce the rate? In this search they have each an equal interest. The minimum rate, consistent with safety, is the result which the underwriter seeks, and it is better for the manufacturer to re- cognize this fact and do all in his power to diminish the haz- ard, than to seek to reduce the cost of indemnity by means which, if successful, must surely result in the destruction of the indemnity itself. We would suggest, in addition to the search for a safeguard, honesty in the insured and thti insurer. So long as seekers for insurance prefer to overrate the value of their property and pay the additional premium, and the companies, for the sake of that additional premium, or increased amount, will issue a policy on property the real or market value of which they do not understand, or care to ascertain, so long will insurance be simply a contest of sharp practice between insured and insur- .ers, and suits at law will follow losses and a demand for pay- ment. Although both parties are to blame for this state of affairs; a little consideration will show that the onus of the blame rests upon the insurer. It is his business to ascertain the value of the property insured. Men generally believe, and honestly too, that what is theirs possesses some peculiar value, and they will estimate their jmssessions at a higher fig- ure than similar property held by their neighbors. This is natural, and therefore in some measure, excusable. But the insurance agent should use his own judgment, aided by a personal inspection of the property to be insured and the opinions of disinterested but competent parties. And the agent should have a theoretical, if not practical, knowledge of the nature of the business carried on in the buildings for which an insurance is asked. An exhibition of this knowl- edge would serve as a restraint on the party who desired the insurance, and aid in correcting his mis-statements whether honestly or fradulently made. Instead of employing as an agent or solicitor a person who, has merely the gift of fluency of speech and personal presentability, our insurance com- panies would do well to have agents for each class of their risks who are experts by reason of their familiarity with the nature of the property on which they recommend risks to be taken. Improper representations on either side and conse- quent controversies in case of los~ would thus be avoided. WILL STEAM IGNITE COMBUSTIBLE SUBSTANCES? The idea that heating buildings by means of steam pipes completely prevents all danger from fire, we do not believe is correct. When we know that the heat generated by a hydro- carbon in combination with a combustible fiber will produce: combustion, as has been so often proved, and that a fibrous, material saturated with oil will, if exposed to the suns rays. burst into a flame, it follows that a greater degree of heat~ whether produced by steam or any other agency, may pro- duce like results. Experience has proved that a long expo- sure of wood to a temperature not exceeding that of boiling water, or 212 deg., brings the wood into a condition very fa- vorable to ignition; how much more should it be accepted as a truth that long exposure to pipes conveying steam at a tem- perature of from 350 deg, to 400 deg., should render the com- bustible substance liable to ignition. We have on our table specimens of.boiler lagging, of pine wood, inclosing the steam space and defended by a sheet iron jacket, thus protecting them from the oxygen of the atmosphere, that are reduced to the condition of porous charcoal, lighting as readily as our old- fashioned tinder merely by the contact of a spark. Every en- gineer must have noticed in his experiei~ce the inflammable condition of the wood through which a steam pipe passed, or on which it rested, if they had remained in contact or contigu- .ity for a period of a few weeks. Every engineer of lengthy experience and close observation also knows that it is possible to ignite conlbustible or inflammable substances by the direct impact of steam. Cases have been recorded where dry wood was ignited by escaping steam at a distance of not less than thirty yards from the boiler; and we know, personally, where, as an experiment, we lighted oil-saturated cotton waste and dry pine wood by the steam from a boiler at a distance of twelve feet, the boiler pressure being at the time only 95 bls., temperature, by Regnault 385 deg. The materials burst into flame in a few minutes. The ordinary way of conducting steam through buildings, factories, shops, etc., from the boiler, is to lead it through a series of parallel pipes, connected by bends or cross pipes at the ends and suspended on iron hooks or brackets attached to upright wooden cleats. These brackets hug the pipes closely to the wood, but they leave spaces between the pipes and wood for the lodgment of the dust from sweepings and the particles held in suspension by the atmosphere of the room. These par- ticles are simply a form of tinder, calculated from their light- ness and combustibility to readily ignite. When it is con- sidered that the mere heating of a stick of pine wood, however much seasoned, will compel it to give out an inflammable va- por, it will readily be understood that dry wood and the fluff that settle from the atmosphere of a cotton factory or sawing and planing mill are in the best condition for ignition even at low tem~iperatures. ABOLISHING OF THE FRANKING PRIVILEGE. We are happy to learn that Senator..Ramsay has repoi-ted a bill from the Committee on Postoffices, and Post Roads, rec- ommending the abolishing of the franking privilege, and we are glad to see that the senator personally recommends it adoption. The abuse of the franking privilege has become so general that the revenue of this department is greatly impaired in consequence, and that, too, by ourvery lawmakers, who should be the most scrupulous in observing the spirit as well as the letter of the statute. If congressmen would limit their franking operations to their own business there would be less cause of complaint, but some of them allow their friends the use of their signa- tu~e to frank advertising circulars and pamphlets to a great extent. We have had frequent occasion to call attention to this flagrant abuse before. If the abolishment of the franking privilege should be ex- tended to the departments it would cost us thousands of dol- lars on what matter now passes free between us and the Pat- ent Office. But we had rather pay the postage both ways, than have the Government deprived of the large revenue it now is, under the present frdnking system. Let the various departments and all congressmen pay their own postage and each bureau charge the same to disburse- ment account, the same as if paid for stationary, clerk hire, fuel, etc. We hardly expect that our congressmen will pass any bill curtailing their own privileges, but that a reform is needed, no one knowing the abuse of the franking privilege can deny. SUBMARINE DRILLING AND BLASTING--THE SHEL- BOURNE SUBMARINE DRILL. The difficulties of navigating the East River entrance of New York harbor, especially by vessels of considerable draft, occasioned by natural obstructions, have been recognized ever since the settlement of Manhattan Island. About six- teen years ago the hight of the sunken rocks was considerably reduced by the Maillefert process, which consisted of lower- ing cans of gunpowder on the rock and exploding them by the galvanic battery and connecting wires, the theory being that the superincumbent mass of water formed a resistant or fulcrum against which the explosion might react. But where the rock presented a smooth surface without salient points this method has not proved satisfactory. Ta conse- quence the attention of engineers has been directed to the provisiomt of some more adequate means. The United States Government, having appropriated $8 ,000 toward the improvement of New York harbor, and General Newton, United States Engineer, having adve ised for pro- posals, the contract for the removal of the Hell Gate obstruc- tions has been awarded to Sidney F. Shelbourne, of N& Yori~ 9 [JANUARY 1, 18~. who, on the 16th of December last, gave an exhibition of his machine, it~ powers being exe ed on blocks of the hard Quincy granite. The principal part of Mr. Shelbournes ma- i~hine is a cast iron casing, in form a depressed semi-spheroid, or shallow inverted bowl, seven feet in diameter. It has three solid steel feet or toes by which its stability on the rock is secured. Rising from the upper part of the casting is a doni- cal wrought iron frome, supporting the upper end of the drill shaft by means of two parallel rods entering into sockets in a cast rin,, at the top of the frame. The drill bar passing up through the centre of the top is furnished at the bottom with a bit, one and a half inches diameter, and having imbedded in its face nineteen diamonds, and rotating at the rate of from 300 to ~00 revolutions per minute, advancing at the rate of from one to one and a half inches in the same time. The feed is caused by a differential gearing which steadily operates to advance the drill into the rock, the debris being washed away by the water forced into contact with the bit through a small rubber hose. The water-tight chamber of the machine contains a pair of engines working at ri~ht an- gles to each other, with a horizontal stroke. As soon as the. hole is completely drilled, and also when the drill-shaft is withdrawn from the rock, information of this is given by a magnetic bell which is acted upon by a double wire cord in- sulated from the water and passing down one of the parallel rods or tubs upon which the crosshead is fixed. This drill weighs nearly five tons. It will be worked from a wrecking tug with a derrick by means of steam supplied from the boiler of the tug. To prevent this steam being con- densed in its passage through the water to the engine it is conveyed in a hose surrounded by another through which the exhausted steam passes. The rock which will be drilled in the Hell Gate is that known as the bastard granite, and is much softer than either the Quiney or Maine granite, on which the drill has been sat- isfactorily tested. After a number of holes are drilled over a certain space, a diver will descend and charge them with cartridges of nitro-glycerin, which will be exploded in the usual manner. In connection with the drill another very in- genious and automatic machine will be used to grapple and raise the fragments. CONCEPTIONS OF THE INFINITE. Try all we may, we fail to get even the most dim concep- tion of the absolutely infinitethat which has no bound, no measure of comparison. We will cease to make any effort to conceive it as soon as we realize the fact that all our ideas are comparative. Size, color, form, weight, all the qualities in which material things differ from each other, are all judged by comparison with something else. A unit of comparison which answers well as a measure of some object or distance, may b found to be inadequate for the measure of a larger ob- ject or di~tance. To estimate the distances of very remote ob- jects,as the fixed stars, it becomes necessary to take a very large unit of comparison, say the distance light travels in a single second. Thus it has been estimated that Sirius the dogstar is at such a distance from the earth that light requires fourteen years to travel from it to our earth. When we reflect that iight travels at the rate of 190,000 miles in a second, we can form a conception of this distance which would be impossible if we made a mile the unit of measurement. But this distance, large as it is, is rapidly increasing. It has been recently com- puted that Sirius is moving away from the earth at the rate of 144,000 miles per hour. The method by which this motion has been determined leaves no room for doubt as to its reality although it may well be doubted that the rate of recession is anything more than a rough approximation. These illustrations, although they do not disprove the state- ment that the human mind cannot conceive infinity, show that the nearest approach to such a conception is in the study of that sublime science, astronomy. No wonder that the devotees of astronomy are the most laborious of all the divisions of the grand army of science. No wonder that they who nightly gaze upon the mightiest of Gods works, should have ever been the most unwilling to doubt the existence of a higher creative intelligence. ~No wonder that this grand study has attracted to itself and appropriated the best talent of every age, and that those who nightly assault the heavens with the artil- lery of science, are humbled with the sense of their own weakness as they contemplate the stupendous machinery of the universe. WHAT IS SCIENCE l The primary signification of the word science is knowledge; but as generally~ accepted it means knowledge reduced to a system. All .kno~yledge.is comprised of facts and logical infer- ences from facts. The basis of all science then is fact, and the prime object to which all scientific research should be directed is the determination of facts. Facts, being the foundation upon which the logical superstructure must be reared, are of the most vital importance. They may not be assumed.; all guesswork is to be strictly shunned. People are too apt to forget that it is quite possible to rea- son correctly and ably upon totally false premises. The world is full of books that exemplify our proposition. Old libraries are filled with quaint and labored expositions of almost every subject upon which men can think, valueless now, because theyhave been found to conflict with facts. It is with feelings of admiration that we roam through a collection of these d- most forgotten laborsadmiration for the talents which in the light of the plneteenth century, would have made a brilliant display, and which, even in the darkness of medieval times, made a manly and brave struggle to reach truth. We pride ourselves upon the progress of the times, and we have good reason to do so; at the same time it is not by any The architecture of the Escorial is severely simple, grand and means improbable, that many of our views upon subjects reIn- gloomy. Philip built it not for a prince, but for a monk, and ting to the sciences will be discovered to be fallacious by a wanted for himself only a cell, where lie could live and die, in future generation, as those of a past age have been by us. It the palace he had built to God; and certainly, we never before seems to us that there is too much inquiry as to ~o1iy thin~s saw so much simplicity and solidity in any other similar struc- are and too little as to~ how they are. What is of practical ture. The palace was originally very plainly fitted up. value is how things occurwhat are the invariable laws that Philips cheerless cell, where he was accustomed to pass a govern their occurrmce. Had Newton set hiihself to specula- good deal of his time,had four common-looking picture~ hung ting as to why gravitation takes place, rather than to the in- upon the walls, a plain board table, a single chair, and a stool vestigatfon of the laws which govern the attraction of mafses upon which he used to rest his go ~ty foot, the sacking still to each other, his labors upon that subject would have been showing the stains from the remedies employed to kill the altogether vain and worthless. But his was a mind that ap- pain. These dies of the monarch are reverently shown, and plied itself to the investigation of facts. It is true he hazarded attest the rigid austerities practiced by him after his retirement some hyp9theses, but they were only entertained by him as be- to the Escorial. ing what might ultimately be demonstrated by experiment to The treasures of the Escorial are very numerous. There be true, not made the basis of system. The world has had too are many fine paintings, statues, and tapestries, curious pieces much theorizing and is now gettin~ down to the true founda- of furniture, elegant and costly church vestments, beside tion, the veritable hardpan of all science facts. several thousand saiptly relics, highly venerated, among which are ten complete skeletons, more than a hundred heads, and __________ several hundred bones. Philip had a passion for these things. Just back of the choir of the temple, there is suspended a marble crucifix of life size, done by that famous man Benve- unto Cellini of Florence. He worked upon it, he says, with the diligence, and love, that so precious an object deserves, and because I know myself to be the first who ever executed cruci- fixes in marble. The library is a splendid room two hundred feet in length, and contains many rare and beautiful books, among which is a splendid Old Testament of the eleventh century in letters of gold with exquisite paintings; also, a tastefully decorated copy of the Koran which is very old. We asked the custo- dian, what value was put upon the Old Testament, and he re- plied that a million dollars would not buy it. The fine, sharp portrait of Philip, which hangs in this library, represents a a pale, bloodless, careworn man of seventy-two, about to bid adieu to all his grandeur and renown. Such a picture, in such a place, makes it one of the most interesting portraits in existence. The Monastery was shut to our observation, but we heard the solemn chanting of a few monks who are permitted to occupy its cells and cloisters. Upwards of seventeen hundred mass services are required to be performed every year in the Escorial, ~nd following the custom of her predecessors, the late Queen, when she visited the place, was in the habit of hearing midnight mass at the altar of the pantheon under the temple. The palace is tenantless of its heroic dwellers, the court are deserted, and the mind of the visitor is oppressed by the gloom which hangs heavily over a vendrable pile that illus- trates better than books, the character of the man who built it. The palace is now very elegantly furnishedfour of the the apartments, afterward fitted up by a subsequent king, in marquetry, with gold ~and steel door and window trimmings, cost upward of one million dollars. The temple is an enor- mous structure of massive granite, and beneath the high altar is a gorgeous pantheon fitted up as a burial place for the Span- ish kings and queens. Philip died upon a couch within a small side chapel, through the window of which he could survey the splendid follies which he had created; and his worn-out body was carried down and deposited within a recess of the pantheon. Twenty-one years were employed in the construc- tion of the Escorial, and Philip was accustomed to ride from Madrid on horseback to superintend the work, perching him- self on an elevation where he could overlook the situation and development of his costly gridiron. We spent five hours hard work in wandering about the vast buildings of the Escoriul. RENINISCENCES OF TRAVEL IN SPAIN. NO. III. ~TCAL PALAOE5THE xsconr~~ OF PHILIP THE 5ECOND. The public buildings of Madrid are unusually good, and there are many grand ducal palaces fitted and furnished in sumptuous style, the most interesting of which are those of the celebrated Duke of Alva, and Cardinal Ximenes, the latter in some respects the ablest man which Spain has ever pro- duced. Ximenes began his career by entering a Franciscan monastery. During the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, over whom he exercised a strong influence, his mind more than any other, controlled the policy of the kingdom, and to this day his memory is revered as a saint~ The gloomy old palace is a fitting reflex of the rigorous habits of the Cardinal. The palace of the Duke of Medina Celi, facing the Prado, covers an area of 245,000 square feet, and is fitted up with all that taste, skill, and love of display which characterize the wealthy classes of Spain. The Marquis of Salamanca has two elegant palaces; and until recently his picture gallery was looked upon as containing one of the finest priVate collections in Europe. Some of our readers will remember the Marquis as having been an active promoter of the Atlantic and Great Western Railway; and the town of Salamanca, Pa., was named after him. It is reported that he lost heavily by his railway schemes, and that in order to repair the drain made upon his fortunes, he had sold at the recent Paris exhibition many of his valua- ble pictures, from which he realized upwards of three hundred thousand dollars; Wealth in Spain, as in most monarchical countries, is very unequally distributed. The grandees are usually very rich in landed estates and other property, w ile the poor are very poor. In point of squalid poverty, the streets of Madrid are full of picturesque effects. Vice and immorality run through all classes of society, and yield their, bitter fruits. The more common outward vice of the lower classes consists in their passion for bull-fights, cock-fights, and lotteries. It is a common thing to witness upon the streets, old men, women and young children hawking about lottery tickets, from the sale of which they gain a miserable pittance. Spanish history abounds in great mysterious characters, and we are. obliged to confess that there was something strangely fascinating connected with our. trip throu~h that romantic coi~ntry, which we can only explain by the fact that in early life we had read with interest Don Quixote, Prescotts histo~ ries of Ferdinand and Isabella, Charles the Fifth, and Philip the Second ; also Irvings Conquest of Grenada and the Tales of the Alhambra. The reader can therefore readily imagine with what eagerness we sought out the Au- diencia where Ferdinand and Isabella were married; the old palace where Philip the Second was born; the little chapel at Seville, where Columbus met Isabella on his return from San Salvador; the house where he died, and the parochial church where his funeral obsequies were celebrated, also the many ex- quisite edifices left by the exiled Moors. Perhaps, however, there is no single pile of architecture remaining in Spain so interesting as the Escorialabout two hours ride by railway from Madrid, and regardedby the Spaniards as the eighth mar- vel of the world. The Escorial was designed and built by Philip the Second, a cold, haughty, intellectual bigot, who, after burying one youthful queen, went over to England and married Bloody Mary. Philip does not appear to have been greatly afflicted when Mary died, for history represents him so very anxious to obtain another queen that he could scarcely wait for the six months official mourning to cease before he sent his ambassador to claim the hand of Elizabeth of Valois, daughter of Catherine de Medicis, then in her sixteenth year, and knowing all the while that his unfortunate son, Don Car- los, had a strong passion for the beautiful princess. History says that Philip was, induced to found the Escorial as an act of gratitude to God, and especially to his patron, St. Lawrence, who~ inspired the victory of St. Quintin, in 1557. The buildings, which comprise a palace, temple, and monas- tery, cover 00,000 feet, and cost upwards of four millions of dollars in those times, when it is said that the laborers re- ceived but six cents per day for their work. The situation of the Escorkd, under the shadow of the Guadarama mountains, is desolate and melancholy in the extreme. The mountains are one mass of bare gray granite, and the wide sweep of country lying in~ front is a monotony of rocks and stunted trees. Philip was two years in hunting out this sit ation, and if he had seai~ched for two years morq he could scarcely have made a selection more desolate. St. Lawrence suffered mar- tyrdom by being roasted upon a gridiron, and it is thought that Philip had the form of that instrument in his head when he drew the plan, which no doubt was supplemented by a granite boulder in his hat, if one may judge from the immense piles of stone blocks employed in its construction. American Institute Lectures. Dec. cOMr. James Ilall, State Geologist, Albany; On the Evolution of the North American Continent. Jan. 6, 1869.Prof. Horsford, Cambridge, Mass.; On the Philosophy of the Oven. Jan. 13.Dr. T. Sterry Hunt, Montreal, Canada~ On Pri- meval Chemistry., Jan. 22.Prof. Doremus, College of the City of New York; On the Photometer. Jan. 27.Mr. Waterhouse Hawkins, of London; On Coin- parative Zoology. Feb. 3.Prof. Cooke, Harvard College, Mass.; On the Spectroscope. Feb. 10.Win. J. McAlpine, Pres. Am. Soc. of C. E.; On Modern Engineering. The Late 1~ing of Siam. The name of the late King of Siam was Phra-Bard Sam- detch-Phra-Pharaihendr-Mahn-Monkut. He was seventy years of age, and had some taste for civilization, having dug canals, built forts, railways, steamboats, founded a printing office at Bangkok, and paid some attention to education. These peculi- arities probably came from reading the Evening Post, to which he was for many years a subscriber. The king leaves an extensive family of widows, said to be two thousand in number, to mourn his loss. He spent the last years of his life chiefly in studying Siamese theology, and in r~hotographing his wives. We have a very high respect for the Evening Post, and it is therefore with so~ e hesitation that we distiir~b its theory re- specting the progress made in civilization by Phra-Bard Monk- ut, of Siam. His late highness was a regular render of the 5cr TIFI AMERICAN, and it seems to us very, likely that he learned more from its columns about forts, steamboats, rail- ways; canals, and photography, than from the Post; but so far as his knowledge of theology and social science is concern- ed, we have nodoubt that he found the Post an able assistant, and we hope our cotemporary will forward a copy of the paper containing the notice to each of the two thousand b reaved widows. 10 JANUARY 1, 1869.] Sensations in a Balloon. The question Are you not dizzy in looking down from a balloon ? was an ered awhile since by the Boston Journal as follows: Dizziness or giddiness is somethin~, entirely un- known in ~eronautic traveling, and therein is one of the most surprising facts of ballooning. You look downward witli the same steadiness and composure with which you look off from a mountain top. Another strange feature is that the balloon seems to stand perfectly still. Common sense teaches you that you are moving when the distance between you and cer- tain objects is widening, but there is no other indication of the fact, nor is there in rising and falling in the atmosphere. Im- mersed in the air current, and traveling at the same or nearly the same velocity, the balloon seems relatively becalmed. This fact, the Journal goes on to say, sufficiently explains the utter uselessness of sails and rudder. There is no wind to fill the one, nor fulcrum or resisting force for the other. The only power of a gas balloon is its buoyant force, and thus all inward efforts at propulsion or control, beyond a simple means of rising or falling through a depreciation of the buoyant ma- terial or the ballast weight, are manifestly fruitless. Until some other inward motive power than mere buoyancy is de- vise~l, no forward step can be made in ~erostatics, and the union of any other with the gas balloon is entirely hopeless, since thc craft is wholly at the mercy of the element which sustains it. The wind currents, too, are so variable that navigating the air- between given points under their control would be quite as much out of the question. No difficulty is experienced at a less hight than two or three miles, by persons in health, nor is any other decided sensation felt under ordinary circumstances. There may a slight ring- ing or closing of the ears with some persons in a less altitude, - but in the upper regions a deafness is experienced. At the hight of three and a-half miles the atmosphere is known to - have just half the density it has at the surfade, and there is, of course, the corresponding decrease of atmospheric pressure. At the surface, a man of ordinary size is said to sustain an atmospheric pressure of 25,000 pounds, ~rhile at the hight named it is reduced one half; the change bringing with it many discomfits. The reduction of atmospheric pressure is felt by the balloon through the expansion of the gas and the distention of its envelope, and thus to rise to great altitude ne- cessitates an expenditure of the gas, as well as of ballast. To guard against a too sudden expansion of the balloon, the open neck at the bottom serves as a sort of safety valve, while it al - so becomes necessary to let out gas at times through the valve at the top. Exploration of Central Asia. At the last meeting of the Royal Geographical Society, London, Sir Roderick Murchison said the attention of the so- ciety had been strongly drawn of late toward Central Asia, and particularly to tbe,vast repions-which bordered the north- eastern and northwestern frontiers of British India. The - principal region in the northeast embraced the country lying 1)etween Assam and Szec nen, the most westerly province of China. A warm desire was - expressed by a committee of the British Association, as well as by the Council of the Geograph - ical Society, that tuat intervening space of about two hundred. and fifty miles only should be explored, in order to ascertain if there be practicable passes through the high mountains and wild tracts which separated the upper waters of the Yangtse-kiang from the Brahmaputra at its great bend near Sudiya. Although as yet no positive effort has been made to solve the important problem, the Indian authorities are mak ing efforts to open a route of traffic along a more southerly line between British Bnrmah and the great Chinese province of Yunnan, now essentiallyindependent of Chinese rule, and most desirous of establishing a trad~ with our settlements on the Irawaddy. Of still more pressing importance, however, than an ac- quaintance with the regions alluded to, is an exploration of the vast and unexamined tracts on the northwest, far beyond the tributaries of the Upper Indus, or between Peshawur and Jellalabad on the south, and the centers of trade and popula- tion at Yarkand and Kashgar. The main object is to define the physical character of the vast elevated plateau called Pamir, or Roof of the world, from which the Oxus and Zarafsban take their rise, and from which the lofty chains, the Kuen Lun, the Himalaya and Hindoo Koosh radiate. In 1867, Sir Roderick urged the essential importance of such knowledge, to be acquired equally by the Russian and British governments; and he then said that this great table-land or watershed ought to be constituted the neutral ground between the two empires, and to be considered as a broad zone to be forever interposed between eastern Turkestantoward which Russia has now advancedand the most northern limits of our Indian possessions. With a view to taking a first step in this desirable explora- tion, the Council of the Geographical Society sent out last spring a practiced traveler, Lieutenant Hayward, to traverse this region from Peshawur. ~ientific those of iron, the shortening of distances by deep cutting or fihlingis obviated. The natural features of the district through which it passes can be complied with. The low rate of speed renders the erecting of very expensive bridges unnecessary, and as light locomotives only are proposed, the wooden rails are sufficiently strong for perfect safety. In many parts of Canada, movements lookin~ toward the construction of such roads are on foot, and an exchange infornis us that$96,000 have-been voted by different interested town- ships in aid of the Toronto, Grey, and Bruce Railway, and the Toronto City Council has passed a by-law granted $250,000 for the same purpose. These sums, it must be borne in mind, are bonuses in aid of the road. The Kingston News says that among the notices of applica- tion to Parliament appearia,,, in the Official Gazette, is one re~ lating to a wooden railway from Kingston to Loughborough and adjoining townships. The projected railway is destined to be realized as a fact, and will prove the adaptability to the wants of the back townships of Canada. The people of Kingston are of course very much interested in the suc- cess of an enterprise so well calculated to improve the for- tunes of the city, and we feel sure they will do all in their power to promote -the passage of the companys charter, and to otherwise aid them in the important work. In many other places these railways are talked about. In his communication above referred to Mr. Mackelcan says: - I would like to caution those who may patronize or push forward this new system, against making things too great and too grand, under plea of suiting the future, for in this way the present and the future are both destroyed. That which will help Canada to grow into a thickly peopled, well cultivated, and prosperous country, is a net work of cheap conveyance, cre- ated in the country by its own industry and with its own capital, and costing so little as- to pay for itself in a few years. - The estimated cost of such roads is from $4,000 to $5,000 per mile, which seems to us to be ample. We are inclined to think much more favorably of these practical ideas than-the visionary project of a British American Inter-oceanic Railway, alluded to by us in a former number. We hope the j~lan may be well tested, and feel quite confident it will ultiniately succeed. - GEOGRAPHICAL AND ARCHEOLOGICAL. Putnams 3lonthly, for January, says: Captain Burton (the discoveror of Lake Tanganyika) has a new book of traVels in the press, under the title of Explora- tious of the Highlands of Brazil, with a full account of the gold and diamond mines. Also, of canoeing down 1,cOo miles of the great river San Frfincisco, from Sabara to the sea. - THE first complete census of th& Cape Colony, South Africa, was taken in March, 1865. The enumeration, which does not include Natal and the Transvaal Republic, shows a total of 181,592 persons of European- birth- o~ descent, and ~14,789- natives, the latter consisting principally of Hottentots, Kaffers, and Bushmen. From a partial census, made in the year 18 , it - appears that an increase in ten years was at the rate of 56 per cent. Unlike other colonies composed of mixed races, the rate of increase was much greater among the native tribes than in the white -population. Among the possessions of the colony are 226,000- horses, 2 0,000 draft oxen, 10,000,000 sheep, and 2,440,000 goats. In the list of productions we find 1,890,- 000 bushels of wheat, 1, 30,000 pounds of tobacco, and8,237,- 000 gallons of wine. 7 ,000 persons are employed in agricul- ture and 13,000 in manufactures. Two-thirds of the white population and one twentieth of the natives are able to read and write. Incin ~ng Natal and the Transvaal Republic, thirty-two newspapers are publishedten in the Dutch and twenty-two in the English language. - - - - LIEUTENANT WARREN is continuing his encavations at Je rusalem with equal zeal and labor. He has discovered that the foundation wall of the platform of Mount Moriah, upon which stands the Mosque of Omar, as once stood the Temple of Solomon, was originally 1,000 feet long, and 150 feet high, a arly the length and hight of the Crystal Palace at Synden- ham. He traced the - enormous masses of stone, which are still visible at the southern end, to a depth of 45 feet below the present surface. Behind this wall there are the remains of vast tunnels, arches, and chambers, which Lieutenant Warren refers to the old Jewish Jerusalem, before the time of Herod. THREE English gentleman, Messrs. Freshfleld, Moore, and Tucker, last summer succeeded in ascending the Elburz, the highest peak of the Caucasus, the altitude of which they ascertained to be 18,526 feet Since geographers have adopted the axis of the Can sus, from the Black to the Caspian Seas, as the boundary line between Europe and Asia, and the peak of Elburz lies on the European side of this line, it -thus becomes the highest mountain in Europe, ex- ceeding Mont Blanc by more than 3,000 feet. Wooden Italiways. The feasibility of laying wooden railways in districts where the traffic does not require a high rate of speed, and where there is an abundance of hard and durable timber, has been re- cently made the subj6ct of discussion by our Canada exchanges, and by letter we are informed that the method is proposed for Australia, a kind of timber being found there which is very hard and particularly adapted to the purpose. A. M. F~ P. P~TERMAN s in Gotha pnbhishes a map Mittheilungen Mackelcan, in a communication to the Perth Expositor, gives a of Lower California, - from the- exploration made - by J. Ross favorable opinion as to their utility - based upon practical cx- B rowne, Gabb, and Lochr. An account of the -journey; - with perience. - , interesting geological detaiL, frem the- pen of Herr Gabb, is The cost of such railways being so much less per mile than added. THE committee charged to collect funds for the French ex- pedition to the North Pole, has published a report, stating that the vessels will be in readiness by the commencement of this year. It is intended to despatch the expedition from France in January, if possible, in order that it ~tnay reach Behrings Strait by the end of July. - 11 ~4iM~P4 ~nmrn~r ~ - AGAssIZs ExrLORATTON5 IN BRAzILThe geographer - Pe- termann says of Agassizs Explorations in Brazil : - - f The history of scientific expeditions has scarcely an example which, in point of brilliancy and aid rendered from ~il quar- ters, can be compared to this journey of Agassiz. It is known that since his settlement in Cambridge, he has received such a recognition and support from the Americans, as a man of science has seldom enjoyed, and it now appears from his work on Brazil, that also in South America all classes of the people united to do him honor. Had Humboldt visited J3razil during the last years of his life, his niception could not have been more splendid. A GOOD story is told of a merchant whose business is locat- ed on the eastern side of the Sierra -Nevada. Being in want of additions to his stock he purchased goods in San Francisco and ordered -them shipped a the Central Pacific Railroad- to- its terminus at the time the goods were shipped, lupposing that by the time the goods were ready, the road would have pro- gressed nearly to his location. Such progress was made in the interim, however, that the goods were delivered at a point -fif- teen miles on, from whence they were carted back to their des- tination. - - - - To REMOVE SUBSTANCES FROM THE EYETo remove for- eign bodies from beneath the eyelid, take hold of the upper eyelid, near its angles, with the index finger and thumb of each hand. Draw it gently forward, and as low dowii as pos- sible over the lower eyelid, and retain it in this position for about a minute, taking care to prevent the tears from flowing out. When, at the end of this time, you allow the eyelid to resume its place, a flood of tears washes out the -foreign body, which will be found adhering to, or near to, the lowereyelid S OKE WREATHSWe are in receipt of several communi- cations in regard to smoke wreaths which we are obliged to pass by. The subject is of little or no practical importance. Such wreaths are caused by friction upon the external portion of a volume of smoke caused by its partial adhesion to the walls of the gun, tube, or ape ture through which it is forced. This gives a rolling motion from the center of the volume out- ward and produces the phenomenon. With this explanation we dismiss the subject. THE removal of Union College from Schunitady to Albany, N. Y., and making it in connection with the Albany Medical and Law schools, and the Albany Observatory, into a State University is strongly urged. It is asserted that if the citizens of Albany will raise $500,000, the trustees of the College will consent to the arrangement and transfer the entire college ap- paratus, cabinets, library, etc., and the college endowment, now estimated at one million five hundred thousand dollars. WE understand that the splendid collection of engineering models, belonging to the late Professor Gillespie, of Union Col- lege, Schenectady, has passed by purchase into the possession of that institution. It is probably tho finest collection of engi- neering models and instruments in the United States. The department of enginee ing is now under the direction - of Prof. Staley, a! former pupil and assistant of Prof. Gillespie, and a gentleman of singular ability in his profession. - BARON JAMES DE ROTHSCHILD, who died in Paris, Novem- ber 1 , left a fortune estimated by the French papers at $400~ 000,000. Most of this is in stocks, money, and portable secu- rities; but he had also splendid town and - country houses, the latter close to the Bois de Boulo~ne; ~tnd fifty-one other houses in Paris; palaces at Rome, Naples, Florence, and Turin; and more or less prope y in nearly every gAat city or Eu rope. - OLMSTEDS SELF OILER.In the description acc6mpanying the engraving of the oiling device in the last issue of the Sci- ENTIFIC AMERICAN, it is stated that it was patented Jan 21, 1868. That is the correct date of the oil cup patent, but the hollow shaft patent was issued as long ago as May 2, 1865.- AN eastern professor states that the meteoric showers of the last two years were occasioned by the tail of a comet which passed in 1866. He estimates the flow as being 200,000 miles per day, and that it has been nearly three- years- in passing. Truly this is a stupendous tale. A NEW method of attaching the soles of boots and shoes to tlke uppers has been patented. Copper wire is used for stitch- ing instead of the ordinary shoe thread. It is claimed that Su- perior strength is gained by this method, with but a trifling increase in the cost Oi the work. A KENTUCKIAN writes to the ortleieestern Farmer, that of a lot of telegraph poles put up in Kentucky, the chestnut rotted first, the cedar gave way next, the locust stood five years longer and are still nearly sound; - - - - A YOUNG writer having asked the Petersburg Express, which magazine would give him most speedily the highest position, was advised by the editor to contribute a fiery article to a a magazine of powder. - - IT is stated thatthe Czarof Russia has sent two engineers to inspect the Pacific Railroad, with a view to utilizing whatever - information they may obtain in the construction of a road from St. Petersburgh to Chinese Tartary. A Sr GLE establi~hment in Vermont turns out 100,000 slate pencils per day. How many hittin flng~ers and yoirn~ brains they must keep busy. - [JANUARY 1, 1869. Applications for Extensions. The following is a list of pending applications for extensions filedprior to Dec. 1st. The date of the patent, and day of hear- ing of the application at the Patent Office, are annexed in each each: Rebecca A. Marcher, executrix of Fl. I. Marcher, deceased; dated May 22, 1855; Tool for Grooviub Moldings. Hearing, Dec. 21, 1868. John c. Schooley; March 14, 1115; Process of curing Meats. Dec. 28, 1868. Birdsill Holly; Feb. 6, 1815; Elliptical Rotary Pumps. Jan. 11, 1869. Warren Holden; May 1, 1855; Boot and Shoe Stretchers. April 5, 1869. Gen. W. Hubbard and Win. E. conant Jan 9, 1855; reissued Sept. 18, 1866; Operating Slide Valves in Direct Action ~gngines. Dec. 21, 1868. Jarvis case; Jan. 16, 1155; reissued Nov. 16, 1858; a~,ain reissued April 17, 1866; Seed Planters. Dec. 21, 1868. Arnton Smith; Jan. 16, 1855; Plow. Dec. 21, 1868. Ambrose Foster, for himself and the representatives of J. A. Messenger, deceased; Jan. 16, 1855; Building Block. Dec. 21, 1868. Newell A. Prince; Jan. 28, 1855; Fountain Pen. Dec. 28, 1868. Russell Jennings; Jan. 00, 1855; reissued Oct. 8, 1865; again reissued Jan.16, 1866; Auger. Jan. 11, 1669. Jotham S. conant; Jan. 16, 1855; Sewing Machine. Dec. 28, 1868. ~ MANUFACTURING, MINING, AND RAILROAD ITEMS. An excursion over the drst twenty miles of the Lake Superior and Mis- sisippi Railroad took place on the 21st of November, and an inspection by the St. Paul city common council. The inspection was made with the view of obtaining an appropriation of $1566110 from the city. The completion of the road is looked for in 1870. The northern extension of the North Missouri Ilatlroadnow extends seven miles beyond the Iowa State line and is rapidly progressing. A proposition to build a wooden railway along the Lake Superior range from Portage Lake to the cliff mine has met with great favor. Several thousand dollars of stock were subscribed in a single day. The full amount required is $200,800. A large furnace has just been erected in the newly developed Oron regions of Roane county, four miles from Kimbrou~,hs Landing, on the Tennessee river. From 150 to 200 men are employed. The proposed hydrographic survey of Vermont, of which we took notice some time since, has been decided upon and the legislature of that State taken the necessary action. The receipts of cotton at Shreveport, Louisiana, for the month of October reached 6,681 bales, against 500 bales for the corresponding month last year. The receipts since the 1st of September amounted to 12,982 against 1,210 for the same period of time last year. We understand that the managers of the New York & New Haven, New Haven, Hartford & Springdeld, and the Boston and Albany Railroads, have decided to run daily, after the opening of spriub, a fast train between New York and Boston, making only four stoppages, viz., at New Haven, Hart- ford, Sprin,,delct, and Worcester. Time six hours and distance about 280 miles, an average of nearly 40miles per hour including the four stoppages. NEW PUBLICATIONS. MAGAZINES FOR JANUARY, The EcLxcrec is embellished with Tasso reciting his Poem at the court of Ferrara, and contains The Phantoms of St. Marks, The Hindu View of the late Eclipse, ~ Madam de Lafayette, The Suns Distance, and other good articles. The ArnAerrec Moeersen~ is brimfull of good things. The GALAXY ought to be read by everybody. TheRADTcAL has sdveral due articles. LeerI corrs MAcAzeYx has a choice variety. Baltimore comes Onto the deld with the Nxw RcLxcrec MAGAZINE, the selections for which exhibit great care; Turobull & Murdock, publishers. GOLDEN Houns, a monthly magazine for boys and girls, Hitchcock & MaIden, cincinnati; a capital serial, well illustrated., -, THE CHEMIcAL NEWS. We are infot-med that the American publishers of this periodical propose to add to the English edition a Supplement, containing notices of the cur- rent progress of chemistryand the physical sciences in America. The new feature is inaugurated in the December issue, audwill be under the editorial charge of Professor charles A. Seely. This addition will greatly increase the value of this excellent periodical for American readers. SLOANS, A CHITECTURAL REVIEW AND BUILDERS JOURNAL. We are in receipt of this magazine for October, November, and December. These numbers ar beautifully illustrated with original designs of churches, dwellings, public buildings, and drawings of carpenters and joiners work, with details and specidcations. We most cordially commend.this drst class publication to all directly or indirectly connected with building, whether architects, contractors, or workmen. To lovers of art, it wil~prove a maga- zine of great interest and value, and is worth double its subscription price, $6, to the general reader. Published by claxton, Remsen & Haffelduger, 819 and 811 Market street, Philadelphia. W. J. TAYLOII, of Berlin, N. V., has a Wheeler & Wilson sewing Machine (No. 289) that has done nearly $5,000 worth of stitching during the past six- teen years, and is now in perfect workin,, order. Inventions Patented in England bF Americans. ~compiled from the Journal of the commissioners of Patents.] PROVISIONAL PROTECTION FOR SIX MONTHS. 0,893,cooneFe AND BARRING SoArSilas Divine, NewYork city. Nov. 7, 1868. 3,438.BuExcsI-LoADI e FIRE-ARMs, A D cAnruIDeEs ron BREzcR-LOAD- AND orn~se Feeez-Aaaes.Gustav Bloem, Dusseldorf, Prussia, and Ernst Scheidi, New Yorkcity. Nov. 12, 1868. 8,465.Paor LLING Vxsszns.A. c. Loud, San Francisco,Cal. Nov.14, 1860. 8,4~ RAiLwAy WinueLGen. G. Lobdell, Wilmiubton, Del. Nov. 14, 1868- ~mevi~n untl ~vd~vz d~nt~. Umter this heodtssg we shell ublish weekly notes of some of the more prom- inent home and foreign patents. SLED BRAEE.James Willis, Midlin, WisThe object of this invention is to provide a simple and efficient brake for sleds, and consists in an arrange- ment of levers and connecting rods to operate an oscillating shaft having lugs to take into the ground. AXLES OF VERIcLEsEdward Finn, Berlin, Wis.The object of this in- vention is to provide the means of easily and quickly removing or putting on the nuts of axles, and at the same time enabling the same to be drinlyheld in place. MILL5TONE DREssBenjamin C. Stephens, Houston, MoThis invention relates to a new and improvedmillstone dress, wherebygrainmaybe ground in a uniform and perfect manner. CAR BAEE.D. J. Parmele, San Francisco, CalThis invention consists of an improved arrangement of mechanism for instantly throwiob, a, pair of friction wheels, into gear, to the shaftof one of which the brake chain is at- tached, the other being arranged on the car axle. PROFAGArING Boxzs.Albert D. Manchester, ~Westport, MassThis in- vention relates to improvements in boxes or crates for propagating pur- poses, the object of which is to provide boxes of cheap construction that will facilitate the same and afford a ready means for removing them from the boxes without injuring the roots. HARROwB. T. Martin, Charlotte, MichThe nature of my invention re- lates to improvements in harrows, whereby it is.designed to provide an ar- rangement which will admit of a better adaptation of the same to uneven ground, and whereby, also, it maybe adjusted to a condition for leveling uneven ground. Irn CAsTER AND CAsE.J. M. Kennedy, Vicksburg, MissThe object of this invention is to provide an article of desk and table furniture contain- ing a number of useful things, all of which relate to clerical operations, that is to say, to the performance of uniting ruling, sealing, dating, and the like. KNIFE AND ScIssoRs SMAFENER AND CLEANERWin. Miller, Chicopee, Mass.This invention relates to a new device for sharpening and cleaning table and other knives, and also for sharpening scissors, and it consists in the knife-cleaning apparatus, which is composed of a series of vertical leath- er or other plates, which are arranged between a spring and a screw, so that they maybe pressed together with suitable force. TREATMENT OF WASTE LIQuOR PRODuCED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GEL- TIN EY MuMIATIO AceDFrederick Bihn and Win. Sebrader, Frankford, Pa.The object of this invention is to separate the ingredients of the waste liquor which is produced in those glue factories in which gelatin is made by treating certain bones with diluted muriatic acid; and the process con- sists in separating the Ingredients by the evaporation and subsequent con- densation of the muriatic acid, whereby the phosphate of lime remains as a residuum. The invention also consists in treating the waste liquor with sulphuric acid, for the purpose of aiding and facilitating the aforesaid evap- orating process. CAR COUFLING.W. G. Bell, Pittsburgh, Pa.The object of this invention is to provide a simple and effective car coupling, by the employment of a double-headed connecting bolt, pointedat the ends, and arranged to enter the bell-mouthed buffers and separate a pair of spring-actuated clamping jaws, so that the heads will pass beyond the said clampinb jaws which close behind the said heads and establish the connection of the cars automati- cally. The said jaws are adapted to be opened behind when the cars are to be uncoupled. OPERATING HEAD BLocEs IN SAW MILLsJohn F. Cook, Baltimore, Md. This invention consists in an arrangement of parts whereby either head block maybe moved into any desired position on the carriage with com- parative ease by one man; also, in a novel mechanism for producing either a simultaneous or independent movement of the knees, as may be desired also, In a graduated device for regulating ihe movement of the knees. GATE LATcHBenjamin Hendrickson, Huntington, N. VThe object of this invention is to provide a means by which farm and other gates may be sustained partially upon the latch post while the gate is closed, and also operated more easily in closing and opening the same. PLow.J. L. Stearns, Mahomet, Bl.The object of this invention is chiedy to provide a riding or sulky plow, so-called, which is adaptable as a gang breaking plow, or a subsoil plow, by merely changing the plows, that is to say, by attaching the proper plows to the sulky. PLOWING HOEThomas J. Mason, Harmony, MaineThis invention has for its object to furnish an improved plowing hoe, simple in construction, strong, durable, not liable to get out of order, easily repaired, and which will do its work well and thoroughly, requiring no plow or cultivator to be previously used. DRESSI G GLASS RErLEcrosss.Charles Ferber, London, EnglandThis invention relates to improvements in dressing glass redectors, whereby it is designed to provide an arrangement of the same that will facilitate the In- spection of the back part of the head, or other portion of the body while dressing. STISPENDING Scessoses.J. H. Kutiner, Hempstead, Texas.This invention relates to an improvement in the method of suspending scissors in dry goods stores, and in other situations, whereby they are rendered more use- ful by being made more available than they have hitherto been, TooL FOR Curve e MOLDINGS.D. W. Pelry, Wilkesbarre, PaThis in- vention relates to planing machines for cutting moldings, and it consists in the manner in which the bit or cutter is foimed, and in the mannerof its attachment to the head, whereby many objeclions to the common method are obviated, and many advantages secured.. SIGNAL LANTERNJohn Graham, Grafton, W. VaThe object of this in- vention is to provide a simple, chdap,anil convenient signal lamp for rail- road use. TOY PISTOLThomas E. Marabld, Petersburg, Va.This invention relates to that class of toy guns and pistols, in which the projectile is forced from the barrel by means of an elastic cord, and it consists in providing an ad- justable stop which will prevOnt the ball from accidentally falling out of the barrel, although not interfering with the operation of the toy when the cord, having been drawn back ovsr the notch, is disengaged therefrom by the trigger. CuLTIYAToR.Clark Alvord, Westford, Wis.This invention comprises four separate improvements in cultivators, namely: 1st, a new method of attaching the teeth; 2d, a new device for holding them in the ground; Id, an improved apparatus for cleaning them; and, lastly, a novel construction of the frame, draft pole, and cleaning apparatus, for the purpose of enabling the teeth to be raised or lowered conveniently, and of dxing them in con- tact with the ground or at any required elevation above it. CLOTHES LINE FRAseaxWilliam H. Acker, Tarrytown, - VThis inven- tion relates to a new and improved frame for the purpose of fastening clothes lines thereto, so that they may be drawn to a proper state of tension when clothes lines are adjusted upon them. SANITARY BRACR.F. Piockard, New Orleans, La.The object of this in- vention is to force persons to keep their mouths closed, and to breathe through their noses during sleep. Co N PLA TEnJOhn B. Chambers, Carthage, Mo.This invention con- sists of an improved arrangement to permit the plows to follow the Inequal- ities of the bround, and to be raisedout of the ground, when moving to or from the deld; also, certain improvements in the plows, the dropping appa- ratus, and the framing, designed to provide an efficient machine of cheap construction. BEDSTEAD FAsTENINGWilliam Johnston, Appleton, WisThis inven- tion has for its object to furnish an improved bedstead fastening, stroob, durable, simple in construction, not liable to get out of order, and which may be easily attached and detached. HYDROCARBON BunNRR.Louis Verstrael, Paris, France.This invention relates to improvements in the use of petroleum or other mineral oils for fuel for ~enerating steam in steam boilers, and for other purposes. It con- sists in the peculiar construction and arrangement of furnaces and dis- charge tubes and oil reservoirs, in the use of air which has been saturated with the vapor of petroleum in the reservoir, in combination with the petro- leum in the process of combustion, and in supplying the boiler in part with the water condensed from the vapors evolved in the process of combustion on their passabe through the smoke Sues of the boiler. DRESSER COPPEII.W. H. BoydenRockland, R. 1.The object of this in- vention is to construct a dresser copper for dressing cotton warp, in such a manner that the edges of the coppe? with which the threads come in con- tact can be dnished smoother thanheretofore, and when in use will wear away more slowly; and so that when Ihe parts of the metal in contact with tde threads become worn to any extedt, so as to endanger the threads, they can, without cutting the threads, an4 rdaming out the copper, be adjusted in a few minutes so as to bring a new aurface of metal in contact witle the threads; thereby saving a great deal of time and labor and rendering the instrument much more convenient to operate that heretofore. CoNucroRs PuNcw.J. and G. D. Jlriese, Baltimore, Md.The object oj this invention is to so improve the common instrument for cutting eyelets in paper, leather, cloth, etc., that the spring that forces the jaws apart will not wear out or get out of order so soon, while the piece punched out of the paper, leather, etc., will be more cert~iniy and effectuallyremoved from the tooth or cutter. HARROw.O. W. Edmonds, Bluffdale, 111.This invention [consists in con- necting two rotating harrows to. a supporting beam or frame by adjustable connections, whereby they maybe changed in reference to the distance from each other, and in providing a ,spriqg or springs in connection with the shafts of the harrows and the supporting frame, whereby the inclination of the harrows with reference to the surface of the round may be governed, -as also tl3e duration of their rotation. SHUTTER AND BLIND FASTENING.W. B. Farrar, Greensboro, N. C.This device relates to that class of locks or fastenings which are applied inside of a huilding to secure the boliby which the shutter bar is condued; audit con- sists in a lock so constructed and operating that such bolt cannot be re- moved by a person out~ide of the building, while it can be fastened at any time from the outside without the necessity of going within. PREPARING Con FIsHElisha Crowell, New Vork city.The object of this invention is to so prepare cod or other dab that it shall be divested of everything not edible, which unnecessarily adds to its weight and bulk, and shall be reduced to the most convenient form for handling and transporta- tion, while at the same time it is sufficiently protected from the action of the air. COAL CHuTEH. Merriman, Bloomington, 111.This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in coal chutes used for loading and discharg- ing coal into boats, cars, or vehicles of any kind, whereby the operation of discharging coal is greatly facilitated. HonsEsMoE.Robert G. Jameson and Win. H. Chamberlain, Bristol, N.H. This invention relates to a new and improved method of constructing horse- shoes, whereby they are rendered much more useful than horseshoes made in the ordinary manner, and it consists in forming a curved bar with the calks formed on it, and attaching it to the shoe. COMPRESSION COCK.G. E. Boissilier, St. Louis, MoThis invention re- lates to improvements in cocks for disdharging liquids or duids, and it con- sists in operating a socket valve within the shell of the cock by revolving the stein. MACHINE FOR QUARTERING APPLEs.--Clark E. Billings, Warren, VtThis invention relates to an improved machine for quartering apples in the pro- cess of preparing them for dryin~, cooking, or other purposes, and the tie- vention consists in pressing the apple into horizontal kni~es by a plunger operated by a spring lever. BRIDLEJohn MeKibben, Lima, OhioThis invention relates to a new and improved bridle, difficult to explain withoutan engraving. SEWING MACHINE ATTACHMENTJames Wensley, New Brunswick, N. J. The object of this invention is to provide an improved adjustable guide for sewing machines, and also an improved adjustable presser. METHOD OF IMPRINTING THE GRAIN OF Woon ON PAPER OR OTHER SuB- STANCESJohann Bongardi, New Vork cityThis invention relates to a new process for producing on paper or other material a beautiful imitation of the various grained woods, and it consists in so]treating the planed sur- face of a piece of grained wood that it can itself be used as a block for copy- ing its grain with great accuracy upon the paper. In this manner the most exquisite imitation wood paper hangings, and even imitation veneers, can be produced at a triding expense. MACHINE FOR FORGING AND SHAPING RIYRTS, SCREW BLANKS, ETC. Francis Watkins, Birmingham, EnglandThis invention relates to a new machine for heading. rivets, screw blanks, and other bars, when the same are prepared in pieces of the required length. The machine is so made that two sets of heading devices are in constant operation, a head being formed alternately on each machine, so that the power required for one machine is utilized to operate two. The invention consists chiedy in the use of two rotating disks, mounted at the ends of a shaft, on which shaft is also placed and keyed a ratchet or feed wheel, worked by a hooked rod which is pin- jointed to a lever actedon by a cam on anoth~r shaft. In the periphery of each of the disks or the carriers are placed dies for receiving the shanks or necks of t~e rivdts, bolts, screw blanks, or other articles to he headed. In- side of these dies are tippers or sleding bolts for holding the blanks to their work, and for discharging the same when duished. These tippers per form their work by means of their inner ends being cranked and resting in the grooves of a stationary cam, one such cam being arranged within each rotating disk. The tippers are made of two pieces screwed together, so that they maybe adapted to hold blanks of various lengths.to the header The two sides of the machine are alikebutihe des in the disks are arranged so that blanks are headed alternately on one and on the other side. FLUTpNG MACHI E.WIp B gorrester ~ew Vork city.This invention relates to a new duting r~achinein which the upper one of a pair of hollow corrugated rollers is hung in ~n up-and-down adjustable frame, which can be set by means of a vertical screw, while the required degree of pressure is produced by means of a spling coiled around the screw. APPARATUS FOR UNLOADING A~D STACKING HAY.W. D. Brooks,Bethany, Pa.This invention consists chiedy in a novel manner of operating the truck from which the fork, or load is suspended, said truck running on a dexible track, which is fastened at one end, and which works around a swiv- eled pulley that is higher th~n the fastened end of the track, so that the lat- ter is thereby lower at the fastened end, and causes the truck to move auto- matically toward the same. ISut when it is desired to make the truck move toward the pulley, the dexibie track is slackened, and a cord fastened to the truck is pulled, so as to cause the track to be higher at the fastened end. MAcHINE FOR PUNCHING D SHAPe G SCREW NuTs, ETCFrancis Wat- kins, Birmingham, EnglandThis invention consists chiedy in operating both the cutting as well as the punching tools of two machines from one single shaft. On the main shaft of the machine is a driving wheel, which bears into a spur wheel and thereby drives another shaft, on which are keyed two cams, actuating two slides which carry compound punches; the solid punches carried by one slide working within the ring punches carried by the other. The machine isdouble acting, and there are similar tools at each end of each slide. The slide which carries the ring punches actuates two other slides, opposite its two ends, by means of rods dxed to the drst slides and passing through the others. The rods have adjustable nuts upon them and allow a certain amount of independent motion in the end slides which also carry ring punches similar to those carried by the slide which actuates them. Dies or forming boxes in which the articles to be made are formed, are secured to the frame of the machine by means of bolts or otherwise. REFRIGERATORSS. Wheat, Middletown, N. V., and B. B. Wheat, New Vork city.This invention has for its object to furnish an improved refrige- rator which shall be simple in construction and effeciive in operation, pre- serving the provisions or other substances placed in it for alonger time, and with a less supply of ice than is possible whenthe refrigeratoris constructed in the ordinary manner. COMBINED BAND CUTyRR ANn FEEDERP. G. Bigga, H. Granger, H. A. Butler, Macon city, MoThis invention has for its object to furnish an im- proved machine by meisus of which the bands of the bundles or sheaves of grain maybe cut and fed automatically to the threshing machine with a spreading movement, so as to enter the said threshing machine in proper position for being threshed. SEED PLANTERIsaac Rexford, Malone, N. V.This invention has for its object to furnish an improved seed planter, simple in construction, effective and convenient in operation, doing its work accurately and well, and which maybe easily adjusted to plant various kinds of seed. BRIDLE BeTsWilliam S. Robbins, New Bedford, MassThe object of this invention is to provide a bit for a horse bridle, in such a manner as to - form a safety bit at all times in addition to an ordinary bit. AuToMATIC STOP FOR MINING CAnsJames Tamblyn, Virbinia city, Ne- vadaThe object of this invention is to a simple automatic stop to prevent mining cars from running into the shaft before the cage is up at the mouth or top of the shaft to receive the car. SPADEMichael Connolly, Newark, N. J.This invention relates to a new and improved spade, and it consists in a peculiar construction of the same, whereby the earth may be dug considerably deeper than with an ordinary spade, and with less labor. ScoopThomas B. Davis, New Vork cityThisinvention relates to anew- and improved mode of constructing sheet-metal scoops in one piece ofinet- al, whereby they maybe manufactured at a less cost and in a superior man-. nor to those ordinarily made. HARvEsTERsMason Gibbs, Homer, MichThis invention relates to a new and useful combination of areel and rake for harvesters. PLOWSHAREGeorge W. Cooper, Ogeechee, GaThis invention relates to a new mode of constructing plowshares, and also to a new manner of 12 JANUARY 1, 18~M.] curing the same to the foot. The lowshare is made of cast iron, and by its peculiar shape and construction, it~an be made without a land side plate. The fastening device is a U-shaped olt, passing with one arm through the share and foot, and with the other l~m through the share into the foot, so thatby means of one bolt and nut, t.e effect of two bolts and nuts, without their disadvantages, is produced. CLoTUE5 BoILERDaniel Kellogg Ypsilanti, Mich.The nature of this invention relates to the cleansing ~( clothes by c4culating boiling water through them. HoRsE Bllusssas.W. W. McKay, Osian, IowaThis invention relates to improvements in horse brushes, wheaby it is designed to provide a rota- ting brush, to which motion may be redily communicated by hand, and so arranged as to admit of the substitutin of one brush or comb for another readily. PaRsEavI G WooDNicholas C. Sarelmey has taken an English patent for preserving wood, as follows: A sontion is made of 10 lbs. of powdered potassa and 40 lbs. of powdered lime a 10 gallons of boilin~, water, and an- other of 110 ~allons of cold water an40 lbs. of sulphuric acid. These two liquids mixed together form what isulled compound No.1. Next, 50 gal- lons of crude petroleum, 40 lbs. of asplaltum, 10 lbs. of powdered lime, and 10 lbs. of zopissa are boiled together~nd mixed with a pint of sulphuric acid to form compound No. 2. The tuber to be preserved is immersed in compound No. 1 for a quarter of an hsar, and then dried for a day or two, and afterward it is, by the aid of a ta: brush, coated on all sides by com- pound No. 2. WELDING ThoNWilliam Bridges Idams, the well known English engi- neer, has taken out a patent in Engllnd for welding iron, the chief points of which are, that he drst makes theturfaces to be joined perfectly true, clean, and close dttiug, by planing or therwise, and.then heats them by the aid of jets of gas and air supplied undlr pressure. Mr. Adams proposes, by the aid of this process, to form guns led other articles by welding together halves or segments which have been repared by rolling. This specideation is well worthy of the attention of thwe interested in welding. DEE55ING MILLsroNEs.Bobert Thong, of Glasgow, Scotland, has taken out an English patent for machineryfor leveling and dressing millstones by the aid of diamond or other suitabb cutters, which have a rectilineal mo- tion only given to them. BUILDING BLocKsLouis Mumenloff, of St. Marys Axe, has taken out an English patent, as a communication 1~om NicolausSchroder, of Creuzuach, Rhenish Prussia, for compositions fosforming blocks to be used for building purposes. One of the mixtures propaed consists of 100 cwt. of cold ashes or coke slag, 16 cwt. of hydraulic cemnt or lime, and 1 cwt. of Portland ce- ment. The materials are to be wlrked together in a pug mill, and then rammed into molds. The blocks fo:med harden in the air, and they may also be further hardened by treatingthem with waterblass. PRESERvING WooDWin. II. LaIn, as the agent of Segismund Beer, of New York city, has taken out an Entlish patent for a method of preserving wood by treating it with a boiling silution of borax, the object being to re- move the perishable matters withost injuring the woody substance. The wood may, if desired, be impreguatd with tar or other substances after the above treatment. h~ vvg~n~ent~, IJWII1?ESPOYDENTS who e pect to receive a swers to their tetters must, in all cases, gn their names. We have a right to know those who see in- formatton from us; beside, as sometimes happ s, we may refer to ad- dress correspondents by mail. SPECIAL NOTEThis column is designed for the general terest and in. struction of our readers, notfor gratssitous replies to questions of apurely business or personal nature. We wilt publish such inquiries, however, hen paid for as advertisemets at $1 00 a line, under the head of Est ness asld Personal. 8~All reference to back numbers should be by volume and page. William Mason, of OregonTharty nine dollars received of Wells, Fargo & Co., October 5, 1065., said to have been sent by the above. No advices accompany the money; what 15 lt for T. J. M., of Ontario.Neither 1j3abbl~ metal or any compo- sition of metals for bearings will sil well suit 3eiui caseas boxes made of hard maple. These can be adapted to the shaftby the use of oil and plum- bago. This composition will give a surface ihr shaft journals fully equal to that of the best anti-friction metals. It wilk not soon wear out, and will offer less resistance to friction than any otl\~r substance with which we are acquainted. In fact, the value of wood as~s substitute of metal in me- chanical operations and constructions seems, t~ us, to be verymuchunder- rated. An article in a previous number entitle~~ Mechanical Skill Shown Without Mechanical Appliances gives some ficts that show the adapta- bility of wood and its use in machinery. N. H. D., of Mich.A hollow iron bar containing the same amount of metal as a solid one, and of the same extreme length would re- sist a greater strain, if suspended by its ends ned the weight applied be- tween, than the solid bar. But a solid bar would resist a greater strain of tension or twisting, or of rupture by beingdrawn longitudinally apart, than a hollow one of the same diameter, as in qvident by comparing a one inch bar of wrought iron and a gas pipe of similar diameter. H. R. P., of MassA pan of water set upon a hot stove will sometimes commence and continue rockin,, for a while; why is it? Ans. The heat generates vapor of water, or steam at the bottom which in ex- panding between the stratum of waterand the bottom of the pan, reacts upon it and sets it to rocking, provided the bottom is not perfectly dat. The sudden expansion of the cold metal of the pan might also be supposed to account for the fact; vide the old; experiment of a hot bar of iron laid across two edges of cold metal described in text-hooks on physics. The matter you claim as a discovery, we cannot notice unless you transmit to us the evidence that you are the discoverer, and the ~methods by which you demonstrate the fact. J. C. S., of Mass., writes us to ascertain the chemical process by which cotton is separated from wool, which he says is well known to manufacturers in this country and inEurope. Will any of our correspond- ents give us the information? A. (1k. C., of To make iron combine with sulphur you should drst heat the iron. It may be successfully done, however, by pro- jecting into a red hot crucible, little by little, a mixture of sulphur and iron dlings, maintaining all the while a high temperature. When all has been put in the crucible it should be covered and the mass heated until it fuses. R. B., of N. J.There are patent signals which would be very useful to notify passengers when approaching stations, and it is the fault of railroad companies that such signals are not in use. (1k. C. of OhioA State court has no jurisdiction in patent causes where the trial in for infringement, but if a fraud has been prac- ticed upon you, you can commence suit in a state court. R. A., of PaIf a party has been using your invention, the very fact of such use is good evidence of its utility, and would assist you / in maintaining a claim for damages. C. and P., of KyIt is a frequent occurrence to receive elec- tric sparks from lare belts running at high speed. Those you described had probably no connection with the meteoric shower occurring at the time. H. B. C., of Pa., writes us that iron turnings in Pittsburghare worth from dfteen to eighteen dollars per gross tun, delivered at the iron milisfor manufacture. C., of Mass~The concave lens of an opera glass, only pro- duces sufficient divergence in the rays conveyed by the convex lens that distinct vision is produced. Being placed within the focal distance of the convex lens, no inversion takes phace. B. F. K., of N. Y.Soapstone is found at Grafton, Athens, Westdeld, and Marlborough, Vt., and in many other places, in N.H., Mass., N. C., Md., and Va. It can be made into slate pencils by sawing. ~nz4 ~ev~rnd~ The Charge for Insertion under this head is One Dollar a Line. ~f the Notices eRceed Pour Lines, an PEtra Charge will be made. Manufacturers and dealers in farming implements should ad- vertise in the Mobile, Ala., Weekly Register See advertisement, back page. Francis & Loutrel, 45 Maiden Lane, have a fine assortment of diaries and daily journals for the new year. Manufacturers of punches please send address to Geo.. C. Wil- der, Manhattan, Kansas. Water-power,with grist & sawmill, 90 miles from N.Y.,for sale, good location for paper mill or manufactory. H. Stewart, Stroudsbur,,, Pa. Inventors, master mechanics, and machinists who wish to keep posted on the doings of manufacturers in every part of the United Sfates, should read the Boston Commercial Bulletins special reports. Bulletin, $4 a year. For first-class white oak plow handles address Clute, Van Dc Mark & Co., Waterloo, N. Y. Lead pipe, sheet and bar. For a good article address Bailey, Farrell & Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. Dont use green lumber. To dry it, in 2 days, for $1 per M, address Superheated Steam, ill Fulton st., N.Y. Dries all substances. Manufacturers AttentionAn eligible location in a large and growing town near New York, on deep tide water, and very accessible, will be given to a reliable manufacturing company who will erect build- ings for manufacturing purposes. Address M. E. Mend, Darien Depot, Ct. Stimson~s velocipede two, three, or four-wheeled power great, applied to best advantage, balances itself, runs up heavy grades, in heavy sand, or mud, on snow or ice. Patented in Ontario and Quebec. United States and European Patents pending through the Scientidc Amer- ican Patent Agency. James Otlinson, M.D., St. George, Brant Co. Out., Ca. Fire-arm patent for saleThe patent for breech-loading fire- arm, issued to Robert E. Stephens, June 11, 1807. A new and useful im- provement. For terms, address C. Legge, box 713, New York Postoffice. J. H. White, Newark, N. J., will make and introduce to the trade all descriptions of sheetl!andcast metal small wares, dies and tools for all kinds of cutting and stnn~ping, patterns, etc., etc., for new and ex- perimental work. For .Olmsteds oiler, described in No. 26, last volume, SCIEN- TIFIC AMERIcAN, address L. H. Olmsted, No.1 Center st., New York. Pecks patent drop press. For circulars, address the sole man- ufacturers, MOb Peck & Co., New Haven, Ct. Thomas James, No. 2 Coenties Slip, New York, wishes to ob- tain the address of a manufacturer of iron pipe lined with glass. Piano makers should advertise in the Mobile, Ala., Weekly Register. Its musical, art, and dramatic columns, make it a great favorite with the ladies. Sewing-machine manufacturers can dod no medium equal to it for advertising their machines. WantedA good man, thoroughly posted in the working of spoke and wheel-makin, machiaery,as foreman in a wheel factory at Mari- etta, Ohio. A good salary will be paid to one who can come well recom- mended. Address F. W. Minshsll, See;, Postoffice box 204, Marietta, Ohio. See A. S. & J. Gear & Co.s advertisement elsewhere. Keep posted. For descriptive circular of the best grate bar in use, address Hntchinson& Laurence, No.5 Bey st., New York. For solid wrought-iron beams, etc., see advertisement. Address Union Iron Mills, Pittsburgh, Pa., for Lithograph, etc. Portable pumping machineyy t9 mrat~ of any capacity desired and pass sand and grayel without injury. W. D. Andrews & Brother, 414 Water st., New York. - N. C. Stiles pat. punching and drop presses, Middletown, Ct. Prangs American chromos for sale at all respectable art stores. Catalogues mailed free by L. Prang & Co., Boston. The condition of affairs in the Southern States is of deep inter- est to business men now. They should read a reliable journal from a cen- tral point there. The Mobile Register, Daily or Weekly, is a most excellent news and commercial paper. Subscribe for it. See advertisement outside. Winans boiler powder, N. Y., removes and prevents incrusta- tions without injury or foaming; 11 years in use. Beware of imitations. The paper that meets the eye of all the leading manufacturers throughout the United StatesThe Boston Bulletin. Issued by the United States Patent Office. FOR THE WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 15, 1868. Reported Officially for the Scientific American. SCHEDULE OF PATENT OFFICE FEES: On Sling ascIi caveat $10 On Sling each application for a Patent (seventeen years) $15 On issuing each original Patetat $20 On appeal to Commissioner of Patents $20 On application for Reissue $00 On application for Extension of Plktent $10 On granting the Extension $50 On Olin, a Disclaimer $10 On dung application for Design (three ends half years) $10 On Olhing application for Design (seven yesrs) $15 On Oiling application for design (fourteen years) $10 In addition to which there are some small revenue-stamp taxes. Residents of Canada and Nova Scotia pay $500 on application. Patents and Patent Chaims.---The number of patents issued weekly having become so great, with a probablity of a continual in ease, has decided us to publish, in future, other and more interesting matter in place of the Claims. The Claims have ceca ted from three to four pages a week, and are believed to be of interest to inty a comparative few of our read- ers. The publication of the names of pahntees, and title of their inventions, will be continued; and, also, as hes-etofors, a brief descs-iption of the most im- portant inventions. We have made sucharrange nts that we are not only prepared tofsernish co tea of Claims, bat full Spec9lcations at the anne ed rices: Per copy of Claim of ny Patent issued w hin 10 years *1 A sketch from the model or drawing, relating to such portion of a machine as the Claim cosers,from upward, but usually at the price abets named. The full Specification of any patessi issued since Nov. 20, 1866, at which time the Patent Office commence printing in Official Copies of Drawings of any patessl issued since 1806, we can supply at a reasonable cost, the price depending upsn the amoussi of labor involved and the number of views. Putt information, as to price of drawings, in each case, may be had by address- ing 1VIUNN & CO., Patent Solicit s, No. 37 Park 11am, Niw Yor 54,S51.SLIDR FOR HANGING UPRIGHT SAWs.Ashbel P. Barlow, St. John, Canada. S4,552.SIDE SCRAPER FOR WELLSElias Beach, Titus- villa, Pa. 84,853.Om INJECTOR FOR STRAIt AND OTHER ENGINERY. Robert Brayton, Fremont, Ohio. 84,854. INSTRUMENT FOR ACUPUNCTURATICN. Anson B. Brown, M. DAihion, Mich. 13 84,855.MODE OF PRESERVING BAIT FOR FIsHING.Edward H. Buruham (assignor to himself and George Brown), Gloucester, Mass. 84,856.ROOFING COMPOsITIONBork Capron,LeeCenter,N.Y. 84,857.HARVESTER RAKEB. Carkhuff (assignor to himself and T. H. Wilson), Lewisbur,h, Pa. 84,858.CHTJIuN.James Carleton, Walla Walla, Washington Territory. 84,859.FinE SHIELDJohn C. Clarke, La Grange, Mich. 84,860.HAm CUTTING SHEAR5.L. D. Craig, Nevada City,Cal. 84,861.HEEL FOR Boors AND SHOEsAlbert 0. Crane, Bos- ton, Mass. 84,862.BOOT JACKJoseph Darden, Washington, D. C. 84,863.BRICK MACHINEJames C. Dean, Chicago, Ill. 84,864.GAsKET PACKING FOR STEAM AND OTHER ENGINERY. Byron Densmore, New York city. 84,865.GAME OF CoLoRsCharles H. Douglas, Hartford, \Conn. 84,866.PRocEss OF SCREENING CHARCOAL.J. S. Evans, Iron- dale, Mo. 84,S67.COMPOUND FOR DESTROYING INsEcTsWin. B. Fair- bairn, Ridotie township, Ill. 84,868.MErHoD OF ATTACHING KNOBS TO THEIR SPINDLES. Win. A. Feun, Wolcott N. Y. 84,869.BLANK BooKHerman Fischer, Chicago, Ill. I 84,870MACHINE FOR DISTRIBUTING FERTILIzErus.John F. Fisher, Greencastle, Pa., assignor to himself and Daniel Breed, Washing- ton, D.C. 84,871.SHOEMAKERS BENCHDaVid Fisk, and J. M. Blod- gett, Clyde, N. Y. 84,872.LooM.Wm. T. Flinn (assignor to Barton H. Jencks), Brideiburgh, Pa. 84,873.BELAYING CLEATCharler S.H.Foster, Deer Isle, Me. 84,874.MENTSRUAL BECEIVERTheodore A. Gamage, Bos- ton, Mass. 84,875.PIPE CoUpLING.Hachadoor P. Garbadian, Philadel- -delphia, Pa. 84,876.CoRN HU5KER.J. Irving Gordon, Sing Sing, N. Y. Antedated Dec. 11, 1868. 84,877.TinE EOR FLOORS, SIDEWALKS, ETCJohn Gray, San Francisco, Cal. 84,878.MODE OF FASTENING INDIA-RUBBER TIRES ON CAR- RIAGE WREEL5.J. Ashion Greene Brooklyn, N.Y. S4,S79.SImKy HARROW.E. W. Hewitt, Pacatonia, Ill. 84,SSO.SPIRIT LEVELCollins F. Hill, Hamilton, Ohio. An- tedated Dec. s, 1868. 84,SSl.METALLIC LATHIsaac V. Holmes, New York city. S4,882.MANUFACTURE OF FANs.Edmund S. Hunt, Wey- mouth, Mass. 84,883.ROcK DRILLMichael Keefer, Millstone Point, Md. 84~8S4.DOVETAILING MACHINECharles F. Kuhule, Wash- ington, D. C. 84,SSS.FI5HING TACKLE.J. D. Leach, and Sabin Hutchings, Penobscot, Me. 84,SS!3.--REVOLVING PILE HOOK.J. D. Leach, and Sabin Hutchings, Penobseot, Me. 83,SS7.HARVEsTER.~Samuel K. Lighter and Joseph Curtis, Hamilton, Ohio. Antedated Dec. 3, 1868. 84,888.APPARATUS FOR COOLING LIQUIDS ON DRAFT.JO- seph Link, United States Army. 84,889.--GAs HEATERDavid H. Lowe, Boston, Mass. 84,890.COVER FOR FUEL MAGAZINE IN BASE BURNING SvovEs.Egbert Macy (assignor to John H. Keyser), New York city. 84,SOt.SEAL-BOLT FOR RAILWAY CarsPeter H. Mann, and Griffith P. Terry, Albany, N. Y., assignors to Andrew B. Uline, and G. G Kidder. 84,892.WAGoN BoxThomas H. Marcy, Wiudham, Ohio. 84,S93.PROCESS OF CURING HAMS, BEEF, AND OTHER MEATS. Oliver M. Martin, Ann Arbor, Mich. - S4,S94.PLATE OR SALVERH. McManus and John B. Hat- ting, New York city. S4,895.WHEAT DRILLDaniel McSherry, Dayton, Ohio. 84,896.RAILWAY SWITCH SIGNALI. Ferguson Morsell, Stamford, Coun. 84,897.STA-orE MACHINECharles Murdock, Hartford, Conn. S4,898.WAITERMACIIINE Daniel F. Myers, New York city. 84,899.FA5TENING FOR CORSETSPeter H. Niles and Frank W. Marston, Boston, Mass. Antedated Dec. 2, 1868. 84~OOO.GRoMMEr~~JosephW Norcros~, Boston, Mass. An- tedated Nov. 10, 1868. 84,901.BRIcK MACHINEJohn W. Pease, (assignor to him- self, leonard Willets and Isaac Willets), Belmont, N. Y. 84,9O2.BUTTON-HOLE CUTTER.William S. Porter, Boston, Mass. 84,9O3.CLOTH-MEASURING APPARATUS.JOhR Edwin Race and Aaron Smith, Chicago, Ill. S4,9O4.MACHINE FOR WASHING PRINTERS INK-ROLLERS. 0. H. Reed and Ass L. Carrier, Washington, D. C. S4,9O5.MPARATUS FOR SHEARING SHEEPHiram A. Reid, Beaver Dam, Wis. 84,906.CIGAR CASESelden N. Risley, Brooklyn, N. Y. 84,9O7.MACHINE FOR RIVETING HINGEsHenry M. Bitter,. Covingion, Ky. 84,9O8.BAKING PANSullivan W. Rogers, Harwich, Mass. 84,909.CLAMp FOR SUSPENDING PASTE-BOARD AND OTHER FAintlcsEdwin H. Sampson, Boston, Mass. 84,910.HAND CULTIVATORJohn Scheiblin and John Heita- man, Philadelphia, Pa. 84,Oll.ClinTrVAToR AND PLowSamuel F. Seely, Whitford, Mich. Antedated Dec. 11, 1868. S4,Ol2.PUMPING-ENGINE.~Thomas Shaw, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to himself and Philip S. Justice. 84,913.WINDOW-SHUTTER.5 M. Sherman, Fort Dodge; Iowa. 84,914.AUTOMATTC STOP COCK FOR GAS Bua EIiS.George E. Smith, San Francisco, Call. 84,915.HAT IRONING MACHINEGeorge W. Stout and John C. Richardson, Newark, N. J. assignor to themselves, James Davis, Jr., and S. R. Hawley, assignors to said Stout, James H. Prentice, said Davis, Jr.,snd Hawley. 84,916.SAw GRINDERElms Strange, Elms W; Strange, and Emerson C. Strange, Taunton, Mass. 84,917.HoRsE RAKEEdwin J. Toof, Fort Madison, Iowa. S4,DlS.WASH-BOILER.Charles N. Tyler, New York city. 84,9l9.CLoTHEs LINE REELJOhn Valentine and Henry B. Stevens, Buffalo, N. Y. 84,920.BASE BURNING STOVEHenry B. Van Benthuysen, Emprorium, Penn. 84,921.MILK CANH. M. Viets, Carlisle, Ohio. 84,922.BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMEl-ReSt Von Jeinsen, New York city. 84,923.HYDRAULIC WASH BOThER.J. B.Waring, Brooklyn N. Y., assignor to Hirsin Duryes, New York city, assignor to E. W. Dick son, Chelsea, Vt. 84,924.---WASHING MACHINE. Aretus A. Wilder and John Wilder, Detroit, Mich. 84,925.BELT FATENER.G. Greenleaf Wilson, Nashua, N. H. 84,926.CLIppING SHEARSJohn C. Wilson, Adam Walker,. and John Foster, New York city. S4~O27.HARVESTER.GGOTgG W. N. Yost, Corry, Pa., assignor to the Corry Machine Company. 84,928.--CLOTHES DRYERWin. H. Acker,Tarrytown, N.Y. 84,929.BREECHIOADING FIRE-ARMEthan Allen, Worces- ter, Mass. 84,93O.SToVEpIpE DAMPER.--LGvi 0. Allen, Gardiner, Me. 84,93l.CULTIVAToR.-Clark Alvord, Westford, Wis. 84,932.MoDE OF PLATING SCALES WITH HARD RUBBER, FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CUTLERY, A D FOR OTHER PuRrosEs.For- dyes Beals, New Haven, Coon. 84,933.(1~A COUPLING.W. G. Bell, Pitsburgh, Pa. 84,934.MoDE OF RECOVERING USEFUL PRODUCTS FROM THE WASTE LIQUOR OF GELATIN ACTORIE5.Frederick Biho, nod Wilhiiim Schrsder, Frankford, Pa. S4~O3S.-CULTIvAToR.Joseph H. Brinton, Thorubury town- ship, Pa. 84,936.CoRN PLANTER--John D. Chambers (assignor to him- self and Erasmus D. Rowland), Carthage, Mo. 84,937.HEAD BLOCKJohn F. Cook (assignor to George F. Page, Joseph Roberts and George L. MeCahan), Baltimore, Md. 84,938. BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARM. Joseph B. Cooper Birmingham, England. 84,939.HoIsTING AND DUMPING APPARATUS.W. B. Cuiver~, Scranton, Pa. 84,940.AxLE.Edward Finn, Berlin, Wis. i~ntifi~ inet~i~u, [JANUARY 1, 1869. 84,941.PoRTAT~E-GAs APPARATUSWilliam Foster, Jr., and 85,013CURTAIN FIXTUREAlbert Lovie, Philadelphia, Pa., Engineering, Metallurgy, Metal Working, ~Lvigation, Paper Makin~, Philo- George P. Ganster, New York city. assignor to Charles F. Steinbach. sophical Instruments, Presses, Printin~ aul Stationery,Eailroads and Oars, 84,942.MUZZLE FOR SHOT GUNsJohn Fry, Latrobe, Pa. 85,017.Toy PISTOL.Thomas B. Marable, Petersburg, Va. Sports, Games, and Toys, Stone Worktn~, lorgical Apparatus, Wearing Ap- 84,943.DRESSING GLASS REFLECTOR.Charles Ftirber, Lon- 85,018.MAURhIAL FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BoxEs, Pie- parel, Wood Workin~. don, En,land. TUBE FRAMES, BuTToNs, INsULATORS, INESTA us, AND OTHERA TICLES. MUEN & Co. deem it safe to say that nealy one-third of the whole number John Mnd~e Merrick, Jr., Boston, lass., assignor to New England Vul- 84,944.LOOKING GLASS SUPPORTWilliam H. Grey, NeW canite Hide Compauy. of applications made for patents during ~he past fllteen years has passed York city. Antedated December 8, 1q65. 85019SPADING MACHINELoring Moody, Maiden, Mass. through their Agency. 84,945.GATE LATCHBenjamin Hendrickson, Huntington, New York. 85;020.MANUFACTURE OF KNIVES AND FORKsCharles A. The important advantages of Mu N & u.s Agency are that their practice 84,946.PLOW.W. Upton Hoover, Daysville, Ky. Moore, Wesibrook, Conn. has been ten-fold breater than any otheiAgency in existeifee, with the ad- 84,947.SCHooL DESK AND SEATAlfred Ilutchinson (assign- 85,021.CYLINDRICAL SAWCharles Murdock,Hartford, Coun. ditional advantage of haviub the assista~ce of the best professional skill in or to himself and Stephen H. Markley, Philadelphia, Pa. 85,822.MACHINE FOR GRINDING GLASS FRUIT JARS. every department, and a Branch Office 5t Washington which watches and 84,948.DEVICE FOR P P1 G, ETCJohn Johnson, Saco, Me. Michael Neckermaun, Pittsburg, PS~ - supervises all thoir cases as they pass thaugh official examination. If a case 84,949.BEDSTEAD FASTENINGWin. Johnson,Appleton,Wis. 85,023.PORTABLE WARDEOBEGerrit Niermaun, Cincinna- is rejected for any cause, or objection~ ade to a claim, the reasons are in- INKSTAND.J. M~ Kennedy, ti, Ohio. 84,950.REVOLVING Vi~ksburg, 85,024MACHINE FOR CLEAK::TJ COTTO Benjamin J. F. quired into and communicated to the Mplicant, with sketches and explana- Mississippi. Owen, Memphis, Tenn. tions of the references; and should it a~ear that the reasons given are in- 84,951.SUSPENDER FOR ScIssoRs.J. H. Kuttuer, Hemp- stead, Texas. 85,025.WAGON BRAKE.D. J. Owen, Springville, Pa. sufficient, the claims are prosecuted im diately and the rejection set aside, 84,952.STREET LAMP.Frederi~k Lange (assigner to himself 85,026.CHURNS. H. Owen, Stewartsville, Mo. and usually with and Rgmond Lichienberger, Chicago, Ill. 85;027.STEERING APPARATUSS. C. Richards, St. Louis, Mo. __________ 84,953.CHURN DASHEREli H. Lord and Willard Thomson, 85,028.MACHINE FOR T IMMING WELTED SEAMSWilliam Homer. N. Y. H. Rounds, North Bridgewater, Mass. 84,954.WRIST PAN TURNERPhilo Maitby, Cleveland, Ohio. 85,029--FOUNTAIN LAMP.M. Samuels, New York city. NO EXTRA OHARGE ~O THE APPLIOANT1 84,955.PROPAGATING BoXAlbert D. Manchester, West- 85,030.MODE OF SHAVING AND POLISHING SKINS--Christian port, Mass. Schmitz, Philadelphia, Pa. MUEN & Co. are determined to place wihin the reach of those who confide to 84,956.HARROWB. T. Martin, Charlotte, Mich. 85,031.WASH BoILER.Edward Seeley, Scranton, Pa. them their business the highest professbnal skill and experience. 84,957.PLOWING HOEThomas J. Mason, Harmony, Me. 85,032.REPAIRING WHIPSC. R. Shelton, New Haven, Ct; Those who have made inventions ani desire to consult with us are cor- 84,958.HoRsEsHoE.J: J. Merversp, ~eW York city. 85,033.FARM GATEDaniel Shockey3 Waynesborouglo, Pa. dially invited to do so. We shall be hwpy to see them in person, at our 84,959.SEWING MACHINE Nicholas Meyers, Buffalo, N. Y. 85,034.CAR BRAKE.L. S. Sisson, West Edmeston, N. Y. office, or to advise them by letter. In dl cases they may expect from us 84,960.KNIFE CLEANERWilliam Miller, Chicopee, Mass. Antedated December 5,1868. an honest opinion. For such consultatioi, opinion, and advice, we ma e no 84,961.GAS SocKETGeorge Mooney (assignor to Mooney, 85 035.CORN SHELLER.J. P. Smith, Hummeistown, Pa. charfe. A pen-and-ink sketch and a dcecription of Ilse invention should be Arnold, and Shaw), Providence, B. I. 85036.NECK-TIE.W. S. Smoot, Washington, D. C. sent. Write plainly, do not use pencil r pale ink. 84,962.APPARATUs FOR TURNING THE LEAVES OF MUSIC 85,037.MACHINE FO MAKING PAPER COLLA sCharles To Apply for a Patent, a model nust be furnished, not over a foot BooKsAmos Knights Noycs, Lynn, Mass. Spofford, and Charles H. Montague, Boston, Mass. 84,963.RAILWAY CAR BRAKE.D. J. Parmele, San Francisco, 85,038.PLATE FOR ARTIFICIAL TEETHLeander H. Streeter tO any dimension. Send model to Mum & Co., 87 Psi-k Row, New York, Cal., assignor to himself and J. H. Currier, Springfield. Ill, Chelsea, Mass. by express, charges paid, also a descri~ion of the improvement, and remit 84,964.TooL FOR CUTTING MOItDINGS.D. W. Perry (assign- . 85,039.DRAFT EQUALIZERRiChard Walker, and George $16 to cover first Goverhment feS, revense and postage stamps. or to himself and 0. K. Moore), Wilkesbarre, Pa. Trumbull, Batavia, N. Y. The model should be neatly made of ar*~ suitable materials, siron,,ly fast- 84,96ThSANITARY BRACE TO KEEP THE MOUTH CLOSED DUR- 85,040.SHUTTLE FOR SEWING MACHINEsAlbin Warth; ened, without glue, and neatly painted. T~e name of tbe inventor should be I C SLEEP. F. Piuckard, New Orleans. La. Stapleton, N. Y., assignor to himselfand Eberhard Faber. efigraved Gr painted upon it. When the ~oVeetion consists of asi improve- 84,966. STOVE DOOR HANDLE.William F. Redding, Sarato- 85,041.HAT CONFORMATOR.E. Z. Webster, Norwich, Conn ga Springs, N. Y. 042.BUR ING KILNGustav A. Wedekind, and . . went upon some other machine, a full wo;king model of the whole machine Helmuth 84,967.MANUFACTURE AND APPLICATION OF GAS FOR VA- New York city, will not be necessary. But the model mist be sufficiently perfect to shoW, RIOUS USEFUL PURPosEsPeter Salmon, London, Rug. 85 043.RIDDLE FOR GRAIN SEPARATORSGeorge A. Wells, with clearness, the nature and operation .f the improvement. 84,968.BELT HOOKCharles G. Sargent, Graniteville, Mass. Oskaloosa, Iowa. Preliminary Examination is made into the novelty of an coven- 84,969.RAILROAD CAR-HEATING APPARATUs.Elihu Spen- 85,044.HARVESTER RAitECyrenus Wheeler, Jr., Auburn, tion by personal search at the Patent Ofice, which embraces all patented cer, Elizabeth, N. J. N. Y. 84,970.PLoW.J. L. Stearns, Mahomet, Ill. 85,045.HARVESTERWilliam N. Whiteley, Springfield, inventions. For this special search aid report in writing a fee of $5 is 84,971.MmLsroNE DRESsBenjamin C. Stephens, Houston, Ohio. CASTING charged. Missouri. 85,043.CHILL FOR WHEEL~.Walleam Caveats are desirable if an inventor S not fully prepared to apply for 84,972.Box FOR PILLS, ETCBenjamin F. Stephens, Brook- min,,ton, Toledo, Ohio. lyn, N. Y. 85,047.LAMP CHIMNEYS. H. Wilmot, Bridgeport, Cona. Patent. A Caveat affords protection for ore year against the issue of a patent 84,973.MILK CAN.L. A. Sunderland, Chagrin Falls, Ohio. 85,048.SLUIcE GATj3x--John s. Wi ~, Harveysburg, Ohio. to another for the same invention. C eat papers should be carefully 84,974.FASTENING FOR NECK TvsDennis H. Tierney, ____________ prepared. Waterbury, Coun. Reissnes.A patent, when discoverefito be defective, may be reissued, 84,975.CHANDELIERJames . Travis, New York city. . REISSUES. by the surrender of the original patent aid the filing of amended papers. be taken with gres~ care. 84,976.REVoLvING FIRE-ARM.FTaIIk Wesson, Worcester, August his proc Massachusetts. 49,069.MANUFACTURE OF PAPER STOCKDated 84,977.STEAM HEATERPhineas D.Wesson, Providence R I 1585 reissue 8,225.Henry Beits, Norwalk, Coun. Designs, Trade . rks, and Coalsositions can be patented for 84,978.WATE BACK FOR SToVEs AND RANGESStephen 64,492.5A5H STOPDated May 7, 1837 ; reissue 3,229. a term of years ; also new medicines or melical compounds, and useful mix- Wilks, Chicago, Ill. Anted-ted December 9, 1868. - harles Clapp (assignee of Calvin Cole), Ithaca, N. V. tures of all kinds. 84,979.SLED BRAKE James Willis, Muffin, Wis. 83,770.MATERIAL FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BoxEs AND When the invention consists of a medicine or compound, or a new article 84,980.CHEESE TABLE.E. L. Yancy, Batavia, N. Y. OTHER A TIcLES-Dated November 3, lBS ; reissue 3,210.-Maurice Fitz- .ofmauufacture, or a new composition, samples of the article must be fur- gibbons, New York city. 84,981.~-MANUFACTURE OF ILLUMINATING GAS, WITH OTHER 73,823.DIE PREssDated January 28, 1838 ; reissue 3,2.31. nished, neatly put up. Also, send us a full statement of the inbredients, pro- PRoDucTsJohn Absterdam, New York city. John Mays, and Eliphalet W. Bliss, Brooklyn, N. V. 84,982.BALING PRESSJames M. Albertson, New London, Ct. 74,168LIFE-PRESERVING APPARATUSDated February 4 portions, mode of preparation, uses, and merits. 83,983.DEVICE FOR SINGEING HORSESJabez Alexander 1868 ; reissue 39 2.John B. Stoner, Leo sld M~ndelson, and Theodore Patents can be Extended,AIl patents issued prior to 1861, clod Nashua, N. H. , Crommelin, New York city, assignees of oho B. Stoner. now in force, may be extended furs period of seven years upon the present- 84,984.DooR AND SHUTTER FASTENERJOseph Anser, 65 238.MACHINE FOR RUBBING ANB MIXING PAINTS CHEM- atiun of proper testimony. The extended term of a patent is frequently of Mount Vernon, N. V. Antedated December 12, ~ IcALS, FERTILIZERS, ETcDated lay 2l~ 186i ; reissue 3,231.B 84,985.RUBBER ERASERWilliam N. Bartholomew, Newton oule, Baltimore, Md. ubert much greater value than the first term, but an application for an extension, ATTACHMENTDated October 23 1860 - reissu~ to be successful, must be carefollyprepared. MUNE & Co. have h. fi a lar,,e Center, Mass., assignor to Joseph Beckendurfer, New York city. 3,234.A. E. Taylor, New Britain, Coon. experience in obtaining extensions, and are prepared to give reliable advice. 84,986.ASH SIFTERF. G. Beach, Hartford, Conn. 39,439.BRUSHDated August 4, 1863 ; reissue 3,235.John Interferencesbetween pending applicationshefore the Commissioners are 84,987.SASH FASTENER AND ADJUSTERAlma Bedford, L. Whiting, Boston, Mass. Coldwater, Micls. managed ~nd testimony taken ; also Assignments, Agreements and Licenses 84,988.~DENrIsTs FLASKC. P. Bellows, Gloversviule, N. Y. prepared. In fact there is no branch ofthe Patent Business which MUEF & Co. 84,989.RADIATOREdward S. Blake, Pittsburg, Pa. . DESIGNS. ale not fully prepared to underoske sod manage with fidelity and dispatch 84,990.BELL PULLSterling Bonsall, and Louis Hillebrand, 3,291.-CABINET ORGAN CASEFranz Doerschnck, New _________ Philadelphia, Pa. ~ , , ~ Raven, Coon. 84,991.PUMP.J. F. Brickley, Winchester, lad. 3,292.FORK OR S~oo HANDLE--Henry H. Hayden, New 84,992.STEAM ENGINE THROTTLE VALviixHenry C. Bull, York city, assignor to Holmes, Booth, and Haydens, WaterburyCoon. EuROPEAN PATENTS. and Samuel T. Shelley, Louisville, Ky. 3,293 to 3,295.FLOOR CLOTH PATTERNCharles T. Meyer, A - that, as a general rule, 84,993.LAMP BuaNRn.Charles W. Cahoon, Me. Bergen, N. J., assi.,nor to Edward C. Sampson. Three patents, merse an inventors ar so 84,994.BEE HoUsE.W. Carter, St. Louis, Mo. 3,296.FIGURECarl Muller (assignor to Nicholas Muller), any invention that is valuable to the patentee in this country is 84,~95.VAPoR AND STEAM CONDENSER, TO BE APPLIED TO New York city, worth equally as much in En~I d and some other foreign countries. Five JIREWERS BOILERSA n LIKE APPARATUSC. Clifford, Fulton, N.Y. ~ PatentsAmerican, English, Ibench, Belgian and Prussianwill secure an inventor exclusive monuply Ia his discovery among ONE HUNDRED A 0 84,996.LIQUID COOLERWilliam A. ColSten, Great Bend, Pa. 84,997.FIRE ALARMJesse Coulson, Oskaloosa, Iowa. i NT THIRTY MILLIONS of the must intelligent people in the world. The facilties 84,998. -IBAG TIE.-David Dick, and Oliver W. Pleston, Jr., .Lil ULIIUfl ~, of business and Steam communication are such that patents can be obtained Corning, N. V. AntedatedDecember 9,1888. abroad by our citizens almpst as easily as at home. MUNE & Co. have pre- 84,999.HoRs~ HAY RAKEA. T. Dunbar, Alba, Pa. pared and taken a larder number of European patents than an~ othei- 85,000 .STm~I GENERATOR.FIaRCi5 B.Dunn, New York city. \ C ~ ~ ~ ~ American Agency. They halo Agents of great experience in London, Paris, 85,001.CULTIVAToR. Goorge M. Dwight, Oregon, Ill. Berlin, and other cities. 85 002.PORTABLE PUMP.F. Eichler, New Lisbon, Wis. OF : For inst~uctions concerning Foreigh Patents, Reissues, Interferences, 85 003.SOLDERING MACHINE.ValEtOtille Fath, Philip Fath, Hints on Sellin,. Patents, Eulesand Proceedings at the Patent Office, the Pat and Julius Frielingdorf, St. Louis, Mo. I M U ~N I~T & C 0 . , ent Laws, etc., see our lnstrndtion Book. Sent free by mail on application. 85,004.SIGNAL LANTE~ NJohn Graham, Grafton, W. Va. Those who receive more than one copy thereof will oblige by preSenting 85,005.PREPARATION OF SULPHATES, AND THE MANUFAC- Park Row, New York. itto their friends. TUE OP FINE SILVER TEE EFRO F. Gutzkuw, San Francisco, Cal. N 85,006.SLOW CLOSING VALVE FOR WATER CLOSETSCharles Address all cummunicationsto Harrison, New York city. 85,007.GRAI DRYERHenry Henley, Shoals, and John J. 1~IIJNN & CO., Beinhari, Loogootee, Ind. For a period of nearly twenty-five years MUEN & Cu. have occupied the 85,008. CARRIAGE SPRING.Frank A. Huntington, San Fran- position ofleadin~ Solicitors ofAmerican and European Patents, and during NO. 31 Park 110w, New York City. cisco, Cal. this extended experience of nearly a quarter of a century, they have cx- Office in Washington, corner of F and 7th streets. 85,009.MACHINE FOR CUTTING AND SPLITTING WOOD. amined not less than fiftythousand allebed new inventions, and have pros- Anthony William Jackson, La Crosse, Wis. 85,010. PULVERIZER, LEVELER, AND MARKERLeWis ecuted upward ofthirty thousand apalications forpatents, and, in addition Jones, Funks Grove, Ill. , to this, they have made at the Patent Office over twenty thousand Prelimi- 85,011.COMBINED CORN CRIB AND THRESHING FLOOR. nary Examinationsinto the novelty oiMnveotiuns,with a careful report onthe Schedule of Patent Office Fees: Joseph B. Jordan, and James Campbell, West Alexandria, Ohio. same. On filing each Caveat. . . . . $10 85,012.APPARATUS FCR TIGHTENING BELTSJames M. This wide experience has not been confined to any sin~le class of inven- On filing each application fOr a Palnnt,Osevenieen years) $15 On issuing each original Patent $20 King, Quincy, Mino. tions, but has embraced the whole rasbe of classification, such as Steam and Oil appeal to Commissioner of Patents $20 85,O13AHARNESS PAD DREss.George W: Lawbaugh, Gen- Air Engines, Sewing Machines, Luems and Spinning Machinery, Textile On application for Reissue . $30 On application for Extension of Patent so esco,. Ill. Manufactures, Agriculture and Agr3cultural Implements, Builders Hard- ~rEOtiO~the8IIt~flS1QO $50 85,014APORTABLI~ AND STATIo ARY LANTEHN.LemUel W . ware, Calorifics, Carriages, Chemiosi Processes, Civil Engineering, Brick On filio~ application fur $10 Leary, Norfolk, vs. Makiog, Compusitinos, Feltiob and Hat Making, Fine Arts, Firearms, On filing application forDesigo (three and a half years) $10 85,015.MODE OF PREPARING AND kUSTIC Design (seven years) , $15 ALKALIES, ETcKarl Lieber, Charlottenburg, near Bes-lin, Prussia, as- Manufacture, Grinding Mills, Earvesters, Household Furniture, Hy- O~li~~pplscatcon fur Desi~n (fourteen yesrs) $80 si~nur to E. J Keferetein, Wsshiogton, D. ~. I draulics end Pneumatics, Illuminatioc, Leather Manufacturss, Mechanical of Canada and which there are some small revenue stamp taxes Residents Nova Scotia pay $500 on apphcatiun. .. S 50 MADE BY ONE AGENT IN F OR SALEOne Trip Hammer, in Good p ROF. H. DUSSAUCE, Industrial Chemist, _____________________________________________________ 849 to ONE DAY. New Cheap Sewing Order Cost $1080, will be sold for $100. Also, New Lebanon, N. V. 2* all. Single Machines at less than retail ~ second-hand engines, 30 and 40-horse power, and boilers, Bcclc Pegs 1-to a line g~~$~P and~~srticulars free. Address ASHUELOT ready for use. DENMEAD & SON, ____________________________ ____________________________ AND CONSULTATIONS ON Ins-ide Page ; ,~ ceLls a line. Hinsfiale, N. H. 1 2 1 4 Baltimore, McI. Chemistry applied to Arts and Manufactures, A~gri- cultureete.- Address Prof. H. DUSSAUCE, Chemist, ew Engravings may head aciverlisements alilsi same Pate te- i~pa~u per month guaranteed. Sure Lebanon, N. V. _________________________________________________ where sellin~ our Patent Everlasting hite ire Clothes ~ Osuw ~ H. M. HA line, by scssasaremsnl, as the letlss-ps-ess. ~JA1 pay. Salaries paid weekl t o a~ents - 748 Broadway, V. Lines. Call or write fur particulars to the GIRARD WIRE _______________________ MILLS, 261 North Third St., Philadelphia, Pa. 14 U. S. PATENT OFFICE, OBERT MCCALVEY, Manufacturer of , _____________ Washington, D. C., Dec. 15th, 1868. HOISTING MACHINES AND DUMB WAITERS, AVE BEING SWINDLEDSave your . Jacob A. Van Riper, of Spring Valley, N. V., adminis- 11 Cherry si., Philadelphia, Pa. Muneyby at once subscribing for the STAR SPAN- tralor of the estate of Lewis Van Riper, deceased, hay- GLED BANNER. Exposes huiechugs, and contains forty tog petitioned fur the extension of a patent branted him on the 20th day of March, 1855, for an improvement in culbmos in every number. Only 75c. a year, and a splen- Looms, it is ordered that said petition be heard at this iT he Geni Novelty. did 7remium to EVERY Subscriber. liTow is the lime. Send to STAR SPAN LED BANNER, office on the 1st day of March next. NE OF THE MOST POPU- Hinsfiale, N. H. Any person may oppose this extension. Objections, ________________________________________ and other papers, should be filed in this lar Combinations ever Invented, office twenty days before the day of hearing. Cobines a Buttonhole Cutter, Scissors ELISHA FOOTE, Commissioner of Patents. Sharpener, Work Holder, Spool Stand, ~IIVlD ~iI I liii Ii ~ Uhests __________ Thread Cutter, Seam Ripper, and Glass ___ FOR si ~ utter, in one Ornamental Instrument. ~ HOLIDAY PRESENTS. ~LU!J tf,~CS IlL our. s. PATENT OFFICE, ~?, Price 15c. Sent to any address, prepaid, Washington, D. C., Dec. 18th, 1868. I ~ by mail fur , 1. Male and Female A ents ~ - Mi SiZeS, for MEN, AM . HEADY TO SHOW HOW TO PRE ~ Howard Delano, of Syracuse, N. V., having petitioned wanted everywhere. It isunequalled for pare a boat to run, on my Chahi Planwith a safe busi- for tbs extension of a patent gs~auted him on the 25th day salability. We Guarantee Satisfaction, ~ ,,r . ~ ~ YOUTH, and BOYS, ness motido, or wills the extremeof Railroad speed, and March,1555,fur an improvement in Feedin~, Fuel to Fui- Rapid Sales; anti Large Profits. ,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,, from 2 to 50 each. will give to the Person or Company who will first put osces, it is ordered that said petition be lseard at this For Sample and Full Darticula such ci bubtupon the water theright to use, my patent for o ce on the isiday of March next. J. H. IARTIN, rs a3- ~ JIlT dill Circulars sent 6n application I said boat so long as she may to teen miles the hour, will rise A~roper boat, at fif- Any person may oppose this extension. Objections Hartford A. J WILKINSON & CO., , faster It runs the easieg it ~trill go. JAS. GRANGER. o twenty days r. Pajwrs~ should be jlled in this water, and the de ositions, andothe ~ ~ ~ day of hearing; befo 1* 76 Y jc~ s ,.. C I-IPLBTE. - scull 25 2 Boston. Zauesville, Ohio, Dcc. 10, 1518. LISHA FOOTE, Commissioner of Patents. JANUARY 1, 1869.1 (A INCINNATI BRASS WORKS. 19 Engine Builders and Steam Fitters Brass Goods. 10 21.1 ~ TEAM AND WATER GAGES, STEAM Whistles, Gage Cocks, and Enbineers Supplies. 16 13 JOHN ASHCROFT, 50 John St., Bew York. STOCKS, DIES, AND SCREW PLATES, Hortons and other Chucks. JOHN ASHOROFT, 50 John st., New York. 16 13 ~q(3 A DAY for All. Stencil Tool, samples free. Address A. J. FULLAM, Springfield, Vt. 31 13 ATENT RIGHTS SOLD ON COMMISSION by STREET WEBSTER & CO., Atwater Building, Cleveland, Ohio. Best of references given. 26 .6 ~3O PER MONTH and large commissions ej paid to sell Wonder of theWorid and three other discoveries. Address J. C. Tilton, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15 4 ROUGHT-Iron Pipe for Steam, Gas, and ~ ~ Water; Brass Globe Valves and Stop Cocks, Iron Fititn,~s, etc. JOHN ASHCROFT, 50 Jo len St., N. Y. 16 13 ~1 SHCROFTS LOW-WATER DETECTOR will insure your Boiler abainet explosion. JOHN ASHCEOFT, 10 John et., New York. 16 11 I?OR STEAM ENGINES, BOILERS, SAW J~ Mills, Cotton Gins, address the ALBE,RTSON AND DOUGLASS MACHINE CO., New London, Conn. 1 tf E MPLOYMENT.$15 to $30 a day guaran- teed. Male or Female Agents Wanted in every town. Descriptive circulars free. Address 15 13 JAMES C. RAND & CO., Biddcford, Me. IRST-CLASS Machinists Tools, Steam En- gines, Heavy Machinery, Shafting, Pulleys, etc., mfactd by TWISS, PRATT & HAYES, New Haven, Ct. 26 4* WANTEDSalesmen to Travel for a Man- ufacturing Co., and sell by sample. Good wages are ,,uaranteed. Address, with stamp2 H. D. HAMILTON & Co., No. 413 Chestnut st. Philadelphia, Pa. 26 4 rpo FOUNDERYMENNo. 4, Mackenzie Blower for sale, but little used. Price 171. Also, one 21-inch Coil Heater, new, $60. 260 L. H. OSBOEN, New Haven, Ct. TODD & RAFFERTY, Manufacturers and DEALERS IN MACHINERY. Works, Paterson, N. J.; Wareroosus, 4 Dey st., N.Y. Boil- ers, Steam Pumps Machinists Tools. Also, Flax, Hemp, (lope, & Oskum Id~achinery; Snow & Judsons Governors; Wrights Patent Variable Cnt-otf, and other Engines. tf 1 S ~HINGLE AND HEADING MACHINE Laws Patent. The simplest a~sd best in use. Shingle Reading and Stave Jointers, Stave Cutters, Equalizers, Heading Turners, Planers, etc. Address 17 12 if TREVOR & CO., Lockport, N.Y. GUARANTEED. 5,000 feet of inch boards ripped by one man and boy in ian hours, with Talpays patent Self-feeding Hand Saw Mills. W. H. HOAG, Manufacturer, Postoffice box 4245. 214 Pearl st., N. Y. Abents wanted. 264 Radial rUts. A.ND Machinists Tools. For Cut and De- scription of Drill, see SctentiflcAmerican,Vol. XIX., No. 21. H. H. BARR & CO.,Wilminbton, Del. 25 11 NEW AND IMPROVED BOLT CUTTER Seblenkers Patentthe best in use. Cutting Square Coach Screw and V-thread by once p555mb overthe iron. Cutter heads can be attached to other machines, or the ordinary lathe. Taps furnished to order. Circular price list, with references, mailed on application. 263* R. L. HOWARD, Buffalo, N. Y. THE GREATEST INVENTION OF THE AGE. Butter made in frotn 3 to 5 minutes by the use of our Infallible Butter Powderat the cost of 20 cents a poundsimple in operation, harmless in use, Sent free to any address on receipt of price,. 3. Full directions. Agents -auted in every Town and County. Address GOSHEN BUTTER CO., 26 4 No. 102 Nassau st., New York, Lucius . Pond, IRON and Wood-working Machinegy, Ma- .1 chinists Tools and Supplies, Shafting, Mill Geariu~, and Jobbing. Also, Sole Manufacture of TAFTS CELEBRATED PUNCHEk AND SHEARS, (Works at Worcester, Mass) ii Liberty st New York 1 tf BridesburqManfq Go., ST1?E]~W, PHILADELPHIA, PA., Manufacture all kinds of Cotton and Woolen Machinery, including their new 8ELF-ACTJNU & ILULES AND LOOKS, Of the most approved style. Plans drawn and estimates furnished for factories of any size. Shafting and mill hearing made to order. 1 tf IJJIP ORTAYL ~PHE MOST VALUABLE MACHINE for planin irre ular and straigbt work in all branches of woo working is ties Combination Molding and Planing Machine Co.s Variety Moldin,, and plan- ing machine. Our improved guards make it safe to op- erate. Our combination collars save nice hundred per cent; and for planin,, moldin,,, and cutting irregular forms, our machine is unsurpassed. The Variety Machine sold by the Gears is a direct in- fringement on the Grosvenor and other Patents owned solely by us, and the public will please notice the deeds given by Mr. Gear cover only tics Gear Patent, being no protection to the purcicaser abalust the rights of our Patents,infringements on wicich we are now prosecuting. The Gear Patent, without our improvement, has for many years been discarded by mechanics as impractica- ble, in fact we have bad on leafad, ever since the introduc- tion of our impeovements, several of tics Old ear Ma- cleines,which we cannot sell even at prices slightly above ties value of old iron. All our machines are sold and delivered in New York, but the right to use a maciciuc goes with it, and we will protect all parties who iuay purchase machines from us, cent only under the Grosvenor and Tics Patents, which constitute the practical value of the machine, but also under the Gear Patent. Attention is called to cuts of our Variety Machine (in the issue of this journal of Dececuber 0th, 1868), of which we are the sole lawficl makers, and other parties building or vending like machines, are doing so without ties slightest legal authority, subjecting ticemielves aicd pa- trons to heavy damages, the collection of wicich we are determined to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. All commicuications for us should be addressed to COMBINATION MOLDING AND PLANING MACHINE CO., East 23d st., or Box, 3,210, Post Office, New York city. tf Mi RE IMP RTIIN I. IT IS THAT PERSONS INTERESTED, 11 before i~}crchssinb, address A. S. & S. GEAR & CO., NEW HAVEN, CONN., for all particulars concerning the GEAN PAvzeev, wicich is the FouNDATIoN, sona, and aouv of all VARVTIES of MOLDING and UPRIGHT SHAPING 3fACHIN~S of any account. We own aicd build all the latest and o~av vALUABLE TcePuovEeeEa*vs on the eusehine, and are ovesezue and a~weua ee~uu~ Ac- vuassus FO ALL TEE U~ivzu SvAvxs (except the Stats of New York) of the nxsv and oasav cocnax N AND PEP.- cv MACnTIS invented for planin~ and molding irregu- lar forms in wood. W - vAmAyx 0LP. MAcceeNEs, and give uceaus of ri ht vo TINE ~vxav TA 3 Os vn ii to pro- oct the public fi~m beinb owindled. AS& J.GEA ~ CO. 1 ST PREMIUM PORTABLE STEAM EN GINES6 to 15-Horse Power. Send for circular. JOS. CHAMPION & CO. Factory, 2 and 4 Sussex st., Jersey City. Office 214 Pearl st., New York. 26 3 A ~ P., complete, and fully as good as new. Dimensions of Boiler, etc., given on application to HAMPSON & COPELAND, 21 tf 50 Liberty st., New York. WOO]i~ WORKINO- MACHINES. Smiths Improved Woodworib Planer and MatcherSasle and Door Molding, Mortising, and Tenoning Machines. Scroll Saws, Saw Mills, etc., at reduced prices. Address CHAS. H. SMITH, 101 Noith 3d st., Philadelphia, Pa. 2010 Knap Ft Pitt Foundry, T.I~ ITTSBURGH, PA. ORDNANCE ENGINES, - Rollin,,-mill Machinery, Hydraulic Presses, and Cast- ings generally. 20 10* CAMDEN Toot and Tube Works, Camdsn, N. S. Manufactursrs of Wrought Iron Tube, Brass Work and Fittings, and all the cuost improved TOOLS for Screwing, Cutting, and Fitting Pipe. Screw- ing Machines for Pipe, of five different sizes. Pipe Tongs, Common and Adjustable; Pipe Cutters, Pipe VisesTaps, Reamers,Drills,Screwin,, Stocks,and Solid Dies. Peaces Patent Screwing Stocks, with dies. No. 1 Screws ~4, ls, l Pipe. Price co, plete, $10. No. 2 Screws, 1, 1~s,1~s, 2 Pipe, (23. No. I both screws and cuts off, 2js,0, 3A,4,$6i. 24 13 Union Use CO., 61 Water, St., Bos- ton, Mass. Heavy auO Pipe warranted for Heavy work Wood and Covered Screw Tim. 40 sizes. Milling Machines, simple, ,,reat capacity t$~ weighing 2,360 1,600, and G. H. NOTT, President. A.H.BHAINARD,fiupl. p B ALL & CO., Worcester, Mass., Manufacturers of the latest improved patent Dad- isis, Woodworths, and Gray & Woods Planers, Sash Molding, Tenonin~, Power and Foot Mortising, Upright and Vertical Shaping and Boring Machines. Scroll Saws, Double Saw Bench, Re-Sawin,, and a variety of other machines for working wood. Also, the best Patent Hub and Rail-car Mortising Machines in the world. Send for our illustrated catalogue. 1 tf FOR SALE One Improved Ore and Quartz Breaker; One Planer for ed,,es of Boat an~ Boiler Plates. Will be offered very low. Also, Stationary Engines, Boilers, and Mill Ma- chinery constantly euaki ~ S~N, 25 4 Baltimore, Md. MANGANESE AND Woifrant Ore, For Steel Manufacturers. For sale by L. & J. W. FEUCHTWANGER, 25 4 55 Cedar St., New York. P0 E LOOMS. Improved Drop Box, Spooling,Winding Beamih,,,Dyein,,,and Sizing Machines, Self-Acting,Wool-~couring Machines, Hydra Extra~tors. Also, Shaftin,,, Pullsys, and Self-Ohm,, Adjusable Han - ers, mauufd by THO S WOOD, 21i6 Wood st., Philada,P~a. WOODBURY PATENT Planing and Matching and Molding Macheuss,Gray & Woods Planers,Seif-oiling Saw Arbors, and other wood working machinery. S. A. WOODS, 165 Liberty street, k. Y.; Send for Circulars. 167 Sudbury sti set, Boston 15 13 Gettjs Pat. Pipe Gutter I ThIS CUTTER works easy, rolls down the burr ed,,s, and is confidently secommended to Gas and Steam Fitters as the best in the market. No. 1 cuts from 1-in, to )s-in. Pe-ics~ $8 No. 2 cuts froM i-in, to A-in. Price 10 GETTYS PATENT PROVING PUMP AND GAGE. This new Pump and Ga,,ehas been tborolc,,hly tested, and gives general satisfaction. There is no, glass or eusreury used, and the Ga,,e is so compact it can be carried in tics pocket. Pump and Gage $25 Ga~e alone 13 Address MoNAB & HARLAN, Manufactnrers of Brass Goods and Iron ittings, SO Jolen st., New York. 18 12 A MESSIEURS LES INVENTEURS4Avis ImeortantLes 0ev enteurs non familiers avec Ia langue Anglaise, et qul prsf6reraieeit upus coiunauniquer leurs inventions in Frangais, peuvent ubus addresser dans lens lan,,ue natale. Envoyez nous un dessin et une description concise pour notre ex-men. Toutes comumu- nications serons re9us en confideicce. MUNN & CO.. Scientific American 0111cc, Eo~3l Park Row, ow York- Sa Its Patent FRICTIONLESS LOCOMOTIVE VALVES, easily applied ; vTquire no changes. TiItf M & I SAULTCOMPANY,New Haven, Coun. D UQ UESNE WORKS. COLEMAN, RAHM & CO., MANUFACTURERS OF IRON, NAILS, SPRINGS, AXLES, Plow, Spring and A. B. STEEL, etc. 21 11 Warehousev Water st., Pittsburgh. p ICHARDSON, MERIAM & CO., Manufacturers of the latest improved Patent Dan- isis and Woodworth Pianin,, Machines, Matching, Sash and molding, Tenoning, Mortising, Boring, Sicapin, Ver- tical and Circular Re-sawing Machines, ~aw Mills, Saw Arbors, Scroll Saws Railway, Cut-off, and Rip-saw Ma- chines, Spoke and iVood Turnin Lathes, and various other kinds of Wood-working achinery. Catalo uss and price lists sent on application. Manufactory, or- cester, Mass. Warehouse, 167 Liberty st.,New York. 1 tf B UERKS WATCHMANS TIME DE- TECTOR. Important for all large Corporations and Manufacturing concerns capable of controlling with the utmost accuracy the motion of a watchman or p atrolmuan, as the sasue reaches different stations of his beat. Sen for a Circular. S. E. RUERK, P. OBox 1,057, Boston, Mass. N. B.This detector is covered by two U. S. patents. Parties using or sellin,, these instruments without autho- rity fiom me willbe dealt with according to law. 1 tf MODELS, PATTERNS, EXPERIMENTAL, and other machinery Models for the Patent Office, built to order by HOLSK~ MACHINE CO., Nos. 528, 500, and 582 Water st., near Jefferson. Refer to P AMEP.ICAN office. 14 tf Leather Belting, Card Clothing, & Hose Factory. J.H.Haskell.Baltimore. 1 22 BOOK THAT EVERYBODY SHOULD A HAVE. WELLS EVERY MAN HIS OWN LAW- YEH, AND BUSINESS FORM BOOK, Is a complete and reliable guide in all matters of law and business transactions for EVERY STATE IN THE UNION. THE ENTIRE LEADING PRESS OF THE COUNTRY unqualifiedly inmiorse the work. We suake a few short extracts from the press: As a legal adviser, always at hand to instruct the reader how to proceed in suits and business transactions of every and all kinds; as a form book to enable the least learned to draw bp deeds, muortgages, agreements, leases, orders, wills, etc.; as a guide with regard to the laws of the various States concerning exemptions, liens, limita- tion of actions, collection of debts, usury, and so on, this volume is csrtainly invaluable to men of business, and it is not surprising that a hundred thousand copies have so soon found their way into the homes and country houses of the multitude. In addition, the work contains a full digest of the action of the Government reiative to recon- struction and the freedmen, the Generai Bankrupt Law, the Patent Laws, Pension Laws, the Homqstead Laws, tics Internal Revenue Laws, etc. The publisher has de- termined to make this work complete, and, to our think- ing, he icas succeeded. No business man or woman can with safety be without itNew York Times. This work is one of the most valuable issues of the press of this country. It contains so much that every man in business should know, but which none have the time to acquire from voluminous works, that it is truly indispensableNew York Dispatch. Such a useful book cannot be too highly commended. A more comprehensive di,,est could not be desired. New York Weekly Tribune. There should be a copy of it in every family.New York Weekly. The most implicit confidence can be placed upon the work s authority on all the subjects of which it treats. Philadelphia Age. You canpurchass in thisb ook what maybe worth hundreds of dollars to youSt. Louis Dispatch. It contains just the kind of information every busi- ness man stands most in need ofSunday Mercury. Every man, no suatter what his business may be, should have a copy.Pittsbur~h Dispatch. There is no better book of rsfsrence.Phrenolo,,icai Journal. The book is prepared to meet all the ordinary con- tingencies of business life, and it emeets theeu clearly, distinctly, and wellRound Table. It contains a vast amount ofjust such suatter as every one ought to be acqqainted with in the prosecution of all ordinary businessN. Y. Christian Advocate. It is the best business guide ever published.De Bows Journal, St. Louis. Every one should icave a copy.N~ Y. Eve. Post. It is invaluableCincinnati Enquirer. Indispensable to every household.Cincinnati Com- mercial. Ileis work is worthy of the popuiarity it has acquired as a convenientahd reliable cuanual. N. Y. Herald. Time work is published l2mno size, 650 pages: Price in full leather bindin,,, $250; in half library, 2. eut post paid on receipt of price. Good reliab is agents wanted everywhere. They will find this the best selling book published. Liberal in- ducements given. Address JOHN G. WELLS, Publisher, 432 Brooene street, New York. Sheet and Rgll Brass, BRAS ANI~ COPPER WIRE, German Silver, etc., Manufactured by the THOMAS MANUFACTURING CO., Thomaston, Coon. i~Special attention to particular sizes and widths for Type Founders, Machinists, etc. 1 22* OIL, OIL, OIL. FIRST PREMIUM PARI~, 1867. Grand Silver Medal and Diploma! WORLDS FAIRLondon, 1862. TWO PRIZE MEDALS AWARDED PEASES IMPROVED OILS! Engine, Signal, Lard, and Premium Petroleum is the Best Made fof Railroads, Steamers, and for Machinery and Burning. F. S. PEASE, Oil Manufacturer, os.61 and 63 Main street, Buffalo, N. Y. N. BReliable orders filled for anypartof the world. 1 tf SPICE CAN AND BLACKING BOX RIV- eting Machines. W. PAINTER & CO., Baltimore. 25 7eow W OODWORTH PLANER & MATCHER for $150. S. C. HILLS, 12 Platt st., N. Y. 23 8 sow ~ fACHINISTS Tools, Wood-turning Lathes, IVL Chucks, etc., improved patterns. Incloss stamp for illustrated circulars. L. ID. FAY, Worcester, Mass. 19 sow F OR BRASS LATHES and all Machind7 connected with Brass Finishing and Fitting Line, Imuproved Lathes for making lar s valves, etc., address Exeter Machine Works, Exeter, iiii H. 1 8 sow if Wind Mills. F~~M 1-10 to 6 Horse Power, with all recent provements. Send siam-np for circular to H. H. ALLEN & CO. 25 leow Posto ce box 376, New York. AMERICAN TINNED SHEET IRON. Coating uniformly over the entire sheet, by an entirely new and patented process. All sizes and ga,,es on kact and made to order. H. W. BUTTERWOETH, 9 sow if 20 and ill Haydock st., Philadelphia, Pa.. SUB~MARIN~ ARM~R. 11 Oeow5 ARDRsAs e. MouSe ce SON, 40 Con,,ress si., Bston, Mass. Gharles Jj7 Gopeland, (A ONSULTING AND SUPERINTENDING k )M echanical En,,inesr, No. 171 BroadwayGiffards Injectors, Steam and Vacuum. Gau,,es, Blast Pressure Gauges, Salinomsters,Damper Reguiators,Waier Gauges, Hydraulic Jacks, Dimnpfels Patent Fan Blower, Roeb- ings Wire Rope for sale. 15 sow GOFJ7EE ILULLERS AND FIBER Extracting Machines. Circulars of above ferraished on application to H. H. ALLEN & CO., 25 4eow Postoffice Box 076, ew York. at one Brick Machine. I AFLERS NEW IRON CLAD HAS MORE jdadvanta es combined in one machine than any oticer svpr muventecl. It makes comm-non brick of very superior quality. By a siight change, press brick are muade with- out repressing. With Lafiers Patent Mold, beautiful stock brick are made. This macicine was awarded first premium at the N. Y. State Fair, 1867, for makin,, Front Bricks. Exancining Committee awarded special report, indorsin this machine. For descriptive circular adfiress S. A. LAFLER & CO., 15 if sow Albion, Orleans county, N. Y. GLUE. SAND PAPER. Emery Paper & Gloth. CURLED HAIR. Ground Flint & Emery. NEATS FOOT OIL., FEA~I~ for Covering Boilers and Pipes. cut to any shape. Manufactured and for sale by BAEDER, ADAMSON & CO., Philadelphia: 780 Market st. New York, 67 Beekman si. Boston: 18 Blackstone si. Chica4m: 45 SLa Salle si. 25 leow MERRIGK & SONS, Southwark Foundery, 430 Washington Ave., Philadelphia, Pa., ANUFACTURE NASMYTII - & DAVY STEAM HAMMERS, CORNISH PUMPING, BLAST, HORIZON- TAL, VERTICAL, AND OSCIL- LATING ENGINES. Gas MachInery of all descriptions. Sugar Refineries fitted up complete, with all mod- em apparatus. New York office, 62 Broadway. 11 eowtf WOOD-WORKING MACHINERYTHE subscriber is the New York Agent for all the Manufacturers, and sells at their p rices. 3 if c S. C. H ILLS, 12 Piati street. INVENTORS AND MECHANICS IDEA new book upon Mechanics, Patents, and New Inventions. Containing the U. S. Patent Laws Rules and Directions for doing bdsinees at lbs Patenl~ Office; 112 diagiams of the btst mechanical movements, - with descriptions; the Condsnsing Steam En~ine, -with engraving and description; HQw to-Invent; How to Oh- taime Patents; Hints upon ties Value of Patents ; How to sell Pflteets; Forms for Assigom nil; -Idformatl6n upoic the Rights of Inventors, signees and Joint Owicers Instructions as to Interferences, Reissues, Exisosloic-, CayOats, together with a great variety of useful infom-sna- tion in regard to patents, new invenlions, amcd - sciesetific subjects, with scientific tables, and many illustrations. 108 p ages. This is a most valuable work. Price only 23 con s. Address MUNN & CO, 37 Park How, N Y. c~ientifh~ dt~~rkau. WROUGHT IRON Beams and Girders. THE Union Iron Mills, Pittsburgh, Pa. The attention of Engineers and Architects is celled to our isuproved Wrought-iron Beanw and Girders (patent- ed), in which the compound welds between the sism and flanges, which have proved so objectionable inthe old mode of mnanufacturmu~, are entirely avoided, we are prepared to furnislc all sizes at ternas as favorable as can be-obtained elsewhere. For descriptive hiiho,,raph ad- dress ilce Union Iron Mills, Pittsbur,,la, Pa. 20 18 \ITR i~1TP1SRIOR (IPOIDF, WATCHES worthless THE Eclipse Steam Pump Overcomes ens disadvantages of all others. It has the only balance valve muads; can be moved as easily at 150 as 5 lbs.; is simple, cheap, easily packed, and kept in or- der, anti is unequaled for mining and other purposes 20 23 PHILLIPS & CLULEYS, Pittsburgh, Pa. 16 ~XP~UtZfZ~ 4tZett(MZ. [JANUARY 1, 1869. ___________________________ Re?pwlds WIRE ROPE. i~ddpI~Pz 1vevti~enwnt~. Manufactured by Advertisements wilt be admitted on this page at the rate of Turbine Water Wheels, J 0 H N A. R 0 E 13 L I N G ~ Philadelphia Advertising Patrons, who prefer It, can $1.00 er tine. Engravings may head advertisements at / ITo Complex, Duplex, or Triplex Trenton N. ,~ have thair orders forwarded through T V. Carpen- the vctme rate per tine, by sneasurement, as the letter- complications. All such are costly, F OR Inclinedi Planes, Standing Ship Rigging, ter, resident Agent, 624 South Washington Square. press. I easily clogged, inacdc~ss1: Bridges ,Ferries,Stays or Guys on Derricks & Cranes, II leys. Send for Illustrated ~amphlet. Tiller Ropes, Sash Cords of Copper and Iron, Lightning Conductors of Cop er. S ecial attention given to hoist- filih GEORGE TALLCOT, ing rope of all kin for ines and Elevators. Ap y or C JJLarKP*SOn2 ~~~ Southern Trade. 96 Liberty st., New York. circular, giving price and other information. ~~ THE ONLY REALLY SAFE 11 05 11* 1 ostf The attention oz _____________________________________________________________________________________________ OILER in the market, and can now be furnished at MERCHANTS, MANUFACTURERS, AND UJVENTOES, a GREATLY REDUCED COST. Boilers of any size ready for delivery. For circulars, plans, etc., apply to and others in the line of Southern Trade, is invited to EUEJIiuHflhJ WORKS, the REGISTER HARRISON BOILER Philadelphia, Pa.; J. B. Hyde, A,,ent, 119 Broadway, New TPHESE SAWS HAVE York; or, to John A. Coleman, A,ent, 53 Kilby street (DAILY AND WEEKLY), been manufactured and in v-se Boston, Mass. 19 tf Os as offering the best medium of reaching with their Ad- since 1801. They are Warranted the vertisements the (~NLY FIFTY CENTS a year for a trainable PEOPLE OF TEE SOUTH, SOUTHWEST, AND WEST, Best Tooth Saws ~Jeight page paper, The RECIsrEE is the oldest paper in Alabama, having J.nserLeLL THE MERCHANTS MONTHLY, been established more than fifty years. For a quarter of tZIONTAINING Articles sliowing liow to do a century as John Forsyths paper, it has been better made. Are used exclusively on the Business, Business Dealings, Operations, Means of know and has had a larger circulation throughout the Pacific Coast, and are approved by Success, Sketches of Business Life and Business Men, entire United States than any paper published in the Mill men wherever known. Commercial Law, Business Intelligence. Also, Stories, South. It has recently had its circulation further largely Manufactured and For Sale by Poetry, Essays on Social Life and Manners, Anecdotes, augmented by the purchase and consolidation with it of etc ctc. Only FIFTY CENTS a year in advance. Clubs the long established Daily Advertiser, the Daily and Sunday Times, and the Daily News, three separate of Seven $1~ Twelve $5. For a club of Ten and $5 we daily papers, and a weekly literary paper heretofore will send a copy of the Crittenden Commercial Arith- publisliedin Mobile, but now all consolid~ted in the metic and Business Manual price $1-SO free of charge. DAILY AND WEEKLY REcIsrEvi. From its wall estab I Address S. H~. CRITTEIfDEN & CO., lished character as a reliable Commercial audNews Jour: I los 617 Chestnut st., Philadelphia, Pa. vial, the REGISTER is taken by nearly all the Chambers of I ____________________________________________ Commerce, Exchanges, Reading Rooms, Public Libra- CATALOGUES SENT FREE. Has, and principal Hotels in the United States. It circu- lates more or less in every State and Territory in the NA THENA TI CAL INSTRU3IENTS, 111 pages. Union. OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS. Ti pages. A little inquiry will satisfy an advertiser that the Mo- NA 6IC LANTERNS and STEREOPTICONS, 100 pp. BILE REGIsTEE, from its location, circulation, and stand- PHILOSOPHICAL INSTRUMENTS, 54 pages. ing, is unsurpassed as an advertising medium in the .~y ~TT nA-rTrT5Y~T,1J JAMES W. QUEEN & CO South. It goes to nearly all the country merchants in 1. W. I~1L1.U.L1AJ.L.L~U5 i54os* 1124 Chestnut st., Philadelphia, Pa the States of Alabama and Mississippi. It is sold on _________________________________________________ every railroad train and steamboat, and the Patentee, San Francisco, Cal. RAWING INSTRUMENTS WEEKLY REGISTER, 3~ CAurvow. All persons not D OF EVERY DESCRIPTION to which the particular attention of advertisers, seeking purchasing from us are hereby cau- Swiss, German Silver, and Brasss~parate and in cases~ to reach country people, is directed, is read by more tioned a,,ainst usin or vending de- Presentation cases made to order. aransists, Levels, Our- planters and residents of the country than any paper tachable or inserted teeth, the re- veyors. Compasses, T-Squares, Protractors. Winsor & cesses or sockets for which are made ever published in the South. It has tripled its circula- on circular lines, as all saws so man- Newtons, and Osbornes Water Colors, Drawing Paper, tion in the last six months success unprecedented. ufactured are an infringement of Drawing Boards, etc., etc.~ A Priced and Illustrated Cat- Itisalarge alogue sent free on application. TWELVE PAGE PAPER, N. ~TT ~ 2112os WM. Y. McALLISTER, dO Chestnut st., Philadelphia, Pa. vi11 of matter of interest lo the general reader. ~. ~pau~angs ~ _________________________________________________ by the well known practical farmer and talented editor, and parties offending will be prose- OR FIRSTCLASS MACHINERY FOR Its Agricultural and Horticultural Department, edited ~ F H on. C. C. Langdon, has made the papir a necessity to cuten accordim. to law. 1 istem the manufacturing of Spokes, Hubs etc., address the evf~x~nte~. will find both the Daily and Weekly manufacturer, ~ J. GLIIIASON, REGIsTER most profitable to use for their advertise- HE PEW HAT RACKFor Circular, ad- WDiII. D. ANDREWS & BROTHER, 1000 Germantown avenue, Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A. ments. Information as to rates of advertising can be l2ns obtained and contracts made with any responsible Ad- dress E. S. BLAKE, Pittsbur,,h, Pa. 414 Water si., New York, Manufacture _______________________________________________ wertising Agency, or by addressing Pat& ot Smoke-bnrning & Snperlieating Boilers THE Pro rietor W;D. MARK, RON PLANERS, ENGINE LATHES, that avesafe. DRAINAGE and WRECKING PUMPS, to TH N Rebister, Mobile, Ala i~- Every man engage in extensive business, as well Drills, and other Machinists Tools, of Superior Qual- ass lar s bodies of Water, Sandand Gravel. HOISTING every liberal reader should take a reliable Southern ity, on hand and finishin - For sale Low. ~orDescrip MAC ~INES, Fri ction Grooved and, Noiseless, or with newspaper. Correct information from the South is at tion and Price, address EW HAVEN MANUFACTUH Geaifiog. OSCILLATING ENGINES from half to two this time valuable to all classes. ING CO., New Haven. 1 tf 05 hundred and fifty-horse power. All of these Machines THE The MOBILE REGISTER, either Daily or Weekly, has no - are Lighl~ Compact, Durable, and Economical. 1 tfos i e n t iii c A m e r i c a n su erior as a News, Commercial, and Abricultural Jour- ATENT SOLID EMERY WHEELS, The New York Sun calls it The able and uncom Speciall adapted to Grindin Saws, Mills,and Edge HE TANITE EMERY WHEEL.This For 1869. nain the So nih y W Br ss Wo w rranted not to promising Journal of John Forsyth. Tools. Solid heels for a rk, a . Boli Emery Wheel is low in price, is free from all And the Day Book says of the MOBILE WEEKYREG- Glaze A Iso, Patent Emery Oil and Slip Stones, the best onensive smell, is not likel .y to glaze or gum, and cuts - . I5TEE : Its twelve pages are ~vell dlled with com article in use for Planer Knives, rs Tools, and with unu~ual rapidit . Sen d for price list to cial, agricultural, financial, and literary __ in Down Iron Work. NO THAMPTON EM- ~ 2os TE TANITE CO., Stroudsburgh,Pa. THE NEW VOLUME prepared and compiled makin it one of the best weekly ERY wHEEL CO., Leeds, Mass. 21 if Os _________________________________________________ .iournals for the Ibmily firesi e in the country. As a . Commences JANUARY FIRST ; therefore, now is the time. We bespeak for the REGIsTER 5 warm welcome Situated in the Eastern part of the State of New I() (11711JXPJJI time to organize clubs and to forward subscriptions. Southern publication, it is especially valuable at this T WO-SET KNITTING MILL FOR SALE, by our Northern readers. Subscribe to the REGISTER and bet true accounts of York, a good location,with never-failin supply of water. STEEL ENGRAVING AND PRINTING CO Clubs may be made up from different post-offices, but not affairs in the South. Price, Power ample for four sets. Mill and. achinery nearly Steel E ravings produced by an Improved Process at less than ten tames can be received at the clubbing Daily, per. annum $15 New, allin good order, and now in successful operation. onethird he usual rates. rates. Additional bames, however, may be sent in after- Weekly, per annum : : $5 ~h5hteen~acres of land, fine resideucewith out-buildings, Parts of year, proportionate rates. ~ ~ SPCCImiIIL ~ ~ etc. Title indisputable. Will be sold at a bar- ~ VON EGLOFFSTEIN, Su t, to the club. ree. copy gain and on the most accommodating terms. Possession 110 and 135 West Twenty-fifth st., ew York. ward at the same rates, to l~ designated as belonging ___________________________________________________ immediately. For full particulars a dress 4os MANUFACTURER, Box 117, Albany, N. Y. ~patentees ~ Others. The SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN has the Largest Ciren lation, and. is the most Popular Journal in the world, JNCREASE TWIST DRILLS, FLUTED Beachs Patent Self-centering Chuck manufactuge by ~ LI~~2 ofall CAST METAL SMALL devoted to~Inveniidn, , Mechanics, Manufactures, Art REAMERS, exact to Whitworibs Gage, and descriptions, Made to Otddi~ and Intro- Science, anti General,~n d~s~ry, Morse Twist Drill and Machine Cp.*B?ew ~e oyd, ~ dg9ed to the Trade. Dies, Tools, Patterns, etc., for all 1 ostf ass. -~ Jrisid~ Metal. Work. Cuttin and Stamping to Order. The Editors a~assistecd,ymany of the Ablest Writers ~. .5 anufacturers of Kerosene urners,Lantern Trimmings, and having alless to all the leading Scientific and Me- ~ tatlon rs, linmens, and Trunk Makers Hardware. & CARBINE BARRELS ROM 4 TO 200-HORSE POWER ~ 4os and 1511 J. H. WHITE, chanical Journals of Europe, the columns of the SCIEN- For ale Cheap. F Including CORLISS PATENT CUT-OFF EM Chestnut st., Newark, N. J. TIFIC AMERICAN will be constantly enriched with the los EVA THOMAS, 25 Park Row. UJNES, SLIDE VAL VE STATIONARY ENGINES, choicest information which they afford. In addition to ________________________________ and PORTABLE ENGINES. Also, IJYIPRO VED CIR- CULAR SAWMILLS, etc. , , LMSTEDS IMPROVED MODE OF LU- contributions from able and popular writers, popular bo ~ou Send for Descriptive Circular and a~d bricating Bearings in Machinery, oils Loose Pselteys Lectures on Science will also be published and it will Bearings in all kinds of Machinery. Loose Pulleys WOOD & MANN STEAM ENGINE CQ., will and have run Eighteen ouths without reoiling. be the constant study of the Editors to present all sub- N. Y. For Licenses to a ply it address W ANT GA S W~War erooms ~ Liberty st., New York, and 201 apli L. H. 0 & STEb~ No. ~ Center si., New York. jects relating to the Arts and Sciences in PLAIN, PEAcrI- Ill. 21 lIleow Os ~ For Shafting, which has no loose pulleys, use Olmsteds CAL, AND ~OPIILAE language, so that all may profit and can afford to Pipe your Honse, or pay _________________________ ~utomatic Lubricatin Cups. They will save nine tenths understand. for our fixtures, or both, and leave them as your df the oil usually use for the purpose. Prices :No. 1, property, i we cannot put up a Machine that shall be per- ODINES JONVAL TURBINE WATER for Counter Shaft, etc., $3.60 per doE. No. 2, for Main The SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN is Independent of satisfactory under any and every condition. Jj Shafting, etc $420. See illustration and description in sect or party, and its columns are therefore kept free culars and information. UNION GAS CO., Whe elcombining great economy in the use ofwater, No. 26, Vol~ X~IX. 1 105 osif 14 Dey st., New York. simplicity, durability, and -_________________________________________ from mere partisan questions. Nevertheless, its opinions _____________________________________________________ general adaptation to all po- upon all questions of public utility will be freely ax- sitions in which water. can I~OUdOi1, 48 Cannon street. be used as a motive power. ~ . , . pressed. It would be impossible, within the limits of a KOHNS TAMM We are prepared to IlIrnish prospectus, to specify the wide range of subjects which ALe Manufacturer of & whirrant the samatogtira _ more power than and over- shot or other turbine wheel , . . make up the yearly contents of the SCIENTIFIC-AMER ICAR ; a few only can be indicated, such as And UI4Tlt AIMI A RINE , madeusingihe same amount ~ Importer of En lish, French, and German Colors, of-water. A ants wanted. - : ~ STEAM ENGINEERING, TEXTILE MANUFACTURES, Paints, and Artists ate ri als, Bronze,, and Metals. No. 3 Saud for fi escriptive cir- Tryon Row, New York, opposite City Hall. 1 55os cular. BODINE & CO., Manufacturers of~atent LOOMS SPINNING AND SEWING MACHINEEX Manufs, Mobut Morris, N. METAL SCREWS, _ AGRICULTURE AND AGRICULTURAL IMPLE- York, and Westfield, Mass. - For Sawing Machines, Ma- . chinists, Gun, Clock, and __ MENTS,ARCHITEOTUREAND BUILDING, WOOD Os if aow Scissor Makers, etc. 10 er WORKING MACHINERY, BRICK AND TILE cent less than other an- ufacturers rices. C. DUCRE X, 03 Elizabeth st., N. Y. MAKING, HEATING APPARATUS, . CHEMICAL MANUFACTURED ONLY BY Excelsior Lubricator. & NORRIS, J. PATENTED AUG. 25th, 1868.For Cylin- PROCESSES, DYEING, ETC., GLASS MANUFAC- -- ders of En,,inas. A very Superior and Durable ant- UPERIOR RASPFor Clover MillsAt TURE, HYDRAULICS AND PNEUMATICS, MILLS cia manufactured b B. E. LEHMAN, lass than manuftrscost. J. B. WEST, Geneseo, N Y Lehi h alley Brass Works, Bethlehem, Pa. Descriptive circular and price list sent on application. 1~os . . - AND MILLWRIGHTING, MINING AND METAL 20 tf IDDERS PASTILESA Sure Relief for K Asthma. STOWELL & co., Charlestown, Mass WORKING IN ALL ITS BRANCHES, MECHAN- ICAL AND CIVIL ENGINEERING, GAS AND PA- Agents Wanted. 2*5 PER MAKING PHILOSOPHICAL INSTRUMENTS, TO $200 PER MONTH!!! ALL SIZES, for purposes where a Blast ~ 75 Or a Commission fromwhichtwicethatamount p ATTERN LETTERS to pnt on Patterns HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE AND UTENSILS, RAIL- by selling the latest improved Common for Castings, atc,KNIGHT RROS.~Senaca Falls,N.Y. ROADS AND CAR BUILDING, PHOTOGRAPHY required. Sand for particulars and circulars. and mily Sewin* Machine. Price $18. For circulars 1 24*05 FINE ARTS, SPORTS, GAMES, TOYSAND A terms address C.~BOWERS & CO., 510 5. 3d st., Phila- 0 tf os delphia, Pa. 26 13 ARVALHOS STEAM THOUSAND THINGS OF INTEREST TO EVERY PERHEATER.-SavesFual, supplies Dry Ste - N, WOMAN AND CHILD IN THE LAND. THE OYS FUN7,000 SOLDHunting and vs nabla for Boilin , Heating, Drying, etc., or for ~MA Tra pin THE HUNTERS GUIDE AND TRAP- 5a54, Durable, and ash Attached. PERS OMpANION, ~ Book for Farmers, Hunters, ~ 005 HENE W. BULKLEY, En ineer, PRACTICAL WORKSHOP AND HOUSEHOLD RECI Trappers, and Boys. Tells how to hunt and trap all kinds . 70 Broadway, ew York. PES ARE WORTH TEN TIMES THE SUBOCRIP of game, from the mink to the bear and deer; how to cure skins, make boats, traps, etc. Fifth edition, just out B OILER FELTING SAVES TWENTY- TION PRICE. the only cheap and reliable work ever printed. Pric~ only 25c.- 0 for $1 100 for $10. Sent, post free, by HUN- five per cent of Fuel. JOHN ASHCROFT, Superb Ilhistratioiis TEE & do., Publishers, Hinsfiala, N. H. 26 3 II 10 50 John st., New York. by our own artists will not only be given of all the best STEAM HAMMERS, TURNTABLES, and. Inventions of the day ; but especial attention will also NV- OODWORTH PLANERS a SPECIALTY patterns of the most approved style 14 Foundery Cranes. Address be directed to the description and illustration of and workivianship. Wood-working tf GREENLEAF & CO., Indianapolis, Ind. Nos. 24 and ~ Cantral, corner Union acinary,~enaray. LEADING lYLANUFACTURING ESTAB- Mass. Warerooms, 80 Liberty street, N. Y. ATHE CHUCKSHORTONS PATENT MSHMENTS 1V[ACHINES, TOOLS 1 2* tf WITHERBY, RUGG & RICHARDSON. -from 4 to 36 inches. Also for car wheels. Address E. HORTON & SON, Windsor Locks, Coun. AND PROCESSES. THE NOVELTY IRON WORKS, 10 tf Inventors Patentees Foot East 12th Street. AGES GREAT WATER FLAME COAL, BRANCH OFFICE, r Nos. 77 and 88 Liberty Street, New York. Patented Lime Kiln will burn No. 1 finishing lime will find in eaph number an official List of Patents, to- MANUFACTURE with any coal or wood, mixed or sa~arate, in sam gather with descriptions of the more important Inven- Also, Every Description of Machinery. E~l~for sale by C. D. PAG , Rochester, tions. We shall also publish reports of decisions in IRON WORK Patent Cases and points of law affecting the, rights and for I RENEW -The SCIEN- interests of Patentees. _ BUILDINGS, BRIDGES, . etc. TIFIC AMERICAN. $3, and the PICTORIAL Factor , Trenton, N. J Office No. 2 Jacob st., N PHRENOLOGICAL JOURNAL, $0, sent a ear for $5. TEEMS OF SUBscRIPTIoN $0.00 a year, $1.50 for six ~Branch Offic a for Pacific do ast, No. 0011 Front St., Address 5. R. WELLS, 380 Broad w a y, New York. San Francisco, Cal. 20 tf if~ ~ ~-------~-- ~ JJ. 23 8 months. $1 for four months. Manufacturers of Machinists Tools, Iron Planers, To clubs of tan and upward, the subscription is only Engine Lathts, ~crew Machines, Mill- liES AND TOOL CIIFSTS $2.SOpar annum each. RET~~Onr New Catalogue of Im- of-improved patterns and designs Ciank Planers and FOOT EAT _ Specimen copies will be sent gratis. STENCIL DIES. More than ing Machines, aud Gun Machiner . Also, Special Ma- 200 ~ M. NTH is being made with them chma~,improvad Nut anfiBolt achinary, Trip Ham- J LLUSTRATED Circulars free to any address. - 1~I.UNN & co., Publishers. etc., etc. GOODNOW & WIGUTMAN, 23 Coruhill, Boston. 3 ~ Park Row11 New York. SPENCER & CO., Brattleboro, Vt. ltf 22 tf 208 Orange st., New Haven, Coun i5 4 EAGLE AN VILS,and PARALLEL CHAIN VISES. E~.F.STURTEVANT,S NdW PATENT IMPROVE~D - I~~z~- - ~ PRIE S SURE BLOWERS MANUFACTORY& SALES~lOOM ~ SUDBIJFIV ST. BOSTON.

A WEEKLY JOURNAL OF PRACTICAL INFORMATION, ART, SCIENCE, MECHANICS, CHEMISTRY, AND MANUFACTURES Vol. XX.---No. 2. ~1TW ~ JANUARY 9 1869 4 $3 per Annum [NEW SERIES.] ~ [ ADVANCE.] Improved Floating Water Power. Tide mills and those driven by other water cu~rents are not unusual, but the level of the wheel shaft being- fixed, either low water or high water is prejudicial to th~ full action of the mill. The device shown in the accompanying engraving, being sustained always on the surface of the current, and the connections of the power with the machinery being self-ad- justable or automatic, the hight of the water can have no effect on the performance of the waterwheel. The contrivance consists of two scows or floats connected by cross-bars or timbers, so that they are in parallel lines, and having suspended be- tween them one or more water-wheels of the kind known as un- dershot. The ends of the floats, or scows, facing the current are wedge-shaped to pre- sent little resistance to the current and to di- vert the stream into the spade between the two floats. Projecting also from the bows at the water surface, is a V-shaped guard for de- fending the wheelfrom floating timber,ice,etc., or a boom may be used projecting from the shore, as an additional means of defence,when the state of the stream requires it. A gate con forming to the circum- ference of the wheel, being a segment of a, circle, is used also as a guard and to regu- late the amount of wa- ter impinging on the buckets and conse- quently the speed of the wheel, as also to entirely stop the wheel by cutting off the stream from the buck- ets. The main or wheel shaft carries on the shore end a bevel gear that drives a similar gear, from the shaft of which power is carried, by means of pulleys and belts or shafting, to the mill standing upon the bank. The receiving pulley and shaft is hung in a frame, one end of which is hinged or pivoted to the shore side float, or scow, and the other to the mill building. Thus, whether the water be high or low, the belt is always kept taut, and the ma- chinery driven the same, under all circumstances. Chains or ropes at the ends of the floating scow nearest the shore, and the pivoted frame, hold the floats rigidly in position. The wheelmay be made with ordinary fixedradial buckets, or the buckets may be pivoted to open and close by their own weight, as those in the engraving, thus offering less back re- sistance to the water in rising. By lengthening the boats two or more wheels may be used, or a series of floats may be constructed across the stream having their wheels suitably connected, thus multiplying the power indefinitely. It will be seen that the immense expense of constructing dams, and the large damages from flowing lands to form a pond or res- ervoir are avoided by this plan. It is evidently, a valuable device in many localities where sudden rises of water or fre- quent changes in the condition of the. stream prevent a reliable and steady water power. Patented June 2, 1868, by Albert B. Shepard, who may be addressed for additional particulars at Sand Bank, Oswego County, N. Y. aLASS STAINING---THE NA~TUFACTURE OF ILLUMINATED CHUI~CH WINDOWS. Although each of half a dozen of the largest cities in Amer- ca boasts one or more establishments for the manufacture and architectural application of s ~ne~I glass, by far the finest and best work of all.is alone, as t be readily supposed,in New York city.- There are on Manhattan Island four factories, be- side one in Brooklyn, and as the various processes are little understood, save by the mechanical experts and operatives themselves, most-of whom observe a profound secrecy, or af- fect a great degree of mystery about their art, it is thought that a popular account of them~rnay prove interesting to the thin, even coating of the proper color. These paints are all general public. - mineral, as they have to be exposed to an intense heat for By far the greater part of the stained glass made (more many hours, in order that the coloring material may sink into than 90 per cent), is used forthe decoration of ecclesiastical the surface of the glassbe, in fact, so fused with its very edifices, and, as a- natural consequence, nearlyall. the designs substance that it becomes actually a part of the glass, and can illustrated are of a scriptural: character. Occasionally, though nomore be separated from it than can the medallion head not often, a memorial window ~ will be erected in a college from the surface of a coin. or school. A small proportion of colored glass is notunfre- The glass stainers reds and yellows are produced from pure quently employed in - the ornamentation of some public hall, silver prepared with antimony; the blues are made from co - lecture room, or theater: a~ little - bit of bright freshcolo~ is halt ;another red comes frotn oxide of iron; white, from block sometimes given by it to the parlors of a private house; it is tin; black, from manganese; green, from copperas; purple is only yielded by pure gold itself. These are all what are known as enamels, or surface colors, and are not melted through the entire substance of the material. These va- rious mineral substar~- ces are reduced to pow- der by grinding. A flux is then prepared from a mixture of red lead, flint glass, and borax, which are melt- ed together in cruci- bles. To this flux the desired color is then added, and the mass is then reduced to a paint, which is laid on with a brush, as before described. While the color, is dry~ ing on the many- shaped bits of crystal we can take a look at the kiln, in which they are soon to take a cooking, by the side of which the strongest ~heat that ever over roasted a turkey ahd spoiled a thanksgiving dinner would be but as the cooling atmosphere of the latest patent arc- tic refrigerator. This kiln is4ierely a brick~ oven, a out five feet by four in dimensions. In the inside of it is a SHEPARDS PATENT CURRENT MILL. series of shelves made of iron plates half an even at times degraded to add an additional, and alas, unnec- inch 4n thickness, and forty-eight inches long by thirt~-si~ cessary attractiveness to the tempting rooms of a gambling hall inches broad. or a gin palace, but as before stated, the churches claim more These shelves are placed one over a~other,about an inch apart, than nine tenths of all the work in colored glass. from the bottom of the kiln to its top. They are so arranged A rapid description of all the manipulations to which a sheet that the fire can have free access to them all on both top ajid of common plate or window glass is subjected, and the man- bottom, and so suffuse them and their contents all in the same ner of constructing a window, will run as follows: steady, fervent heat. On these shelves the painted glass now The artist first sketches out his idea in pencil on ordinary dry, is piled in layers twelve or fifteen deep until all the drawing paper, and elaborates it until the design is complete; shelves have received their complement, and the oven is full. he then prepares a large sheet of pasteboard on which he The heavy iron doors arethen closed, and the,baking begins. draws the human and other figures of the exact size they are An intensely hot fire is kindled in t he fire-box, and in a & aort tobe in the completed work; the various colors and their gra- time the iron plates and all the many colored pieces of glass dations are then decided on, and their exact arrangement de- are red hot. The temperature is maintained for eight hours, termined, so that the designer can now tell exactly how many at the end of which time the fire is drawn and the glass is left pieces of glass he will require of each color, and how many of to cool. This cooling is very slow, recpiirino- forty-eight.hours, each of the several various sizes and shapes. This important in order that the glass, which otherwise would be as brittle as preliminary work being accomplished, the brittle substance ice of the same thickness, may be antiealed or toughened- itself now for the first. time is taken in hand. When removed from the kiln it isfound that the- -flux (be- The material used is for the most part the common window ing itself in-great measure composed of glass) in which is in- glass of American or New Jersey make, which is purchased in coiporated the color, has melted, and the surface of the -previ- large sheets made especially for the purpose. A very small ously clear glass plate havir~g also slightly melted, the two proportion of glass of the finer colors, the very best rubies, have fused together, so that ther& i~nbw, iivif~ct, a sheet of blues, purples, and greens are imported, but by far the larger plain glass having on one surface a thin veneer,- so-~to portion are colored by the American workmen. speak, of glass~ of another color which is so firmly adherent, The clear uncolored glass is- cut with a common glaziers as to be absolutely inseparable save - at the expense diamond, although the multitude of pieces required and their fracture. varied and fanciful shapes make this a seemingly intermina- The cooked and colored glasses are now removed to the ble job. This may be readily imagined when we state that room of the workman whose business it is to join them to- one single window- of Trinity Church, in New Haven, contains gether in the proper design. To do this he has a large hon- more than ten thousand separate pieces, every one of which zontal table, on which he proceeds to build up the proposed was cut and colored singly. window, working by the water color or pencil pattern before When the requisitu number of diamonds, circles, squares, him. Beginning at what is to be the bottom of the picture, octagons, crescents, and other shapes are cut, according to the he lays the lower border of the design, fastening the pieces number called for b~rf~~24l size pattern, they are next taken together -by means of flat leaden rods, made for the purpose. to the painting room, *~bre the color is laid on. This part of These rods are a sort of narrow strip of very soft lead, with a the work is ye ~linple, me~ely consisting in covering, with deep groove along each of its sides. Into this groove is placed - a common flat h, one side of each fr~mQnt of glass with a the edge of a piece of glass of the proper color, and the edge [JANUARY 9, 1869. of the groove are bent down so as to hold the glass in a secure grip. A second slip of glass, of another color is then fastened into the opposite groove, and so the . building up continues, the workman slowly adding piece after piece to his mosaic pattern till the whole is finished. The leaden framework, or sash, is then most carefully covered with a cement of oil, put- ty, and red lead, which renders it weather tight, and proof against both rain and wind. The window having been then properly framed by the carpenter the work is done. Glass stainers use two sorts of ruby and blue glass ; in one sort known as flashed glass, the color is blown or su- perimposed on a plain surface, thus making a sort of veneer, as before described. This peculiar arrangement makes it pos- sible to produce very elegant and beautiful effects by cutting down through the color and exposing the transparent glass beneath, precisely in the same manner that cameos are cut. In the other kind of colore glass, technically called pot- tetal, the coloring material is diffused homogeneously through the entire substance, so that a fracture shows color all through it. For certain uses this sort of material has also its special advantages. Some very beautiful work is also accomplished in glass, of the sort known as acid work. This is where the patterns show in delicate white of a semi-transparent huethe patterns which are mostly chosen from flowers or dainty lace work, appearing as though done in pearl or frost-work. This is com- monly known as ground glass. This kind of work is used where heavy plate glass is desired for windows or doors. The leading agent in the process is hydro-fluoric acid,which wo~ks quietly, after this fashion. The plate of glass is laid on a table, and the pattern stretched on itall parts of the plate except the design are now covered with a thick coating of coach varnish mixed with asphaltuma ledge or rim of wax, half an inch or so high, is raised round the edge of the plate to dam up the liquid from escaping, and hydro-fluoric acid with three parts of water is poured on to cover the plate about an inch deep. This acid attacks all parts of the glass not pro- tected by the varnish, on which it has no effect, and at the end of an hour, when the liquid is poured off, it is found to have bitten in or destroyed the surface of the glass in the shape of the design to a slight but perfectly appreciable depth To have the pattern show white and pearly on a clear surface it is of course only requisite to work in reverse~~ or to cover the design with varnish and let the acid bite in the border, leaving the pattern raised. Some very elegant doors of this sort are now being finished for the new Park Bank, and for the office of Brown Brothers & Co. To give an idea of the value added in this art to mere raw materials, by skill and labor, let us mention one piece of work at the establishment of Mr. Henry Sharp, to whose kindness we owe much information about this kind of work which is usually kept sacred from the public eye. In the show room is a piece of common window glass, perhaps sixteen by twenty inches in size, worth originally about twenty-five cents. The paints with which it has been treated would cost about five dollars more, which would be the value of the raw materials. Upon this glass was prepared a specimen work, intended for the great Paris Exbibition, but which never got there as its companion piece was destroyed in a fire. The design was Jephthahs daughter parting from her companions, and it was so equlsitely drawn and colored, and so exquisitely finished, that the maker has been offered ~400 for it, which he refused. Many fine works are now in progress at the establishment above referred to. Mrs. Samuel Colt, of Hartford, has a me- morial window ~ontaining a double design; one Joseph Dis- pensing Corn, to the memory of tlie late Samuel Colt, her husband; the other, to three of her children, is Christ as the Good Shepherd. Mr. Parrott (whose name is known rather in connection with war than peace) has building a fine chancel window, of a geometrical and mosaic pattern, for a church at Cold Spring, N. Y. Beside these there are windows for the Catholic Cathe- dral, Portland, Me.; Episcopal Church, Hartford, Conn, Epis- copal Church, Benicia, Cal.; Episcopal Church, corner Fifth avenue and Forty-fifth street, New York; St. Peters Presby- terian Church, Rochester, N. Y.; Episcopal Church, Bay Ridge, L. I.; Episcopal Church, Bushs Mills, N. Y.; Episcopal Church, Geneva, N. Y.; Episcopal Church, Newport, R. I.; Episcopal Church, North Salem, N.Y.; Congregational Church, Tankhannock, Pa.; Catholic Institute, Altoona, Pa. ; Wesleyan Female College, Cincinnati, Ohio. Beside these are many single memorial windows, all of which are at present in pro- cess of building, about twenty men being employed in the work. The demand for windows of stained glass is largely on the increase since first-class work has been made in this coun- try, as the above partial list will show. Some little idea of the cost can be gained from the knowl- edge that the glasswork for the. Colt Memorial Church will cost 7,000, the chancel window alone calling for 2,000the great chancel window of Trinity Chapel, corner of Twenty- ~fth street and Fifth avenue, New York, costing 5,000, etc., etc. In fact, so excellent is the New York city glass work reckoned, and so great is the demand for it, that the facilities for its manufacture have been more than doubled in the last two yearsN. Y. Times. THE BRITISH AssocIATioNThe accounts of the local com- mittee ror conducting the Norwich meeting of the British As- sociation for the Advancement of Science have just been made up, and show a balance of 332, to be applied as follows: 50 for the purchase of elementary scientific books for the Nor- wich Free Public Library, the selection to be left to the Rev. I-Buds Howell; 100 to be granted to three trustees for the purchaso of meteorological instruments for Norwich; and the balance to be graute to the Norfolk and Norwich Museum unconditionally. Th~ next meeting of the Association will be held at I~xeter~ influences of the Different Trades and Professions as Causes of Consumption. [From the Atlantic Monthly.] This question is of vital importance to every young person about to choose a profession or trade as the business of life. It is worthy of the maturest thought of every parent and every philanthropic employer; for upon the proper choice of a trade or profession will depend much of the future weal or woe of the youth just commencing life. At present there seems often to be, while making the choice, a woeful amount of ignorance of the common rules of health. We may consider the question in two lights; namely, first, as it regards perfectly healthy youth; and, second, as it has reference to one that is either in ill health or who from phys- ical organization or hereditary tendencies is liable to suffer from consumption. And,ftrst, it is undoubtedly true that a man may take any of the various trades or professions, and if he only do not neglect the rules of health, he may practice without injury any of these arts even to advanced life. Nevertheless, there are some which, from their very nature, or their necessarily accompany- ing circumstancs, are less healthful than others. Among these may be named all those practiced in places in which fine dust is floating in the air, whatever that dust may be Especially deleterious is the trade of machinist, in working at which quantities of fine steel dust are set flying; or the knife and scissors grinders trade, in which, in addition to the steel, a cloud of emery dust is drawn in with almost every breath. It is true that some of these various dusts do not produce real tuberculous disease, but they all tend to clog up the finer air- cells of the lungs, and .are liable to cause cough, emaciation, and death. at times with tubercular complications. Next, perhap.s, in order come all those trades that cramp the chest, and prevent free expansion of the lungs, and incline the patient to bend forward, thus permanently diminishing the caliber of the chest, compressing the delicate structure of the lungs, causing obstruction therein, with subsequent disease and death. Prominent among these trades stand such as that of shoemaker for men and that of seamstress for women. These are essentially sedentary in their nature, and have most strongly marked tendencies of the nature alluded to. But they likewise lead to the various forms of dyspepsia, to irreg- ularities of the digestive and of other of the more delicate functions of the body. These latter complaints are too often found,when we unravel the history of cases of consumption, to be the precursors for months previously of th~ dreaded affec- tion of the lungs. The whole internal arrangements of many large establishments for slop work, where perhaps from fifty to a hundred young women or men are collected in large unventilated rooms, are simply an outrage upon common de- cency, and infamous with regard to arrangement for the health of the employds. How general it is we know not, but not infrequently we have been informed by patients that at times, for example, no water closets can be found on the premises, or, if found, they are in a deplorable state. Hence constipation and indigestion come to add their weight to the deleterious influences of the trade itself Less constantly confining to the chest, but as employments analogous to the last mentioned trades in effect, we may name those of clerk and student. Both tend to induce inaction of the entire body and a curving forward of the chest; and al- though neither of these professions necessarily produces disease, and although it is possible for the student and clerk to avoid the evils that are impending, they very frequently do not avoid them, either from their own gross ignorance of hygienic laws, or from the cupidity of the employer, which prevents them from properly attending to the same. Those employed are at times compelled to work in houses totally unfit for hu- man beings to inhabit, while at other thnes love of gain de- prives them of the requsite time for the taking of food. Such cruelty on the part of employers, we admit, is rare. Moreover, we are inclined to think that there are but few who willfully sin in this manner. They have ample means, and money with them is resolvable into human labor. In modern scientific language,of the correlation of forces, they virtually say, With the force of so much money we ought to get a cor- responding degree of human force applied to the purposes re- quired. Under this idea, the health of those employed is considered of but secondary importance. S~Ve confess that we think there are few even of our worthiest employers who have the perfect health of those employed seriously at heart: and this is not derogatory to them; for it is simply human nature, and will continue as long as our present mode of conducting business is continued. When a true Christ co-operation is introduced into, all the channels of business, then, and not till then, will those employds see to it that everything is done to prevent detriment to their lives during their hours of toil. Another evil tendency of certain trades is to require sudden transitions from heat to cold and wet to dry, the long continu- ance in cold, damp cellars or warerooms half underground, which, evenin the heat of midsummer, though deliciously cool to the transient customer, are most deadly in their influences upon those permanently employed therein. Of such employ- ments is that of the molder, with his constant wet about him, and the beer bottlers, who lives most of the time in damp, dark cellars; a4d analogous to these cellars in their influence on human health are the cool, damp underground rooms of dry goods dealers, in all our streets of business. These each andall tend to produce consumption, and are therefore nui- sances as at present managed; for anything is a nuisance that tends to destroy human life. We have had to warn not a few clerks of the risk they were running in staying in such places. If they fly from them early, they may be saved. If they con- tinue after health is once seriously impaired, they are doomed. Such places ouglit to be forbidden by law, and, w ~cn a proper public sentiment arises, this will be done, We have thus far considered the influence of these various kinds of business upon persons in perfect health; and we may merely add, that; if there be danger to those in health, it will be madness on the part of those having hereditary tendencies to tubercular disease, or who are actually diseased, to enter them, or into any of an analogous kind. Strange as it may seem, we find often an utter neglect of these rules, and pursuits in life are commenced without a thought of the effect on fu- ture health. History of Hats and Hatting. One of the most practical and readable technical works we have seen is A Treatise on Hat-making and Felting, by John Thompson, a practical hatter, published by Henry Carey Baird, Industrial Publisher, 406 Walnut street, Philadelphia. It con- tains in a condensed form all the information requlsite to a full knowledge of materials and the manipulations necessary to manufacture them into hats; also the application of machinery to hat-making. The following sketch of the history of hats and hat-making extracted from its pages, will be found of gen- eral interest The word hat is of Saxon derivation, being the name of a well-known piece of dress worn upon the head by both sexes, but principally by the men, as a covering from the hot sun of summer, the cold of winter, a defence from the blows of battle, or for fashion. Being the most conspicuous article of dress, and surmounting all the rest, it has often been ornamented with showy plumes and jewels, and with bands of gold, silver, etc. It is generaliy distinguished from a cap by its having a brim, which a cap has not, although there are exceptions even to this rule of distinction, for there are hats that have no brims, and there are also caps that are provided with a margin. Those hats that are made of fur or wool have all been felted, and felt, strictly speaking, is a fabric manufactured by matting the fibers together, without the preliminary operation of either spinning or of weaving. We find but little of hat-making recorded in history, and any- thing relating to hats is extremely meager, although their par- tial use may be traced back to the time of ancient Greece amongst the Dorian tribes, probably as early as the age of Ho- mer, when they were worn, although only by the better class of citizens when on a distant journey. The same custom pre- vailed among the Athenians, as is evident from sonic of the equestrian figures in the Elgin marbles. The Romans used a bonnet or cap at their sacrifices and fes- tivals, but on a journey the hat with a brim was adopted. In the middle ages the bonnet or cap with a front was in use among the laity, while the ecclesiastics wore hoods, or cowls. Pope Innocent, in the thirteenth century, allowed the cardi- nals the use of scarlet hats, and about the year 1440, the use of hats by persons on a journey appears to have been intro- duced into France, and soon after became common in that country, whence probably it spread to the other European States. When Charles VII. of France made hi~ triumphant entry in- to Ronen in 1440, he wore a felted hat. Hatters of the present day most generously ascribe the honor of the invention of felting, and of its prospective introduction to that of hat-making, to the old renowned Monk St. Clement, who when marching at the head of his pilgrim army, obtained some sheeps wool to put between the soles of his feet and the sandals that he wore, which of course became matted into a solid piece. The old gentleman, philosophizing upon this cir- cumstance, promulgated the idea of its future usefulness, and thus it is said arose the systematic art of felting and of hat- making. However all this may be, still the invention of felted fabrics for the use of man may have been, as some assert, Very ancient and of quite uncertain origin. The simplicity of its make, as compared with that of woven cloth, shows all speculative as- sertions to be rather uncertain. However obscure the origin may be, we learn that, the first authentic account of hatters appeared in the middle a,,,es, in Nurembug in 1360, in France in 1380, in Bavaria in 1401, and in London in 1510. The hatting trade of the United States of America is noticed first in the representations ~made by the London Board of Trade to the House of Commons, in the year 1732, in which they refer to the complaints of the London hatters, regarding the extent to which their particular manufacture was being carried at that time in New York and in the New England States. A look at the fashions and mode of dressing in ancient times causes amusement. So capricious is the fancy of man that nothing is immutable, all is change, and hats have been of all conceivable shapes and colors, and dressed with the most fanci- ful decorations, plumes, jewels, silk-loops, rosettes, badges, gold and silver bands and loops, etc., etc. The crowns and brims having been in all possible styles from the earliest period, it would appear that nothing is left for the present and all coming time, but the revival of what has al- ready been, even to the fantastical peaked crown that rose half a yard above the wearers head In the fifteenth century, hats in Great Britain were called vanities, and were all imported, costing twenty, thirty, and forty English shillings apiece, which were large sums of money at that early period. The most extreme broad brims were worn about the year 1700, shortly after which the three-cornered cocked hat came in, and about this time feathers ceased to be worn, the linger- ing remains being left for the badge of servitude to the gen- tlemans attendant. Metal bands and loops were only regarded as proper for naval and military men of honor. It is a singular historical fact that the elegant soft hat of the Spaniard has remained the same from the earliest period to the present day, while among all other civilized nation a trans- formation in the style of that article has taken place. Comfort in the wear seems to have given place at all times to fancy and the demands of fashion. Queen Elizabeths patent grant to the hatters of London is still recognized in England, and the 23d of November is the hatters annual festival, that being St. Clements day, the pat- ron of the trade. A Remarkable Stone--Supposed Enormous Black Diamond. Mr S. L. Young, of New Boston, Ill.,writes us a description of a remarkable stone found by a soldier during the late war, back of Atlanta, Ga,, during the siege of that city, and now in the possession of a gentleman residing in New Boston. He says: It is a stone of most curious formation, being seven eighths of an inch long, two and a half in circumference, weighs two 18 JANUARY 9, 1869.] ~~ieufffh~ ~i~an. 19 ounces, and has evidently been broken at one end. The other end has eight facets; the sides are prismoid or dodecahedra. It is shining black, partly covered with a crust of a brownish col or. There are places on it that have a very brilliant natural polish; it resists the action of the hardest file, reducing it to smoothness in a very short time, and burnishing the file as completely as the finest emerystone would, and in much short- er space of time. Nitro-muriatic arcid (aqua regia) has no ac- tion upon it. It has been immersed in the acid for ten days without producing the least effect. It will cut glass with the facility of the glaziers diamond. The end, where broken, pre- sents a laminated appearance; hot fiakey, but as though it had split. A number of lapidaries have examined it and pronounce it of value, same of great value; a Jew sutler, who examined it, offered at once over one thousand dollars for it; but the gentle- man who owns it, thinking from his eagerness that it might be worth very much more, ~efused his offer, and still retains pos- session of it; though I understand he has had a number of bet- ter offers since, which he also refused. After a careful examination of it I have very little hesitation ~a pronouncing it a black diamond wo h many thousands of dollars. I am a practical jeweler, and have had considerable experience with valuable stones; and have given this one a critical examination, and subjected it to all the tests at hand. Believing it to be worthy the consideration of more scientific men, I have concluded to furnish a description of the stone for the perusal of the many readers of your excellent journal, and will tape pleasure in giving any farther information in my power to any one who may choose to address me on the sub- ject. Should our correspondents views in regard to this stone prove correct, and it certainly seems as though they may, this will be a lucky find~~ for the possessor of the stone in ques. tion, should it be without defects. Practical Utility of Mathematical Science. The following extract from M~ Hugh8 Phito8ophy of Teach- ing, may serve to set right those who have been led.to believe that the utility ot mathematics beyond the knowledge of ar- ithmetic is questionable: The use of the mathematical science is as little understood by many as the sciences themselves. This is quite natural, for ac- cording to the current belief; arithmetic is the science of num- bers; what, then, is the use of any other? Schoolboys think that when they thumb over their arithmetic they are fit for any business. All our writers on arithmetic define it the science of numbers ; we do not blame boys for believing what they have been taught by their highest authoiity. Arithmetic is not the science of numbers. This is a bold utterance; let us see if it be true: A merchant performs all his calculations by arithmetic; a banker, broker, collector of taxes, etc., count by arithmetic: here we stop. Arithmetic (without giving a de- finition) goes not one step outside commercial life. This must be strange to Eddy and Tommy. Look at our country, 3,000,000 square mileshow do we know? By arithmetic? Arithmetic has no more to do with this calculation than it has with shoemaking. Here is my farm from which I want thirty-seven acres cut off parallel to the State road-how is it done? Arithmetic has no more to do with it than baking. Here is a site for a public building; but ore the mason commences, he must get a plan from an architect. Arithmetic has no more to do with architecture than with churning. Barrels are measured by conic sections; the calculations of architecture, engineering, marine investigations, the machine shop, altitude of mountains, level and curve of railroads etc., are each and all wrought out by abstruse mathematical inves- tigations, of which arithmetic forms the A B C, or introduction. How difficult for Eddy to understand what science is! Any young man, having ambition to excel, possessing ener- gy, industry, tact, and talent, can learn the essential parts of these in a few years with the aid of a good teacher; then he is a theorist. He must go to the machinist, engineer, or architect to the workshop, office, or the sea: after years of practice, he is a master. How difficult for some parents to understand the necessity of these sciences for their childrenanything beyond the rudiments; how difficult to introduce any system in many of our schools, particularly in rural districts, where it is most needed; how difficult for teachers who have capacity to intro- duce any thing beyond the ordinary coursethat of forty years ag~those stern and abstruse sciences, by which the Egyptian discovered the boundaries of his farm when old Niles flood had passed from its cloudless valley; by which Archimedes saved Syracuse, and rendered it famous as his neglected tomb. It is difficult to understand how an engineer will open a tunnel on each side of a hill, set laborers to work, and meet without an guess in the right line within. y If Ann Jones makes an experiment in baking, and fail, it is a smali matter; but if an engineer make an experiment at a tunnel or suspension bridge, and fail, it would be a serious and expensive affair. Hence we see the use of mathematical sci- ence, and the necessity of our high-minded youth bracing themselves for the noble and glorious world of beauty before themthe field of mathematical investigation. For independ- ent minds who can bridle selfa thing very desirable and some- times difficultit is the only stepping stone to greatness. Here is a machine shop; look at all the wheels, belts, pul- leys, lathes, etc.; how were they placed? Arithmetic has no more to do with the calculations of this shop than with sawing wood! The ship Atlantic is in port bound for Liverpoolhow will the captain steer her thithe~? Arithmetic has no more to do with marine calculations than with fishing. Our year con- tains 365 days and overliow was this discovered? See the curve on the railroadouter curve elevated; see that suspen- sion bridge, tunnel, steeple, hight of the Andeshow were these things built or found out? See these barrels filled with liquid for market, how are they measured, for measured they must be? Eddy says by arithmetic. He is mistaken. We see a man in any business outside of commerce, he fol- lows mathematical laws, seldom of his own study. Such men generally have books containing a well-digested code of laws, in the shape of rules, drawn up by some eminent mathematical scholar, of whom, or of whose study, the workman takes no account. Hence the difficulty of finding a man successful in anything to which he has not been bred---the impossibility of finding that Yankee who does everything. Had Archimedes left his geo- metrical diagrams in his study, the Romans would have been masters of Syracuse sooner. Geometry, not arithmetic, saved the city. Had Newton and his peers left their mathematical in- vestigations and turned the energies of their mighty minds to parrots and lapdogs, parks and castles, our mechanical works would be few, clumsy, and defective. We, swains, see one of these ineii sauntering by the roadside, incapable of enjoying the comforts of life from the abstruse nature of their studies nd we look on them as fools; yet t1r~h~ wor s may overturn some of the existing modes of life, and give a new direction to the energies of mankind. Archimedes drew mathematical figures on his body, which had been anointed with oil, when forced by his friends to go to the theaterso says Plutarch; he could not find enjoyment there. Our books of arithmetic con- tain very crude rules, reqniring tlie sciencQs of geometry and al,,, ebra combined to teach them successfully. Thirty-five Years of Progress In Art and Science. We have before us the address delivered by Hon. J. D. Ca- ton, late Chief Justice of Illinois, on the occasion of the lay- ing of the corner stone of the new State House at Springfield, Ill. The orator, in speaking of the early judges of that State, says: As these men traversed the great prairies on horseback, going the circuit rounds, probably not one of them foresaw how soon railroads would change the mode of travel, and that soon their successors would accomplish in an hour the distance which oc- cupied them a day. Could they have anticipated all that has come to pass, we may SPell doubt whether they would willingly have changed the close companionship, the genial feeling, and I may add, the jolly times which they enjoyed, for the colder atmosphere and more selfish habits which seem to have grown up under the influence of modern improvements. Who now seeks to pay anothers bill, or offers his ft-iend a passage ticket? If the promotion of human happiness be the greatest attain- able good, and worthy of our most anxious care, we may pause a moment in our admiration of the great things lately done among us. Who shall say that there is more gennine happi- ness, more cordial good feeling more brotherly love, now than then? But it the sigh of regret is forced from us, that many bright and pleasant scenes of the past can never be repeated, we may not disparage that which has added so much to the greatness and the wealth of the present of our State and Na- tion, and promises so much more for the future. We who have witnessed all, can hardly appreciate the wonderful truths. If it seems extravagant to assert it, a moments reflection will convinco us that the world has made more actual progress within the last fifty years, during our existence as a State ; yes, I will say within the last thirty-five years, since first I became one of her citizens, than in all previous time since Adam was driven from the garden of Eden. First, I will refer to the means of locomotion and transporta- tion. Until the introduction of railroads, what improvement had been made in these sinco tbe earliest dawn of civilization at least since the horse was domesticated and the wheel had been invented? The Queen of Sheba could visit Solomon in as great state, and with as much ease, comfort, and expedition, as Elizabeth could visit Kenilworth, or even Victoria could visit Balmoral; Jackson had no better means for going from the Hermitage to the capital than had Ciesar for visiting the prov- inces; Napoleon transported his great armies in the same way that Alexander moved his into Asia. Only in our day has it become possible, as has been often demonstrated, to move a great nrn~y, with all its imp imenta, a thousand miles in two days, which would have reqnired, only the preceding genera- tion, as those of three thousand years ago, many months to ac- complish, at a great expense of treasure and human suffering. Thirty years ago the same means were used to cross the ocean which Columbus used to reach America; then our national representative went to St. James by the same agency which Paul used to reach Ephesus and Athens; now every sea and ocean is traversed by steamers which court the contrary winds, and lay their course from continent to continent with scarcely the variation of a single point. Within the same period gas has been adopted for the pro- duction of artificial light. Since the time when lamps were first lighted, till the time when I sat upon the bench in yonder state house, by the dim glimmer of a few tapers, but the least imaginable improvement had been made in artificial illuniina- tion. How great the contrast since the introduction of gas; one burner of Which gives twenty times the light of our best can- dles, and if a brightera more conquering light is still de- sired, we have but to apply to Drummond, when the darkness is dispelled almost as by a mid-day sun. I might allude to many other great inventions and discover- eries of the present age, for the advancement of human thought and enterprise, but time permits a reference to but one, the most wonderful and mysterious of all. The magnetic telegraph presents the means for transmitting information at great dis- tances, with a celerity which, before our day, was only practi- cable within the compass of the human voice. Till within the last twenty years we were provided with no more speedy means to send information, to a distance of one mile or a thousand miles, than were the Pharaohs or the Kings of Israel, the Incas of Peru, or the Montezumas of Mexico. Now the time is qulte inappreciable which is requlred to send information the great- est distances, and even beyond the broad Atlantic. Had it been proposed to Jackson to send a message from the Hermitage to the capital with the speed of the wind, he would have listened to it with incredulity: then what would he have said to the proposition of Morse, to outstrip the velocity of the meteor with his message to Washington. I cannot resist the temptation to barely mention one other great invention, which, if of less value as mere business matter is scarcely less wonderful, and surely gives as much joy to the human heart; I allude to the sunlight pictures, which now fill every palace and every cabin with the faithful portrait of loved ones absent and present, who shall thus be handed down from generation to generation. I am sure I do not stand here alone to regret that this sublime art was not invented in time to per- petuate the lineaments of faces much loved, but gone, alas, too soon. Am I not right, then, in saying that the world has made more progress in the last thirty-five years than in all the ages that have gone before? Surely we are now in the La Chine Rapids of time, which hurry us along with a giddy velocity, amid scenes so changing that we can only glance at their most prominent features. It is folly to say that we should have a care lest we strike some hidden rocks by which the channel may be beset, lying not far beneath the surging surface. Supposed Traces of Man in the Paleozoic Age. The Buffalo Courier has the following: There are now on exhibition at the rooms of the Society of Natural Sciences, in this city, two of the most remarkable discoveries recorded in the annals of science. One is the fossil imprint of the foot of a man, or rather the cast of such an im- print. It was discovered by a workman, in a colliery in west- ern Pennsylvania, in the shale overlying a run of coal and underlying two other veins which were being worked by the company. The spot where it was found was nearly a mile froni the pits mouth, and some three hundred feet from the surface. The rock in which it was imbedded belongs to the paleozoic age,and the imprint, if such it be, was made millions of years before the present geological era commenced. It is the cast of the left foot of a man of ordinary size, and is perfectly defined. The foot was evidently protected by sandal or mocassin; the heel, the arch, and the bali of the foot, and the slight depres- sion made by the toes are perfect, and whether produced by the foot of a man or a freak of Dame Nature, the cast is as per- fectly defined as if it were the work of a sculptor. By a curious coincidence, the society, a few days before this donation, received the second specimen from the Rev. Samuel Cowles, of Gowanda. It is a large slab of sandstone, on which, stamped in the solid rock, can be seen the imprint of horses hoofs, as perfectly preserved as though they were formed but yesterday upon the muddy bank of a sluggish stream. There are at least a dozen of these impressions, varying in size from the track of the full-grown horse to that of a young colt. They point in different directions, as though the animals were leisure- ly walking about and cropping the luxuriant grasses of that tropical period, some of them being partially obliterated by the more perfect form of a fresher imprint. Mr. Cowles has sent a similar specimen to the professors of Yale and other colleges, and we look with interest for the theo- ries of these high authorities respecting thenature and character of the tracks, by what formed, and the condition of the earth at the date of their formation. If the theories of the discoveries be correct, the result will be to entirely overthrow the present received geological system, and to further complicate that terri- ble question, the effort to solve which has caused learned men so many soul-disturbing doubts and fears, and which brought Hugh Miller to so tragical an end, that is, whether the geo- logical and scriptural records of the worlds creation are recon- cilable? The fossil foot-print was presented to the society by John Magee, now in Europe. We advise all who take an interest in geology to inspect for themselves these curious specimens, which affects that science so momentously. The Mines of Nevada, From Brownes United States Government Report of the mineral resources of the West, recently issued, we glean the following facts. The official statements of ten companies working mines in Nevada give the amount of bullion produced by each during 1867, viz. HaleandNorcross.... $1,097,297~45... .owns 400 feet of mine Savage 3,737,10012... .owns 800 feet of mine Crown Point 920,71796... .owns 600 feet of mine Yeliow Jacket 1,729,27091... .owns 1200 feet of mine Gould & Curry 614,62051... .owns 1200 feet of mine Chollar Potosi . 2,668,88536... .owns 2800 feet of mine Empire M. & M 278,607~17... .owns 75 feet of mine Imperial. 1,106,46550... .owns 184 feet of mine Kentuck 1,140,74194... .owns feet of mino Overman . 192,31817... .owns 1200 feet of mine Total $13,486,06109 The average cost of mining the ores, including dead work, was about $9 per tun, and the average cost of their reduction was $16 per tun, from the pulp assays it was shown that only about 64 per cent of the gold and silver which the ores con- tained was saved, proving a loss of near $5,000,000 from the workings of the ten companies above named. The average yield of the ores from the mines of these companies did not enceed $50 per tun, and as the cost of mining and milling the ores was $25 per tim, only about one-half the yield was profit, This can be taken as an average result, except richer ores cost no more to mine reduce and mill, therefore pay a larger per cent of profit. The completion of the overland railroads, the discovery of coal at several accessible points, and the improved modes of working the ores, with the great reduction in cost and general expenses of carrying on mining enterprises must secure such results in the future as have only been anticipated in the past. Most of the ores will be reduced by the smelting process, and all metals run into bars, at or near the mine, and these bars containing gold, silver, copper, lead, antimony, etc., must be taken to assay establishments for separation; and in many cases the precious metals will be all profit, the other metals be- ing of sufficient value to pay all expenses. Capitalists are now turning their attention to mining enter- prises and single investments of $10,000 to $25,000 show thd confidence they have in this line of business. With good mines, good management, and ample capital no one need fear the result. This branch of American industry should be en. couraged in a substantial way, and it cannot fail to be remu- nerative. The Bulk of the Worlds Gold. The New York Mercantile ,To 1 in discussing the folly of attempting to conduct the future business of the world up- on a gold basis makes the following statements: All gold that exists in the United States to-day, could be placed in a square box of less than fifteen feet in length, width and depth. A room one hundred feet long, one hundred feet wide, and ten feet high, would hold eight times the total amount of gold in the known world. The Golden Calf; worshiped by the would-be statesmen of our day, who desire an accumulation of coin to the extent of $250,000,000 in our National Treasury, as a basis upon which to resume specie payments, if melted down would not fill a square box measuring nine feet each way. How puerile then, to clog the wheels of finance and com- merce by a blind subserviency to the- ridiculous tenets of the dark ages. Coal and iron are infinitely more valuable to com- merce than this boasted metal. Plagging Screw and Brad holes on Finished Work, A correspondent of the Coaehmaker8 Journal says: In plugging screw holes we glue the edge of the plug; put no glue in the hole. By this means, the surplus glue is left on the surface, and if the plug does not hit the screw it will sel- dom show. We set the heads of binds well in, then pass a sponge of hot water over them, filling the holes with hot water. This brings the wood more to its natural position, and closes, by degrees, over the head of the brad. When dry, sandpaper off and paint, and the putty will not hit the head of the brad; if it does, it will surely show bad. The brad must have a chance to expand when exposed to the heat of the sun, and not hit the putty; if it does it will force the putty out. We have had no trouble with brad heads or plugs sbm~e we adopted this practice. [JANUARY 9 1869. 20 Improved Two-Wheeled Velocipede. tie doubt. This unexpected metamorphosis renders it ex- The f ore created by the introduction of the velocipede ill tremely probable that all siredons are merely young salaman- Paris has extended to this country, and in our principal cities ders which have been prevented by peculiar physical condition the demand for this elegant and graceful vehicle is so great from attaining their full developmenta new and interesting thait quite a number of extensive establishments are being de- point for the supporters of Darwin. voted to its production, yet the demand cannot be supplied. ~ For ease of motion and grace of action the velocipede ranks BURNHAXS IMPROVED TUREI~TE WATER WHEEL. with the skate, with this advantage, however, that the former may be used at all seasons, instead of being restricted to pen- The turbine wheel is worthily and rapidly replacing the old ods of freezing temperature. fashioned breast, overshot, and undershot wheels, both for its Like every other machine which we have copied from other economy of space and cost and its utilization of power. It is peoples, this has been materially improved by American me- but little affected by back water, and runs under circum- chanics. One of the most perfect of these machines we have stances very adverse to the economical and profitable employ- seen is that represented in the engraving. It is very strong, ment of wheels of other descriptions. But, as generally con- light, easily operated, and under the most perfect control. structed, the turbine lacks in the quality of delivering the The foot-rests, or stirrups, are so weighted and hung to the same proportional amount of power under relative circum- cranks that they always present the surface to the foot, so that stances, as, while it may develop its full power with a full in mounting, or after removing the foot temporarily, no time head and free gate, it does not give a proportionate amount is lost in adjusting the foot. The brake is always ready for when the quantity of water is reduced by a partial closing of action when descending grades or reducing speed, it being the gate. In some wheels this is occasioned by a diversion of operatedbythehandsthrougb the medium of the steering bar. To effect this the bar rotates in sockets, and has connected with it a strong line or gut, secured at the other end to the brake lever. By simply turning or rolling the steering bar the line is wound around it just as is the chain of a rail-car brake. The steering post of this im- proved machine rakes well aft, so that the bar is within easy reach of the hands, en abling the rider to keep his arms in a natural and easy position and his body erect. In addition, the saddle, or seat of this machine is mov- able from front to rear or vree oersa, so that one velocipede may be adapted to the size of the rider without sliifting the crank pins, the saddle being held in place by a simple thumb screw. With those who live in the cities and require a~ daily ex- ercise, exhilarating, pleasant, healthful, and free from ex- pense; with those who reside in the country and have long distances to traverse daily in reaching the scene of their labors, or with those who have leisure and wealth at their command, but love such THE NONOD I1V[PROVED VELOCIPEDE. exercises as afford an opportunity for the display of grace, the direction of the current or a change in the relative angle agility, and. skill, the velocipede will soon become as of the stream and the face of the bucket, and in others by a great a favorite in this country as it is already in France and check in the velocity of the water admitted to the wheel; in England. either case destroying the proportions between the position of To learn how to manage the velocipede requires no more the gate, and consequent admission of the water, and the skill, courage, or patience than to acquire, the art of skating, amount of power developed by the wheel. The one repre- perhaps even lees, and when the art is once learned, as it may sented in the engraving, however, delivers a power exactly easily be in a few days, it provides a means of locomotion and proportioned to the water admitted through the openings in a source of enjoyment as much more available and delightful than the art of skating as the number of the days in the year is greater than the few bright mornings when only you can find a smooth, glassy, and well-frozen skating ground. A school for beginners has been established at No. 3 Wil- liam street, New York. All orders for machines or requests for further information should be addressed to G. H. Mercer & Monod as above. Remarkable Transformation in Reptiles. In the November number of the American Journal of Sci- ence, Professor 0. C. Marsh of Yale College, has given an in- teresting account of the metamorphosis of some peculiar rep- tiles which he obtained in the Rocky Mountains during the past summer. The animak were caught in Lake Como, a small brackish sheet of water near the Pacific railroad, and about seven thousand feet above the sea. They are known in that region as the fish with legs, andby naturalists have hitherto been placed in the genus siredon, and considered closely related to the axoloti from the table-lands of Mexico. On bringing the specimens to the warmer climate of New Haven, one of them began to undergo a remarkable change. Dark spots appeared on the sides and finally extended over the rest of the body. The fins on the back and tail and the exter- nal gills gradually disappeared, and the animal came fre- quently to the surface of the water for air. The body also di- minished in size; the head changed in form; and the eyes be- came more prominent. The mouth and tongue became much larger, and the teeth changed in position. During these alter- ations the animal made frequent efforts to leave the water and at last escaped as a true salamander,, representing a different genus and even family of reptiles from that of its original con- dition. Subsequently several other specimens underwent the same metamorphosis, during which various experiments show- ed that the rapidity of the change was greatly affected by va- riations in light and temperature, the individuals most favored in these respects having passed through the entire transfor- mation in about three weeks. Whether this species ever changed in Lake Como and in other similar elevated regions is uncertain; but that it breeds in the si.redon state, like the Mexican axoloti, there can be lit. the register gate. If the latter be one-fourth open the wheel delivers one-fourth of its whole power; if, with one half, it moves with one-halt its power. The case is one casting, with the waterways and chutes formed by cores. Outside of this is the register gate, entirely surrounding the case, and having apertures corresponding to those in the case, for admitting water to the wheel. This gate can be moved by means of a hand wheel, pinion, and segiiient, sufficiently to cover the inlets or ports in the case, when the water will be entirely shut off. The bottom of the case con- tains a spider or bridge, that holds the box or step for the wheel shaft, and the top is covered with a cap, the top of which holds the box, that steadies the shaft. A concave hub, its largest diameter uppermost, is keyed to the shaft, and to its outside the buckets that form the wheel are bolted. The buckets are straight or vertical, for about half their length, or as far as the hub is concave, then curved to suit the velocity of the water. The water, whether the gate is entirely open or partially closed, strikes the buckets at right angles, acting first by concussion; it is then forced downward by the concav- ity of the hub, and acts by its weight on the lower or curved parts of the buckets, escaping, when it leaves the wheel, with a velocity corresponding to that of the wheel. The patentee says this wheel, costing from thirty to fifty per cent less than any other wheel of the same finish, will yield an equal power; it is simply constructed and durable; has less leakage and friction, and occupies less space than any other wheel of the same power; will give a greater per cent- age of the power from the same quantity of water, and works well in back water, beside other advantages obvious to mill- wrights. Patented February 22, 1859, and March 8, 1868, by N. F. Burnham, who may be addressed at York, Penn., for further information. ~ The Mastodon and Mammoth Period. Dr. J. F. Boynton delivered a lecture upon the above sub- ject at Cooper Institute on the evening of 21st Dec. in which, referring briefly to the subject matter of his preceeding lec- ture, he said that when we arrive at the tertiary formation we come to the period of warm-blooded animals. Among those have been found animals of the marsupial department of ani- mated nature, like to the kangaroo. The marsupial race have a second embryous state; the young remaining in the female pouch till they are old enough to take care of themselves, like other animals, shortly after they are born. He next came to the ornithorhynchus species, with a beak like a duck. The lectur- er here described the peculiarity of this bird and its connec- tion, anatomically speaking, with birds and reptiles. The creatures first suckle like animals, then they become more bird like. They can be domesticated for a time, but if they ever get their freedom to go where they like, the animal never returns. Referring to the orders of life at the present time, he would now refer to his diagrams. There were animals which walked upright and others that walked horizontally. On the diagram he pointed out the tertiary period of animals in which the orders of life were not nearly so numerous as in the preceding agesthe Devonian and others. The first fig- ure presented on the chart was the turtle. These animals when they are hatched from the eggs are a perfect type of the older animals. Remains of turtles have been found of such size, that when theywere in .this life they must have weighed a tun. The next presented was an animal that can be tamed and made familiar in the houses of thu people. This was the horned liz- ard, a hideous, but a very harmless animal. The animal, not more than three or four inches in length, sits like a squirrel cracking nuts. The .next animal presented was the parasite of the tertiary formation, a very small animal, known as the louse, found on mice. The next was the wicked flea, that no man pursues, but is always pursued by the ladies. This ani- mal lives on the surface of animals and is generably very troub lesome. There is another animal that infests the brain, liver, lungs and flesh. This is the internal worm. Speaking of the hog disease, these are the animals that attack and disease the hogsa disease of which we have heard a good deal, but which is not dangerous, should the flesh be properly roasted, fried or boiled. The germ of these animals lies in the flesh of the hog. Say in a square inch of ham there are no less than two hun- dred and fifty thousand of these germs, so that if a man eat four square inches of ham infested with this germ, he will have swallowed one million of this trichnea or hog worm., If the meat infected by the trichnea is saved meat, like dried ham that may be eaten raw, then the person eating of it will have swallowed the living germ, and the disease in that person may become apparent and very destructive. The next representa- tion on the chart was a waterspout, which it was supposed had overthrown whole districts, cutting down trees and destroying animals, the remains of which are yet to be found. Having closed his history of the tertiary period, he now came to the ostrichthe largest of all the bird speciesthe bird, who, when she llfteth herself on high, as Job says, she scorneth the horse and his rider. In the island ofMadagascarwere known birds very much larger than the ostrich of the present day whose egg was thirteen and a half inches in length and four inches in~ diameter. He came next to animals that live o~the surface of the sea, like whales and others. This species in the full grown state, are but embryonic of a higher state of life. The various animals, ranging from the lower order to the high- er order were then described by representations on the chart and by the interesting descriptions of the lecturer, touching upon them in their orderthe opossum of Yirginia, the kan- garoo of New Holland and others of the same species. After these came the armadillo, filling up a gap between the lower ~rders of animals and those of a higher state. The latter were represented in the later portion of the tertiary age. The lec- turer then referred to another species of the tertiary ageani- mals called the tapirs, of Southern Asia and South America, though these animals, apparently alike in the two distant countries, were not altogether of a similar species. Cuvier re- constructed many of the animals that have passed awayre- constructed them by putting together the jaw bones and shoul- der blades. This was all that was requisite to an anatomist in natural history. As an architect could tell by finding the cap- ital or base of a Corinthian pillar that the ruin before him was formerly of Corinthian architecture, so could the naturalist tell from a few bones to what species defunct animals belonged. The next animal represented was the rhinoceros, which bore some resemblance to the larger reptile of another age. The reptile of which the rhinoceros was a certain type had also a horn. This was one of the larger reptiles. The lecturer then presented on his chart the cow, the lion, and finally man, the great and crowning work of the creation. On the chart were presented excellent life-like busts of the two candidates at the late election for the PresidencySeymour and General Grant. After them came the White House, the goal to which they had~ JANUARY 8, 1869.1 ~~ientifh~ ~xevi~rnz. on different tracks, been aiming at, and after this came the Capitol. These representations were very fine and elicited the plaudits of the audience. The lecturer then closed and the au- dience then separated. The Editors are not responsible for the 0 inions expressed by their Cor- respondents. The Origin of the 1~1eteors. MEssns. EDITORS :With your permission I will give you the outline of a theory upon the origin of meteors. I think I can show clearly and indisputably, the three following astro- nomic facts, namely: That the suns orbit is westward; that that the sun has a long meteoric tail streaming many millions of miles behind it; and that the earth actually passes through the tail of the sun on the 14th of every November. These three most important facts will be better understood and more thoroughly demonstrated by the annexed diagram, which represents that, in March, the north pole of the sun is seen in- clining toward the earth. (This is known to observers, who see the spots upon the suns disk describing a curve convex to the south.) In June, its north pole is inclined to the left, and the spots are seen moving in straight lines, and inclining upward. In Septem- ber the south pole of the sun is inclined toward the earth, and his spots are again seen to curve, but now concave to the south. In December his north pole is inclined to our right, and his spots are again seen to move in straight lines, but now inclining down- ward. These facts are well known to all practical astronomers; and many astronomic writers represent the same by dia- grams in their text-books; they will not, therefore, be de- nied or disputed. It is also well known to all astronomers that there is seen at certain seasons of the year a faint light, hardly distin- guishable from ordinary twi light. Astronomic writers tell us that it has the form of a pyramid ; of course they mean on both sides of the sun, because they immediately represent it by diagram on two sides of the sun, and say that its major axis is at right angles with the axis of the sun. Hence the popular astronomic opinion or belief is, that said light (that is, the zodiacal light) is on both sides, or rather, that it sur- rounds the equator of the sun; and while some have supposed it to be a solar atmosphere, and others a nebulous vapor, I feel inclined to dispute the point, and say that is neither. I hold that the zodiacal light is ever only on one side of the sun, and I feel quite prepared to prove the fact by the ~clearest and most incontestible evidence. Could the zodiacal light be seen evening and morning of the same day, then our astronomic friends would have somewhat to base their opin- ions upon; but, as the said light can only be seen after sun- down at certain seasons of the year, and just before sunrise at certain other seasons, it is certain that the said light is not on two sides of; nor all around the equator of the sun. This light, then, is, I say, a longitudinal appendage, or tail, if you will, resembling that of a comet, not nebulous or va- pory, though apparently so, but purely meteoric, and similar to if not identically the same as that of the comet, which is no doubt meteoric. If the zodiacal light surrounded the equator of the sun, it could be seen, less or more, almost every morning and even- ing of the year; but it is not, nor can it so be seen. It is seen only in the months of April and May after sunset, and in Oc- tober and November before sunrise. Consequently it is only on one side of the sun, and that too on his hinder side, if I may be allowed the expression. The length of the zodiacal light, as given by astronomers, is from 40 to 90 degrees, and estimating the length of this light in miles, we find by comparing it with the solar distance of Venus, that it cannot be much less than 130,000,000 miles. Its length is no doubt always about the same, but owing to the change of position of the earth, as it moves in its orbit around the sun, the zodiacal light apparently changes its po- sition, appearing shorter or longer accordingly. Supposing 90 deg., then, to be the length of this solar tail, and about 46 deg. the astronomic distance of Venus from the sun; if 46 degress gives 68,000,000 miles (which is Venus distance from the sun), then 9 ,000,000 (i. e., the distance of the earth), will represent the earth when seen from any planet at right angles with the sun and earth, at about 63 deg., leaving a balance in favor of the length of the suns tail of no less than 27 deg., or about 37,000,000 miles,at the lowest calculation. Supposing the above to be positively true, it seems clear that the earth in moving around the sun must some time or other either pass through or by this tail; and meteorites from it (for it is a composite of nothing else, if the furnacal cinders and cratoric vomitings constantly and continuously thrown out by the ever-flaming sun are to be recognized as such), must fall upon the earth in great abundance at that particu- lar point of her orbit; and that the earth comes to that par- ticular point on the 14th of November, let the reader see and satisfy himself by a reference to the diagram. In conclusion, I believe that the sun has entered on his cometary career; that he is now positively a comet on a large scale; and that the last grand end of his illuminative exist- ence will be spent in winding up his longitudinal orbits round some other sun or suns. (Let interested scientists speak out.) JOHN HEPBURN. Oloucester, N. J. Expansion of Ice. MEssRs. EDIToRs In your paper of Nov. 11, (Vol. 19, No. 29) pages 313 and 314, in the article on the Expansion of Ice, after reciting the experiments of Dr. Tyndall, and those that take a different view, you remark that you are inclined to the opinion that ice does expand as the temperature dimin- ishes. I think that view cannot be sustained. My opinion may not be correct, but it is based upon fifteen years of expe- rience in this northern latitude. At the temperature of 39 deg. Fah. water is at its greatest density; diminish the tempe- rature to 32 deg. and it becomes crystallized, during the pro- cess of crystallization it expands nearly one sixth part in vol- ume. After it becomes solid it is governed by the same laws of expansion and contraction as other solids in all fluctuations of temperature below 32 deg. During the winter season in this region ice forms frequently to the depth of thirty-six inches on our lakes, bays, and rivers.. In the fall when it has formed to the depth of a few inches andbefore it becomes covered with snow to protect it from sudden changes of temperature, its movements on a sheet of water from a quarter to a mile in width are very perceptiLle. Ice from eight to ten inches in thickness seems to be necessary to produce the results I have more particularly observed. Let the following diagram rep- resent a lake of any size, say one mile in length, and suppose that it is covered with ice one foot thick and not covered with snow. Now we will suppose that we are having clear cold weather, as we frequently (10 have in December, and the ther- mometer indicates 2o deg. or 30 den. at sundown, at which it commences rapidly to sink. With this diminution of tempera- Lake Superior, and the north end being situated like the coast at B in the accompanying engraving. The expansion on the whole distance would show itself on that point. If the ice is twelve inches thick, and the sand is frozen twelve inches deep near the water, away it goes up the incline, slowly but perma- nently enlarging the area of the lake, or forming considerable sand hills around the borders. If the shore consists of bould- ers and gravel, shoreward they must go and be piled up like an inclosing wall. These walls are frequently several feet in hight and have been attributed by some to human hands. Not unfrequently the ice gives way across the middle of a lake in the direction of CD. If the point C D should offer less resistance than the shore, B, there will be no movement at B, but the crack will open every contraction, freeze, and thus become crushed with every expansion. It strikes me it would be no difficult matter to measure the amount of expansion and contraction for every degree of change of temperature. G. B. S. Superior, Wis. A Voice from St. Louis about Watches. MESSRS. EDITORS :A correspondent of the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, writing from Michigan, says he has had fifteen yeais experience as a watchmaker, and yet is puzzled about a very simple matter connected with his business. I have worked on watches and clocks a period of fifty years, and have no objection to tell a thing or two which it seems all watch- makers dont know. I could not help smiling when I read D. E. C.s statement. My time has been greatly devoted to the causes of the stop- page of watches and the remedies for it. The taking to pieces and putting up again is a matter of great importance, and few who profess to be watchmakers know how to do it prop- erly. Your Michigan correspondent says, the lower center bearing under the canon pinion corroded or rusted in from three to eight weeks after cleaning and oiling. Let the gen- tleman adopt this plan: When he cleans the watch, be par- ticularto take the center wheel off, clean it thoroughly; if the pivot is scratched, polish it; then make a little hollow in thb top hole; put good fresh oil (Ezra Kellys) on it, and the pivot will not corrode or rust within two or three years. As to the other pivots in the watch, they should all be thoroughly cleaned, old oil cleaned out; then, if no dust gets in and no accident happens to the watch, it will run for years. This statement may prove of interest to the many watch- makers in the fog. St. Louis, Mo. E. U. HUGUNIN. Eccentric with Crank Combined. MEssRs. EDIToRs.The enclosed diagram represents the ec- centric and rods for moving the valves in a beam engine on the steamer Kewenctw, a moving palace on our river, and which I think is akin to John Allens on page 20, Vol. XIX, and which Aberdeen, on page 69 same volume says wont work. In the above, A is the main shaft, B is the eccentric, C is an oscillating fulcrum, D is the eccentric rod in two pieces joint- ed together a,t the point of meeting with the fulcrum. Xis the crank on the small shaft on which are cams to work the valves. This appears to me to be connecting shafts by pit- mans, except that an eccentric is substituted for the crank. Will you or your correspondent Aberdeen, please explain and oblige, D. A. MCCORMICK. Detroit, Mich. Temporary Newspaper Binder. MEssRs. EDIToRs.I send you a copy of a device which may not be novel, but is certainly useful in fastening together newspaper files or as a sort of temporary binding for the Sci ERTIFIC AMERICAN, or any loose sheets of paper. Take two ture the ice on the lake commences to rumble like a distant train of cars, and notunfrequently like the firing of artillery. If we examine the ice an hour or two after sundown, we will find that the ice is fractured in various directions and the cracks are open showing that it is contracted. Should the temperature continue to go down until the next morning this contraction continues until the cracks will be two or three inches in width, or would have been if the exposed water had not become frozen. If the minimum temperature should re- main uniform for several hours, and very cold, these cracks be- come filled quite solid. Next morning the sun comes out warm. The temperature comes up rapidly from ten or fif- teen degrees below zero to the -freezing point. The lake coin- mences to rumble again, and ow we have a demonstration of power in proportion to the size of the lake and the thickness of the ice. We will suppose the shore of the lake is bounded by perpendicular cliffs at A, and that at the opposite end, at B. there is a sand beach. Now supposing that the cracks formed by contraction have become firmly frozen, it is plain proposi- tion, that if there is any expansion that the ice must give way in the direction of the weakest point, which would be up the pieces of light wire long enough to reach across the paper inclined beach of B. This is exactly what occurs, and the once, and three or fout pieces of stout thread; place one wire movement or sliding of the ice up the beach at B will be in under the paper as far from the edge as you choose to bind it proportion to the size of the lake. At the northeast of Mille put the threads around the lower wire up through the paper, Lac, Minnesota, in December 1858, the movement was at the aud tie them over the other wire on top and the deed is done. rate of eighteen to twenty inches per day for several days in A. JOHN. succession. That lake is about fifteen miles long by seven [Temporary covers of stiff pasteboard, we think, might be or eight wide, and is elevated about six hundred feet above added, having holes for the reception of the thread or twine, 21 [JANUARY 9, 1869. the wires being placed on the outside of the covers. Of course, it is understood that the successive papers are to be threaded (by means of a coarse needle or awl) one by one.E~s. Steam Boiler Explosions. MESSRS. EDITORS There have been various theories and opinions advanced in explanation of steam boiler explosions. Some of these may be sufficient to account for some explosions, but none of them account for all the explosions that have taken place. The only one that I ever read accounting for all was written by a lady (Miss Fanny Purves, of Philadel- phia), and that stated that it was nothing more than over pressure; and she counseled, as a preventative, the use of pure tough iron in plates sufficiently thick to bear this over pressure. A question here arisesWhat causes this over pressure? Is it the indefinite expansion of steam, under a continuous increase of temperature? Such is held to be the ease by some, but that is not sufficient, because there is a limit to that th~ ry. Perkins has shown by experiment, that if you take an iron vessel and fill it with water, and heat it to a red heat, and then open a hole, rto steam will escape while the vessel and water are at this high heat; but that as soon as the temperature goes down, the steam will escape with great force. We know that when water runs out of the tea-kettle on a hot stove, it will dance about in globules, generating no steam. This is termed the spheroidal state of water, but the intrinsic philosophy of this spheroidal condition is not fully understood. There appears to be a balance between expan- sion and contraction, or, attraction and repulsion, govcrned by some law not ~philosophically understood; and it appears to me that it is this condition of the water in the boiler that causes those terrific explosions that frequently occur. It is well known that when steam in the boiler acquires a high pressure, its augmentation of heat and pressure follows rap- idly; and it will not take many minutes to put the water up to the spheroidal heat. The boiler will have to bear an undue strain before the water attains its spheroidal heat; and if it leaves it, will no doubt be impaired more or less, but will nev- ertheless hold in the spheroidal water; because in this con- dition it makes no steam, and consequently exerts no pressure. Now while inthis condition, the great danger is pending, and of this the engineer is admonished by the following symp- toms: The steam whistle when worked will squeak, and suck, and fret; the safety valve will chatter and work asthmatically, if you will allow me the term; and the only remedy that I I can see is for all surrounding persons to flee the wrath to come. For as soon as the temperature goes down to the point at which the water gives up its spheroidal condition, and as- sumes that of high steam, there will be a sudden augmenta- tion of steam and pressure greater than it was when it as- sumed the spheroidal form, and then follows that terrific ex- plosion we too frequently hear of. I could cite a number of cases of boiler explosions corroborating this view of the mat- ter. The opening of the safety valve by outside force lets in cold air by suction; for in the spheroidal condition of the water the boiler will suck, or inhale, instead of pressing out- ward or exhaling. And so with the steam whistle, it will wheese, and suck, and fret, and chatter, giving warning that an unusual condition of things exists inside the boiler. When we shall learn the electrical condition of the water in its spheroidal condition we may devise some means to avert the cal- amitous consequences of its changes in steam boilers; for in all the explosions that I have investigated, I found that anomalous condition of the safety valves, steam whistles, and gage cocks. Professor Hare, of the University College at Philadelphia, made some experiments many years ago upon the quiescent condition of water in a red hot vessel; but could not arrive at any well-established conclusions. And now, since it is only a step from high steam to spheroidal water, and a back step from spheroidal water to higher steam, it seems to be a thing of too easy occurrence for destructive explosions, especially where small boilers are sed for great powersespecially the tubular boilers. Jount Wien. Lancaster, Pa. The Steam Engine Indieator. MEssRs.EmTous :My attention has been called to a com- munication in your paper, on the above subject, from Mr. Charles T. Porter, which criticises some remarks of mine in the series of articles on, Testing Steam Engines. Mr. Porter refers more particularly to what I said regarding the Rich- ards Indicator; which is also called by some the Porter Indicator, probably from some business connection Mr. P. has had with the instrument. His letter was evidently written after a hasty perusal of but a portion of my paper. The experimental engineer is as much dependent upon his instruments, as the astronomer, the microscopist, or any other investigator; and no one can be more ready than myself to acknowledge the superiority of the instrument in question. Whether or not it gives more correct indications than the old style need not be discussed. At any rate the new instrument is far more convenient and largely reduces the labor in de- ciphering the diagrams. Poople will therefore give it the preference. I have shown in my paper that the indicator is the only instrument that it is practicable to use, in a majority of cases, to test the power of the steam engine, and have pointed out a defect common to both kinds of indicators; viz., that the instrument is tardy in recording the changes of pres- sure. The cause of this I explained, on page 308, in these words. The moving parts must have weight and friction, and some force is necessarily required to overcome the latter and put the mass in motion, and these words are repeated, substantially, on page 322. Mr. Porter, probably through haste in reading the papers, has entirely omitted in his com- munication the subject of friction, and discusses only the iner- tia of the moving parts. Without reviewing his article crit- ically, it is sufficient to observe that the discrepancies in the leng-th of the ordinates show the force exerted to put the mass in motion and overcome the friction, and not the devel- opment of force into power, so the argument about the square of the velocity in no way applies to the case. But this point is of small importance, for the error due to weight of parts is in every case nearly balanced by the oscillations on both sides of the true line, and friction only prevents its being fully so. Friction, then, is the chief cause of the discrepan- cies. If the friction of the moving parts and pencil of the in- strument be one pound per square inch, the piston will com- press the spring one pound by the scale before the pencil will move at all, so that, during any change of pressure, the indi- cated line is separated from the true line a distance equal to the friction pressure. The friction of a good indicator is small but it is always something. If it be only one fourth of that of a good steam engine, working without a loadsay one half of a pound to the square inch-this discrepancy repeat- ed on the top and bottom of an indicator diagram would be ten per cent of a mean pressuru of ten pounds or five per cent of a . mean pressure of twenty pounds. However small the friction, it is absolutely impossible for the instrument to be ex- actly accurate, and experiment shows that the combined fric- tion and inertia of the moving parts increase the discrepan- cies at high speeds. Notwithstanding this, the indicator is the best instrument we can use for the purpose, in ordinary practical trials. My. only object in pointing out its faults was to show under what circumstances it can be depended upon. The particular example, illustrated on page 841, was selected because the difference is so extreme that it can be seen by the eye without measurement. Ordinarily the difference would be much less, as is there explained. [The last word of the explanatory note on page 841, should be less,. not up as the types have it.] Whether or not my explanations are correct makes no dif- ference. The question at issue is simply one of fact. If Mr. P. will spend fifteen minutes in trying the matter he will be satisfied. Honest differences of opinion tend to improvement, and are therefore commendable, but permit me to suggest that common courtesy between members of the same profession should require that statements of the results of actual exper- iments should not be denied too positively until disproved by the results of similar experiments made by persons of equal experience. ____________ MEsSRs. EDITORS.On page 855, last volume, I am request- ed by Engineer to state what we shall call the result we get by the indicator when we throw off all resistance and run the engine by itself alone? In answer to this I will say that had the gentleman read further, he would have found in my article on page 841, same volume, the answer to his question and a full discussion of the subject. He will there ascertain that the so-called friction diagram shows the friction due to the weight of the moving parts, which is constant at all loads, added to a large friction in the stuffing boxes which. is reduced when the engine is load- ed, and that it fails entirely to show the friction due to the load itself. CRARLES E. EMERY. New York city- The Steam Engine Indicator. MESSRS EDITOuS :Since my letter was written which you have courteously printed in a late number, the diagrams on which Mr. Emery founds his judgment have appeared in your columns. We are shown two pairs of diagrams, one pair taken when the steam was admitted to the cylinder through five eighths, and the other when it was cut off at one fifth, of the stroke. The latter show a greater mean pressure than the for- mer by 286 per cent, but we are assured that the power ac- tually exerted by the engine was the same in each case, and that this enormous difference is wholly an error, arising from a defect of the indicator, a defect inherent and unavoidable, which has, therefore, always existed, but has only just been found out. On looking at these diagrams, we observe that, when the steam had been cut of at one-fifth of the stroke, the pressure at the termination, or at the point where the exhaust was opened, was considerably higher than it was at the same point when the steam had been permitted to follow through five-eighths of the stroke. Now everybody acquainted with this subject knows that the indicator never shows anything of this kind, but that, in all cases, if steam is admitted to the cyl- inder of a high-pressure, and is cut off early, a lower terminal pressure is shown than when steam of a low initial pressure is allowed to follow nearly to the end of the stroke, to do the same work. It is obvious that, instead of the resistance having been the same in the two cases, as represented, doubtless in- nocently enough, the engine was in fact exerting in the latter case 286 per cent. more power than in the former. The article shows sufficiently that a serious defect exists somewhere, but not in the indicator. CUAs. T. PORTER. Itainfali---Steam Indicators. MESSRS. EDITORS :I notice in the ScrExTIrre AMERICAN, Vol. XIX, page 846, an article on the annual rainfall in differ- ent portions of the earth, in which is the statement that The amount of water contained in a given amount of air, is, all other things being equal, proportioned to its temperature. It has been ascertained that the amount of water contained in the air varies directly with the temperature, but not propor- tional. As the temperature of the air increases, its capacity for holding water increases, but in a much greater proportion, and at high temperatures a variation of one degree will in- crease its capacity several fold more than the same variation would at a low temperature. This is the cause of the large rainfalls in the tropics. For several weeks sometimes there is no rain, the temperature increases very much, and the air, to get saturated, absorbs Re~rly all the moisture, thus producing a drought. This continues until there is a fall in the tempe- rature, when the water is liberat in very large quantities causing the heavy rains. I have been deeply interested in your articles on the best modes of testing steam engines, but more especially on the use of the indicator. In my short experience I have found that the Richards indicator is very much valued by some engi- neers, and I have seen various kinds used, among them patent instruments for preventing or reducing the travel of the pen- cil above, with its attendant reaction below, what should be the recorded pressure of the steam on its first admission into the cylinder, but I have never found one that is so well suited to general use as the Richards. I have seen figures, taken by it from the engines of Penn & Mandslay, in steam launches, which run at the rate of from 400 to 420 revolutions per minute, and they have been invariably good and well de fined. JouN H. RicRARD. Cilfton Springs, N. V. [Our correspondent mistakes our meaning if he supposes we asserted the amount of water air contains is proportional to its temperature, all other things being equal. We said pro- portioned, side Sillimans Physics, page 651, and Websters Dictionary last definition of the verb proportion.-EDs. Setting up of Steam Engines. MEssRs. EDIToRs.Allow me to make a few suggestions for your valuable consideration. I am by trade a machinist and~have been a constant reader of your very excellent paper for a long time. Among my fellow craftsmen are many who can build, in the most thorough manner, any part of any en- gine made, but if called upon to set it up would not know how to do it; still some of these very men understand the principles of a high or low pressure engine and can give good explanation of the same. Of course much of this information is got from such works as Kings, Bournes, Murrays, etc.,but I have never yet seen any work that explained how to line up and set for running an engine. Now, if you could, through the columns of your valuable paper, give the proper methods of setting up enginesstationary and marinecommencing with the common horizontal, showing or explaining the prop- er attachments to a boiler, etc., I tliink it would meet the wants of a large number of mechanics and increase the sub- scribers of the ScrExTIrIc AMERICAN. Also explain the gov- ernor and how to give the proper speed etc.; also the size of feed pipes, Steam, and blow-off pipes. If you should deign to notice this letter and should give some notes on the steam en- gine, give us no algebraic signs, but plain figures, such as most all mechanics can understand; by so doing you will re- ceive the thanks of at least that portion of hard fisted me chanics which I represent. H. M. Charlestown, Mass. [Our correspondent cherishes a delusion altogether too com- mon, but one which we had supposed was confined to those who had no practical acquaintance withthe building of steam engines; and that is that it is possible to derive this practical knowledge from books. The general principles of the action and construction of steam engines, a description of the de- tails of any particular engine aided by drawings, and the relative proportion of parts may be given in this manner but it would be as useless to attempt to give written instruc- tions how to line up, and set up, and put in working order an engine in situ as to attempt to make an apprentice a good filer by that means. The books our correspondent refers to are among the best on the subject, but they are intended only as aids to a practical education. We have frequently given advice and directions in particular cases which were more or less applicable to other cases, and sometimes we have given the proportions of parts; but to descend to the minuthe and to give exact rules to govern all cases is impossible. Thc~ setting up of boilers is a matter that may be thus illustrated with advantage. An article on that subject may be found in No. 9, of Vol. XVII, ScIENTIFIc AMERIcANEDS. Low Steel---The Requirements of Ax Manufaeturers~ MESSRS. EDITORS I have been very much interested in the articles that have appeared in your valuable paper from time to time on the manufacturing of steel. But it seems to me that the makers of steel in this country have not got the right idea of what is needed for the manufacture of axes. I have worked in one of the largest ax establishments in this country for fourteen years, and during that time the company have tried most of the kinds of steel made in this country, and have been obliged to reject them all; not because the steel was not good steel, but because it was not suitable for axes. And here is where American steel manufacturers make a great mistake in not making a lower tempered steel. When axes were forged by hand they were made very thick, and steel of a higher temper could be used; but now the con- sumer will not use them unless made very thin; and conse- quently the steel used must be of good tenacity to have them keep from breaking in frosty weather when they are most used. Long experience has convinced me that high-tempered steel, such as is used where a fine edge is only required, is not suit- able for axes as they are now made. We have found this to be true of both English and American steel; and the English manufacturers have sent steel here which was condemned as poor, when the truth was it was too high tempered. But it worked well in tools where it was not so hard punished as it is in axes. Now why cannot American steel manufa urers make low tempered tenacious steel as well as the English? There is a large demand for such kind of steel, as there is a large quan- tity used in this country; and the duty on English steel is so high that it is Very desirable to have it made where the duty could be saved. It would make a difference of thirty dollars per day with the company that I work for if they could use the 22 JANUARY 9, 1869.] Z~ientifi~ - 4 23 American steel instead of the English. It will be at once seen that it is not prejudice that stands in the way, for inter- est and everything else is in favor of the American steel. And this ax company, as well as several others, have come to the conclusion that it is cheaper in the end to nse the English steel, until the American mannfactnrers make steel that is suitable for their nse. And I cannot see any reason why they cannot do it now as well as at any other time, if they rightly nnderstood what ~ as wanted. C. M. East Douglass, Mass. The Open Polar Sea. Mxssns. EDITORs :Having given some consideration to the Polar Sea for some years past, I read with some interest the article on page 281, last volume ScIENTIFIC AMERICAN. Inns- mnch as there have been numerous theories respecting the open sea by some, and as its existence is wholly denied by others, I wish to make a few suggestions. It is rather difficult to indorse the idea that it is caused by the Gulf Stream as there indicated; for whether that stream be produced by the escape of the pent up waters of the Gulf, or the discharge of the river Amazon, or both combined, it would seem evident that the warm waters being at the surface would continue there, and keep an open communication to the pole, affording a passage to navigation. That the Polar Sea is open hardly admits of a doubt; I should rather doubt how it could be otherwise. I believe it is conceded by all that the equatorial waters are raised seve- ral miles higher than the polar waters (that is their distance from the center of a true sphere), owing to the centrifugal force given by the rotation of the earth; and the action of the trade winds blowing constantly toward the equator. Now if this be so, the effect must be mostly at and near the surface; and if the surface waters are driven to the equator, their pre- decessors must be constantly giving place. And how can they escape except toward the bottom of the ocean, where the centrifugal force is less? If the pole is op~n, it must be kept so by water from a warmer region in submarine currents. And if from the equator, where tides rise highest (unsup- ported by local causes), may we not suppose that the pres- sure would produce some rising tide at the pole as a nat- ural tendency of water striving for a level.. Braceville, Ohio. CALVIN STOWE. [We fail to see how a uniform centrifugal force would have any tendency to produce currents in the ocean. Although it is plain that centrifugal force varies from the equator to the poles, it remains constant in any degree of latitude north or south. Water raised to any hight at the equator by this force would, if no other force acted upon it, remain there; the force which raised it being sufficient to keep it there. The other causes mentioned have plausibility.EDs. Professor Dussauce and 1~1. Plesse. MEssRs. EDITORs :In the number of your journal for De- cember 9, page 879, I noticed that your contributor, S. Piesse, L. C. S., asserts that, after buying The Guide for the Per- fumer, he was much chagrined to find it a reprint of his own book. This is a very grave assertion, coming from a man of M. Piesses standing. I have published several works, and have always been care- fail to give credit to whom credit was due; and if in this book M. Piesse has not been mentioned, it is for the very simple reason that I owe him nothing. The Guide for the Perfum- er, as its title page indicates, is a translation from the French books of Messrs. Debay and Lunel. If these chemists have borrowed from M. Piesse, I cannot be held responsible for it; and I cannot see why M. Piesse brings his reclamations three thousand miles across the Atlantic, where he could so readily take them to Paris where the authors reside; and M. Piesse, who has made a speciality of chemistry, applied to perfumery, cannot be without a knowledge of these works. Certain it is, Messrs. Editors, that a comparison of my book with those of Messrs. Debay and Lunel, will clearly demonstrate that neither the American author nor publisher has done injustice to M. Piesse. Trusting that you will give me the opportunity of publicly repelling this attack upon my character as an au- thor, I remain yours, respectfully, H. DussAucE. New Lebanon, N. Y. I have examined with considerable care the respective works of Professor Dussauce and M. Piesse, above referred to, and it seems that the difference in contents, arrangement, and gene- ral treatment of subjects is so great, that it would be difficult to find two books on the same subject much more unlike. In no respect do they seem to me to bear a resemblance to each other except in a limited number of the formuhe. HENRY CAREY BAIRD, Publisher of The Guide for the Perfumer. Philadelphia, Pa. The Ice Wall About the Polar Sea. MEssRs. EDITORS :Are not the well-known walls of ice about the open Polar Sea necessarily formed from the motion given to the water of the ocean, by the centrifugal force gen- erated from the daily revolution of the earth on its axis, and will not Mr. Hayes, or any other explorer, find those walls, from whatever direction he may attempt to reach the sea? To explain: The motion of the earth at the equator pro- duces a centrifugal force on the water of the ocean, which is to a great extent balanced by the power of gravitation. Con- sequently, at or near the equator, there is very little tidesay a foot or two. Half way from the equator to either pole, grav- itation is at an acute angle of about forty-five degrees with centrifugal force. The tide, therefore, increases gradually in depth as far north as the Bristol Channel and the Bay of Fundy; and as far south as the Straits of Magellan, where the tide rises about thirty-six feet on the eastern side. At the poles, however, the centrifugal force is not counteracted by gravitation; the latter being at right angles with it, The weight of water in the ocean produces a side pressure, amount- ing to half a pound for each foot of depth. Of course, this water must be continually forced by the side pressure under the ice to the region of the poles, and there being acted, on by centrifugal force, and effected by gravitation only so far as it is at right angles with it, the same water must rush out- wards to the borders of the Polar Sea to.form the well known barriers of ice. These barriers, therefore, appear to be a ne- cessity, and must be found in all directions by those attempt- ing to reach the Polar Sea in vessels. Considering the expense of each new expedition, and the scientific interest of the subject, it would gratify many inter- ested to bave your views, or those of some of your able cor- respondents, through the columns of the SCIENTIFIC AMERI CAN. HENRY N. STONE. Boston, Mass. StorIng Power-Sand. MEssRs. EDITORs.In SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, No. 24, Vol. XIX, your correspondent, G, says: Give us a plan to bottle up power ; also, Elevating water, is objectionable from its scarcity, great evaporation, and expense of reservoirs, and thinks concentration of air might possibly be it. No, sir Too costly apparatus required, exceeding water works in this respect; will do ery well for transportation of power through pipes, but not for storing it. Sand, sir, sand is what you want. Or gravel, dry dirt, finely broken stone, etc. Grain would answer very well, if always on hand in sufficient quantities, but would gradually wear out by friction, cansing loss of weight. Water, wind, or other available or intermit- tent power can elevate sand as well as water. If it is scarce, there are substitutes. It does not evaporate and need not lose by leakage. Keep it dry and it will not freeze up the reservoir, nor machinery. Being heavier than water, would take up less room and would not be damp and disagreable like water. By strengthening the supports, the loft or garret of a warehouse, udli, or factory can be used as a reservoir at littip expense; or any natural elevation no matter how high, can be used, with a shed for protection against rain and snow. Elevators cost less than pumps and pipes; bins cost less than tanks. Equally as simple as the elevator may be the machin ery for utilizing the power given by the sand in returning to its original level; may be an overshot wheel or elevator re- versed. The whole can be made with but small expense for materials and would require but little skill to make or attend to it. It could neither burn nor drown people, nor explode; the heft of the sand being the only thing to provide for. It could be located wherever most convenient and with a suf- ficient altitude or head would require no great bulk of sand to run ordinary machinery, as an auxilliary power or regulator between ~ales even if not between freshets. Sand, I say sand! W. L. DAVIS. Louisville, Ky. lVleteorites---Old Theory the Best. MESSRS. EDITORS A correspondent gives, page 8~8, a the- ory of meteorites founded on the assertion that the sun carries a tail of meteorites behind him, and that the earth on the 14th of November crosses this tail, by passing through the suns path. That the sun, with all the planets, is moving through the heavens around the cluster of stars called the Plelades, and at present in the direction of Hercules, is well established; but that the sun leaves a long tail or train behind him, is not only improbable, but sure not to be so. If such a tail in its path were the true cause of the meteorites, the sun must have two tails and two paths at least; as there is another date, August 10, where the earth passes through another orbit of meteorites, as is well known. The old explanation of the veteran astronomer, Olbers, is perfectly sufficient to explain all periodical and non-periodical meteorites nightly seen in the heavens. It is founded on Keplers old saying, that there are more comets and meteoric masses, revolving in the planetary space around one sun, than fishes in the ocean. Le Verrier, who proved by calculation the existence of an exterior planet before it was seen, has also provedin a similar way the existence of several belts where me- teoric masses are more numerous, and which move in a certain circle, or rather ellipse, around the sun, in the same way as the asteroids (to the number of more than one hundred thus far discovered) but much smaller, and infinitely more numer- ous. Two of these belts intersect the earths orbit at that place where she passes on the 10th of August and 14th of November, of each year. There are many more meteorites moving in the plan of the ecliptic, and more or less parallel to the earth; and among these the earth has, according to Olbers, in the course of ages, hollowed out for itself a kind of empty rut, attracting all within the reach of its gravitation. But as from time to time, by the periodical inequalities in its orbit, and the numberless perturbations to which it is sub- jected, it moves not exactly in the old rut, it will attract other meteoric masses, which thus far have escaped its attractive power. The moon, as she extends her course in a circle around the earth more than fifty of the earths radii in diameter, will, of course, have a large share of the meteors it meets; coming so much further from the mean track of the rut, she also may send to us by her attraction some of the meteors she fails to attract to herself; all this explaining the nightly ir- regular meteors. Such a number of dark masses moving about in space may intercept a small portion of the light of certain stars, and thus explain some of the irregular periodici- ties observed in their degree of luminosity. Allow me to observe here, that it always has struck me, when examining the moon by a powerful telescope, that she looks very much as if numerous masses had fallen on a soft, yielding surface, making a depression in the center, and turn- ing up elevated circular edges around it. Some of these so- called volcanos may perhaps in reality have such a cosmical origin. I close with the remark that the existence of the meteoric belts has been provedby calculation, and is an adopted fact of astronomical science, which long ago was carried to the eyes and ears of every scientific man, and that the theory of the existence of a tail which the sun carries behind him is simply an hypothesis, without the least foundation. P. H. YANDER WEYDE, M. D. New York city. A Rule for FIndIng the Exact Length of the Cir- cumference of any CIrcle. Multiply the difference of the diameter and diagonal of a square of any dimensions by ten, and from the product sub- stract the diameter; the remainder is the length of the cir- cumference of the largest circle which can be inscribed within the square. How to construct a useful measure.The rule being very brief is easily remembered and applied. On a planed board draw a square six inches in diameter and through its center a diagonal line from corner to corner. Ex- tend one side of the square in a straight line indefinitely, or about twenty inches. With dividers or compasses take the diameter and set it on the diagonal at one end, marking tlie distance. Now take the remainder of the diagonal line with the dividers, and walk them on the extended straight line, in-~ cluding the diameter of the square, ten steps. The distance outside the square is the length of the circumference of a cir- cle of the diameter of six inches. To apply this measure to circumferences of greate~r diameter, multiply it by the number of times six inches are contained in such diameter; if the given diameter is less, divide the mea~ sure accordingly. Having deduced this rule frbm the principle demonstrated in the book published by me some months ago, I am willing that others enjoy its utility without paying the expense of a patented instrument, since every mechanic can make his own and can easily test its accuracy by trial. CYRUS P. GROSVENOR, McGrawville, N. Y. School of 1~Ilnes~ Columbia College. The School of Mines, Columbia College, proposes to estab- lish, in connection with its metallurgical department, a bureau of statistics relating to the working of different ores in this country. It is proposed, with the aid of those engaged in manufactures of the different metals, to form at the School of Mines a bureau like the Bureau of Mineral Statistics connected with the Government School of Mines in London, with a view of having in this city as complete a collection as possible of the statistics of the manufacture of the metals in this country. To this end a circular letter, being the first of a series to the masters of different establishments, has been issued, requesting the following items of information. As we believe the movement worthy of cordial support, we cheerfully make place for the circular in our columns, and urge those who can give the information desired, to coiperate and respond fully and promptly: TABLE OF INFORMATION DESIRED. Name of the Works; Town, County, State; Proprietors; Number of Furnaces; Total Hight; Hight of Bosh; Hight of the Hearth; Hight of the Tweers; Diameter of the Throat; Diameter of the Bosh; Diameter at the Tweers; Number of Tweers; Diameter of Tweers; Hot or Cold Blast; Temperature of the Blast; Pressure of the Blast; Kind of Ore; Yield of the Ore; Kind of IronWhite, Gray, Mottled; Kind of Fuel; Quantity of Fuel per tun of cast iron; Production of Each Furnace in tuns of 2,240 lbs., by 24 hours Communications may be addressed to Thos. Egleston, Jr., Professor of Mineralogy and Metallurgy, School of Mines, Co- lumbia Coliege,corner of Forty-ninth street and Fourth avenue. What Railroads do for Farmers. To haul forty bushels of corn fifty miles on a wagon costs, says the Agriculturist, at least $12 for team, driver, and ex- penses. A railroad would transport it for $4 at most. Allow- ing an average of forty bushels per acre, the crop would be worth $8 more per acre, or S per cent on $100. As the relative advantage is about the same for other crops, it is clear that a railroad passing through a town would add $100 per acre to the value of the farms. A town ten miles square contains 64,- 000 acres. An increase of $100 per acre is equal to $6,400,000, or enough to build two hundred miles of railroad, even if it cost $12,000 per mile. But two hundred miles of road would extend through twenty towns ten miles square, and cost but $10 per acre if taxed upon the land. These figures are given merely as an illustration. It the farmers had taxed them- selves to build all the railroads in this country, and given them away to any companies that would stock and run them, the present increased value of their land would have well re- paid all the outlay. The Sword-Hunters of Abysslnla. Sir Samuel Baker, in his late work, The Nile Tributaries of Abyssinia and the Sword-hunters of the Hamran Arabs, describes, as a new and curious fact, the mode of capturing elephants by the sword-hunters, who with great courage and skill cut through the sinews of the beasts hind legs, so that he falls to the earth and is then easily dispatched. Prof. Lie- brecht, of Li~ge, shows that precisely the same thing is related of a people living in the same locality, by Agatharcides, a Greek geographer, who wrote a description of the Red Sea and its coasts, in the eecond century before the Christian Era. The work of Agatharcides is lost, but certain fragments of it, in- corporated in the .Alyriobiblon of Photius, contain a description of the sword-hunters. [JANtARY 9, 1869. 24 Improved Horse Hay Rake. The teeth of this rake are of the usual curved form, each one set separately in the head and having a bearing against a spring, which insures independence of action and a ready adaptation of the rake to the inequalities of the surface. Hor- izontal guards, with downward inclining branches, project between the teeth to keep the hay from rising and to turn it more readily into windrows. The rake head is hinged so that it may be moved to raise or depress all the teeth together. They are depressed, when in operation, by the lever seen by the side of the driver in the engraving, and having a foot rest by which it may be moved. A powerful spring on the head keeps the teeth from the ground when not in operation, so that the rake may be used as a vehicle on the road to and from the field. But for conve- nience in transporting it a long distance or for storing, it is con- structed so that it may be taken in. pieces in a moment and as readily put together again. This will be recognized by farmers as a valuable advantage. It ap- pears to excellently well adapted toits purpose, its parts being few and easily made. Patented May 1st, 1866, by Adam R. Reese, who may be ad- dressed for rights and machines at Phillipsburg, N. J. See ad- vertisement on another page. We sincerely trust that such contraction of the usefulness of favor not only among the owners of watches, but among this society may not become necessary. Will not the friends watch makers and repairers. This is believed to be effected of humanity remember during this blessed holiday season by the self-correcting spring lever herewith described. It al- these little ones and those who are so nobly devoting them-~ lows the balance to turn freely in either direction, the lever selves to their welfare and salvation? yielding to its motion, but instantly regaining its normal po- All gifts my be sent to C. L. Brace, Secretary of the Chil- sition. It can be applied to all kind of American and foreign drens Aid Society, No. S Fast Fourth street, near Broadway, lever watches. New York city. A, is the balance mounted on the staff, B; C, the lever vi- brating on its staff, D; E being the plate or base. The lever is Protectionof Sheep from Dogs. a spring bar, the spring being the ring at its outer end. It A correspondent alluding to our article on this subject pub- has two arms; one, F, long, and the other, U, short. The long lished on page 389, Vol. XIX, says that his father, a promi- arm fits half way around the staff, ID, and the short arm rests nent sheep raiser, finding that the bell wether was never against the flattened side of the staff, as seen plainly at G. attacked by dogs, conceived the idea that the use of bells This flattened portion is slightly hollowed, so that the arm rests against these two extreme points. H are the pallets, mount- ed on the staff, ID, and I is the banking pin, one end passing through a slot in the long arm of the lever, and the other end play- ing in a groove in the plate, E. The lever and pallets work under ordinary circumstances, exactly like the ordinary lever. When, however, the watch is vehemently shaken so that the balance has~ tendency to swing too far in either direction, the ruby pin will, when it has brought the lever to one side so that the banking pin is at the end of its slot in the plate, E, push the long arm F, of the lever still further in such direction; the spring of the lever allowing the arm to yield, thereby permitting the ruby pin to pass the lever, when the lever resumes its origi- nal position. Thus the action of the spring lever and the over ac- tion of the balance, caused by sud- den disturbances, have the effect to equalize the motion and distribute. the result of the disturbance; the overstrain of the spring tending to retard the too rapid movement of the balance, and also the rapid motion of the balance tending to a rectification of the position of the lever. The advantages of the device will be apparant to watchmakers. Patented through the Scientific American Patent Agency, and also in England and France, Nov. 17, 1868, by J. Hietel, J. W. Hietel and J. Qeissler. Address Hietel Bros. 327 South 3d street, Philadelphia, Pa. l?flea. An esteemed correspondent gives the following : Base- burning coal stoves are now all the rage, and the illuminating part of them is what takes. So many of this kind of stoves are now being made that the ques- tion of clear white mica for this purpose is becoming important. There are hundreds of different inferior grades of mica. Canada Mica is of several different shades, from the light brown to the intensely black. New York gives us a very good mica, but no mica can be had equal to that found in the Eastern States. The demand has been so great for the past two or three years that would tend to frighten away the murderous canines. Accord- the supply from the Eastern States has been exhausted, at ingly he furnished fifteen or twenty sheep of a flock of a hun- least the mines at present open; what further development dred with globular bells, the size of an ordinary teacup. Hay- can be made remains to be seen. Mica has been so scarce dur- ing seen it practiced for several years successfully our corres- ing the past season that it has commanded the most unheard pondent is certain of its value. of prices. Six dollars being a common rate per pound and some qualities selling as high as twelve dollars per pound. AN APPEAL FOR HELP---THE CHILDRENS AIDL SOCIETY. New York absorbed for the most part in money-getting has a good heart in the main. Many a man who will not yield a a hairsbreadth in a matter of business, is in private a large dis- burser of money for charitable and humane purposes. And not only in private but public charities, New Yorkers are al- ways ready to give cheerfully. Among the many institutions for the amelioration of the poor and distressed thus supported, there is not one more de- serving than the one whose name heads this article. In a cir- cular just issued by this society, an appeal for help is made to children throughout the land, as well as adults, for aid to car- ry on its work of mercy. The object of this society is to provide food, shelter, and eventually comfortable homes for the poor little homeless wanderers of New York. That the public may realize the magnitude of the work done by this society during the past year, we append the following extract from the circular re- ferred to: In its five lodging houses for boys and girls are sheltered, partly fed, and clothed, during the year, about 10,461 different boys and 1,283 girls; number of meals provided in 18671868, 151,448, and of lodgings, 107,790. Of the boys over 7,000 were orphans. In its twenty industrial schools were 5,609 different children during the year; about 287,000 meals were given and over 6,500 garments; some 8,000 were spent for bread. During the past year 2,286 persons, mostly children, were provided with homes and employment in the country. No one who has not seen the filth and slum of the alleys and cellars of this city, the only homes, if any, possessed by the children above provided for, can estimate the mercy of re- moving 2,286 of these little waifs from these physical and moral hells of filth and vice to the paradise of pure country air and morals. This is a charity to which all may contribute, except those in actual want. The secretary in his appeal says, If you have nothing better, we should be glad even of your old clothes to make some poor shivering child warm. Boxes of old clothing can be collected in rural districts and forwarded to the office of the society whose address is given below. It is estimated that it costs twenty dollars to provide a child with a permanent home, and for this purpose as well as the support of the other features of the charity money is needed. The secretary says: Our work has increased beyond our means; and the News Boys Building Fund has probably with- drawn some of our largest subscriptions from the current work of the Society. Unless generous donations are made, we shall be obliged to close some of our lodging houses in this inckn~- ent season, and suspend or limit our parties to the West. HIETEL AND GEISSLERS IMPROVED WATCH ESCAPE- WHY NOT GROW OUR OWN SILK? ITENT. With the stimulus given to American silk manufacture, by The design of the invention illustrated in the accompanying the present tariff on silk goods, this industry is assuming un- engravings is to prevent the breaking of the ruby pin or pivots precedented proportions in the United States. The bulk of of watch escapements, when subjected to violent shaking or all the raw silk used in American silk mills, is imported. Is jarring, and to combine, in a simple form, the advantages of there any good reason why this should be so? Why should the lever and anchor escapements with the perfection of the we not ourselves grow all the silk required. chronometer movement. The attempts hitherto made at silk growing in the United States indicate the possibility of its success in many sections. It was successfully grown in South Carolina as early as 1755, in which year Mrs. Pinckney, mother of General Piackney of revolutionary fame, took to England a quantity of silk grown and spun in that State. Governor N. Johnson cultivated silk successfully as early as 1693. Experiment.s in the culture of this product in the Carolinas, made at intervals since the above dates, have uniformly been successful; but the cultivation of cotton has so absorbed the attention of Southern agricultural- ists, that but little attention has been attracted to results of experiments in silk culture. Silk growing in Connecticut dates back to a very ealy period. Governor Law wore in 1747 the first silk coat and stockings produced in t~at colony. President Stiles of Yale College, took a great interest in the pursuit, for forty years, and the college library contains a manuscript journal of his observations during that period. In Dr. Franklins time silk was cultivated at Philadelphia. It is recorded that Mrs. Sn- sannah Wright of Columbia, Lancaster, Co. Pa., received in 1771 a premium for a piece of silk sixty yards long, made from cocoons of her own raising, and used for a court dress for the queen of Great Britain. Specimens of this silk are still preserved. In the more northernly portions of the union, silk growing has not proved very successful, owing to the severity of the climate. The attempts to grow silk in this State some twenty or more years since were failures, probably from this cause. But the southern and middle portions of the country, as well as the greater portions of the Pacific slope, are admirably adapted to this pursuit. California in particular, has advan- tages for this industry excelled by few localities on the globe. The present condition of the silk industry in the latter State, The anchor escapement is found to be, when properly con- is very prosperous, it is estimated that it has increased one structed, but little inferior to the free escapement in keeping fourth during the past year. There are now five millions of correct time, and in durability it frequently excels the too com- mulberry trees under cultivation in that State; two crops of plicated lock-spring escapement. But this latter has the de- cocoons in a season being the usual production, although three cided advantage of allowing unrestricted freedom of motion to are sometimes obtained. It is also estimated that ten millions the balance, which is not the case with the lever escapement, of sound cocoons will be the product of 1869. This represents as the latter causes occasional breaking of the ruby pin or the thirty thousand pounds of fiber, produced at a cost twenty-five pivots. When exposed to sudden or violent motion, as when per cent less than the same quality of silk can be imported. carried by engineers, conductors, and other employds on rail- The conclusions from these facts are unmistakable. Silk road trains, watches frequently become disordered, because manufacturing and silk growing in this country are at last the amount of play allowed to the balance of the lever escape- permanent and profitable industries, and will remain so unless meat is insufficient. destroyed by a false policy on the part of the general govern- A removal of these drawbacks to the lever would soon find meat. REESES PATENT HORSE HAY RAKF. JA~NPARY 9, 186~.} j~~~itj i~ ~1UNN & CO1YIPMIY, Editors and Proprietors. PUBLISHED WEEKLY AT NO. 37 PARK ROW (PARK BUILDING), NEW YORK. 0. D. MUNN. S. IL WALES. A. E. BEACH. W~ The American News Company, Agents,121 Nassau street,New York. W~ The New York News Company, 8 Spruce street. ~ A. Asher & Co., 20 Unter den Linden, Berlin, are Agents for the Ger- man States. ~ Tnbner & Co., 60 Paternoster Bow, London, are also Agents to receive snbscriptions. VOL. XX., No. 2... .[NEw SERIES.J.... Twenty-fourth Year. NEW YORK, SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 1869. Contents: (Illustrated articles are marked with an asterisk.) *Improved Floating Water Power 17 The Sword-Hunters of Abyssinia.. 23 Glass StainingThe Manufacture Hole for Finding the Exact Length of Illuminated ChurchWindows 17 of the Circumference of any Induences of the Different Trades Circle ii and Professions as Causes of *Improved Horse Hay Bake 24 Consumption 18 Mica .24 History of Hats and Hatting 15 An Appeal for elp The Chil- Supposed Enormous Black Dia- drens Aid Society 24 mond 10 Protection of Sheep from Dogs.. - - 24 Practical Utility of Mathematical *Hietel & Geisslers Improved Science 19 Watch Escapement 24 Thirty-dye Years of Progress in Why Not Grow Our Own Silk? - .. 24 Art and Science 19 Induence of Ye etation upon the of Man in the Existence of iasms in the At- SuPBosedTraces ii mosphere 25 The Mines of Nevada 19 Freezing of Submarine WaferPipes The Bulk of the Worlds Gold 19 Pumping Long Distances 25 Pin gging Screw and Brad Holes on Polished Steel OrnamentsBerlin ~~snsshed Work. 19 Cast Iron 25 *Improved Two-Wheeled Veloci- Important Trade Mark Case 23 pede 29 The Human Wheel and its Rival Remarkable Transformation in The Velocipede Mania 21 Reptiles 20 Reminiscences of Travel in Spain. 26 *Bumnham~s Improved. - Turbine Another Sensation on Wall Street. 26 Water Wheel ... 20 The East River Bridge 26 The Mastodon and Mammoth Fe- Combustion from Steam Radiators 26 rind 20 ReciprocityMr. Greeleys Scheme 26 *The Origin of the Meteors 21 Manufacture of Arms in Persia.... 27 *Expansion of Ice 21 Artistic or Expressional Dentistry. 27 A Voice from St. Louis about Blasting with 7Nitro-glycerin at the Watches 21 Hoosac Tunnel 27 Eccentric with Crank Combined.. 21 Dangers in the Use of the Lighter Temporary Newspaper Binder.... 21 Products of Petroleum 20 Steam Boiler Explosions 22 Reforms Needed in the Coustruc- The Steam Engine Indicator 22 tion of Some Articles in Coin- RainfallSteam Indicators 22 mon Use 28 Setting up Steam Engines 21 The New Orleans Elevator 28 Low SteelThe Requirements of Editorial Summary . 20 Ax Manufacturers 22 Manufacturing, Mining, and Rail- The Open Polar Sea 21 road Items 29 Prof. Dussauce and M. Piesse 23 New Publications 29 The Ice Wall About the Polar Sea. 23 Recent American and Foreign Storing PowerSand 23 Patents 29 MeteoritesOld Theory the Best.. - 21 Answers .to Correspondents 29 School of Mines, Columbia College 23 Patent Claims 30 What Railroads do for Farmeis 20 WE are now printing 35,000 copies of the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, and Subscriptions are rapidly flowing in, from Maine to Californiafrom the Lakes to the Gulf. Our Columns offer one of the very best mediums in the Country for adver- tisers who value a lame Circulation. A word to the W~5O is sufficient. iew~ifh~ ~mevi~a reason, and not to the agency of any cultivated crop, as sug- gested in the article referred to, has the health of tbose locali- ties improved. We are willing to concede with Falstaff; that instinct is a great matter. We do not believe, however, that the negroes, the East Indians, or even the Belgian farmer, have been guided by instinct or by reason, to the selection of a plant that is so potent in its influence upon malaria; and, in the absence of any information as to the nature of the miasm which has dis- appeared from the once infected plantation, and without know- ing any of the collateral circumstances of this case, we prefer to believe that it was owing to some other cause than the presence of the helianthus annuus. FREEZING OF SUBMARINE WATER PIPES---PUMP NG LONG DISTANCES. From Mystic Bridge, Coan., we have received a communica- tion in which the writer sets forth two grievances, the subjects of which are stated in the above caption. He says: We have got a pipe in this place which Supplies some of our people with water. Its head is fifty-six feet above tide water and it crosses the river (salt water) in a three-inch iron pipe. This pipe froze up solid and burst in several places w1 ile twelve feet under water. Some tell me it is anchor ice, but this I cannot believe. In reply to this portion of the letter we would say that this case is not a, singular one. The Croton Water Works managers have experiAnced the same difficulty in conveying fresh water across the East River at a depth of thirty feet. Salt water requires a lower temperature than fresh for freezing. Fresh water entering a pipe at a temperature nearly freezing and passing through a body of chilled salt water would be apt to part with enough of its caloric to form crystals or spicula of anchor frost against the sides of the pipe, and the formation of anchor ice would be very rapid. In the East River there is a strong current, as there probably is at Mystic Bridge, and as the lower stratum must, of course, be the coldest, the result of freezing is natural. The remedy is to encase the sub marine pipe in a non-conducting material. The second difficulty found by our correspondent is in pump. lug water ~hrough 8,000 feet of pipe by means of a lifting or suction pump. He says: The difference in hight between the supply end and the discharge end of the pipe is sixteen feet. The pipe conforms to the inequalities of the ground, be- ing in some places high and in others low. I have attached a pair of good seven-inch lifting pumps and put a vacuum gage within ten feet of the pump which held it at 28 inches or 14 pounds. I filled the pipe the whole length with water and uncovered the high parts and let the air out previous to the filling. Yet I cannot get a stream. When the solid water came I plugged up the air holes, but with this 28-inch vacuum I could not hold the water. The supply end of the pipe has a foot valve. Neither is this case remarkable. Engineers have often ex- perienced similar difficulties. It is almost impossible to ex- haust the air from the bends of a pipe when it rises from a hori- zontal. This case may be stated thus: 28-inch vacuum....44 lbs. 16 feet to rise~S lbs.,and 14S~6 lbs. Now the air in the pipe forced out a portion of the water until its pressure was reduced to that of the column. Then the weight of the foot valve, whatever that may be, must be added to the resistance. Very likely the removal of this valve (which, after all, is an unnecessary adjunct), Will reduce the resistance and remove the difficulty. If that is ineffectual, 1150 a force pump at the point of supply instead of a lifting pump at the place of delivery. INFLUENCE OF VEGETATION UPON THE EXISTENCE OF MIASMS IN THE ATMOSPHERE. We notice, in an exchange, a statement that a Belgian farm- er, residing in a very unhealthy district, has changed his plantationnotoriously insalubrious hithertointo a perfect- ly healthy one, by planting sunflowers upon it. Allusion is also made to the practice of the negroes in the Southern States who, to prevent certain local diseases, plant sunflowers and castor beans about their cabins. It states also, upon the authority of travelers in India, that the inhabitants of the marsh counties there, plant the betel pepper around their dwellings, in part for a similar purpose. ~ We are told, in this sapient article, that investigations fol- lowing the Belgian experiment, discovered the fact that the sunflower derives the most of its substance from the air and not from the soil; as though that were a ROW discovery, and that all plants did not, to a greater or less degree, do the same thing. Thereupon the author congratulates himself and the world, that by a proper selection of plants, we may, at the some time we enrich our store, render whole malarial districts healthy. It would, indeed, be a subject of congratulation, if we could, by cultivating castor beans, rhubarb, and the other medicinal though mostly disagreeable plants to tongue and nose, in common use about our houses, avoid the necessity of taking them into our stomachs. But, we fear that the latter alternative will be sometimes necessary, so long as we continue intemperate in eating and drinking, and do not correct our habits in regard to air and exercise. As to the avoidance of pestilence and malarial influences by the cultivation of one kind of plant more than another, we believe that it is a super- stition of barbarians, without the shadow of foundation. The. stuffed skins of animals, the teeth of snakes, and other things have been believed by savage nations to possess similar virtues Recent investigations all tend to establish the fact that so- called miasms are nothing more nor less than microscopic or- ganisms, diffused through the atmosphere; living things, not gases to be absorbed by plants, as the article alluded to ivould have us suppose; incapable of being assimilated to the econo- my of a living being, be it plant or animal, and, on this ac- count, a poison when introduced into the system. The condi- tions favorable to the growth and reproduction of these minute organic bodies, vary with temperature, moisture, and, proba- bly, many other causes not yet understood. But it is specially noted that in low, swampy lands covered with dense rank veg- etation, they are more numerous than in localities of opposite character. Such lands, favorable to rank growth, also favor ____________________________ swift decay, and the decay of vegetable matter, as well as ani- mal matter, seems to develop a condition, among other things, IMPORTANT TRADE MARK CASE. favorable to the growth of miasmatic organisms. The clear- A case was recently decided in the Court of Common Pleas ing up and draining of swamp lands generally end the ca- in this city, involving a nice question of the right to use cer- reer of fever and ague in their immediate vicinity; for this, tam well known words to desig-nate a particular manufacture. POLISHED STEEL OrNAMENTS..-BERLIN CAST IRON. The material and style of ornamental articles of wearing apparel change in fashion from time to time. Now the mate- rial must be of the most costly character and elaborate design; again it is of the cheapest. Among this latter may be classed the so-called steel ornamentsbuttons, ear drops, brooches, bracelets, clasps, etclately and even now all the rage. Yet even this material, cileap as it is, is not what these articles are composed of; they are either cast or wrought iron, mainly of cast iron. The Berlin castings have long been celebrated for their delicacy and finish. One knows not which most to admire, the elegance of the finished work, the intricacy of the pattern and the consequent skill of the molder, or the fine quality of the metal that may be induced to assume such elaborate and intricate forms. Some of the articles, as brooches have a beauty of network almost rivaling Italian filigree in gold, yet it is nothing but cast iron. The polish is perfect, and, unlike either gold or silver, it is not easily tarnished, even when exposed to the action of the carbonic acid of a crowded, ill-ventilated room. The luster Ilas not tIle trying yellow or orange of gold, nor the blaring white of silver, but a clear, bluish, almost transparent sheen from wbich the light is reflected as feom the diamond. And when cut into facets, as are 5Olfl~ of the ornamental buttons for ladles dresses, they rival the sparkle of the brilliant. The polish is obtained by the use of crocus on a buff wheel. Berlin iron is also largely employed in casting statuettes, electroplated or lacquered to resemble bronzes, for which they are frequently sold, and to which they are nowise inferior, ex- cept in the intrinsic value of the material, as the peculiarity of the iron used is its capacity for easy flowing when in a fused state and thus filling perfectly the most minute portions of a mold. 25 It appears that Charles M. Town has put upon the market an article which he calls Desiccated Codfish, which means dried codfish. Mr. Town brought a suit against James A. Stetson & Co. for using the same words upon their own manufacture. Judge Barrett decided that the popular word desiccated, here sought to be burdened with a new and exclusive use, is spec cially descriptive of the article sold; in fact, it is the only word which correctly describes the process whereby this par- ticular preparation of codfish is produced. No manufacturer can acquire a special property in an ordinary term or expres- sion, the use of which as an entirety is essential to the correct an~1 truthful designation of a particular article or compound. The court will neither prevent people from calling things by their right names nor force a misnomer upon them. The plaintiff may distinguish his desiccated codfish as the Bis- marek or the Von Beust, or by the prefix of any other proper name or common word not previously applied in that connection, and not essential to the truthful designation of the article produced, and he will be protected in its exclusive use. But he can no more acquire a special property in the word desiccated, as applicable to an article which has undergone that process than he can to the words dried, preserved, or pickled, as applied to ,that wh treated. ich has, in fact, been thus This decision of Judge Barrett appears to be based upon good sound sense. Patents can be obtained for ornamented trade marks, but the use of fancy words to designate an arti- cle of manufacture will not, it seems to us, confer an excluSi -e right until the article has acquired a good reputation. THE HUMAN WHEEL AND ITS RIVAL---THE VELOCIPEDE MANIA. Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, in a former number of the At- lantic .Alonthly, published an article entitled, The Human Wheel, its Spokes and Felloes, in which he treated the act of walking as analogous to the movement of a wheel; the legs being the spokes, and the feet the felloes. Had he postponed that humorous and instructive essay a year or two, he would have found himself behind the age. The art of walking is becoming obsolete. It is true that a few, like Weston, who still cling to that mode of locomotion, are still admired as fossil specimens of an extinct race of pedestrians; but for the majority of civilized humanity, walking is on its last legs. What with our steamboats, railway cars, horse cars, omni- buses, and last, and least in size though not least in import- ance, velocipedes, to which category will soon no doubt be added flying machines. We shall soon ride, sail, swim, ,or fly, wherever we wish to go; we shall have ceased to walk en- tirely. We have land velocipedes, and water velocipedes; we still lack velocipedes for ice and air navigation. We have veloci- pedes with two wheels, and others with three, and even with four wheels; but the two-wheeled machines seem to be the ones most in favor. It might seem difficult at first to learn the manipulation of the two-wheeled species, but it is not so. We have seen them bearing, easily and pleasantly, young and old, light and heavy, with equal facility. Velocipedestrianism, a word coined for the times, is essier to learn than skating; and is fully equal to the latter delightful sport in its invigor- ating and exhilarating effects. We lately witnessed an exciting race between a somewhat obese gentleman on the shady side of forty, and a slender boy of perhaps seventeen years, who, notwithstanding the descending ground was in favor of the heavy weight, suc- ceeded in beating his more muscular rival by several lengths. In Paris we learn that the number of these little vehicles has increased so much, that they a1-e required to carry lamps in the evening. In this city, although we have heard of no police regulation reqmring it, young gentlemen may be seen almost every night riding their velocipedes on some of our avenues, with head lights attached. We have also schools for exhibition and instruction. One is announced in another column; another, recently opened, is conducted by Pearsall Brothers, No. 932 Broadway, where on any week-day evening may be seen upward of a hundred and fifty gentlemendoctors, bankers, merchants, and representa- tives from almost every professionengaged in this training school preparatory to making their appearance upon the pub- lic streets and fashionable promenades. Some of them become tolerably expert operators in a single evening; others make awkward work of it even after several nights hard tugging. We frequently drop~ into this T7elocinasiurn to witness the novel amuseulent which the exhibition always affords. Here are two well-known stock brokers, jaded by the excitement of Wall street, with their coats off and faces burninu with zeal, gyrating around the room in the most eccentric manner. Some of the time they were upright in the saddle, but more fre- quently they were engaged in mounting and dismounting their refractory steeds: they looked fatigued, they gave forth the sigh of dmscouragement; but after an expert had mount- ed and raced ,~racefully around the room, they began to rally for another effort, and seemed to be satisfied that the fault was not in the machine after all. We believe the young brokers have since become skillful operators. Tue large room is devo- ted to the instruction of new beginners, who, when they show sufficient skill, are promoted to the arena where their friends can witness and applaud their skill. We are informed that a gentleman, in New Jersey, lately traveled fifty miles on a velocipede in four and a half hours.. They are coming rapidly into demand all over the country There is a great call for improvement in these vehicles, by which their weight can be reduced, and their speed increased. We expect some ingenious inventor will soon bring out a veloCipede upon which our ladies will be able to take their airings, and that, too, without the necessity of any considera ~ieuti~i( . [JANUARY 9, 18(39 ble change in the present style of dress. The panier now so generally worn will serve to cushion the seat; and by the in- troduction of a shorter dress, with flowing pants, which our ladies, who wish to enjoy robust exercise, may safely adopt, we may expect to see parties of both sexes making their morning visits to the Park mounted upon graceful velocipedes. There is evidently to be a good deal of fim and excitement on this subject when spring opens. Harper8 Wee/dy, in its editorial remarks, after copying from this paper, on this subject, says: A number of persons in this city and its vicinity are already making use of the velocipede as a means of traversing the dis- tance from their homes to and from their places of busine~s. One gentleman takes his ride of nearly ten miles daily, and saves time as well as enj6ying the ride. The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher has secured two of the American machines, and other gentlemen, well known in the literary and artistic world, are possessed of their magic circles. Youngsters ride down Fifth avenue with their school books strapped in front of their velocipedes, and expert riders cause crowds of spectators to visit the public squares, which afford excellent tracks for the light wheels to move swiftly over. The best speed thus far attained is a mile in a few seconds less than fou minutes. In Paris the Americans carried off the prizes, as well for slow as fast riding. The slow riding is much the most difficult, as it is far easier for the rider to keep his equilibrium in a rapid ride than while moving slowlyjust as in the case of a boy driving his hoop, the faster it goes the more direct is its line. To ride a velocipede well is much less difficult than to learn to skate, and the danger of a fall is not imminent. The present scale of prices demanded by dealers is about the same, ran~ ing from sixty to one hundred dollars. A horse costs more, and will eat, kick, and die; and you can- not stable him under your bed, remarked an expert rider to a friend. The weight of a medium-sized velocipede is about sixty pounds, and the size of driving wheel most in favor from 30 to 36 inches in diameter. The springs of the vehicle are so ar- ranged as to make it ride easily over a tolerably rough pave- ment. A fair country road is as good a track as one could de- sire; but hills of more than one foot ascent in twenty can not be climbed without dismounting and leading the machine. The winter season is not favorable to reloce-riding, but with opening of spring we may expect to see the two-wheeled affairs gliding gracefully about the streets and whizzing swift- ly through the smooth roads of the Park. We are desirous of making this paper foremost in dissemin- ating information on this popular subject. The facts and in- cidents connected with this new species of locomotion will be read with interest by all, old and young, male and female. REMINISCENCES OF TRAVEL IN SPAIN. iio. iv. THE MADRID PICTURE tALLERY5PANI5H ARTISTSA vrsiv TO TOLEDO, THE POMPEII OF 5PAIN~ It is not generally known that the Royal Gallery of Madrid embraces the finest collection of pictures in Europea state- ment which may appear somewhat extravagant to those who have reveled amid the gems of the Louvre, the Dresden, and the Florence galleries. The assertion, however, is supported by some of the most intelligent travelers and critics who have closely studied the fine arts in all the chief centers of art in Europe. The collection, which numbers about two thousand, consists not in a chronological series of Spanish pictures merely, but of gems by all the best-known masters of the French, Flem- ish, and Italian schools, to which is added the only good col- lection of the great Spanish masters to be found in the world. Spain had but one period of art, and a truly glorious one it was, that brought out such great painters as Murillo, Velas- quez, Ribera, Alouzo Cane, Zurburan, Juanes, Morales, Coello, and Tobar, masters respecting whom very little is known out of Spain, and can be appreciated only by those who have studied their works. Velasquez was probably the most pow- erful historical painter that ever lived. He had a style pecul- iarly his own, and although he studied art in Italy, nothing could change the style which he had adopted, and certainly none other could so graphically portray the cold, haughty, lock-jaw looking figures of the royal subjects which chiefly employed his pencil. Velasquez was a court favorite, and enjoyed unusual ad- vantages, which he knew how to improve, and one cannot look at his stately figures without feeling that they could speak if they would. His picture of the surrender of Breda to General Spinola is perhaps the finest historical picture in existence. Velasquez rarely ever touched other than historical subjects, yet it would be impossible to forget a remarkable Crucifixion in this gallery, paiated by him. Velasquez was employed by Philip the Fourth to paint a picture of the Infanta Margarita surrounded by her favorite ,which included his own full- length portrait. Upon its completion he asked his royal mas- ter if there was nothing wanted. One thing only, said Philip, and taking the brush, he painted with his own hand, on the breast of the artist, the red cross of the order of Santiago, the highest honor he could bestow. There are sixty-four of Velasquez supeib pictures in this gallery. The Spaniards take most pride in Murillo; they declare that lie was never out of Spain, and that heacquired all his skill in the midst of his own people. Murillos greater works are only to be seen in Madrid and Seville, and the fact that they usually embodied some religious sentiment, some mystery of faith which warmed the fervid impulse of the people, will ex- plain in part the homage which his name and genius inspires. Murillo critically studied nature as he found it in the streets of his native city, and his Madounas are striking types of An- dalusian beautyhuman forms which he lifted to the sky, and therefore less refined and ethereal than the angels which Ra- phael was in the habit of calling down to his canvas. In the council chamber of the Academy of San Fernando are several Murillos, but the one that hangs over the presi- dents chair, known as the Tinoso, which represents St. Isabel- la, Queen of Hungary, healing the lepers, is the most natural picture we ever saw. The figure of the queen is an embodi- ment of saintly grace and beauty, and appears in charming contrast to the diseased lepers, as one after another they conic to have their leprous sores cleansed and healed. We have seen ideal pictures far more pleasing to the sight than this, but we doubt if any other artist living or dead, could have ex- celled it in power and truthfulness of delineation. Murillo has forty-six pictures in this gallery, but his best are at Seville, where he was born and lived and died. With the exception of Velasquez, the Spanish masters de- voted themselves to the deification of the church, by numerous Christs, Virgins, patriarchs, apostles, saints martyrdoms, and to frighten the ignorant by visions of hell, purgatory, and bodilytorture; therefore the visitor hunts the galleries in vain for Spanish landscapes and representations of the social char- acteristics of the people, which afford a rich field for artistic effects. The old Spanish masters are all dead and buried, and none have come to take their places. We could not learn of a single artist living in Spain who enjoys a national reputation. The artists are chiefly employed in making tolerably fair copies of the old pictures. A better idea may be formed of the high character of the Madrid gallery when it is known that there are a number of Raphaels worksone a large picture by this prince of all artists, Christ Bearing the Cross, surrounded by stern and sorrowing figuresone of the few pictures signed by him. It has never been retouched, though somewhat faulty in coloring, a result possibly due to age and climate; neverthe- less critics have pronounced it the finest picture in the world. There are sixty-two Reubens, some of them drawn from Italian and Spanish models, richly colored, and much less sensual than the fat muscular Flemish beauties that he was accus- tomed to paint. There are nearly three hundred and fifty fine works byTitian, Teniers, Tintoretto, Van Dyck, Paul Veronese, Giordanos, Breughel, Snyders, Poussin, Claude Lorraine, Wo- verman, and other a ists of well known celebrity. From Madrid we made an excursion to Aranjuez, which, in spite of all its wretchedness, boasts a royal palace ~nd gardens of no mean pretensions, where royalty was accustomed to seek retirement in summer, amid shady groves, enlivened by the songs of nightingales, and there To sit upon the ground And tell sad stories of the fate of kings. From Aranjuez we went on to Toledo, probably the most ancient, curious, and interesting city in Spain. At one time Toledo was the court city, and some idea may be formed of the transformation which it has undergone when it is known that in those days its population numbered upward of 200,000, now reduced to about 17,000. Toledo is the Pompeii of Spain, and abounds in prout-bits which deeply interest the seeker after antiquities. The situation of the old city is remarkably picturesque, being perched upon a narrow, rooky bluff, over- hanging a sharp bend in the river Tagus, with beautiful sur- rounding landscapes. The Cathedral is a marvelous pileone of the noblest in Spain, which means a good dealand possesses treasures val- ued at several millions, which are hurriedly shown at certain times, for a reasonable fee. There is a curious tradition in re- gard to this cathedral which is worth a brief notice. One of the richest chapels is dedicated to St. Ildefonso, an eloquent controversalist, who flourished 1,200 years ago. This saint was the first advocate of the dogma of the immaculate con- ception of the Virgin; and the Toledans appear to believe that, in gratitude for this service, the Virgin mother twice came down from heaven and visited the cathedral, on one occasion bringing with her a finely wrought cassock, placing it upon the shoulders of the saint. This event is signalized in a large picture suspended in the church, and the very stone upon which she alighted is mortised into one of the pillars, and has been kissed for so many generations that it is now as smooth and hollow as a porcelain saucer. The garment so miraculously bestowed is preserved among the treasures of the cathedral at Oveido. Toledo is the most singular, dried-up specimen of an old city that we have ever seen. It is almost dead, but it abounds in fine Moorish buildings, interesting churches, and elegant Jewish synagogues, and it was curious to notice that some of the churches were dismantled, deserted, and given over to ruin, being wholly useless for the want of worshipers to attend them. The streets are too narrow aad crooked to permit car- riages to pass through them, therefore donkeys are chiefly employed to carry burdens. We do not know who had the best of the visit, ourselves or the natives. We were followed through the streets by a crowd of people, chiefly ragged women and children, with a liberal admixture of men beggars politely showing us the way. We wanted a pocket photograph apparatus, to catch the curious scene; but alas! the skill of the inventor had not quite met the want. We spent a part of one night at Toledo simply because we could not conveniently get away. The hotel was altogether the most rickety, cheerless, and comfortless that we found in Europe. We were summoned to be up at four in the morning, to partake of a breakfast consisting of a cold, muddy mixture which they called coffee, and a little hard bread; the butter we could not eat, and we have not to this day the slightest notion of what materials it was composed, but concluded from the smell that foreigners must reside for some years in Spain and take out nataralization papers before they would be able to eat of it. Breakfast done, we emerged from our chilly prison house, passing through a pompous gateway into the streets, to fol- low the porters who had our trunks upon their shoulders. The air cut like a razor; ~t was pitch dark and not a light in the street to cheer our exit, but we followed on as best we could behind the porters, twisting and turning through the dark, narrow alleys, for nearly half a mile, until we reached the Tocodover plaza, where we found a rickety old omnibus in waiting to tote us down to the station, a distance of nearly two miles. We were glad to get out of that dismal spot, which seemed to forebode evil, and to get a view of a locomo- tive, the only civilizing progressive feature we were able to discover. ANOTHER SENSATION ON WALL STREIIT. On the night of Saturday, the 19th Dec., an event took place which has produced a sensation in Wall street scarcely inferior to that consequent upon the recent operations in Erie stock, with which the public ear has been filled, ad nawsearn. This was the watering of the capital stock of the New York Central Railroad to the tune of eighty per cent. The stock before this operation was $25,000,000. It is now $45,000,000. The $20,000,000 of extra stock is called a dividend, yet it will be hard to convince the public that is the proper name for it. A singular circumstance connected with this transaction is the fact, that notwithstanding this enormous increase, the stock rose from 133 on Saturday, to 165 on Monday. Those inside the ring appear to have made a handsome thing out of the operation, while those who are left out in the cold have bled freely. Cornelius Vanderbilt is reported in the papers to have made the snug little sum of $5,000,000 out of this great cor- ner; and his movement is considered the greatest coup detat Wall street hTas ever known. We have no doubt of it; and if this scheme is not nipped by judicial interference, which in this city never terminates, the people will soon be treated to an increase in the rates of passenger and freight tariffs in order to enable the stockholders to reap a further reward from that investment. Further comment is unnecessary. The East River Bridge. The Common Council of Brooklyn, on the evening of the 20th Dec., voted to subscribe $3,000,000 on behalf of the city toward the $5,000,000 required for the construction of the long- talked of suspension bridge across the East River, to connect New York and Brooklyn. According to the plans heretofore published, the new bridge will start, on this side, from a point near the Registers office in the City Hall Park, and will strike the other side of the East River at the corner of Sands and Washington streets. Its largest span or reach will be 1,600 feet, which is nearly 000 feet longer than that of the bridge over the Ohio River at Cincinnati, and nearly 800 feet longer than that of the Niag- ara Falls bridge. Its total length will be a little over a mile, and its width 50 feet, admitting of the passage of 200,000 persons daily. We do not doubt that the impulse thus given to this enter- prise will speedily secure the remainder of the capital re- quired, and that the completion of this great work is now as- sured. Our readers are familiar with its details, published with engraving on page 88 and 90, last volume of the Scr~u TIFIC AMERICAN. Combustion from Steam Radiators. A small paper mill at Lawrence, Mass., took fire recently under singular circumstances. The Daily American of that town says: In this mill was a revolving bleaching cylin- der, situated over one hundred feet from the boiler supplying it with steam. The pressure of steam supplied was about sixty pounds to the square inch. It revolved within a few inches of the ceiling (as is usaal) to facilitate the filling of it from the floor above, and the wood work situated over it had become, as it were, baked by the heat radiated from it. The men employed in the mill at the time of the fire state that the flame seemed, as it were, to spring out of the ceiling over the cylinder. The loss was $970 on the building and $50 on stock, which has been paid by the insurance companies. The peculiarity of its origin ought to command the attention of all who use steam pipes for heating, when they have on high pressure, and wood work around or near the steam. Reciprocity--l?Ir. Greeiey~s Scheme. Mr. Greeley has recently paid a visit to Montreal, where, in an address to a meeting held at the Corn Exchange in that city, he enunciated the following plan for the settlement of the reciprocity question: The features of this plan are that the United States and Canada shall arrange matters on a basis like that at present existing among the different states of German Zollverein. A system of tariffs shall be adopted alike for both countries, on imports from abroad. Custom houses along the boundary line between the two countries shall be abandoned, leaving internal trade entirely free, but the duties collected at custoiu houses of the seaports shall be divided between the two countries in proportion to their population. CHINESE IN ALAsKA.Capt. Fast late of the U. S. Army, has made a collection of antiquities from graves, etc., in Alas- ka, during a nine months stay in that country consisting prin- ciply of ornaments and weapons richly and skillfully carved, and which resemble those now made by the Chinese. There seems to be no doubt that these relics belong to a totally dis- tinct race from that at present inhabiting Alaska. In this connection we learn with much interest that Professor Carl Neuman, of Munich, a diligent student of Chinese antiquities and bibliography, has discovered from the Chinese year books that a company of Buddhist priests entered this vast country via Alaska, a thousand years before Columbus, and explored thoroughly and intelligently the Pacific borders, penetrating into the land of Fusung for so they called the Aztec tern- nitory, after the Chineese name of the Mexican aloe, 2(3 JANUARY 9, 1869j MANUFACTURE OF ARMS IN PERSIA. SWORDS. For tlie manufacture ofa sword, the steel bar is first forged by a smith till it acquires the necessary shape. It then is taken by the armorer, who planes it off by a damask plane. After having been heated, it is again planed, and so on for sev- eral times; at last it is gradually brought to a very high de- gree of heat. In order to be assured that the blade has been exposed to the requisite temperature, it is partly polished with a paste consisting of fat and emery powder. If satisfactory, the whole of the blade is treated in this way; if not, it is again re-heated until the desired result is obtained. The blade is then immersed in fat and again exposed to the fire, which op- eration is repeated for several times. It then is filed and passes finally into the hands of the polisher. The manufacture of damask swords is, hence, somewhat complicated, and it re- quires skillful workmen. It is, also, not easy to ascertain their quality. When the back of the blade,, which is generally first examined, does not show the least trace of a fissure, it is al- ready a good sign; a better is that, when, by careful examina- tion, it does not present any marks of welding upon its sides. Beside this, great experience is necessary for the testing of blades, which experience is only possessed by the Persians. They are very rarely deceived. Do Roche Flonart relates an instance whcre swords were appraised by several parties at separate times, who all agreed on the same valuation. This is the more surprising as the price of a damask blade varies from $10 to $600. THE NECESSITY OF HOME MANUFACTURE. It is astonishing that the Persians have, as yet, shown so great a neglect in regard to their iron ore and coal mines. Though in Mazenderan a beginning has been made in the smelting of native ores, it is of too little account to be of any importance. Nearly all the iron is imported, the prices per pound being, for Prussian iron, in gold, 46 cents; for iron from Astrachan, ~8 cents; for old iron, 40; for old nails, 65 for square iron, 40; for steel, 10~8; for Prussian cast iron, 61; for cast iron from Mazenderan, 15. The iron mines exist in the midst of the forests of Mazende- ran, where the wood is ot no value whatsoever. Here would be a large field for money-making for an enterprising compa- ny, as the foreign iron would certainly soon cease to compete with that manufactured in the country itself; and although the consumption of this metal in Persia, with its eighteen mil- lions of inhabitants, is very small compared with that of other countries, it would not be too insignificant for at least one fur- nace. THE ART OF DAMASKEENING. There is another industry in Persia which bears a close rela- tion to the manufacture of al-ins; it is the damaskeening in gold and silver, which seems to form an indispensable treat- ment for oriental weapons. They generally use gold, except when the material is of copper, when silver is used. Some- times designs of both metals are met with. The workmen of the present time, make up, by a great show, the skill which they do not possess, but they, nevertheless, do not lack grace- fulness and elegance. The Persian style is easily recognized, in fact, so easily, that the Persian does not need to impress his mark upon his work. But, have the Persians a style of their own? We may answer this question in the affirmative, if it is sufficient to have a new system formed from an already ex- isting one, orto have carried out actual ideas; in one word, if originality may exist in appropriation. But, if invention is in- dispensable for the originality of a style, the Persians have very little claims to it, for they have not invented anything which was not already the property of other nations. The choice in designs in damaskeening is naturally very lim- ited; a sword or sheath not affording any space for the carrying out of large geometrical figures. The swords are rarely da- maskeened, they, however, bear always two signs, of which the one indicates the name of the workman, and the other a verse or a sacred passage from the Koran. Daggers, or weap- ons which are carried in the girt, contain more designs, as a rule, than swords. THE THREE METHODS OF DAMASKEENING. The first, named zarkhonden, is employed if designs in re- lief are wanted. The design is first drawn by a brush; it then is engraved, small gold wires being afterwards laid into it. These wires must, of course, be large enough that they will project; they are fastened at different points with golden nails. The details are accomplished by engraving. If; for instance, a bird is to be represented, the gold which is laid in has, in general, the shape of a bird; but wings, feathers, and eyes are not indicated. This is done by engraving. In the second method, named zarnichanest, the design is made even to the surface of the arm. The gold is pressed in by a stone (nephrit) and is afterwards polished by a paste of em- ery and olive oil. The third method is termed zarkouste, which word is de- rived from the verb Koubiden, to stamp. It is most generally employed, but only is in use for metals, not for minerals or ivory, which would crack under the blows of the hammer. Instead of carving the designs, as is done in the former meth- ods, it is only indicated. By a peculiar instrument it is then covered with holes, scarcely visible, in which the gold is press- ed in the form of exceedingly fine pieces of wire. The arm is hereupon strongly heated and polished with nephrit. This ope ation, being repeated, the surface is rubbed with emery and olive oil. The best workmen live I Ispahan, b t the art seems to be very much on the wane. Compared with other arts, it cannot be denied that there is still a g eat skill present, be it in the general arrangement of the drawing, be it in the transferring of the gold; but we m st, in judging such works, also consid- er the time. The ~,old in the embossed objects which have been used much, has lost its origin l brightness and assirmed $~ienki~h~ 27 a duller but more harmonious color. We, herewith, do not deny the dying out of this art in a more recent period, but it simp]y shall be indicated that some middling works of ancient times owe their superiority only to the absence of the luster, which is a merit of time and not of the skill of the artisan. ARTISTIC OR EXPRESSIONAL DENTISTRY. J. T. Codman, of Boston, Mass., has communicated to the Dental CO8rnos an article on the above subject which contains some very novel and interesting views. He says: The term expressional, applied to dentistry is new; yet I have found no name which better serves my ideas of hat is intended to be conveyed by it, viz., the preservation of the expression of the features after the loss of teeth, or the restor- ation of the normal expression or a better one on the inser- tion of artificial teeth. ~That the general mode of inserting substitutes for the nat- ural teeth does not restore or preserve the best expression of the faces of our patients, scarcely admits of an argument. That there are dentists who make an exception to tbis rule is happily true, and that great general progress has been made in the past ten years toward that desirable end is also true ; but thatbetter results are attainable is certain. Doubtless, if dentists understood more of the philosophy of expression, they could attain pleasant results where they have made many failures. That the extracted teeth are, to a considerable extent, safe guides for the form, color, size, and shape of the new set is true, yet many cases present themselves where the arch has been overcrowded, and where the insertion of a full artificial set would be impossible without distending the lips and mak- ing a bad expression. In such cases it were better to omit some of the teeth, lessening the number, and insert teeth of nearly the natural size. Among the prominent failures in the expression of the sets of the present day is that of; 1st, Colorby which they are often detected at once; 2d, Lengthbeing often too long, and sometimes too short; 3d, Size of the teethoften too large, and often, of late, too small; 4th, Deficiency of form of each individual tooth, or what is called want of charac- ter, from lack of curved lines; 5th, Want of prominence and length of the eye teeth;. 6th, Too great length of the back teeth, especially in upper sets; 7th, Too much evenness or similarity; 8th, The size of the archoften too large or, too broad, sometimes very much so; 9th, The horizontal line, or line of occlusion, is too straight, often looking as though both sets were made to~ether on one piece and cut apart with a knife. Turning from this dismal page of failures, let us give a momentary glance at the expression of character as shown in the teeth and physiognomy of animals in connection with man; for being all revelations of one power and parts of one system, they must all bear some analogy to each other. How often we all have enjoyed the pictures of animals, dressed as human beings, exclaiming Capital?~ at these bur- lesques on humanity. But it is not the picture that bur- lesquesthe animals themselves do. That the physiognomy of the lower animals and that of man bears the same imprint may be brought to mind by the fox with his sharp-pointed teeth, his narrow dental arch, neat- ly covered with his trim, delicate lips. Observe how meek and quiet he looks, with his twinkling eyes half shut and his nose over his paws.. Now arouse him with a rod, and how his whole expression changes; his second naturehis savage sideis uppermost, and his teeth have a most offensive look. Then look at one of the rodents, as the rat, with his nar- row, displayed incisors, with their mean, contemptible look. He is the fellow that sneaks around at night, makes holes in your mop-boards, and gnaws your lead pipes, and occupies your drains. There is expression in his teeth, but to me it is of an ungenerous sort. In contrast to these, look at the incisors of the horse, and one can hardly look at the skeleton in the Natural rnstory Society rooms without feeling that he is grinning at you. Ob- serve the teeth of this animal, for they are worthy of a great deal of study. It almost seems that this was the pattern that dentists took for making teeth. Observe the centrals, how broad and flat they are; how unobtrusive the eye teeth, or canines, if you like the term better. Observe the horizontal line of occlusion, and the broad, regular arch. Do we see malice in this expression? Do we not see a broad, generous nature, perhaps a little coarse, but highly amiable? Who has not heard of a horse laughthat condition of laughter when the head is thrown back, and from central to molar all the teeth are shown in the plentitude of their iVory luster? But my limits forbid following this train of thought fur- ther. You will say, What has all this to do with the expression of artificial teeth? Have a moments patience and you may see. Observe all these animals, and let me ask you if any one of them looked as though it had in a set of artificial teeth, and you will say that the harmony of their color and the complexion and the perfect adaptation will answer that ques- tion. Our artificial teeth should have this same harmony, and I announce that no artificial teeth can be perfect without har- mony of color between them and the complexion. In short, if the color is too light, they make the complex- ion appear ghastly; if too dark, they apparently darken the complexion. All the faults I have named have mneh to do with the ex pression. If the teeth are too long, the month is opened too wide and the lips are drawn down to cover them, thus thin- ning the lips, giving a close-mouthed look; except when the person laughs or talks, and then there is too much display of dentistry, If the te t re too short the lips are draw up, and thickened, giving a shrewish expression, and making it appear at times as though the person had no teeth. If the arch is too large, it takes up the lips and cheek, giving also an undue prominence to the lips, making a sensual or bab- bling expression, varying according to the size of the arch. Want of prominence of the eye teeth allows the corners of the upper lips to fall down, making a mournful expression. If the eye teeth are too long, and prominent or sharp, we have a savage expression. But leaving many of the criticised points, I desire to speak of size and style in giving character istic effect. A fine, brave, generous boy said to me a few days since, are not my teeth larger than ustial? They are! said I. I could have told him so with my eyes shut, for he had a win ning, open, frank, generous manner that was not consistent with small teeth, Since then I have worked for a lad some years older, with remarkably pointed eye teeth md bicuspids, but I have no insight into hi character, although he was the son of an old friend; his secretive disposition made him re- served in expression. Show me, if you can, a person with irregular teeth, and not show me one who is undeveloped at some grand point of char- acter; irregularity being, I contend, mostly want of develop mont. Take from your specimens any central tooth, and you may judge to a certain degree, the character of the former owner, The delicate-formed slender teeth you will not call the teeth of a giant but of a delicate woman. Those sound, plump looking teeth are a mans. Those she , yellow, small teeth are usually set in a proiuinent alveolar ridge and large arch; I will testify that the owner came from a lon,,-lived family and is a great worker. From these and similar indications, the dentist must build up his science of expression. As I have said, the natural teeth are a prominent and the best guide the dentist can have; but if these are lost beyond recovery, judgment and the eye of an artist are necessary to give or restore the normal expression. What, then, shall the dentist do when the patient come~ to him without teeth, desiring artificial ones? First, look at the patient. If tile skin is light, the teeth must be in harmo- ny. If the features are large, the teeth must be large also. If thin, and narrow, and delicate, the teeth must be so also. If nervous and long limbed, indicated by long thin hands and feet, the teeth should be long in proportion to the width, and if; with plenty of money in his pocket, he quibbles by the hour for the lowest price, put in a set of narrow teeth, and ho will be perfectly satisfied, as it will suit his character perfect ly. If your generous-hearted, full-souled friend desires teeth, and you place some small, narrow teeth in his mouth, it would be like putting teeth like those of a rat in the mouth of a horse or cow; and if in the mouth of your sharp, versatile friend you place a set of teeth, whose horizontal line shall be straight, and whose eye teeth shall be deficient in prominence, it would be like putting the teeth of a horse in the mouth of a fox or dog. And if in the mouth of your mean, sniveling person you place a generous and wide set of centrals and lat- erals, you give him a character better than he deserves. BLASTING WITH NITRO~GLYCERIN AT THE IIOOSAC TUNE NEL. From the North Adams (Mass.) Transcript. Monday, March 2, A. D. 1868, ushered in a snowing, gusty day; the wind, during the preceding night, had been urging puffs of snow, dry and crystalline, through every cranny of the mountain shanty, before whose soapstone stove I had been warming my rheumatic limbs; and, since travel seemed im- practicable, I made a virtue of necessity, and accepted an invi- tation from m.y host to descend the west shaft of the Hoosac Tunnel, where the temperature, 60 dog. F., would at least be more agreeable than on the mountain side, where the thor mometer was then 6 dog. below zero. - So donning a miners suit, rubber boots, Cape Ann oilskin jacket and southeaster, we stalked through the deep drifts of snow, and at 7, A. M., I found myself standing on the cage that is used for lowering and hoisting in tile S aft, beside two pails, each having an inner lining of plate tin, with cover, suit- able enough, as it seemed to me, to carry down hot coffee for the miners. These pails, and a conductors lantern, were in charge of a man equipped in miners costume, similar to our own, who was exchanging remarks with the topman, whose duty it is to signal the movements of the hoisting apparatus. A gong sounding, we began to descend rapidly, or rather, as it seemed to me, the shaft began to rise around us in a most alarming manner. The cold air of the outer world, descending and mixing with the warm, saturated air rising from the tunnel, en sed a vapor that rendered the light of the miners lantern scarcely visible at two paces distance. It is an unpleasant position for a stranger to be in, going down, down, down, with stream~ of co densed vapor pattering on the head, neck, and shoulders ; and to relieve the monotony and suspense of the descent, I addressed myself to that man with the hot coffee pails. By the way, I thought I caught the word glycerin spoken by that man who let us down, Possibly. Have they ever used nitro-glycerin in this tunnel? I mean that terrible explosive agent, which tears everything to atoms, I should like to see some of it, and know all about it; it would give one a sensation that wo id relic e a fellow of thisthis oppressive feeling. My companion deliberately lifted the cover of his pail, and taking thence an open slender tube, which seemed to contain clear water, said: There it is,, 28 What! Good , in this cage? Do you mean to say we are boxed up in this hole with? Yes, retnrning his tin cylinder to t~ e pail, and replacing the tin cover, that is nitro-glycerinone of twenty cartridges we are about to use in blasting. I reflected; here I was, in a box fonr feet by three feet, no escape from a pail containing eno gh nitro-glycerin to send us up that shaft, and into eternity for the matter of that, and I had bean confounding the perilous stuff with hot coffee. There was no help for it now, and as the heavy beat of the steam pumps and warm temperature rendered conversation difficult, I certainly felt as if I had put my foot into it, or some- thing like it. But we are at the bottom of the shaft. Stand clear there, glycerin! All right, sir. Wheres our car? Here, ready; can I help you ?. Only by keeping clear with your flaring lamps; push on. And now, impelled by a brakeman, our car is rapidly driven to a small caboose, or cupboard, some three hundred yards from the shaft, the trip reliever by an inquiry: How is it the waters so high? A pump gave out last night; waters been gaining since; the machinist will soon fix it. My companion now unlocked the door of this little caboose on the left side of the tunnel, examined briefly the signal apparatus, an electric magnet and gong, then the switch or brake, which turns off the current from the wires leading to the heading, and assures himself that whilst charging the drill-holes, no electric spark can pass over the wires by any tampering with the instrument above ground; this done, he resumed the pails, and we now rapidly pushed on to the head- ing, about one hundred yards distant, the way enlivened by a gushing stream of water; ascending the two benches of rock, we now came upon twelve miners, each with his candle, and the foreman busy examining the finished drill-holes. Mr. Gregory, will you send your men back? Hands back from the heading! Glycerin, lads! Pick up your tools; hurry up there, and mind you dont run foul of this man! Where are your holes? Here they are, good and strong. Eighteen holes are now counted, their diameter and depth gaged; these are found to vary from twenty-six to thirty-two inches in depth, and at various angles, and in various directions from the face, each of them being capable of receiving a car- tridge eleven inches long, and one and one-fourth in diameter. You need not stay, foreman. Ise no fear; Ill just help a bit. Dont mind me; I seen glycerin afore. Carefully and deliberately a cartridge is removed from the pail; an insulated wire, with priming, exploder, and cork at- tached thereto, closes the open mouth of the tin cartridge; and still more carefully the cartridge, with its mischievous little wire and fulminating exploder, is now passed into the drill- hole, and pressed down to the extreme end, leaving the wire pendant therefrom like a rats tail; when this performance has taken place in eighteen holes, a count is madeeighteen. Now the conducting main wire is brought forward and at- tached to one of these pendant wires, which, by the way, on close examination, consists of two wires, when attached to one of these, the other is carried to one of the double wires of the next hole, until each of the eighteen holes is linked with the one next to it, and that to the next, forming a series of links, the first connected with the conducting, the latter with the return wire. Then two wires, when the switch or break is suitably dis- posed, connect the cartridges in the holes with the electrical machine, 1, 00 feet distant above ground, in the timekeepers office. Now, bear in mind, th~re is a break, one tenth of an inch from each other, of the points of the wires in each hole, and this break is armef with a sensitive priming, so that the elec- tric spark, as it leaps from one wire to the other, ignites it; this fires a fulminate, and the explosion of this fulminate ex- plodes the nitro-glycerin, and the nitro-glycerin plays the with the stubborn, tough, solid rock. But my mining friend is scrutinizing every connection, and now he counts every hole; none have been missed. All back! We now turn our backs (with a very satisfactory shrug on my part) on the masses of rock, burrowed with the eighteen drill-holes, each charged with sufficient nitro-glycerin to hurl it into fragments, aye, from the very bottom of these holes, and to send a blast of liberated gases that will hurl a puff of steam and air out of the shaft, 1,500 feet distant. That pail, I perceive, our companion carries with him. We descend the first bench; at the second he deposits his pail, and we all hurry back to the caboose, where the luiners lights, like the ignes fatui seem right welcome. But where is there a recess, a safe recess, where I may avoid the consequences of my curiosity? Narrowly watching the miners, I am aroused by the inquiry, sharp and quick in tone: All back away from the heading? All back. Look out for yourselves! And then our sober, decided friend enters the caboose; the door is locked; the miners converse; I endeavor to secure a position by which a good number of miners are between me and that heading, and sit me down on an iron pipe, which, Mr. Gregory informs me, is to supply air to the machine drills. Look out, now! Instantly, I notice the miners carry their hands to their ears; instinctively I follow suit; the hum of conversation has ceased; a dead silence succeeds; the pulsation of the steam [JANUARY 9, 1869. pump throbs; the breath comes quick ;oh, this suspensea singular exaltation of excitement thrills through one. Boomoomooom! A rush of airmy hat has gone with it; pitch dark, for every light and lantern is extinguished. Whos got a match ?no one, I bet. Yes; heres one. A heavy blast, that; she got it that time. And now the foreman, our companion, and myself, make for the heading; the miners are told to keep back. We return to where the ingenious arrangement of wires, aided by the electric machine, above ground, has effected this discharge. As we approach within fifty feet of the heading, a warm, sweetish vapor is looming up; still on, on, on : here is a mass of rock; move carefully, there may have been a cartridge thrown out unexploded, laying at your feet. If so, dont tram- ple on it, thats all. Scrambling over the masses of torn broken rock, the head- ing is at last reachedragged, indented, a scarred witness of the tremendous power of nitro-glycerin. After carefully noting that each and every hole has been blown out, we return towards the miners. At the second bench, our friend picks up his pail, and assures himself of the safety of the two remaining cartridges. We soon come to the miners; the word is passed, all safe; another foreman takes in his gang for another eighteen holes, to be drilled in eight hours, the time allotted for each shaft, and pushed back to the shaft, the truck running into the cage. Signal being ~iven, we commence our ascentor, better described, now the shaft rushes down, down, down past us. Daylight once again, and the pleasant warmth of the tunnel is exchanged for the keen north wind, and 6 deg. below zero temperature. We follow the man with the pails, over the drifting snow, to a shanty, where a good breakfast, and a hot and glowing fire, await him. Breakfast ready, Hoecake? All ready. Blast go off all right, sah? Made two feet headinghurry up that coffee. What do you think of blasting, Mr.? Well, I think it gives a fellGw a sort, of a kind ofnew sensation, decidedly. DANGERS OF THE USE OF THE LIGHTER PRODUCTS OF PETROLEUM. Two disastrous accidents occurring from the explosion of the lighter products of the distillation of petroleum, one in Ohio and another in Pennsylvania, may be considered as warnings to those who use or deal with these highly inflam- mable svibstances. The first was in East Cleveland, Ohio, where the escaping gas from a reservoir of gasoline destroyed a handsome dwelling and seriously injured several of the in- mates. The building was lighted by an independent gas ap- paratus, the reservoir of the liquid gasoline being at some dis- tance from the house, the vapor being conducted to and through the dwelling by pipes in the ordinary manner, as is the common gas. Steam was used to heat the gas generator in excessively cold weather; but the gas pipes in the building had been leak- ing for some time, and the flame of a candle ignited the free gas in the basement, producing an explosion that nearly de- stroyed the building, the fire thus engendered finishing the work. Several of the inmates were severely injured. The other case we notice occurred at Millers Farm, just be- low Titusville, Pa., where a tank of benzine exploded ; two men being burned to death and the distillery, or refinery in which the tank was located, destroyed. The terms gasoline, benzine,benzole, and naphthaare generally used indiscriminately to denote the more volatile por- tions of natural earth oil,or petroleum, released during the pro- cess of distillation or refining. Chemists use these terms in a more restricted or exact sense; but these products are so little removed from a gaseous state that they continually and sponta- neously give off inflammable and explosive vapors at compar- atively low temperatures, which require but a spark or a flame to instantly ignite, when the result is similar to the explosion of gunpowder. REFORMS NEEDED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SOME ARTI- CLES IN COMMON USE. The age in which utilitarianism took precedence of every- thing else has passed. It is no longer enough that an article designed for common use shall simply be useful, a cuitiva~ed taste requires that it shall also be beautiful. This is right and if our designers would content themselves with the proper combination of usefulness with beauty of form, there would be no need to criticize their work. The truth is, hoxv- ever, that in aiming to render their work as fair to the eye as possible they for~et in many cases the claims of utility. Household furniture and table and cooking utensils, are par- ticularly open to criticism on this score. We set ourselves to season our food from a graceful pepperbox having so narrow a neck that the finely-pulverized condiment clogs the passage, and free delivery of the pepper is hupeded, while delivery of pungent expletives against the petty cause of our annoyance becomes altogether too free. Tell us also, ye artisans who in- vent those marvelous instruments of torture called chairs, why we should not revenge our aching backs, and affections of the spine, by wishing your handiwork at the bottom of the ocean. Beautiful to look upon are your carvings and your upholstery, but to sit upon most wearisome. True, you sometiiues give us a luxurious arm chair, with angles properly inclined, and soft luxurious cushions that lap us as comfortably as a mother her child. That shows what you can do when you take into consideration the proper use of a chair. But those cushioned inclined planes, with backs for ornament not for use, since if you lean back against them you must exert yourself to keep from sliding off the seat upon the carpet, why condemn us to these persecutors and destroyers of vertebral columns? Why put casters on delusive footstools that no sooner feel the weight of your weary limbs than they com- mence a struggle to run off and shirk their duty? Why make our writing desks and tables so high that in order to avoid that lancinating torment under our right shoulder blade, we must amputate their legs and thus secure comfort for ourselves by a sacrifice of the comeliness of your handiwork,for whose grace- ful proportions you have made us pay liberally in dollars and cents, as well as in patience, while we yet hesitated to muti- late them? But it is not alone of household furniture or utensils that we find reason to complain. The same criticism can be made upon nearly all the articles which we most commonly use. Is it not possible to combine utility with beauty in the con- struction of such articles? We answer, yes. But if it were not possible, we for our part, would pronounce in favor of com- fort minus beauty rather than beauty minus comfort. The New Orleans Elevator. Large elevators seem to be coming more and more into use throughout the country. The rapidity with which these are being erected at different points is a demonstration of the great value and convenience to the grain dealers. A new one, of very large proportions, has just been completed at New Or- leans, a description of which we extract from the New Orleans Crescent: The storage capacity of elevator, which is situated 240 feet from edge of wharf and across the street and sidewalk, is 750,- 000 bushels; built after the style and material of Chicago, Mil- waukee, and St. Louis elevators. The marine elevator at edge of wharf is 102 feet highwill take grain out of the largest or smallest vessel in high or low water at the rate of 6,000 bush- els per hour. The grain is carried into elevator 240 feet through the conveyor building over wharf and street, so the handling and exposure to the air are equal to ordinary drying machines. The drying machine is built in a fire-proof house attached, and the drying is done through tiles rapidly at the rate of 2,000 bushels per hour, and all by machinery, and so constructed and done there is no risk from fire, and at the trifling expense above. The warehouse has a storage capacity of 60,000 barrels,which covers the whole wharf, 2,000 by 275 feet, one story, covered with plastic slate roof and sides, and doors of iron. Two large iron tanks of water of 200 barrels capacity stand on top of the elevator, kept constantly full by a force pump, with iron pipes which run down through each story of the building, arranged so hose can be attached in each story, and carry water any- where in elevator or warehouse or boat or wharf. THE managers of the Erie Railway Company have intro- duced a reform worthy of imitation by other roads. It is that of advertising for proposals for supplies, instead of buying them, as is too often the case, from some director or favored official, at his own price. The Erie Company invite all the manufacturers of spikes, chairs, nails, car springs, car axles, locks, and other hardware, and dealers in lumber,to come for- ward and name the terms at which they will furnish the arti- cles wanted. INK.W. R. Shelmire, of Philadelphia, writes us that he has succeeded in making a good copying ink from common violet writing ink, by the addition of 6 partsof glycerin to S parts of the ink. Using only 5 parts of glycerin to S of the ink, he has found the ink to copy well fifteen min- utes after it has been used. He says with fine white copying paper the ink will copy well without the use of a press. Acconn KG to the echanics agarine, a patent has been taken out in France for making crucibles from magnesia, which forms the best materials for crucibles to melt platinum, iron, or steel in. They are molded by pressure and are then exposed to the heat of an oxyhydrogen flame, by which they are brought to a semi-pa~ty condition, when the magnesia ac- quires its greatest density, cohesion, and hardness. DAMAGES RECOvERED AGATN5T A BROOKLYN DHuGGrsr. Damages amounting to five thousand dollars were recently recovered from a South Brooklyn druggist, for having sent in October 1867, to a patient, an over dose of morphine which caused her death. Our recent article on Poisonous Drugs and Cosmetics, wa~s written before this judgement was ren- dered. AN expedition has started from Germany to visit Egypt, for the purpose of making a collection of photographic views of ancient inscriptions and monuments. An attempt has been made to photograph subterranean chambers at Memphis, by the use of the magnesium light. THE American Institute proposes to test the merits of the various petroleum burners, those who desire to find out the relative merits of their inventions can address John W. Cham- bers, care of the Institute, New York. EMPLOYERS in any business would subserve their own inter- ests by so closely observing the behavior of their help as to note their attempts to do their duty, rather than to watch for every infraction of rules. AMOUNT of material used is no proper estimate of the prod- uct. The watch spring is more costly than the spike. Labor costs, generally, more than material; brains, than iron. IN using the grindstone it is more important to sharpen the tool than to raze the stone. It does not require a hundred pounds pressure to the square inch to grind an ax. JANUARY .9, 1869.1 11~ANUFACTURING, iVIINING, AND RAILROAD ITEMS. The new steel mannfactory established last March in Chicago, is we learn from the Chicago Reitway Review, in snccessfel operation, haying a ca- pacity of turning ont 2,601 ponnds of steel daily, the steel being of excellent quality. According to the Ellswos-th American, Maine, the annual production of lumber there is 05,000,000 feet of long lomber; 101,010 sugar box shooks; 200,- 000 laths; i,0l0,000 shingles; 211,001 clap boards, and a large quantity of smaller stuff. Value of annual production estimated at from 0791,000 to $900,000. Holyoke, Mass., has ten paper mills in operation, turning out twenty-six tuns of paper daily. The largest manufactory of writing paper in the United States is said to be located in this place. It turns o~.t dye tuns per day. The October product of the Hecla copper mine was 009 tons; of the Calumet 102; of the Hancock, 20 tuns, 60 pounds; of the Eyergreen Bluff, 22 tuns 941 pounds; of the Knowlton, 20 tuns, lilOpounds. All the operatiyes under fifteen years of age, in the knitting factory in New Britain, Conn., haye been discbar~ed for three months, in accordance with the statute forbidding their employment more than nine months in the year. Buildin,,, railroads in winter and by moonlight may seem strange to Eas- tern people, says tbe Kansas ,Journel, but it has been done heretofore, and will be again, if we hayc our usual Kansas weather. The Union Pacific has a lodgin,, house for a force of four bundred men near the summit of Sierra Keyada, whose sole duty is to keep the track in that yicinity clear of snow dunn,,, the winter. Only 330 miles of railroad need be built to connect Portland, Oregon, with the Pacific Railroad by steam ; 015 miles of the 645 miles can be trayeled by steamboat. The purcbase of the leased lines of the Chicago andNorthwestern Railroad Company by the Union Pacific is mooted. Veins of coal three feet In thickness are being worked in Southern Kansas, ~nd reports say are passing well. NEW PUBLICATIONS. NEWSPAPER DIRECTORY. Messrs. Geo. P. Howell & Co., the enterprising adyertising agents, No. 40 Park Row, New York, are about to issue a complete directory of American newspapers, to be printed on fine paper and well bound. Price $1. EVERY SATURDAY. One of the features of the new volume of Eyery Saturday. published by Field, Osgood & Co., of Boston, will be the series of occasional papers enti- tled New Uncommercial Samples, by Charles Dickens. ~egnt ~mevi~n nn~ ~i~di,,pz ~dent Under this heeding we shell Dublish weekly notes of some of the mere prom- inent home and foreign polents. PAPER PULPC. C. Fitz,,,erald, Phwnix, N. Y.This inyention relates to a new article of manufacture prepared from the stock of the common plan- tainplantago-majorwhoch, gepecially in the West Indies, grows to a con- siderable size, and from which, by proper manipulation, a superior paper pulp can be produced. ICE CUTTERC. W. Flint, Washington, D. C.This inyention has for its object to furnish a simple, conyenient, and effectiyc machine for cutting or shaying ice in restaurants, saloons, for soda fountains, and for similar uses. WAcow BRAKEGeorge Wesley Welsh, and George Wylie, Arlington,Wis. This inycution relates to a new and improyed automatic brake for wheel yehicles, and it consists in a noyel construction and application of the same, wheichy a yery simple, economical deyice for the purpose specified is ob- tained. a SssIIeaLIsrG Iloo~ ANGLEsBenjamin Flowers, Jerusalem, OhioThis in- yention relates to a new and improyed method of shingling the gutters, yal- leys, or angles, formed by the joining of roofs, whereby all leakage is pre- vented without any important increase in the expense. BILL HoLDERJames D. Field, Wataga, 111.This inycution relates to a new and improyed method for holding bills, or orders, or other paperwhich it may be necessary to refer to. STEAM GENERATORB. F. McKim, Austin, Neyada.This inyention con- sists in using, in combination with a steam boiler, a series of generating and conducting tubes, connected together and to the boiler, through which the feed water is forced by the feed pump. METROD OF CONsTRUcTING TRE CYLIImERS OF STEAM ENGUeEs.William Inglis, Manchester, EnglandThis inyention has for its object, by certain improyements in the constructiye details, to render certain kinds of steam engines more durable, and less likely to get out of order, than they haye hitherto been. TUBES OR FLUES O~ STEAM BoILERsGeorge H. Van Amringe, New York city.This inyention has for its object to improyc the construction of the flues of steam boilers so as to economise the heat, or in other words, to ob- tain a greater practical effect fiom the same amount of fuel than when the flues are constructed in the ordinary manner. SUMMER ATTACMMENT FOE STOvES OR RANGESN. 0. Bond, Hyannis, MassThe object of this inyention is to proyide an attachment for stoyes, whereby the necessity of building a fire in the fireplace of a stoyc or range obyiated in summer, when a small temporary fire only is needed; thus economizing fuel, labor, and time, and ayoidlng the excessiye heat occa- sioned by the ordinary fire. COOLER FOR WATER, MILK, ETCHerman Pietsch, New York city. This inyontion has for its object to furnish a simple and conyenient cooler for water, milk, etc., and which may at the same time be used as a refrigerator when required. DOOR RUG ALARMH. B. Carsley, New York cityThis inyention has for its object to famish an improyed alarm for attachment to doorways and window frames, which shall be so constructed and arranged that it may be impossible for any one to enter through the door or window eyen when said door or window may be open, without sounding an alarm, and which shall at the same time be simple in construction, easily applied, and readily disen- gaged when not required. MAKING CoNFECTIoNAEY.John Gardner, Philadelphia, Pa.This inyen- tion relates to a new and useful improyement in the manufacture of orna- mental confectionary, whereby the same is greatly improyed. BREECM LOADIMG FIRE-ARMSPierre Jules Jacob NoOl, Paris, France. This inyontion relates to improyements in breech-loading ordnance of the re- yolying breech class, designed to proyide an arrangement whereby plurality of shots maybe fired simultaneously if desired, or successiyelywithinteryals for sighting when accuracy of firing is required. WATER SUPPLY REGULAToRGeorge ,P. Nutting, Chicago, 111.The ob- ject of this inyention is to maintain the proper water supply in boilers by admitting steam to the supply pump, whereby the water reaches a certain leyel ; and also to announce to the attendant the state of the water level when for any reason the supplypump fails to maintain the proper leysl. VENTILATOR OPENER FOR CARS, ETC.W. C. Stickney, and J. McGee, Sten- benville, OhioThis invention has for its object to furnish an improved de- yice, by means of which the pivoted sash shutter or valve of the ventilator may be opened, closed, or secured at any desired angle, conveniently and securely. ATMOSPRERIC GOvERNORB. Mackerley,Paint,Ohio.This invention con- J~ S., of R. I~You will find nothing bettor for removing ex- sists of a cylinder having a piston actuated by a crank or other suitable ternal and temporary rust from steel and iron than cocoa nut husk. It is means connected to the machine or motor for which it is to act as a govern- better than cotton waste and oil or turpentine. We always kept it in the or. The cylinder being provided at each end with weighted yalyss, which shop for cleaning polished surfaces that had become rusted. goyern the ingress and egress of air into the cylinder, and thereby the re- sistance of the piston to the machines by the force oi the blast on the yalyos. CULTIvAToRJames Hinds and James Gee, Conologue, 111.This inyen- tion consists of an improyed arrangement of means for raising the plows out of the ground and suspending them above it; also an improyed meth- od of hanging the plow beams to the frame ; and alsoan improved means of adjusting the pitch of the plow. HAND HAKEA. Winters, Washington, Pa.The object of this invention is to provide a more efficient hand rake than was heretofore in use. It con- sists in forming the rake head curved and attached to the handle with its concave side toward the handle. The tang is also bent up so that the whole of the teeth will operate when in contact with the ground. AUTOMATIC ICE CRUTE.JOhn A. Wolfer, Ilondout, N. Y.This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in the method of handling ice in theprocess of transferring it from the ice house to barbes or vessels for transportation. PAPER-MAKING MACRINERYJaIn es Wrinkle, Lee, MassThis invention relates to a new and useful invention in paper-making machinery, and has for its object the prevention of the blue spots and lumps being formed or made In the paper during the process of manufacture. HoRsEsRoRJoseph Barker, Champlain, N. Y.This invention is designed to prevent ivhat is termed over-reachin,,, in horses, which consists in striking the rearpart of the fore feet with the bent part of the hind feet while trotting. IOEvIC FOR TAKING UP TREESJesse Ryder, Sing Sing, N. Y.This in- vention relates to a new improved device for taking up trees with a view of transplanting them, and is more especially designed to facilitate the trans- planting of large trees. APPLYING CAST STEEL TO ARTICLES OF lEo William H. Singer, Pitts- burgh, PaThis invention relates to an improvement in makin,, iron cen- ter, iron face, iron back, or cast steel, whereby (for the uses for which steel is intended) th~ articles are equal to pure steel. PlowEdward Wiard, Louisville, KyThe object of this invention is to provide a simple and effective means for attaching the straight handle of plows to the mold board. LAMP.W. W. Jacobs, Hagerstown, Md.This invention relates to a new and improvedlamp of that class which are designed for burning coal oil sod other similar hydro-carbons which require a large amount of oxygen to sup- port proper combustion. COTTON GINSA. A. Porter, Griffin, Pa.This Invention relates to an im- proved arrangement of means for causing the cotton being fed with the gin to have a to-and-fro movement in a lateral direction for bringing it more perfectly into contact with the saws, thereby more thoroughly separating the seed, and at the same time workin,,, the fiber more evenly. HEEL AND SwIFTWin. G. Brown, Canton, N. Y.The nature of my in- vention relates to improvements in reels for winding yarn whereby it is de- signed to provide a reel that may be also used as a swift, and with adjusta- ble arms which may be adapted to wind skeins of anylengib, and which will also give a signal to indicate when a given number of yards have been wound. BORING ToolsC. W. LeCount, Norwalk, CounThis invention relates to a useful improvement in tools (as drills and au,,,ers in bonn,,, bits) for boring metals and wood, and it consists in grooving the sides of the drills for boring metals, and the lips of augers and double-lipped bits for. boring wood ; whereby they are made to operate more perfectly and with much ease than ordinary boring tools. STOP FASTENER FOR WINDowsHenry E. Hull and Burlin T. Merritt, Sag Harbor, N. Y.This invention relates to an improvement in the method of fastening the stop or bead casings which hold in the sashes of windows, and it consisisin the application of an eccentric lever for that purpose, in com- bination with a pin in the bead or stop casing. FILTERING OR POURING BOTTLEV. H. Griswold, Peekskill, N. Y.The object of this invention is to construct a bottle for photographers, chemists, apothecaries, and other uses, which is so arranged that in it the liquid is fil- tered, and that such filtered liquid can, at the same time, be at will poured out of the bottle. It further consists in fiting an open tube through the stop- per of a larger bottle. The liquid to be filtered is poured into the larger bottle, and is, before it can ascend in the tube, filtered so as to be pure when in the tube. It can then be conveniently poured out through the upper end of the tube without interfering with the filterin,, process. CRILDEENS CRAIR.J. H. Apel, Boston, Mass.This invention has for its object to prevent the chairs of children from falling over while the children sit at table. Many children have been injured by the tipping back of chairs, and as their chairs have to be higher in order to bring them within reach of the table, the danger of falling, as well as the subsequent injury, will be greater than on ordinary chairs. It also consists in connecting the arm sup- ports of the chair with the table by means of chains and screw-clamps, so that thereby the chair will be fastened to the table and cannot fall. FEED ATTACRMENT FOE MACRINEsSamnel Brown, Philadelphia, Pa. The object of this invention is to provide an improved motion of the fingers of the feed attachment, whereby the said fingers are actuated to move for- warfi in feeding the material to the machine in a horiz ontal manner, and at the completion of the forward mOvement,withdraw below the surface of the feed board or apron and return beneath the said board to again rise and re- peat the feeding movement, thus leavin,,, room (during their backward movement beneath the feed board), to place on the apron the succeeding quantity of material which is to be fed up to the operating mechanism of the machine. MACMINE FOR WEIGRING AND MEAsURI G GRAINLester Reynolds, Owa- tonna, MiunThis invention is a cheap, simple, and durable apparatus for automatically weighing and measuring grasn and registering the quantity thereof. WROUGRT-IRON PIER FOR BRIDGESH. M. Grant, Macon, GaThis inven- tion has for its object the construction of a simp~e,strong,cheap and dursble iron pier for bridges and other lofty structures. GAS MACRIMEJacob D. Spang, Dayton, OhioThe object of this inven- tion is to improve the process of making illuminating gas or vapor from naphtha, gasoline, and other hydro-carbons, that a better gas can be pro- duced, in larger quantities and at less expensethan heretofore;and the same machine can be employed, at pleasure, either to the manufacture of gas, di- rectly from the hydrocarbon, or to the carbureting of common atmospheric air, as may be desired. ~n~nte~ tL~ vvn4*~nt~. CAPT2RESPONDEIITTS who eFpevt to receive an ers to their letters must, in alt cases, sign their names. We have a right to knosv those who seek in- formation from us; beside, as sometimes happens, we may prefer to a - dress correspondents by mail. SPECIAL NOTEThis column is designed for the general interest and in. struction of our readers, notfor gralseitous replies to questions ofapurety business or personal nature. We wilt publish such inquiries, however, when paid for as advertisemets at $ ness and Personal. 1 00 a line, un er the head of Buss- l~~All reference to back numbers should be by volume and page W. IR. W., of Wis.A caveat may be extended from year to year upon payment of the $10 official fee. There is considerable excite- ment about velocipedes in this city, and training schools are in operation. With the opening of spring the interest will increase. Some manufactur- ers are overcrowded with orders. Such an improvement as you speak of ought to pay ; but this depends so much upon proper management that we cannot giye advice. 29 W. B. C., of MassOiled furniture that has been scratched or marred maybe restored to its original beauty simply by rubbing boiled linseed oil, used by painters, on the surface with a wad of woolen rags Varnished furniture, dulled, may be similarly restored by the use of a ~ar nish, composed of shellac dissolved in alcohol applied in a similar manner. Common beeswax rubbed over furniture and heated by the friction of a woolen wad briskly used is also an excellent furniture polish. A. N. B., of N. Y.Writiug ink should be kept Carefully from the air if it is desired to preserve it limpid and in proper condition for writing. We have kept ink in a small office inketand for severa months pure and in good condition by keeping it covered from atmos- pheric contact. The atsuosphere Oxy~enizes it and renders it thick and viscid. J. W. II., of Informs our readers that a better material than shagreen or shark skin for striking matches upon, is a section of iron wire cloth of the grade from No. 20 to No. il; not being affected by damup weather, nor clogging. Our correspondent says it is not in general use. This is so, but it is used by those who, thinkin~, know. A. 61*. B., of MassTo remove clinkers from the fire bricks of an ordinary cooking stove, put in a half peck of oyster shells on the top of a hot coal fire. The clinkers will loosen from the bricks. You may need to repeat the process. B. I-I. M., of N. H., Writes that he has succeeded in making plaster casts so tough that they will bear the driving of a nail into them without crackioghy immersing them for a sufficient time in a hot solution of gFne, to permit its permeating the entire mass. J. II., of MassA lacquer for bronzed dipped work may be made thus: Alcohol, 12 gallons; seed lac, 0 lbs.; turmeric, 1 lb. to the gallon; Spanishsaffron 4 oz. The saffron may his omitted if the lacquer is to be very light. A varnish for silvered brass maybe obtained by dissoly in,,, shellac in alcohol. Some prefer pure copal varnish and others gum Arabic dissolved in alcohol. D. F., of Nova ScotiaThis correspondent sends a Specimen of concretion from the inside of his boiler, which is simply a carbonate of lime, very hard and about one eighth of an inch thick. He says his boiler is of the locomotive pattern and therefore difficult to free from scale by chipping. He asks for some composition that will remove the scale and prevent its future formation. Such compositions are advertised in oum- columns, but we have never tested them. Winans boiler powder, howey er, we have heard recommended by practical engineers. Pure water for the boiler is a certain remedy. P. V. C,, of Me., asks if Wearing rubber boots continuously is injurious to the feet. We do not consider them particularly so. They re- tain the perspiration and keep the feet moist which maybe uncomfortable and inconvenient, but not necessarily injurious. A friend states that wearing rubber boots for several months while mining in California soft- ened his corns and reduced them to natural flesh. J. 0. S., of Mass.Asafcetida, which you incoj~rectly denomi - nate that stinking African gum, inasmuch as it is of Asiatic origin, is largely used as a condiment by the people of India and Persia, and is an important component of some of our relishes and sauces. Its effects on the system is that of a s oderate stimulant, an expectorant, and anti-spas- modic. Prejudice concerning its odor is the worst objection that can be urged against it, an objection that may also be brought a~ainst that de- licious vegetable, the onion. ~n~ine~ ~uz~1 ~ev~md5 The Charge for Insertion un er this head is One Dollar a Line. If the Notices exceed Four Lisses, an Extra Charge will be nsade. An Amateur offers for sale an elegant lathe, a small planer, and muany attachments and tools. Address Amateur, Box 5010, New York P. 0. For sale cheapone engine lathe, 5 feet swing, 20 fact bed, in perfect running order. Address D. Lane, Monipehies-, Vt. Second-hand locomotive or other tubular boilers, of 100-H. P., in good order, wanted. Address H. P. Smith, Box 1158 P. 0., Baltimore. A brass molder, who thoroughly understands the whole busi- ness of a brass foundery, can obtain a permanent situation at the Cleve- land Brass and Pipe Works, No. 61 Center St., Cleveland, Ohio. Air-pump manufacturers please send circulars to B. Mackerley, Paint, Highland Co., Ohio. Get a fire extinguisher for your building. It may save it from destruction. Send to U. S. Fire Extinguisher Company, I Dey St., New York, for descriptive circular. Pecks patent drop press. Milo Peck & Co., New Haven, Ct. For fifty cents I will send, postpaid, one of my patent paper cutters and rulers. Address S. W. Wilcox, South Milford, Mass. WantedA man competent to furnish drawings and make wood patterns. Address D. S. Quimby, Henry, cor. Poplar st., Brooklyn,. N.Y. $1000 will buy the entire right for the cheapest, strongest, and best Screw Wrench in the United States, (latest patent). Sample sent to manufacturers. Address Alhing & Co., Madison, Ind. WantedMarbelizer of slate, marble, and iron mantles. Ad- dress Bissell & Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. Water-power,with grist & saw mill, 90 miles from N.Y.,for sale, good location for paper mill or manufactory. H. Stewart, Stroudsburg, Pa. Fire-arm patent for saleThe patent for breech-loading fire- arm, issued to Robert H. Stephens, June 11, 1861. A new and useful im- provemetut. For terms, address C. Legge box slO New York Postoffice. J. H. White, Newark, N. J., will make and introduce to the trade all descriptions of sheet and cast metal small wares, dies and tools for all kinds of cutting and stamping, patterns, etc., etc., for new and ex- perimental work. WantedA good man, thoroughly posted in the working of spoke and wheel-making machineryas foreman in a wheel factory at Mari- etta, Ohio. A good salary will be paid to one who can come well recom- mended. Address F. W. Minshall, Sec., Postoffice box 204, Marietta, Ohio. See A. S. & J. Gear & Co.s advertisement elsewhere. Keep posted. For descriptive circular of the best grate bar in use, address Hutchinson & Laurence, No.8 Day st., New York. For solid wrought-iron beams, eta., see advertisement. Address Union Iron Mills, Pittsburgh, Pa., for Lithograph, etc. N. C. Stiles pat. punching and drop presses, Middletown, Ct. Prangs American chromos for sale at all respectable art stores. Catalogues mailed free by L. Prang & Co., Boston. Winans boiler powder, N. V., removes and prevents incrusta- tions without injury or foaming; 12 years in use. Beware of imitations. The paper that meets the eye of all the leading manufacturers thsroughout the United StatesTIme Boston Bulletin. [JANUARY 9, 1869. ~f t~nt~. Issued by the United States Patent Office. FOR THE WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 22, 1868. Beported Qijicially for the Scientific American. SCHEDULE OF PATENT OFFICE FEES: On fihcn~ each caveat $10 On Sling each application for a Patent (seventeen years) , 11 On issuing each original Patent 20 On appeal to Cosmnissioner of Patents $20 On application for Reissue $00 On application for Extension of Patent $50 On ~rantin use Extension $50 On Sling a iselaisuer $10 On Sling application for Design (three and a half years) $10 On filling application for Design (seven years) $15 On filling application for design (fourteen yearsl $00 Iu addition to which there are some small revenue-stamp taxes. Residents of Canada and Nova Scotia pay $100 on application. Patents and Patent Clalms.-~- The neesaber of patents issued weekly havissg become so great, ceith a probability of a continual increase, has decided ns to publish, in fulsere, other and snore interesting matter in place of the Ctaiscss. The Ctaisns hare occupied from three to four ages a corel, and are believed to be of interest to only a comparative few 01 on read- ers. The publication of the seances of patentees, and title of their inventions, scill be continseed; acid, cstso, as heretofose, ce brigtdescriptiose of the most im- portant invealtoses. We have made such arrangements that we are not only prepared tofetresish copies of Clot , but fall Speciylcaliocss at the acessexed prices: For copy of Claicec of ascy Pritent issued ovithin 00 years $1 A sketch front the model os- ds-awing, relating to sstch portion QJ a machisee as the Clams covers,from $1 stpward, beet sesseally at the price above named. TheJscll Specsjlcalion of any palecet issseed since Nov. 20, 1000, at schich time the Patent Office camenenced printing them QOlcial Copies of Dratoicegs of any patent issseed sictce 1806, eve can supply at a reasonable cost, the ps-ice depectding eepon the amottett of labor teevolved aec the netmber of viteve. 11 information, as to price of drascictys, in each case, sesay be had by addsese tug 1IIUNN de CO., Peeteat ~oticitors, No. 37 Park Paso, Fete York. 85,049.WE NCHHCnry B. Anthony, ProvidenCe, H. I. 85,050.CHAI FOR CHILDREN.J. H. Apel, Boston, Mass. 85,051.COMPOSITE VESSELJohn Baird, Now York City. 85,052.HORSESHOE.JOSaph Barker, Champlain, N. Y. 85,053.MANUFACTURE OF STEEL.T.S.Blair, Pittsburgh, Pa. 85054SUMMER ATTACHMENT FOR STOVES AND RANGES. N. 0. Bond, Hyannis, hIatt. 85,055.COMPOSITION NO ORNAT ENTAL MOLDINGSCharles E. Bonneit (assignor to J. P. Wilkinson & Sons), Philadelphia, Pa. 85,056.METHOD OF MAKING CORES FO MOLDING ARTICLES OF LEAD AND ovnaes METALsLeopold Brandeis, Brooklyn, N. V. 85,057.SOLDE Leopold Brandeis, Brooklyn, N.Y. 85,058.APPA ATUS P01 DRYING AND P~ESSING COATS. Joseph Braun, Rochester, Pa. Antedated Dec. ii, 1808. 85,059.APPARATUS FO~ DRYING AND PRESSING PANTA- LooISs.Joseph Braun, Rochester, Pa. Antedated Dee. 11, 1868. 85,060.APPARATUS FO CLEANSING CLOTHES. Joseph Brann, Roclexster, Pa. Antedated Dec. 8, 1818. 85,061.BRICK MACHINEJohn Bretz, Win. Sangster, and John F. Bretz, Springfield, Ill. 85,062.BASE Bu NING SToVE.W.S.BronsoH,Hartford,CoHn. 85,063.SUBME GED PUMP.Benj - F. Brown, Woburn, Mass. 85,064.FEED ATTACHMENT FOR MACHINERY.SaIII1 Brown (assignor to himself and C. II. Carver), Philadelphia, Pa. 85,065.iREEL.Wm. G. Brown, Canton, N. Y. 85,066.Ru GLA ALARII.IsaaC N. Buek, Elgin, Ill. 85,067.MACHINE FOR CUTTI TG HAY, STRAW, AND VEGETA- BLs.Rohert I. Burhank, Boston, Mass. 85,068.ALARM RuG.R. B. Carsley, New York City. 85,069.GRUBBING MACHINEChiNs. B. Chase and Benj. F. Devendorif, Wyoming township, inch., assignors to themselves and Jos. S. Randall. 85070A_ TICLE OF FOODWin. J. Coleman, Bury St. Ed- munds, and Alfred Coleman, London, England. Patented in England Nov. 19, 1101. 85,071.FURNITURE TIP.O.B.Collins,Carthage Landing,N.Y. 85,072.GATEWin. H. Cowloy, Cleveland, Ohio. 85,073.CHUCKSamuel G. Dare, New York City. 85,074.CAR BRAKE.D. H. Dottarer, Philadelphia, Pa. An- tedated Dee, 5, 1861. 85,075.HORSE BLINDER.JohnDaalap,Madison township,Pa. 85,076.LOCOMOTIVE STEAM ENGINERobert F. Fairle, Lon- don, England. Patented in England Nov. 14, 1807. 85,077.BOOT AND SHOE SHAYE.L. H. Farnsworth, Hudson, Mass. 85,078.PAPER FILEJames D. Field, Wataga, Ill. 85,079.PAPER PULPC. C. Fitzgerald, Pheenix, N. Y. 85,080.ICE CUTTERC. W. Flint, Washington, D. C. An- tedated Dec. 19, 1868. 85,081.GRINDING MACIIINEJOseph Flint, Rochester, N. Y 85,082.SHINGLING RooFs.Benj. Flowers, Jerusalem, Ohio. 85,083.MACHINE FOR MA ING CONFECTIONERY.JOhn Gard- ner, Philadelphia, Pa. 85,084.BLACKING Box.W. L. Gilroy, Philadelphia, Pa. 85,085.CYLINDRICAL CUTTER FOR LEATHER AND OTHER MATSSEIALs.Jamnes H. Golding (assignor to himself and Patrick MartinI, Liverpool, Eneland. 85,086.DUMPING CARGeorge B. Goodwin and Samuel MC- Cord, Milwaukee, Wis. 85,087.TOY, ENTITLED SYBILS CAvE.J. S. Griffith, Phila- delphia, Pa. Antedated Dec. 8,1868. 85,088.FILTE I G AND POURING BOTTLEV. M. Griswold, Peekskill, N. V. 85,089.METAL FO~ AND MODE OF MANUFACTU ING CAR WnEEL5.Wm. C. Hamilton, New York city. 85,090.SWAGE FO~ SAW TEETH.Edward Hamlin, Delan- co,N.J. 85,091.GATEHenry P. Haskin, RosCoe, Ill., assignor to himself and Joseph L. Brenton, Debit, Wis. 85,092.HAY LoADE N. L. Hatch, Cape Elizabeth, Me. 85,093.CARRIAGE.N. L. HatCh (assignor to himself and Charles Dyer, Cape Elizaheth, Me. 85,094.WATE WHEELWin. HeupeCke, Black Creek, Pa. 85,095.CULTIVATO James Hinds and James Gee, Cono- logos, Ill. 85,096.FASTENING FOR WAGON BODIESAmos A. Hotch- kiss, Hanoihal, Mo. 85,097.WINDOW FRAMEHenry B. Hull and Burlin T. Merritt, 5% Harhor, N. V. 85,098.STEAM CYLINDER.Wm.Jnglis, Manchester,England. 85,099.LAMP.W. V. Jacobs, Hagerstown, Md. 85,100.WATER WHEELNathan Johnson, Decatur, Mich. 85,101.WOOD AND COAL DUMPING APPARATUSEdwin R. Kerr (assibuor to himself and James L. Plait), Kewahee, Ill. 85,102.LEATHER CUTTING MACHINESimeon H. King, Tuohridge, Vt. 85,103.SHINGLE 1A~I 14 ~,-tThaIiQ$ A.. Uinne,y and Charles Parloar, Corry, Pa. 85,104.GAS MACHINEP. H. Lawler and Win. H. Gibson (assignors to themselves, G. Shelton, and Quincey Van Voorhis), Roch- ester, N. V. 85,105.STEAM ENGINE SLIDE VALVEJacob Lawson, Alle- gheny City, Pa. 85,106.ROTARY STRA ENGINE.Wn1. B. Leachman, Leeds, England. 85,107.DIoILL.C. W. La Count, Norwalk, Conn. 85,108.DOOR FOR CARRIAGES, ETC.Philander Leek, Hart- ford, Coon. Antedated Dec. 11, 1808. 85109.DEVICE FOR SUSPENDING SLAUGHTERED ANIMALS. Windsor Leland and Volney E. Eusco, Chicago, Ill. 85,110.BA FOR AXLE BIT BLANKSJohn Lippincott, Pitts- buigh, Pa. 85,111.BOTTLE LocKWin. A. Ludden, Brooklyn, N. Y. 85,112.Fl ISHING LOOSE HINGE BUTsElias Luther, Platt Lyon, and Walter Edwards, West Troy, N. V. 85,113.GOVERNOR FOR STEAM AND OTHER ENGINERY. Benjamin Mackerly, Paint, Ohio. 85,114.WINDMILLH. H. Macomber, Shopiere, Wis. 85,115.PILLOW BLOCKWin. R. Manley, New York city. 85,116.FEED WATE HEATE FO STEAM GENE ATORS. D. F. MeKim, Austin, Nevada. 85,117.APPARATUS FOR STIRRING AND COOLING LARD. John M. Meriam, Camhridgeport, assignor to North, Meriani & Co., Bos- ton, Mass. & ~,118.Co N PLOWSamuel J. Miller and Luna Wright, Econoney, Ind. 85,119.MAKING HoRSEsHoEs.Wm.Morehouse,Buffalo,N.Y. 85,120.BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMPierre J. J. Noel, Paris, France. 85,121.WATER SUPPLY REGULATORGao. P. Nutting, Chi- cago, Ill. 85 122.CoAI~ STOVEPetel Paradis, Rochester, N. Y. 85,123.MACHINE FOR FOLDING AND CUTTING MATERIAL FOR Same Uuuxas, zrc.G. W. Parrott, B. F. Parrott, and E.Ii.Timson,Lynn, Mass. 85,124.MAGAZINE COOK Srov John S. Perry and James Esterly, Albany, N. V. - 85,125.COOLER FOR WATER, MILK, AND OTHER LIQUIDS. Herman Pietsch, New York city. 85,126.SAFETY BATHING AIIARATUS.Wm. H. Pitt, Phila- delphia, Pa. 85,127.GATEN. M. Platt, North Fairfield, Ohio. 85,128.COTTON GINA. A. Griffin, Ga. 85,129.SHAWL AND BLANKET STRAP.T. W. Porter and H. K. Porter, Boston, lass. 85,130.MODE OF MANUFACTURIN TOE CALK BLANKS. Abram Reese, McClure township, Pa. 85,131.EXPANSIVE GEARING FOR FFEDING ROLLSJohn Richards, Philadelphia. 85,132.LOCKING DEVICE ROE UMBRELLASHorace T. Rob- bins, Boston, Mass. Antedated Dec. 16, 1868. 85,133.ATTACHIN CARD CLOTHING TO CYLINDE S OF CARD- cvee EcoeeaoEs.Daoiel H. Rowe, Pana, Ill. 85,134.GAhinRELs AND THEIR SUPPORTS FOR SLAUGHTERING Pueeuosecs.Volney E. Eusco, Chicago, Ill. 85,135.DEVICE FOR EXTRACTING AND TRANSPORTING TREES. Jesse Ryder, Sing Sing, N. V. 85,136.PORTABLE SERVICE HEATERWin. H. Scanlan, Memphis, Teno. Antedated Dec. 9, 1868. 85,137.CAR REPLACER.HtIIIrY Schreiner, Philadelphia, Pa. Antedated Nov. 1,1868. 85,138.BooT SHANK MACHINELodver Schye, Chicago, Ill. 85,139.HARVESTER. RAKE-Samuel S. Sherman and Jere- miah G. Sherman, MeHenry, Ill. 85,140.METHOD OF APPLYING CAST STEEL TO ARTICLES MADE OF Ir.ow.Wmn. H. Singer, Pittsburgh, Pa. 85,141.G AIN SEPARATORA. B. Smith, Rochester, Pa. Antedated Dec. 1, 1868. 85,142.Be ICK MACHINEEdwin Sprague, Allegheny City, Pa. Antedated Dec. 11, 1868. 85,143.DEVICE TO OPEN RAILWAY CAR VENTILATORS.W. C. Stickney and J. McGee. Steubenville, Ohio. 85,144.CARRIAGE SPRINGAnson C. Stowe, San Jose, CaL 85,145.MACHINE FOR MAKING CUT NAILs-John B. Sweet, Syracuse, and J. Boyd Elliott, New York city, assignors to Olander B. Potter and Solomon J. Gordon, New York city. 85,146.POINTING SPIKESLeopold Thomas, Allegheny City, assi,,nor to Audi-ow Kloman, Pittsbnr,h, Pa. 85,147.RAILROAD CAR COUPLINGA. B. Thompson, Oswe- go, N. V. 85,148.WAGON B AKEThOlBaS Urie, Springfield, Iowa. 85,149.TUBE FOR STEA7 GENERATORS.GCO. B. Van Am- ringe, New York city. 85,150.TONGUE FOR HARVESTERSJoseph Wadleigh, Che- banse, Ill. 85,151.WAGON BRAKE.GeO. W. Welsh and Geo. Wylie, Arlington, Wis. 85,152.PLoW.Edward Wiard (assignor to himself and Sam- aol W. Pope), Louisville, Ky. 85,153.MACHINE FOR CRUSHING RocK.Eskridge J.Wilson, Fair Play, Cal. Antedated Dec. 12, 1868. 85,154.HAND RAKEA. Winters, Washington, Pa. 85,155.MACHINE FOR WASHING DISHES.L. H. Witherell and E. A. Witherell, Galesbnrg, Ill. 85,156.AUTOMATIC ICE CHUTE.J. A. Wolfer, Rondout, N.Y. 85,157.MACHINE FOR MIXING COLORING MATTER WITH PA- ma PamJames Wrinkle, Lee, Mass. 85,158.SAFETY BRIDLES. V. R York, Antwerp, N. Y. 85,159.HARVESTER.GeO. W. N. Yost, Corry, Pa., assignor to the Corey Machine Company, 85,160.MILK COOLERLauren B. Arnold, Lansing, N. Y. 85,161.ICE HOUSEAdam Balerle, Chicago, Ill. 85,162.BREECH-LOADING FIRE-AR Hiram Berdan (assign- or to tIes Berdan Fire-arms Manufacturin, Compaoy), New Vorkeity. 85,163.CohIBINED SCISSORS SHARPENER AND SCREW Daevxa.Garret P. Bergen, Erooklyn, N. V. 85,164.LUBRICATING CUP.M. T. Carson, Cleveland, Ohio. 85,165.DooR FASTENERJames M. Clark, Lancaster, Pa. 85,166.DENTIFRICE PASTE.G. F. J. Colburn (assignor to John Davidson), Newark, N. J. 85,167.HORSE HAY FORKMoses Dennis, Barton, N. Y. 85,168.HARVESTER.JOhR A. Dodge, Auburn, N. Y. 85,169.SELF-GUARDING HOOKHenry Fisher, Aurora, Ind. 85,170.COMBINED MATCH AND CIGAR BoxGustav Graetz, Alexandria, Va. 85,171.WROUGHT IRON BRIDGE PIEREdward M. Grant, Macon, Ga. 85,172.BARK CEUsHEriBenjamin Irving, New York city, assignor to H. A. Taylor, Malone, N. V. 85,173.APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING EXTRACTS FROM BARK FOR TxNcoucoe, ETcBenjamin Irving, New York city, assignor to H. A. Taylor, Malone, N. V. 85,174.METHOD OF CONCENTRATING THE EXTRACT OF BARK FOE TANNING ETcBenjamin Irving, New York city, assignor to H. A. Taylor, Malone, N. V. 85,175.APPARATUS FOR CONCENTRATING EXTRACT OF TAN- BARRBenjamin Irving, New York city, assignor to H. A. Taylor, Ma- lone, N. V. 85,176.STEAM HEATERJohn Johnson, Saco, Me., assignor to New England Steam Esating Company, Boston, htass. 85,177.STEAM HEATER.JOhn Johnson, Saco, Me., assignor to New England Steam Heatin, Company, Boston, Mass. S5,178.-~--PEAT MACHINEZalmoll Ludlngton, Uniontown, Pa. 85,179.SAFETY GAGE FOR BOILERSJohn Marshall, Green- wich, England. Patented in England Feb.25, 1867. 85,180.CARTRIDGE CHARGER. Palemon Powell, Cinch- natO, Ohio. 85,181.GRAIN WEIGHING AND REGISTE ING MACHINE. Lester Reynolds, Owatonna, Mion. 85,182.POTATO DIGGERFrancis A. Roberts, North Vassal- borough, Me. 85,183.DEVICE FOR RECEIVING AND DELIVERING MAILS. F. K. Sibley, Auburodals, and Levi C. Wade, Newton Upper Falls, Mass. 85,184.PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING MEAT AND OTHER PE IsHABLE ARTIcLEsThomas Sim, Charleston, S. C. 85,185.GAS MACHINEJacob D. Spang, Dayton, Ohio. 85,186.HITCHING ST AP BUCKLEP. J. Stoll, Marshalls- ville, Ohio. 85,187.CIrUEN.Charles Sweeney, East Bloomfield, N. Y. 85,188.MEDICATED PAPER FORLTHE WATRE CIJQSET. Oso, W, Thompson, Brooklyn, N. V. 85,189.CORN CULTIVATOR.D. W. Travis, Enfield, N. Y. 85,190.COOLER FOR BEER AND OTHER LIQUIDSGeorge B. Turrell, New York city. 85,191.MOLD FOR FORMING HATSJoseph B. Ward, Bred- bury, Great Britain, assignor to Andrew D. Camuphell. 85,192.WATER CLOSETDarius Wellington, Boston, Mass. 85,193.BRUSH MAKING MACHINEAlbert M.White, Thomp- sonvills, assignor to the American Brush Company, New Raven, Coon. 85,194.STOVE OVENRalph C. Whitehouse, Boothbay, Me. 85,195.HEDGE PLA TER.Wesley Young, Bloomington, Ill. 85,196.STOVE DRuu.Jobn Adams, Findlay, Ohio. 85,197.BRICK MACHINEHenry Aikin, Pittsburgh, Pa. 85,198.RAILWAY RAILRichard Anthony, Scranton, Pa. 85,199.FIsII TRAPB. B. Beach, West Meriden, Conn. 85,200.SELF-LOADING CARTLevi A. Beardsley, Fredericks burg, Va. 85,201.CHEESE I-Ioo~.A1vin F. Bent, Antwerp, N.Y. An- tedated Dec.11 1868. 85,202.CHALK LINE BoxSolomon Beyl, Osborn, Ohio. 85,203.MEDICINE GLAss.T. G. Bo~gs, Philadelphia, Pa. 85,204.RURNER ATTACHMENT FOR CAR IAGESCharleS F. Brigham, Worcester, Mass. 85,205.INDIA-RUBBER FENDER FOR INTEEFERI G HORSES. Charles Briockerhoff, Fishkill, N. V. 85,206.MACHINE FOR PEGGING SHOESJohn H. Brown, Watertown, Mass., assignor to Moses K. Moody, Nsw York city. 85,207.MACHINE-MADE CHANNELED AND PIERCED SOLE FOR BooTs AND SHoEsJohn II.Brown,Watertown,Mass., assignor to Moses K. Moody, New York city. 85,208.RACK FOR BOTTLESWalter Burrow, Great Malvern, Great Britain. 85,209.GRAIN BINDER.S. D. Carpenter, Madison, Wis 85,210.GRAIN BINDERS. D. Carpenter, Madison, Wis. 85,211.POCKET CUTLERYJohn Carreer, Southington, Conn. 55,212-ToyCharles I-I. Cassiday (assigno to himself Wil- son Jewell, and Joseph White), Philadelphia, Pa. 85,213.FAN BLOWERPatrick Clark, Rahway, N. J. 85,214.BOTTLE SToPPER.Charles J. Converse, Boston, Mass. Antedated Dec. 11, 1868. 85,215 UPSETTING MACHINE. Hiram Culver, DnBsville, N.Y. 85,216.COMPOSITION FOR WATE -PROOF PAINT ETCDan- iel M. Cummings (assignor to himself and Washington Irving Conant), Entbeld N. H. 85,217.~IcE CUTTERGeorge L. Cummings, New York city. Antedated Dec. 11, 1868. 85,218.COMBINATION OF NAME PLATE AND LETTER CHUTE. Alexander M. Damon and Simeon G. Lyford, Lowell, Mass. 85,219.WOOL OILING MACHINE.RiChiNTd Dexter and Ha- iDor Gledhill, Worcester, hiass. 85,220.ROTATING BALL MOTORDoctor Alois Drasch, St. Egidi, Austria. 85,221-SEEDING MACHIRE. George Esterly, Whitewater, Wis. 85,222.WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENT. William Fischer, New York city. 85,223.MOETA .J. A. Fre son, Montgomery, Ala. 85,224.FEEDING PERCUSSION CAP A J French, Bridge-- Port, Coon. 85,225.APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING AND AGEING LIQUORS. A. J. Gibson (assignor to himself and Thomas A. Harrow), Cincinnati. Ohio. 85,226.POULTRY Coo~.Jackson Golder, Fort Recovery,Ohio. 85,227.INDICATOR FOR PERMUTATION LOCKSAnson Har- dy, Boston, Mass. 85,228.ANcHoR.Fraderick 1-lowes, Boston, Mass. 85229.CALCULATING APPAEATUs.Alonzo Johnson, Spring- field, Mass., assignor to Sylvester Bissell and Andrew B. West, Hartford, Cono. 85,230.BUSHING ~OR TOOL HANDLESAIBaSa C. Kasson, (assignor to himself and Nelson C. Gridley), Milwaukes, Wit. 85,231.BUILDING-BLOCK AND ARTIFICIAL STONEJohn Lef- der, Rochester, N. V. 85,232.FOLDING BUREAU-BEDSrEAD.D. B. Maynard, Wor- cester, Mass. 85,233.-~CULTIVAroR.L. D. McClintock, Glenwood, Iowa. 85,234.MAST Hoo~.William McKay (assignor to himself and Charles H. Bayley), Newburyport, Mass. 85,235.TinE TIGHT NER.A. 0 Morgan (assignor to tim- self and William B. Loller), Nashville, Ohio. 85,236.FRUIT JAR. George H. Myers (assignor to S. B. Rowley), Philadelphia, Pa. 85,237.MODE OF ATTACHING STOVE LEGSWilliam Lister Newill (assignor to himself and Redway & Burton), Cincinnati, Ohio. 85,238.SwING.William B. Odenatt, Philadelphia, Pa. 85,239.GAS GENERATING AND CARBURETING APPARATUS. James B. Obey. New York city. 85,240.COAL SCUTTLEJames T. Page (assignor to himself and William H. Brown). Rochester, N. V. 85,241.CARTRIDGE BOXHiram B. Paine, Troy, N. Y., as- signor to Henry H. Paine, Rutland, Vt. Antedated DecsmDber 16.2868. 85,242.LINIMENT, OR MEDICAL CoMPoUND.Darius C. Ran- dall, Niles City, Mich. 85,243.DOOR FASTENERJOhn 0. Reilley, Baltimore, Md. 85,244.TItAINI G ORAPE VINES.Reuben Rowley, Roches- ter, N. V. 85,245.PElIMUTATIO Locx.James Sargent,Rochester,N.Y. 85,246.BOLT FOR SAFE DooRs.J. Sargent, Rochester, N.Y. 85,247.PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA.J. A. Scott, Lexington,Va. 85,248.PROPELLING WHEELC. Seymour, La Porte, Ind. 85,249.FEED MOTIONAlfred J. Shipley (assignor to the Scoville Manufacturing Company), Waterbury, Coon. 85,250.HAMES FASTENERThomas Skelton, Rockford, Ill. 85,251.TYPE-SETTING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINEJohn T. Slingerland (assignor to Alden Type-Setting and Distributing hiachins Company), New York city. 85,252.BREECH-LOADING ARM. C. B. Sneider, Baltimore, Md. 85,253.ENVELOPEGeorge W. Starr, Washington city, D.C. 85,254.HARVESTER.George W. Stewart, Adairsville, as- signor to himself and Warren Akin, Cartsrsville, Ga. 85,255.FIREPLACE HEATER.J. M. Thatcher, Bergen, N. J. 85,256.BONE COAL AND OTHER FILTERSHenry Torstrick, New York city. 85,257.FAUCETJohn B. Tucker (assignor to himself and Lewis Bonney), Boston, Mass., and Joseph C. Snow, Mansfield, Mass. 85,258:METHOD OF EXTRACTING GOLD AND SILVER FROM THEIR OREsJohn Turubridge, Newark, N. J. 85,259.CARRIAGE