cattle and implements. The corporation of the City of London would doubtless like the shows to be held in Smithfield itself; others, again, would locate them at Islington; some at the Crystal Palace, and some at Kensington. The general impression seems to be in favour of a movement westward, but we fear many objections will be made to the desecration of Kensington. How far ample space, good air and light, and, moreover, aristocratic "surroundings" might tend to improve the cattle show, we do not know, but unless about nine-tenths of the dirt and confusion at present experienced could be prevented, Kensington will be up in arms at the thought of bringing the Christmas shows there. There can be little doubt, however, that room exists for a suitable building which might answer for all sorts of flower, fruit, and poultry shows, as well as for a winter garden and the cattle shows, and no place seems better than Kensington for most, if not for all, of these purposes. With care and good management we think a cattle show would be endurable at Kensington, but care and good management would be absolutely necessary in order to make it so, and it will be well worth the committee's while, should they think of this site, to lay down their plans somewhat in detail in order to avoid needless opposition. The same building might also serve the purpose of the proposed exhibition of 1862, and any that may succeed it. It might also form an admirable place for rifle practice, and the annual gatherings contemplated by the Association for Promoting Rifle Corps, at which the promoters appear to hope as much as £10,000 a-year will be distributed in prizes. ON THE WEIGHT AND STRENGTH OF By DONALD MCKAY, Ship-builder, of Boston, U.S. WEIGHT OF A CUBIC FOOT OF Round. Square. lbs. lbs. lbs. After felling... 64.74 67.20 47-81 1 Year after... 53.60 53.51 39.83 49.89 lbs. 39-21 34.16 33.49 4 Years after 45.97 34.28 Each of the above numbers are the mean of experiments on twelve different pieces of timber cut from different trees, and the experiments were made by Mr. Farris, Timber Inspector of Gosport Navy-yard." AFTER the meeting of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Nov., 22, Mr. John Poole exhibited and explained a "Parallel-Motion Safety Valve." CAPTAIN SMALLMAN TOOVEY, of the mercantile | the compass in the binnacle differs from the read. marine-a gentleman who has had considerable experience in charge of iron ships, and well understands the necessity of testing the compasses of such vessels with all possible frequency and carehas introduced a valuable instrument for facilitating this operation. The accompanying engraving represents the improved instrument, which has already been employed on several voyages with the greatest satisfaction, and is now supplied to Virginia White Oak. Virginia Yell. Pine. the navy by Messrs. Imray, Son, & Co. of the Minories. It is manufactured in cheap as well as Round. Square. high-priced forms, in order that no captain may have difficulty in obtaining it. The origin and nature of the instrument are as follows:-It occurred to Captain Toovey that it would be more convenient, when determining the error of the compass by the use of the dumb card, if both the amount of error and its direction, i. e. the course by ship's head and the true course, were shown on the same card: he was thus led to adopt a modification of the dumb-card, which he calls the Azimuth Dial. The instrument consists of a double disc of metal (sometimes silvered), swinging freely on a tripod, and is of sufficient weight of the ship. The outer rim of the disc is graduated to be always horizontal, whatever may be the list to the points (or degrees) of the compass, and turning on the same centre is a second disc similarly graduated. There is a small pointer for indicating the direction of the ship's head: and it is also fitted with a style for obtaining the sun's shadow, but this can be removed, and the ordinary telescope and sight-vane applied in the usual mode of taking an azimuth of an object. The instrument is used thus:-By the use of Godfray's time azimuth chart, the true bearing of a celestial object can be determined at any moment, when its meridian distance is more than two hours and less than six hours. Thus, within those intervals, the points of the true horizon are known for any given instant. Having placed the azimuth dial in a WEIGHT OF A CUBIC FOOT OF LIVE OAK, ACCORDING This timber is exclusively used for the frames of the ENGLISH OAK PER ONE SQUARE INCH. American White Oak SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND TRANSVERSE STRENGTH (PER ONE SQUARE INCH) OF ENGLISH OAK AND AMERICAN WHITE AND LIVE OAK. (According to Various Observers.) Extracted from a Table published in Vol. V. of the vation, fix the instrument so that the pointer may It was pointed out that the ordinary valve simply rested on its face or seat; its vertical or upward motion being guided by a spindle on the lower side passing through a box or feathers in the steam pipe. The area of the discharge pipe was thus reduced one-third, and in some cases as much as one-half. This valve was pressed upon by a weighted lever, moving on a hinge or centre on one side. When in a state of rest, the lever and the centre of the spindle were at right rose the angle became more acute. This brought angles to each other; but as soon as the valve an unequal load upon the valve, and caused friction, inducing a tendency in the spindle to twist and on the valve to jam or stick. The guide spindle, being below the valve face, was also liable to be corroded by foul or dirty water, and It was to unequal contraction and expansion. likewise found that these valves, when out of order, invariably leaked on the side nearest the hinge of the lever. In the "Parallel-Motion Safety Valve" the spindle was on the upper side, the seat or face was flat, and the discharge pipe was free of interior incumbrances, so that less leverage and weight were necessary. The spindle passed through a guide above, and to the centre of the spindle, on which the valve was hinged, the parallel motion was attached. It was shown, by a sec tional model, that the radial action of the lever did not control the vertical action of the valve, which therefore could not stick or jam in its seat. LIST OF NEW BOOKS. Proceedings of Societies. SOCIETY OF ARTS. December 7th, 1859.-The fourth ordinary meeting of this session was held, J. Bennet Lawes, Esq, F.R S., in the chair. Several candidates were balloted for and duly elected members. The paper read was "On the Forces used in Agriculture," by J. C. Morton, a lengthy notice of which appears on another page. ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY. A numerously attended meeting of this society was held on Monday evening, at Burlington-house, Sir Roderick I. Murchison, Vice-President, in the Chair. Captain H. Godfrey-Austen, the Hon. and Rev. F. S. Grimston, F. W. Davis, M.D., R.N., H. Harwood Harwood, W. H. Purdon, and Francis Tagart, Esq., were presented upon their election. Captain G. Augustus Bedford. R:N., Rear Admiral Sir H. Byam Martin, K.C.B., Henry Ancell Edward Butler, Edmund Calvert, William C. Hood, M.D., Henry Raikes, M.A., Edward Smith, W. Castle Smith, Richard Todd, and James Watson, Esquires, were elected Fellows. Sir Andrew Agnew, Bart., M.P., Captain Claude Clerk, the Hon. W. H. Forester Denison, Captain J. Hamilton Ward, R.N., Edward Enfield, H. Hamilton Lindsay, Charles Otter, and J. Petherick, ViceConsul at Khartum, Esquires, were proposed as candidates for election. The MS. trigonometrical survey of Kashmir, by Captain T. G. Montgomerie, FR.G.S., under the direction of LieutenantColonel A. Scott Waugh, FRG.S., Surveyor General of India; sketches illustrative of Himalayan scenery, by Captain Austen and Mr. Purdon; Numerous sketches of scenery in British Columbia, including San Juan Island, &c., by Mr. Bedwell, R.N.; a map of the Fraser River, by Captain G. H. Richard, R.N., F.R.G.S., Her Majesty's Ship Plumper; a plan of the Tien-tsin-lo, showing the Chinese defences, by Major Fisher, R.E.; and a model of the largest gold nugget hitherto found, from Ballarat, by Professor Tennant, F.R.G.S., were exhibited to the meeting. The papers read were: 1. On the trigonometrical survey and physical configuration of the valley of Kashmir, by Mr. William Purdon, F.R.G.S., executive engineer, Punjab; communicated by Sir Charles Wood, F.R.G.S., India Office. Prior to commencing the above paper, the Chairman read a letter from Lord Canning, e pressing his approbation of the map of Kashmir, and alluding to the peculiar difficulties against which the officers of the survey had to contend, not only from the nature of the country itself but from the disposition of the inhabitants who were at that time strongly opposed to the British rule, and the men employed under the engineer officers were sepoys belonging to one of the regiments that had been first to revolt. Owing, however, to the skilful management and courageous conduct of Captain Montgomerie, the men had been retained in obedience and confirmed in their loyalty. The map which was the result of the survey was exhibited, and appeared to illustrate the description of the valley of Kashmir given Mr. Purdon's paper. The paper gave rise to a discussion, in which Colonel Everest, the former SurveyorGeneral of India, Captain Austen, of the Staff of the Great Trigonometrical Survey, and others, took part. On could navigate all the rivers, thus affording access to the auriferous regions. He was glad to see young officers of the Navy employed in examining those distant regions of the British Empire. MEETINGS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. MON.-London Inst., "On the Radiation and Absorption of Heat," by Prof. John Tyndall, F.R.S., at 7 p.m. WED.-Society of Arts, "On Starches; the Purposes for which they are Employed, and the Improvements in their Manufacture," by Mr. F. Crace Calvert, F.R.S., at 8 p.m. London Inst., Soiree. GRAVELEY'S PATENT IMPROVED DISTILLING AND COOKING APPARATUSES. DISTILLING and cooking apparatuses for use on board ship are now so universally in request that their manufacture has become a matter of much importance to shipowners. We are anxious, therefore, to place before our readers a set of apparatuses recently devised by Mr. Graveley, of the well known firm of Winchester and Co., Upper East Smithfield, manufacturers of ship fire-hearths, &c., for the marine of this and other countries. Mr. Graveley and the firm mentioned have had the advantage of very great experience in connection with this subject, and have introduced apparatuses for distilling and cooking which certainly are not surpassed, to say the least, by any others. Those supplied by them for the Great Eastern, the General Admiral (Russian frigate), and other important vessels, many of them men-of war, are among the best examples of this class of articles to be found on shipboard. mous price of provisions, there would be abundant 2. British Columbia. Journeys in the Districts He encases the above-named steam-boiler in an air tube to prevent loss of heat by radiation. and outside of the air tube is fixed another boiler containing a quantity of tubes in connection with steam-pipes from the chest of the internal boiler for the purpose of boiling sea water. Atmospheric air is admitted to aërate and mix with the steam from the first steam-chest after the same has entered the tubes in the second boiler, and force or drive in the air by a jet of steam. On the second boiler is another steam chest or dome divided into two compartments and fitted with a globular valve as in the dome first mentioned. A steam-pipe leads from the top of this dome, and an orifice is made in the side of the dome for the admission of atmospheric air, and introduces a jet of steam from the first-named steam-chest to draw the air in. The steam-pipe from the last named dome leads to a small cistern or box containing fresh water, in which the steam from both the boilers is first received and becomes condensed. The water from this box then passes through a condenser and filter in connection with it, and is discharged from the filter in the state of pure THE MECHANICS' MAGAZINE. GRAVELEY'S PATENT [DECEMBER 16, 1859. IMPROVED DISTILLING AND COOKING APPARATUSES. FIG. 1. aërated fresh water. On the outer case a pumping engine is fixed for the purpose of keeping a constant supply of cold sea water to the condenser, and for feeding warm salt water from the condenser to the boilers. The pumping engine is worked by steam from the steam-chest first described. A pipe is connected to the outer boiler, rising to the water line to allow of a constant discharge of brine to prevent incrustation. leaving the boiler tubes pass round or against The flues after an oven, in order to utilise the heat which would otherwise be lost. tubular boiler, which is surrounded by an air tube in communication with a refrigerator g, which is another boiler which surrounds or encases the felt circulates through the pipes of the refrigerator or by a thick packing or felt H as shown; K' is surrounded by cold water. and tubular boiler K. M is a dome or steam-chest, and finally enters a filter, from which it is drawn The condensed steam which is fitted to the boiler K and receives the off pure water by a pipe furnished with a tap. steam generated therein through a pipe L. Iis Atmospheric air is drawn into the dome M for the dome; Jis a steam-pipe for the passage of pipe, but which enters the side of the said dome. a perforated plate placed near the upper part of the purpose of aërating the water through another upper part of the whole apparatus and is intended downward direction through a pipe leading from steam to drive the engine N, which is fixed on the A jet of steam is admitted into this pipe in a to keep up a constant supply of sea water to the the dome M, for the purpose of creating a draught Fig. 1 of the accompanying engravings is an boilers K and K and to the condenser. isometrical perspective view, partly in section, of and at the lower part of the larger one. It is per- pass off to the chimney; i is a brine cock for another and smaller dome placed in the interior passing through the flues of the tubular boiler M' is of the air. The products of combustion after an apparatus for cooking, roasting, and baking, forated at its lower part at a a, through which discharging water from the boiler. and for purifying and aerating sea water, con- perforations steam and any salt water that may structed according to this invention. This appa- rise with it enter the small dome M; b is a gloratus is a very convenient one for transport to bular valve, into the seating of which a pipe c foreign parts as a land apparatus, occasioning no trouble when at its destination, because it is tioned to the boiler K. M" is another dome or enters which curries off the salt water just menpacked for transport without being taken to steam chest similar to that just described, it also pieces or interfered with in any way. even be mounted on wheels and drawn, if which is perforated as before, and globular valve It may contains a perforated plate I', an internal dome P required, from place to place. place, E are the furnace bars, F is the fur- dome M, through which steam passes to be conE is the fire-b; e is a pipe fitted to the upper part of the nace door, G is the ashpit. K is an ordinary densed. This pipe e leads into a water cistern f is illustrated in the isometrical perspective engraving Fig. 2, in which a single boiler only is A modification of the apparatus last described the method of action, however, in order to obtain used, and the arrangement of the parts is altered; pure aërated fresh water from sea water, is in both of the same, and Fig. 4 is an end view; E is the cases the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section door; G is a hot-plate for stewing; H H are fireplace; E' E' are the furnaces; Fis the furnace guard-rails fitted round the hot plate. Bars or the mainland are stated by the Launceston papers kets of the one colony are entirely regulated by rails are fitted to the guard which are intended to | annual trade transactions between that island and HADLOW'S LINEN MARKER. THE marking of linen is an operation which is matter. It is a next combination of a relief engraved box-wood stamp, bearing the name, &c., to be placed upon the linen with a supply of Bond's marking ink, the whole being contained in a small case. This case (of birch-wood) is turned in three pieces, screwing together for opening and closing. The central portion contains a very small bottle of fluid marking ink and the engraved marker, just large enough tohold firmly between the thumb and fingers. The top division, in the form of a deep down upon this, whilst the base screws on to the hollow cap, with an ornamental moulding, screws bottom of the central piece, and serves as the reWe have taken pains to inquire into the work- ceptacle for an india-rubber disc, with a black ing of these apparatuses as designed by Mr. cloth disc over it. On the base or lower face of Graveley and manufactured by Messrs. Winchester the central piece there is attached a code of direcand Co., and we find they have given great satis- tions for use, so as to be ever at hand, and most conve faction to owners. They are cheaply made, easy niently accessible. All that is necessary is to spread to work, and will run for several voyages without a drop of ink upon the cloth disc resting upon its requiring any repairs worth mentioning. While, india-rubber base, press the face of the marker therefore, costly and uncertain apparatuses are upon it, and then apply it to the linen to be constantly being forced upon the notice of ship-marked. When warmed subsequently by an iron owners, we cannot fail to bring the merits of these more economical and efficient ones to their attention. THE TASMANIAN SUBMARINE CABLE. THE first submarine electric cable of any considerable length in this part of the world has now been successfully laid and opened for public use. The 120 miles of Bass's Straits is thus annihilated, so far as the communication of intelligence is concerned, and the island of Tasmania is for many important purposes as closely united to the mainland of Australia as though no sea rolled between them. This, it will be admitted, is a work of some magnitude for these colonies, and is creditable to the enterprise of Victoria and Tasmania, who have themselves found the whole of the funds) for the undertaking. In this case the object to be gained is worth even some annual expenditure in excess of returns, if the line cannot be maintained without it; for their can be no question that to Tasmania the advantage of instant communication with these colonies must be very great. The the impression comes out clear, black, and inde- The Duncan, 101 guns, has been launched at Ports- has ordered the systematic gathering of seaweed from Among new inventions attracting notice is one THE CORT TESTIMONIAL FUND. TO THE EDITORS OF THE "MECHANICS' MAGAZINE." terms of the conduct of the Cort Testimonial DAVID MORRIS. [We must take the liberty of telling Mr. Morris that we esteem the above both a very foolish and a very impertinent letter-expe cially the last part of it. What have we said to" damp the generous ardour of those who have taken up this case," or to " question the justice or benevolence of such men," &c.? Did we not expressly say, that the whole thing to which we objected was "doubtless an oversight," and that we gave Mr. Fairbairn "ample credit for mean ag Morris-who is but a novice in reference to the and purposing well?" We would inform Mr. Cort case that by several years of well-considered advocacy of this case we have earned the right to offer a suggestion, and even to administer a rebuke, when other friends of the cause are conmitting great and palpable errors. We wcall further tell him, and our readers also (althongà the latter will have foreseen it) that some of the old and tried friends of the Cort family, and some members of the committee even, are as much astonished as ourselves at the strange resolutions passed at the late Manchester meeting of the committee, and are wondering why the family are not instantly relieved from their liabilities. We have nothing to add to, and nothing to take from, our last week's remarks on the management of the committee. We will only, therefore, add that the past history of the Cort case has demonstrated the strong necessity there is for looking after the money contributed for the benefit of the family; and no anger of Mr. Morris's will prevent us from seeing either that the present fund is properly administered, or that those (if any) who may attempt to misapply it shall have their proceedings brought to light. If Mr. Morris writes to us again on this question, he must amend bis tone, or we shall feel bound to enter with greater minuteness than before into the proceedings that have taken and are taking place in connection with the Manchester Fund. All we ask is, that the money subscribed shall be applied to its legitimate object without delay, and we do to believe the committee desire to keep it locked up from the poor and extremely aged people.EDS. M.M.]. |