taken off. If any shape not much out of a line is wanted, it may be cut by laying a pattern by the side of the piece.

Fig. 3, A is the piece to be cut; then by laying on the pattern B, and fixing the rollers in C, Fig. 2, the saw will pass the dotted line corresponding nearly with the outside of B.

Fig. 4, is a guide for cutting circles of all sizes; A is a part of the bench, and B of the saw; C is a socket sliding on a rod which is marked, so that the centre of the intended circle is immediately determined from it D is a rod and pair of claws turning on a centre to guide the piece to be cut, then by fixing the socket C at the proper distance from the saw, the piece is passed up to the saw in the required width. Secondly, for splitting or paring of skins, the two wheels are laid level instead of being over each other, and an endless knife is worked upon them, to which is affixed two whetstone's one above and the other below it, so as to sharpen the knife as it goes; it is used with the rollers, &c. of a common skin splitter; the plate of steel for the saw or knife may have its two ends rivetted and brazed together, or they may be shut before it is brought to its thinness, and drawn down afterwards. Although I have described the saw or knife in the way I have made it, yet it may be put in a variety of other forms, either with working it over one roller with the assistance of slides, or over more than two rollers, or may be kept on the rollers by pegs or stubs on them with corresponding holes in the saw; the framing may likewise be made in a variety of shapes of wood or métal; but the one here described answers every purpose. In witness whereof, &c.

VOL XIII-SECOND SERIES.

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Specification of the Patent granted to FRANCIS PLOWDEN, of Essex-street, near the Temple, London, Esquire; for newly-invented Aphthartic Viands; being Butcher's Meat, animal and comestible Substances, preserved without Acid, Salt or Drying, in a sweet, palatable and nutritious State, fit for Consumption both at Sea and on Land, for an extraordinary Length of Time.

Dated June 13, 1807.

To all to whom these presents shall come, &c. NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I the said Francis Plowden do hereby declare, that my said invention for preserving butcher's meat, animal and other comestible substances, in a sweet, palatable and nutritious state fit for consumption both at sea and on land, without acid, salt or drying, for an extraordinary length of time, is performed on the principles and in manner following; that is to say: Putrefaction is a spontaneous decomposition of the elementary component parts of the putrefying bodies. Although the atmospheric air be not the sole efficient cause of putrefaction, yet the contact of it evidently favours and accelerates putrefaction; consequently the preservation or security of such bodies from the immediate contact, and as much as can be from the influence, of the atmospheric air, must proportionably retard and prevent putrefaction, which is effected by the evaporation or exhalation of elementary parts. If, therefore, these bodies whilst sound and untainted can be closely enveloped in an airproof medium or substance, so as to prevent evaporation or exhalation, their decomposition must be arrested

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as long as the circumambient preservative continues to resist the admission and action of the air. The texture or quality of such incrusting substance or medium of preservation, must not only resist the effects of the atmospheric air, but it must not communicate any noxious quality to its contents. The substance of which I form this incrustation is very highly dried essence or extract of meat. The substance to be preserved being dressed will preserve the longer, and it should be put into the vessel in a cold state and wiped dry. Care must be had that it contain no insect, vermin, or other immediate active cause of corruption, or any particle of inchoated putrefaction *. Every part of the substance to be preserved should be completely enveloped with the extract, so that no vacuum or interstice be left open; and it should be applied in 'that fusible state as to find its way into every vacuum. The vessels are best of wood, and should be kept as dry as possible,

In witness whereof, &c.

* If this essence or extract be properly made, the advantage of its affording pleasant, wholesome and nutritrive soup or broth, and its general utility for all culinary purposes, will be incalculable. The process of extracting the gelatin from the animal substance will be attended with this further economical effect, that it will leave the membrane and all other parts of the animal substance (except the earth and bone) in the immediate state of preparation for being converted into soap. And as to the earth of the bones, that will afford phosphoric acid, which may be converted into that species of phosphorus which is in high estimation and very valuable to refiners.

Specification of the Patent granted to BRYAN DONKIN, of Dartford, Kent, Millwright, for a Mode of producing a rotary Motion applicable to useful Purposes,

Pated August 3, 1803.

To all to whom these presents shall come, &c, NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I the said Bryan Donkin do hereby declare, that my said invention is described in manner following; that is to say, I carry my new method of producing a rotary motion into effect by introducing a steam beneath the surface of water, or any other dense fluid, at a temperature too elevated to produce any notable degree of condensation in the same; and I dispose or present within the said water or dense fluid, and immediately over the place of introduction of the said steam, a certain inverted vessel or bucket; which, when filled with (and rendered buoyant by) the said steam, will ascend with considerable force, and carry along with it any other moveable apparatus to which it may be attached, until the arrival of the said yessel or bucket to such a place or position as shall permit the said steam to escape. And I do dispose, arrange, and combine, various other such buckets or vessels as aforesaid along with the firstmentioned bucket or vessel (either by fixing the same to the periphery of a wheel, or to a circulating chain, or by any other convenient and suitable method), in such manner that the ascent of any bucket or buckets containing steam shall regularly and successively cause the other bucket or buckets to arrive at the proper situation

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