gravity and danger so clearly as he now does had it been brought to his knowledge by a less exciting circumstance than an explosion.-EDS. M. M.]

THE NAVIGATION OF THE AIR. TO THE EDITORS OF THE " 'MECHANICS' MAGAZINE." GENTLEMEN,-Public attention is now being dirceted to this subject, and many persons are in expectation of some great step being made, so as to bring its accomplishment to a mere question of time; and, with the view of helping the subject forward, I submit the following.

I may observe that I have made flying machines of various kinds. The best were those made of paper, with light wooden stays, in the form of Archimedean screws, which were set in motion by winding-up india-rubber bands or springs. They rose in the air while the springs were unwinding. I made other screws of thin wood, which flew by a smart twist of the fingers. I also made tinned iron screws, with strong spindles, which also rose in the air; but it was requisite to give them a great speed, which was accomplished by means of a string and handle-the operation being similar to spinning a humming-top.

The result of the several experiments convinced me that an immense velocity must be given to any wings or appliances for flying; and, to get that, it would be necessary to have great power in proportion to the weight to be sustained. This was the practical result, and the theoretical one would not be far from it. To obtain a fulcrum from a highly elastic medium it would be necessary to have a large surface acting with great velocity. The mechanical law seems to present some difficulty, because an increase in .speed must have a loss of power in proportion. Notwithstanding this, I am satisfied the thing is to be accomplished without danger, or not more danger than every one encounters on a voyage in a steam-vessel.

The plan I propose is as follows:-A balloon made in the shape of a long cylinder, with pointed ends, capable of sustaining a weight of 400 to 500 lbs.-in fact, rather a small balloon.

The propelling power-a steam rocket, or several, made of the best steel plate, capable of sustaining great steam pressure, not less than 1,000 lbs. per inch, or about 1-20th of that from fired gunpowder. The steam discharge from such a rocket would strike the air nearly with the velocity of a cannon-ball; and, by its expansion in the form of a cone, several dozens of yards of surface would be acting upon the air, which surface would increase according to the altitude obtained by the balloon on account of the diminished pressure of the air.

The fire could be made from some of the gas from the balloon or from bags of compressed gas. To prevent accidents, several balloons might be used on the principle of several compartments in a vessel, all being euclosed in one outside covering, while the balloons themselves might be made of elastic material, so as to prevent any danger from the expansion of the gas, and, at the same time, save the gas that is now let off, and therefore lost, to avoid that danger.

When I first proposed to propel boats by steam rockets acting upon the air, instead of obtaining the fulcrum by the aid of machinery upon the denser medium of water, I was laughed at, and told they would not move. Now, it is admitted that no small steam-boats with machinery will go at half the pace with double the quantity of fuel; and it seems feasible that the same power (acting upon the air) that drives a boat through water against the wind will propel a balloon through air only.

What is wanted towards the carrying of the above plan into successful operation, is a very strong and light steam rocket or boiler; and I invite boiler makers' attention to it, as I am fre. quently applied to for them for propelling boats. I have used small rockets at an estimated steam pressure of 800 lbs.

I do not propose steam-rockets as a substitute for the steam-engine where a fulcrum is to be had for its action, JAMES PARKER,

THE THEORY OF A CENTRAL FIRE. TO THE EDITORS OF THE "MECHANICS' MAGAZINE." GENTLEMEN,-Numerous experiments on various spots of the globe, and extending to more than 20,000 feet downwards from the level of the sea, have demonstrated that pressure and the density of substances are increasing downwards. Experiments made on the land appear to have demonstrated that in some shafts in certain localities the temperature rises in proportion as we descend deeper. Now, I must confess that it requires an effort to imagine a point-the centre of the earth where we are to suppose as existing the maximum of density at the same time with the maximum of heat. I have met with various springs of the greatest variety of temperature, and have been in mines in Europe, Africa, and America; and, of the former, I found the water of the warm springs always strongly mineralized, carrying mostly sulphur and iron, &c. In mines I found the highest temperature invariably in those that were situated in pyritous ground; for example, at the mine of Tharsis, in Spain (in a deposit of pyrites) you enter, horizontally, through an adit, and traversing several galleries, soon come to a spot where the heat is as intense as in an oven, and that spot is a very few metres below the surface; a similar phenomenon is observed in many other mines.

I quite agree with the remark of your correspondent "T. L. H.," as to the advisability of being always guided by already clearly defined laws of nature in the investigation and search for others; the natural course of our investigation is from the surface downwards. If we were to take for a proved truth the hypothesis of a central fire, our investigation would always be such that every otherwise clearly definable fact would bear the misty veil of hypothesis around it. I remain, Gentlemen, Your most obedient servant,

THOSE who have watched with care the proceedings of the various sections of the British Association at Aberdeen, will not have failed to notice the active part which Sir John Bowring has played in several mind or judgment could be named of them; and certainly few men of more enlarged among that scientific assemblage. We anticipate, moreover, that when Sir John shall have overcome the serious mental depression which must have ensued upon the domestic bereavement to which he found himself subjected on his return from China, he will devote himself with earnest purpose to the question of which is so much needed. We have stated that the that great reform of our coinage-its decimalisation Decimal Coinage Association will meet at Bradford on the 10th proximo, and from certain observations of Sir John Bowring, at a meeting of Section H, Economic Science and Statistics, on Tuesday last, there seems little doubt that Sir John intends "breaking a lance" on that subject with Lord Overstone at that place. After a paper had been read on the decimal coinage by Colonel Shortrede, the late Governor of Hong Kong emphatically expressed himself in favour of such a system. The question had been brought up in the House of Commons by himself, and the principle had been adopted by 600,000,000 of the human race. Sir John characterised the "final report," as it was called, of the Decimal Coinage Commission-in which Lord Montague, a member of it, did not concur -as "the most one-sided report ever presented to Parliament, excluding all evidence in favour of the in the way of it; a statement which was received decimal system, and including all possible difficulties with loud applause. We cannot but express satisfaction with these re narks, because they embody our own views, as expressed in former articles on the matter, and demonstrate the fact that Lord Overstone, the parent of that report, is not to have it all his own way. His lordship will find Sir John a doughty antagonist, we think.

What would the Civil Service Commissioners of to-day think of the orthography and composition of the following extract from an Act of Parliament of the reign of King James VI., passed in the year 1597, and relating to a then new coinage of copper for Scotland? In consequence of great scarcities of small penneys; concludit and resolvit that thair sall

be aine hundreth stane wecht of copper unmixt with ony other mettale wrocht and forgeit in ane miln, and be the said miln maid reddy to the prenting, efter the accustomat forme of His Majestie's Cunzie house (Mint), with pyle and cursell quhairthrow the same be not counterfute for making of the said exchange and relieff of the indigence and miserie of the puir, in penney and twa penney peceis; ilk twa penny pece weyand ane denier twelff granes; quhairof three scoir foure peccis of the saidis twa penny peceis to be in the mark wecht, with twa of the saidis twa penney pieces of remaid of wecht, alswell

havie as licht on the mark wecht thairof; and sax scoir aucht peceis of the saidis penney peceis to be in the mark wecht with foure of the saidis penney peceis of remeid of wecht alswell havie as licht on the

mark wecht of the samin. Haveing on the ane syde the King's face bairhedit with circumscription: syde three theissillis distinct, with this circumscripJacobus 6, D. G. Rex. Swtorum., and on the uther tionn, Appidum. Edinburgi, and the saidis peceis to have cours amangis bienes liegis for twa penneys and ane penney pece." We commend this indeed to the attention of the C. S. C., whose duty or pleasure it is to infuseate the wits of those who appear before them for examination. The State document of 1507 would thus make an excellent exercise for would-be State servants of 1859. With respect to what is termed "remeid" in the extract above quoted, it may be stated that it refers to the latitude allowed to this day in all mints in producing coins. It is not neces sary, for example, that all coins of the same denomi nation should be of the same weight. In copper coinage this "remeid," or remedy, is considerable even in the British Mint, where great exactitude is observed. We know, for instance, that at present a pound of copper is supposed to be converted into the exact fractional weight of each individual penny twenty-four pence, but from imperfect working, &c., is not preserved. Consequently twenty-four newlyminted pence placed in a scale might be found to weigh rather more or rather less than the 1 lb. The differences plus and minus on a large quantity would, however, fairly balance each other, and just weight would thus be given to the public in gross, if not in detail. A "remeid," or remedy, on the same principle is allowed on coinages of silver or of gold although the individual difference in regard to them is much smaller. The exact remedy allowed to the Mint coiners, or those who contract with the Mint, in the production of pence, halfpence, or farthings, is, we believe, at present 175 grains per pound avoirdupoise, the standard weight of the penny being 291-66 grains. With the new mixed metal pieces-when they cone this standard weight and remedy will have of course to be re-adjusted.

partment comes as a supplement to that which we The following letter on the Admiralty Works Derecently published:-"To the Editors of the MECHANICS' MAGAZINE.-Gentlemen,-Your readers need not to travel so far as Pembroke Dockyard to witness the effect of Colonel Green's mania for glass roofs, they can see quite enough of it at the dockyard penter's shop over fitted with a glass roof to give light, here. They can see the new saw-mill, with its carand a thick canvas awning to keep it dark, the workmen preferring darkness to being baked alive. Near it is a large store for transport clothing, with a glass roof so contrived that the upper floor is like an oven when the sun shines and like a shower bath when it rains-a store, be it remembered, for dry goods. In the victualling yard may be seen a clothing store with another specimen of the fondly-cherishel glass roofs. It is said that the women employed therein, during the warm weather, went in a body to the superintendent, and told him that it was impossible to work there and live, when like a kind-hearted man as he is very well known to be (it is to be hoped that he is not the only one in that establishment), he ordered canvas awnings to be fitted forthwith, such as had been previously done in the saw-mill. It is also said that the tailors have asked to be allowed the use of umbrellas during the coming winter; be that as it may, certain it is that six inches of snow is frequently found on the floor of this dry (!!!) store of a winter's morning. Query-were the officers of the yard consulted in the construction of these costly architectural blunders? It is said that the officers and Colonel Green are at this moment at loggerheads about a salt-meat store which is to be built some day or other, Colonel Green maintaining that he as a soldier must know best what is wanted, the officers, (poor simple men) having nothing to prove that they must know best beyond the mere fact of their long experience in the department, an item never attended to as worth any consideration in the all-perfect works department. But surely the Admiralty will not allow another £30,000 to be thrown away in building a

store which the officers protest will not be suitable for the purpose required, either in the construction or the position. A SIDELIGHT, Mechanics' Institute, Deptford, 24th Sept., 1859.

A correspondent thinks the following letter would add something interesting to our recent notice of the Indian mutiny medal. He says:-"The obverse is the same as on all the previous war medals, the beautiful portrait of Her Majesty, engraved by the late Wm. Wyon, R.A. of Her Majesty's Mint (the reverse designed and engraved by his son). Inscription, Victoria Regina.'" On the reverse we have Britannia standing resolutely erect looking to her right, helmeted, with a shield bearing the Union crosses on her left arm, and in the hand wreaths. The right arm extended with a wreath for some, we are to suppose, approaching, and as we feel assured, worthy recipient. The figure of Britannia is gracefully characteristic, the attitude, draperies, and expression, calm, resolute, and, if requisite, prepared for renewed action; and seldom has the flowing plume of a helmet overhung a more singularly earnest, yet cheerful and beautiful countenance. By her side, in grim tranquillity, stands a splendidly powerful lion, scrutinising the whole extent of vision in all the stern reality of nature, prepared and competent to destroy whoever may dare to provoke an exertion of that tremendous power, now quiescently passive. Inscription, India, 1857-1858. L. C. Wyon.-R. S."

The following letter, in re boat lowering, tells its own tale, and is only another instance of the good that results from an efficient means of quickly and safely lowering boats being on ship-board:1:"No. 2170, Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, No. 55 Moorgate-street, London, E.C., 23rd Sept., 1859, to C. Clifford, Esq., London. Sir, in the report upon the log book of the Tasmanian screw steamer belonging to this company, it is stated that on the 31st of July last, while reefing the foretop sail in a strong gale with a heavy sea on, a man fell from the top sail yard overboard, but was picked up again in a short time by one of the cutters fitted with your lowering apparatus. The directors have much pleasure in announc ing to you this gratifying result of the use of your invention. Your obedient servant, R. P. T. Reed, Secretary."

Patents for Inventions.

ABRIDGED SPECIFICATIONS OF PATENTS

THE abridged Specifications of Patents given below are classified, according to the subjects to which the respective nventions refer, in the following table. By the system of classification adopted, the numerical and chronological order of the specifications is preserved, and combined with all the advantages of a division into classes. It should be understood that these abridgements are prepared excluFively for this Magazine from official copies supplied by the Government, and are therefore the property of the proprietors of this Magazine. Other papers are hereby warned not to produce them without acknowledgement :STEAM ENGINES, &c., 513, 533, 531. BOILERS AND THEIR FURNACES, &c. None. ROADS AND VEHICLES, including railway plant and car

523, 529, 537.

riages, saddlery and harness, &c., 477, 483, 493, 497, 507, SHIPS AND BOATS, including their fittings, 480, 502, 515,

CULTIVATION OF THE SOIL, including agricultural and hor ticultural implements and machines, 520, 522, 531, 542. FOOD AND BEVERAGES, including apparatus for preparing food for men and animals, 536. FIBROUS FABRICs, including machinery for treating fibres, palp, paper, &c., 481, 482, 485, 486, 487, 489, 494, 495, 499, 503, 509, 510, 514, 517, 519, 525, 528, 532, 538, 545,

546, 550. BUILDINGS AND BUILDING MATERIALS, including sewers, drain-pipes, brick and tile machines, &c., 547. LIGHTING, HEATING, AND VENTILATING, 491, 527, 549. FURNITUER AND APPAREL, including household utensils, time-keepers, jewellery, musical instruments, &c., 504, 516, 348.

METALS, including apparatus for their manufacture,

600, 501, 511, 526.

CHEMISTRY AND PHOTOGRAPHY, 488, 506, 518. ELECTRICAL APPARATUS, 512

WARFARE, 595.

LETTER PRESS PRINTING &e. None. MISCELLANEOrs, 478, 479, 484, 490, 492, 496, 498, 505, 506, 308, 321, 530, 539, 540, 541, 543, 551.

bow, or other springs connected to the axle-box. Or they use a double self adjusting slide with lubricator supported in position from a staple or slide, or from the bottom part of the axle-box, and worked by a lever or levers or with racks and wheels; springs may be used with these slides if necessary. Patent completed.

478. J. SCHLOSS. "An improvement in locks or clasps for porte-monnaies, pocket-books, bags, and other like purposes." (A communication.) Dated Feb. 21, 1859.

This relates to a previous patent dated Jan. 18th, 1856, and consists in constructing the bolt which retains the hasp in the lock in the form of a lever hav. ing for its fulcrum a pin in the lock plate; one end of the lever secures the hasp while the opposite end is made to terminate outside of and below the case of the lock; a spring inside the case presses the lever into the position to secure the hasp. When the resistance of the spring is overcome by pressing the protruding end of the lever, the hasp is raised out of the lock case either by a spring or by the finger. Patent completed.

66

479. T. SMITH. Floating wheels for driving machinery." Dated Feb. 22, 1859.

Here the toothed or other wheel is fixed on or to a hollow cylinder which is closed at the bottom, and the driving shaft passes through the nave of the wheel and the bottom of the cylinder. This cylinder is floated in water contained in a reservoir, and motive power applied to such floating cylinder, wheel, and shaft, by gearing or bands for driving the machinery. Patent abandoned.

be used in covering the frames of umbrellas and parasols that it shall be thicker or more substantial at those parts which by repeated folding are most likely to become worn. Patent completed.

486. R. A. BROOMAN. "A method of fixing tannin upon textile fibres, and the employment thereof in dyeing black and dark colours." (A communication.) Dated Feb. 22, 1859.

The patentee claims the method of fixing tanning upon textile fibres by means of chlorides or other salts of tin, or by means of any other equivalent substance, that is, any other substance which will act as a reduc ing agent and form with the tannin a composition insoluble in water, as described. He also claims the employment of this method of fixing tannin in dyeing black and dark colours. Patent completed.

487. T. R. HARDING. "Improvements in the manufacture of card surfaces to be used in preparing fibrous materials." Dated Feb. 22, 1859.

Here the inventor covers the card cylinders with segment cards, the backs or stocks of which are made either of wood or composition and fitted with steel pins; and to ensure the pins being firmly held in the stock he covers the outer face of the segment with sheet metal, which will serve to support the pins; and further to prevent the wood from splitting he covers it with strong canvas. These segments of cards he secures to the cylinder by screws. There are other features included. Patent abandoned.

488. W. GoSSAGE. "Improvements in the utilization of alkali-waste." Dated Feb. 22, 1859.

This invention relates to a former one patented, dated Feb. 21, 1857, and comprises the application for the extraction of sulphur from alkali-waste, of carbonic acid alkali, when sulphate of soda or sulphate of potash is gas which is produced during the manufacture of

The patentee softens the jute and other fibrous materials by a heating process. The machinery consists of a heavy block of wood or metal, over which are placed a number of lifting beaters, which are raised by wipers and allowed to fall by their own weight on the jute, &c., as it passes over the block. There are suitable arrangements of bands and rollers for feeding the material to the block to be beaten, and for con veying it from the block after the beating operation. Patent completed.

482. J. CURTIS. "The manufacture of military sash net, and machinery to be employed therein." Dated Feb. 22, 1859.

This consists in causing the threads of silk bullion or otherwise to be arranged longitudinally side by side to the required width for forming the sash, and separately attached through the intervention of beadles and looped harness to a vertical standard frame, a shifting bar and tappet action being employed for giving an alternating movement to the threads or warp during the elevation and depression of the beadles, and consequent opening of the shed, by which arrangement a continuous overlapping of the produced, the texture thereof being formed and reguthreads or warp is obtained, and the net or fabric lated by the introduction of a wire of the requisite thickness between each shed, and the striking up of the work effected in like manner by hand lathis or beaters. Patent abandoned.

489. A. W. SMETHURST. "Improvements in machinery for driving looms for weaving." Dated Feb.

23, 1859.

This consists in fixing the driving pulley to a supplementary shaft, to which is fixed a cone; a similar cone is also fixed to the crank shaft, and a strap passes around the cones, thereby communicating motion to the supplementary shaft. The cones are placed in contrary directions. Patent completed.

490. S. RIDGE. "Improvements in coupling or making the joints of pipes and other articles." Dated Feb. 23, 1859.

This consists in certain modes of making joints to be placed between the flanges of pipes, &c., requiring to be coupled or jointed together. Patent completed. 491. W. ASHTON. tors." Dated Feb. 23, 1859. Improvements in gas regula

This consists, 1, in means of establishing a state of equilibrium in the regulating valve, so that the control of the movements of that valve by the pressure of the gas in the branch may not be interfered with by the irregular pressure of the gas in the street main. 2. In the use of india-rubber in forming the joint or packing by which the back of the regulating valve is insulated. 3. In a like use of india-rubber in making the joint or packing of the hood, disc, or moveable diaphragm of the receiver. Patent completed.

492. G. DAVIES. "Improved apparatus applicable to the evaporation of saccharine liquids, and for the concentration of heat for other purposes." (A com. munication.) Dated Feb. 23, 1859.

493. U. ScoTT. "Improvements in carriages, and various parts of the same, which parts may be applied to vehicles of any description." Dated Feb. 23, 1859. This consists in the application of felt, gutta-percha, making various parts of carriages. Patent completed. 494. W. SHARP. "Certain improvements in ma chinery for spinning and twisting worsted, cotton, silk, and other fibrous materials." Dated Feb. 23,

477. R. W. JOHNSON and W. STABLEFord. provements in axle-boxes." Dated Feb. 21, 1859. The object here is to facilitate the application of grease, oil, &c., to the axle-boxes and journals of railway rolling stock, and to protect the lubricating material from dust. The patentees use a syphon or case inserted in the present chamber. On the back part of the axle-box they use a cover or shield with a lubricator, and support the same in position by spiral,

485 E. LUND. "Certain improvements in the manufacture of fabrics or textures to be used in the construction of umbrellas and parasols." Dated Feb. 22, 1859.

1859.

The inventor proposes to prevent the occurrence of "snarls" by the action of pressure upon the threads, which upon some yarns may be continuous, whilst upon others it may be so applied that when the machine is at rest the pressure shall be such that it will gently hold the thread, or operate as a slight drag upon it, thereby preventing it from curling. Patent abandoned.

495. S. R. SAMUELS. "Improvements in twist lace machines." Dated Feb. 23, 1859.

knives, daggers, and forks, or any other description of article to which handles are applied." Dated Feb. 23,

1859.

This consists in forming handles of various descriptions of pieces of ivory, cane, bone, horn, or fancy woods, glass, porcelain, or papier mâché, which would otherwise be comparatively useless. Patent completed.

497. G. TURNBULL. "Improvements in the permanent way of railways." Dated Feb. 23, 1859. Here longitudinal sleepers or bearers of iron are used, and the rails are fixed thereto by screw bolts and nuts. The sleepers are formed with a longitudinal groove in them for preventing any lateral movement of the rails. There are other features included. Patent completed.

498. H. B. BARLOW. "Improvements in apparatus for condensing steam." (A communication.) Dated Feb. 24, 1859.

This consists in obtaining the requisite vacuum or partial vacuum in the condenser without the aid of a pump, the steam being brought into contact with cold water which is not under atmospheric pressure. Patent completed.

which heat is applied by any ordinary means, and the steam arising therefrom is applied as a heating medium for evaporating another quantity of solution, to effect which the said steam may be caused to pass into a coil of piping, into a false bottom, or other ordinary evaporating apparatus. Patent completed.

507. E. PRICE and E. HAWKINS. "Improvenents in the mode of forming fish plates, and in the method of fixing or attaching them to the joints of rails on railways." Dated Feb. 24, 1859. This invention is not described apart from the drawings. Patent completed.

508. A. C. KEILY. "Improvements in apparatus for drawing-off fluids." Dated Feb. 24, 1859. This invention consists in connecting a vent-hole with a tap by an elastic tube, so shat when the tap is turned the vent is opened, and vice versa. Patent abandoned.

509. A. REID and R. TONGE. "Certain improvements in weaving, and in the machinery employed therein." Dated Feb. 25, 1859.

This invention is not described apart from the drawings. Patent completed.

This consists in the application to mules of a vessel containing any lubricating material, and furnished with brushes for cleaning and for distributing the lubricating material. Patent abandoned.

500. R. MUSHET. "A new metallic compound or alloy." Dated Feb. 24, 1859.

This consists of a metallic compound or alloy of the metals tungsten, iron, and manganese. Patent completed.

501. R. MUSHET. "An improvement in the manufacture of cast steel." Dated Feb. 24, 1859. This consists in adding to cast steel and combining therewith metallic compound of tungsten, iron, and manganese. Patent completed. 502. J. HOLMS. 66 Improvements in machinery or apparatus for propelling vessels, ships, and boats." Dated Feb. 24, 1859.

Under one modification of the details of this invention a pair of parallel horizontal steam cylinders are fitted up in the stern of the vessel beneath the level of the water-line, one on each side of, and parallel with, the keel. Each piston rod is connected with a horizontally propelling rod, the axes of the two rods being in one and the same line. The vessel receives a powerful propelling motion ahead by the simple reciprocating action of the pair of steam pistons, as when open the floats expose their full propelling surface to the water, and thus secure the necessary resistance for causing the vessel to move. Patent abandoned.

503. J. CROSLAND. "Improvements in looms for weaving textile fabrics." Dated Feb. 24, 1859.

This relates to the production of fancy goods, and consists in working two or more shuttle boxes, and regulating the picking motion by the same jacquard machine which forms the shed in the warp. Patent completed.

501. A. LANÇON, jun. "A new system of watches." Dated Feb. 24, 1859.

This consists principally in a new escapement, which is by simple or dead beat, and its use permits the suppression of the fourth catching-that is to say, one of the four which generally form the movement of a watch. Patent completed.

505. J. H. G. D. WAGNER. 66 'Apparatus for clean. ing water, and removing all matters in suspension and dissolution contained in it, water intended to feed generators of all sorts (applicable also to other purposes), which besides previous to its getting into the generators is heated to the highest degree without almost any expense." Dated Feb. 24, 1859.

This comprises, 1, the subdivision of the water to be purified into thin continuous sheets or films of indefinite length to be heated in this extended state. 2, The double traverse of the liquid film or sheet over the two surfaces of partitions, upon which are deposited and kept adherent all the incrustations. 3. The heating of the liquid fluid or sheet by the direct contact of steam, and on surfaces directly heated by steam. 4. The condensation of the escaping or waste steam during its continuous flow being increased by means of partition work in the interior of the apparatus, which flow is always inversely to that of the water current, or of any other liquid to be heated. Patent completed.

506. J. DALE. "Improvements in concentrating caustic alkalies, and in applying a product therefrom to the purpose of obtaining motive power, and to other purposes." Dated Feb. 24, 1859.*

This consists in a method of economizing the evaporation of solutions of caustic alkalies. This is accomplished by placing the fluid in a close vessel, to

This applies to the reed, or that part of the loom by which the weft is struck into the cloth, and it consists in placing the dents or wires of the reed on curved or diagonal lines instead of in a straight line as heretofore. The object is to produce fabrics in which patterns are woven by striking the weft into the cloth in irregular lines. Patent abandoned. 511. T. C. HINDE and G. J. HINDE. 66 Improvements in coating iron with copper, or alloys of copper." Dated Feb. 25, 1859.

This invention is not described apart from the drawings. Patent abandoned. 518. F. WEEKES. "The treatment of certain alcoholic products." Dated Feb. 26, 1859.

This consists in adding to the alcoholic products obtained from beet root, mangold wurtzel, &c., essence of cogniac, or other flavouring matters, in order to impart to such products the taste and character of brandy, whiskey, hollands, or gin. Patent completed.

519. G. EARNSHAW. "The treatment of woollen and other rags and waste of fibrous substances, so as to obtain useful products therefrom." Dated Feb. 26, 1859.

This relates to reducing such substances to a powder or dust, which dust may be used in various manufactures, and consists in subjecting rags to the action of a grindstone or other rough surface in motion. Patent abandoned.

520. J. LEE. "Certain improvements in ploughs." Dated Feb. 26, 1859.

The patentec mounts too wheels (the furrow wheel and land wheel) on different axles. The axles are suspended each from an axle or suspension rod. The bottom end of this axle rod is slotted out, and the axle can be set at any part in this slot. The upper ends of these rods have strong spiral springs round them, and pass into, and are suspended from, a frame which is firmly fixed to the beam of the plough. Upon pressure being applied to the wheel, it, along with its axle and axle rod, will move freely in a vertical plane, without acting on the beam of the plough, and on the pressure being removed the springs will force them back to their normal position. By this action, and the slot at the bottom of the suspended rod, the plough will always cut to a uniform depth, and will require scarcely any guiding save to direct the horses. Patent completed.

521. J. HINE. "An improved joint for cabinet making, carpentry, and other constructive purposes.” Dated Feb. 26, 1859.

512. C. W. SIEMENS. "Improvements in electric telegraphs and apparatus, and in supports for electric telegraphic line wires." (Partly a communication.) Dated Feb. 25, 1859.

The release and stoppage of the clockwork of various descriptions of electric telegraphic apparatus is sometimes effected by the hand of the attendant, and sometimes by contrivances operating by electricity. The patentee here constructs an improved electrical apparatus for this purpose. The invention, which likewise embraces various other apparatuses and numerous details, is not described apart from the drawings. Patent completed.

513. W. MCNAUGHT. "Certain improvements in steam engines, particularly applicable to compound steam engines." Dated Feb. 25, 1859.

This consists in applying to the present form of engine, known as " McNaught's double cylinder engine," a cylinder or cylinders, connected either to the crankshaft of the engine, or to the engine, through the medium of gearing, the steam being supplied to this cylinder or cylinders in the usual way, and thence passed to the condenser or condensers of the engine or engines. It also comprises other features in connection with the cylinders and condensers of steam engines. Patent completed.

514. R. FIELDEN, jun., and T. FIELDEN. "An improvement or improvements in the manufacture of pickers to be used in looms for weaving, and also in the machinery or apparatus to be employed in the manufacture of the same." Dated Feb. 25, 1859. This invention is not described apart from the drawings. Patent completed.

515. J. REddie. "An improved mode of propelling and steering vessels." Dated Feb. 25, 1859.

Here the inventor constructs a flexible paddle or rudder of steel plates, or steel, or whalebone, or other elastic ribs covered with gutta percha, &c., so that it may possess the yielding property of a fish's tail. Patent abandoned.

516. G. PEOVER. "An improved optical instrument, being an improvement upon the kaleidoscope." Dated Feb. 25, 1859.

Here the pieces composing the object are arranged around a rotating shaft mounted horizontally in a box on which the tube of the instrument is secured. In this box is an opening to admit light. Patent abandoned.

517. W. CLARK. "Improved apparatus for spinning, twisting, doubling, and drawing fibrous materials. (A communication.) Dated Feb. 25, 1859.

522. W. BURGESS. "An improvement in reaping and mowing machines." Dated Feb. 26, 1859.

This consists in constructing reaping and mowing machines so as to facilitate their ready turning while in motion; and is particularly applicable to those machines where the inner bearing wheel is in a line behind that of the main wheel. This end is attained by forming a hinge joint behind the finger beam in the side frame to which the small or inner bearing wheel is connected. In consequence of this arrangement an additional side frame is provided to which the upper part of the back framing of the machine is connected. Patent completed.

523. E. GATWOOD. "Improvements in buffing. traction, and bearing springs, applicable to railway carriages and locomotive engines." Dated Feb. 23, 1859.

This consists in making spiral or conical shaped steel springs with ribands of steel rolled with one edge thicker than the other, so that the coil may wedge and fold, one layer within the other, and indeed greater resistance by friction. But to increase the resistance of the springs the patentee applies steel rings or hoops, the ends being open so that the expansion of the spiral spring will be elastically resisted to increase the power. Patent com — pleted.

524. F. BRIGNOTES. "The disinfection and rectification of alcohol by the separation of the essential and other oils from the alcohol." (A communication.) Dated Feb. 28, 1859.

This consists in condensing the alcoholic vapour at different degrees of temperature and in separate worms, surrounded by water in worm tubs, the tenperature of each being marked by degrees. The invention is not described apart from the drawings. Patent completed.

525. A. MARTIN and A. CRICHTON. "Improvements in weaving and woven goods." Dated Feb. 28, 1859.

This consists in the substitution of shedding apparatus in the power loom so constructed as to weare either plain or tweeled cloth, or plain cloth inta which is introduced tweeled stripping. The invention is not described in detail without reference to the drawings. Patent completed.

528. J. Howden. "Improvements in machinery or apparatus for cutting, shaping, punching, and compressing metals." Dated Feb. 28, 1859.

In a modification of this machinery suitable for making bolts, rivets, &c., the dies are carried by two

circular tables turning about vertical spindles, and upon circular stools or beds. These die tables are placed at each end of the machine, and there is situated between a T shaped lever fast on a shaft turning in bearings formed in the tops by projecting portions of two side frame pieces, constituting the main parts of the framing, and between which the die table stools are bolted. The T lever is made to vibrate by means of a crank shaft working within the lower forked end of the middle or vertical leg of the lever, this crank shaft receiving motion from the driving shaft. The horizontal arms of the T lever are each connected to a vertical heading ram working in a guide carried by a transverse frame piece, also serving to bend the frame together, and the two cams are actuated alternately, the respective die tables being turned between each stroke of each ram to bring a fresh blank round to be shaped. The tables are turned by ratchet movements actuated each from the vertical leg of the T lever by a lever and links, and the T lever is also made to actuate bell crank levers, which at the proper periods push out the bolts or rivets by vertical spindles passing through the bottoms of the dies. A couple of pairs of cutters are arranged at the side of the machine to cut the wood for forming the bolts or rivets into proper lengths, these cutters being actuated by an eccentric on the driving shaft, and being arranged to drop the blanks into a receptacle from which they are taken and placed in the dies. Patent completed.

527. J. LEIGH. "Improvements in the purification of coal-gas." Dated Feb. 28, 1859.

This consists in the constant and extensive use of gas water, in the purification of coal or cammel gas, the object being the removal of various salts of ammonia from the gas. Patent completed.

528. G. HORNER. "Improvements in hackling flax and other fibrous materials, and in machinery for the same." Dated Feb. 28, 1859.

This relates, 1, to a mode of mounting hackles or hackle bars on the belts, straps, sheets, or chains of sheet backling machines, so that the hackle points will enter the pendant strick or stricks of fibrous material at right angles to a vertical line, or nearly so. 2. To a mode of arranging stripper cocks or slot plates of hackling machines at the bottom sheet, pulleys or shafts being detached from the sheets, and making, when at work, one continuous circular or excentric movement round the bottom sheet pulleys or shafts to which they are attached. 3. To a certain mode of stripping the tow from the hackles of an extreme fineness. 4. To those machines where two are combined in one, and consists arranging the troughs so that one is going up while the other is coming down, thereby dispensing with balance weights or springs. 5. It consists in applying a second slide or catch bar for taking out a strick holder from any gradation of hackles, so that the stricks of fibrous material will not get any more hackled than is sufficient for them. Patent completed.

629. J. H. JOHNSON. "Improvements in appa. ratus for stopping horses." (A communication.) Dated Feb. 28, 1859.

This consists of two pressing pads, which are attached to a blade spring secured to the front of the nose-band, and which are caused to approach each other and pinch the nose of the animal at a particular point a little above his nostrils, on tension being applied to a suitable curb rein, which passes through each end of the spring, and through a spring behind the animal's jaws. Patent completed.

530. J. H. JOHNSON. "Improvements in apparatus for taking soundings, applicable also to the throwing of life-lines. (A communication.) Dated Feb. 28, 1859.

This consists of a metal tube or casing for containing a requisite number of balls of line placed one above the other, and having the outside end of the line of one ball connected to the inside end of the line of the next ball, so as to connect the whole of the balls. One end of the line is secured to the starting point, and the other attached to the plummet or projectile, the line being discharged as the plummet or projectile descends or advances. Patent completed. 531. C. HALL and C. HALL, jun. "Improvements in steam agricultural machinery." Dated Feb. 28,

1859.

This consists, 1, in the use of a single winding drum with a continuous spiral on its periphery, on which the rope for drawing the implement is wound. 2. In the use of an anchor having two circular inclined grooves fitted on the spindle on which the wheel or pulley round which the traction rope passes is keyed. Into these grooves studs or pins on the ends of two levers enter, the inclined grooves being so formed that upon the rotation of the spindle the levers are

caused to move up and down. From the levers depend other vertical levers carrying spring pauls or ratchets which drive ratchet wheels keyed upon a shaft on which a screw is fixed. This screw on being moved enters the soil and drags the anchor after it. 3. In means of taking up the slack ropes in implements used in steam agriculture by the use of two drums loose on the axe of each implement. Patent com. pleted.

532. A. TURNRR. "Improvements in the manufacture of elastic fabrics." Dated Feb. 28, 1859. This consists in producing a woollen surface on elastic fabrics by twisting together a fine yarn of cotton, silk, flax, worsted, and fine wool. Patent abandoned.

533. A. V. NEWTON. "Improvements in constructing and working condensing engines." (A communication.) Dated Feb. 28, 1859.

This chiefly consists in combining the air-pump and cylinder of a condensing engine, and so applying the cold water injection that condensation is effected in the air-pump, and the use of a separate vessel as a condenser dispensed with. Patent abandoned. 534. W. HODSON. "Improvements in rotatory engines." Dated Feb. 28, 1859.

This consists in fitting cylinders with screw-like or other inclined vanes, so that steam entering at one end of a cylinder and passing off at the other, will cause the cylinder to rotate with, or on, its axis, as may be arranged. Patent abandoned. 535. R. BROWN and W. MILNE. "Improvements in fire-arms." Dated Feb. 28, 1859.

This consists in applying a bolt or stop so as to prevent the hammer striking the cap or priming and thereby exploding it, until such bolt or stop is withdrawn by the combined acts of pressing the butt of the fire-arm against the shoulder, and of passing the hand on a moveable piece in the stock. Patent abandoned.

536. E. J. HUGHES. "Improvements in preserving animal food, poultry, game, fish, fruit, and other similar substances." (A communication.) Dated March. 1, 1859.

This consists in submitting the above substances to the action of a bath of tartaric acid, and in neutralising the taste of the acid by a bath of bi-carbonate of sodium. The substances are then put into vessels containing boiled water and salt, and the vessels are then hermetically sealed. Patent completed.

537. T. CLOAKE. "Stopping of the bodies and wheels of railway and other carriages." Dated March 1, 1859.

This consists of an apparatus whereby the breaksman, at the same time that he applies the breaks of the van, also applies them to the wheels of the other carriages of the train, the break surface of each carriage being so connected by levers that the motion and force applied becomes a thrust between one wheel and the other, so that the force applied to one wheel is the support or abutment of the pressure applied to the other. The power is applied by an upright screw and hand wheel, the screw nut of which rises or falls on such screw, and so actuates the horizontal arm of the lever, by which the power is increased and transmitted to the connecting links and levers of the break surfaces. On one of the levers a pin is mounted which takes the slot of an arm projecting from a horizontal rod carried throughout the length of the carriage, and supported in bearings in which it slides lengthways, the rod of one carriage being connected by a link piece to the rod of the next carriage. The invention also relates to a coupling for connecting railway carriages to each other, which allows a certain amount of play between the carriages, at the same time checking for the most part the violent action and re-action of the buffers when any slight collision occurs. Patent completed.

538. J. HOLROYD. "An improvement in finishing woollen cloths, and cloths made from a combination of wool and other materials." Dated March 1, 1859.

This consists in so finishing woollen cloths that an ornamental design is produced upon a plain surface of the cloths. This is effected by cutting the nap shorter in certain parts than in other parts, the whole of the nap after the production of the design thereon being laid in the same direction as heretofore. tent abandoned.

Pa

539. Rev. H. MOULE. "Improvements in apparatus applicable to the evaporation of sewage or other waters, and for affording heat for other uses." Dated March 1, 1859.

This consists of a cistern fitted with a suitable arrangement of pipes, and heated by a fire underneath it, by means of which the process of evaporation is effected. Patent completed.

540. J. WETHERILT. "Certain improvements in locks." Dated March 1, 1859.

This relates to the "alphabet" or 66 combination lock, and consists in so arranging the mechanism thereof as to adapt the same for cash-books, portfolios, trunks, &c. Patent abandoned.

541. J. EDWARDS. "Improvements in stacking or holding biscuit, earthen, china, and glossed ware for firing." Dated March 1, 1859.

This consists in the employment for each separate article of a ring frame or holder with a flange projecting inwardly so as to occupy the whole or part of the centre of the ring. Patent completed. "An im

542. G. P. RIVERS, BARON RIVERS. proved implement for breaking up and preparing land." Dated March, 1, 1859.

This consists of a rotary cultivator composed of a drum or cylinder, or of a skeleton drum armed with tines fixed at intervals across the length and around the circumference of the drum. Patent abandoned.

543. J. TEMPLEMAN. "Improvements in the manufacture or production of artificial fuel." Dated March 1, 1859.

This relates to a previous patent of the patentee, and consists in the combination with artificial resinous fuel of dried wood, &c. Patent completed.

544. J. PILE. ""Improvements in the construction of floating docks." Dated March 1, 1859.

This consists in the use of two sets of pontoons, the one set being kept constantly floated, and the other set being alternately submerged and floated for sinking beneath the bottom of the ship, and of then rising and lifting the ship up with it, the water being pumped out of the submerged pontoon by rotatory pumps or otherwise. Patent completed.

66

545. D. LICHTENSTADT. Converting certain vegetable substances into fibrous materials for the manufacture of paper, textile and other fabrics." Dated March 1, 1859.

This consists in a process for converting the plant or plants of the genus Bambusa, and Bambusa arundinacea, into fibrous material for the purposes specified in the title of the invention. The details are voluminous. Patent completed. 546. J. T. CARTER. 66

Improvements in machinery for crushing, bruising, and preparing flax, hemp, and other fibrous materials requiring such treatment.' Dated March 2, 1859.

This relates to a previous patent of the patentee dated Feb. 1, 1847, and consists in the substitution of the force of buffer or other springs in lieu of the force of gravity of the upper roller. Patent completed.

547. P. CURRIE. "Certain improvements in spindles for locks, latches, and other door-fastenings." Dated March 2, 1859.

The patentee claims a method of combining or connecting knobs to locks and latches, so that a perfect contact shall be made and maintained between the base of the neck of the knob, as may be required, and the follow of the lock, or latch, to which the knob or knobs are connected, by which means a positive and agreeable action is imparted to the handle when in Patent completed.

use."

548. J. VALDA. "Improvements in studs and other like fastenings for dresses, belts, or other purposes." Dated March 2, 1859.

This consists in making the stud in two distinct parts, the face and back of the stud being secured together by spring catches or otherwise. abandoned.

Patent

549. J. M. ADAMS, D. LAW, and J. INGLIS. "Improvements in fire places, grates, ranges, and stoves." Dated March 2, 1859.

This relates to fire places, grates, ranges and stoves, and has for its object the more effectual carrying out of the system according to which the coal is burned from above downwards, together with convenience of arrangement, and other advantages. Patent abandoned.

550. R. II. COLLYER. "A process of preparing materials for the manufacture of paper, and a machine employed therein, which machine is applicable for crushing, grinding, bruising, and reducing various substances. Dated March 2, 1859.

This consists in a method of treating straw, flax, &c., for the manufacture of paper. The straw, &c., is first boiled in water, and then subjected to the action of certain machinery (which we cannot describe for want of space) which opens and breaks it, and prepares it for the subsequent action of caustic alkali; it is then freed from the alkali by washing, and next bleached by steeping it in a solution of chloride of lime. It is finally treated with sulphuric acid and carbonate of lime. Patent completed.

551. W. F. DEARLOVE. "An improved chopping machine." Dated March 2, 1859.

This consists of a cylindrical box, the bottom thereof forming the chopping board, the same being made with a flat or curved surface. The top of this

box is susceptible of having a rotary motion imparted to it without detaching it from the box. The knives are arranged so as to cross each other, or are placed at suitable distances parallel to each other. In the interior of the drum is placed a frame provided with teeth or scrapers which free the knives from any substances adhering to them. The chopping is performed by lifting the knives up and down by the handle, the position thereof being from time to time changed by causing the cover of the box to revolve, and thus carrying with it the knives together with the frame

before mentioned. Patent abandoned.

Dated Aug. 22, 1859.

2065. H. O. Robinson. Improvements in machinery or apparatus for the manufacture of sugar. 2067. J. Pollock. Improvements in the manufac

Dated Aug. 30, 1859.

1970. J. H. Johnson. Improvements in the construction of steam generators, applicable also to the construction of condensers, the heating of water generally, and to the warming of buildings. (A commu. nication.)

1972. G. Collier. Improvements in chairs and

couches.

1974. J. Field. Improvements in apparatus for superheating steam.

1976. H: Hutton. An improved lubricator. Dated Aug. 31, 1859.

1978. J. Cowgill and J. Stocks. Improvements in caps" for spinning fibrous substances, and in the means or method of manufacturing the same.

1980. W. A. Von Kanig. Improvements in the manufacture of starch and compounds of starch, and in extracting gum dextrine and grape sugar therefrom.

1984. J. Mackenzie and S. T. Wentworth. Improvements in breech-loading fire-arms.

1986. J. Samuel. Improvements in railway-sleepers. 1987. H. Higgin. Improvements in machinery for cutting and preparing match splints.

1988. L. Berge. An improved method of fastening or securing portemonnaies, bags, and other like articles with frames.

1990. E. Ellis. Improvements in finishing silk fabrics made on bobbin net, and warp frames.

Dated Sept. 1, 1859.

1992. J. Brine. Improvements in the mode of preparing, arranging, and combining, the leaves of books to be used for producing simultaneously one or more fac-simile copies of letters, accounts, or other such similar documents or writings.

1996. J. Borrington. Improvements in pumps. Dated Sept. 2, 1859.

1998. P. Wright. An improvement or improve

ments in the manufacture of anvils.

2002. J. K. Watson. Improvements in gas meters and exhausters, washers, and purifiers.

2004. W. Clough. Certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for propelling vessels on water. 2006. W. A. Turner and H. L. Lilley. Improve

ments in the manufacture of starch.

2008. J. F. F. Leroux. A new or improved apparatus to be employed for taking money on the

counters.

Dated Sept. 12, 1859.

2071. T. G. Gutch. The improvement of copying books, for order books, and letter books, and so forth, as the improvement can be applied.

2075. F. Heindryckx. Improvements applicable to railways or tramways.

2077. F. Versmann and A. Oppenheim. Improvements in the treatment of various substances, so as to render the same noninflammable.

2079. F. N. Gisborne and L. S. Magnus. Improvements in telegraph cables.

2081. H. G. Collins. Improvements in producing printing surfaces on stone, metal, and other materials capable of being employed in printing, in the manner of lithographic stones; also in the production of printing plates and surface printing blocks, and in transfer inks.

Dated Sept. 13, 1859.

(From the London Gazette, Sept. 27, 1859.) 1207. J. M. Munro. Chain harrows. 1224. A. R. Landre, P. Gras, and A. L. A. Boucherie. Distilling.

1231. E. Charlesworth. Fire-arms.

1238. R. A. Brooman. Heating. (A communication.)

1211. G. Walker. Looking glasses.

munication.) 1217. J. H. Johnson. Calcining ores. (A com

1264. G. Burnell. Medicine for curing ague. 1269. R. A. Brooman. Axles. (A communication.) 1277. G. Davies. Submarino transport. (A communication.)

Mills.

1276. G. D. Jones.
1284. A. J. Sax.
1294. J. Mallett.
1296. J. Howard.
1300. H. W. Patrick. Substitute for ivory.
1324. M. Davis. Wheels, axles, and boxes.
1341. S. Carr and G. Butterworth. Felted cloth.
1356. S. Bury. Textile fabrics.
1357. S. Bury. Textile fabrics.

Wind musical instruments.
Regulator for time pieces.
Horse-rake.

1358. W. H. Parkes and W. Bagnall. Hats.
1360. J. B. Pascal. Hot air engines.

1361. J. Wilson. Carbonate of soda. 1390. R. Barclay. Paper.

1406. T. Greenshields. Purifying gas. 1442. J. Luis. Syphon meter. (A communication.) 1449. T. E. Tallent. Leather. 1461. D. Deas. Reaping machines. 1467. J. Luis. Windmill. (A communication.) 1511. E. T. Hughes. Artificial stone. (A communication.)

1519. W. Clark. Sewing machines. (A communication.)

1519. W. J. T. Williamson. Gas burners. 1594. W. Knapton and A. Aitchison. Gas. 1602. J. Luis. Wheel tyres. (A communication.) 1669. J. Bailey. Stretching fabrics.

1713. A. Sidebottom. Separating animal fibre from mixed fabrics. 1807. N. Berry. Knitted fabrics. (A communication.)

1870. W. Green and W. and F. B. Fawcett. Rugs. 1958. E. Rettig. Anchors. (A communication.) 1972. G. Collier. Chairs and couches. 1974. J. Field. Superheating steam. 1987. H. Higgin. Match splints. 1990. E. Ellis. Silk fabrics.

2065. H. O. Robinson. Sugar.

The full titles of the patents in the above list can be ascertained by referring back to their numbers in the list of provisional protections previously published.

LIST OF SEALED PATENTS.
Sealed Sept. 22, 1859.

719. J. Davis.
724. J. T. Pitman.
725. E. Maynard.
726. S. Newington.
728. W. P. Wilkins.
731. R. A. Brooman.
732. J. Tyssen.
733. C. A. Watkins.
735. S. Oram.
738. W. Middleship.
740. B. Browne.
742. G. Neal.
746. F. Tillett.
747. W. & J. Garforth.
748. W. E. Wiley.
750. F. E. Sharp.
752. C. Sanderson.
756. R. Baker.
762. W. Redgrave.

763. E. Steane.

765. M. Firth.

766. G. Navlor. 767. J. C. Evans and P. Soames.

771. J. Buckley, Greenhalgh, and Hutchinson.

773. C. F. Vasserot.
774. J. Buckingham.
779. C. L. Roberts.
781. J. W. Kelly.
785. R. Searle,
786. I. Spight.

787. T. Taylor.

788. H. P. Burt.

0.

R.

789. H. Moss and T. West.

889. J. H. Young.

11. T. W. Gray. 12. T. W. Gray.

70. R. Lakin and W. H. Rhodes.

261. A. V. Newton.

LIST OF SPECIFICATIONS, &c., Published during the week ending Sept. 23, 1859.

No. Pr. No. Pr. No. Pr. No. Pr. No. Pr.

No. Pr.

4320 6 448 3

s d s d 422 1 0 4470 4 6

4340 10 449 0

6

435 1 4 4500

s d s d is d 4600 3 4730 3 4860 3 500 461 0 8 4740 6 4870 3 5010 4620 11 4750 6 488 0 4 3 4630 10 4760 3 4890 9

d 4 4

502 0

3

3040 7