result of novel application, or combination of parts already known. Six months; Oct. 10.

James Smith, of Deanston Works, Kilmadock, Perth, cotton spinner for a self-acting temple, applicable to looms for working fabrics, whether moved by hand or power. Six months; Oct. 10.

James Smith, of Deanston Works, Kilmadock, Perth, cotton spinner, for certain improvements applicable to canal navigation. Six months; Oct. 10. John Swain Worth, of Manchester, merchant, for improvements in rotary engines to be worked by steam, and other fluids, such engines being also applicable for pumping water and other liquids. six months; Oct. 10.

David Harcourt, of Birmingham, brass founder, for certain improvements in castors for furniture and other purposes. October 10; six months.

Robert Edmund Morrice, of King William-street, London, gentleman, for improvements in the manufacture of boots and shoes and coverings for the legs. (A communication.) October 17; six months.

John Dickinson, of Bedford-row, Holborn, Esq., for certain improvements in the manufacture of paper. October 17; six months.

John Coope Haddan, of Bazing-place, Waterlooroad, civil engineer, and George Hawks, of Gateshead, iron works, Durham, for certain improvements in the construction of wheels for carriages to be used on railways. October 17; six months.

James Yates, of the Effingham Works, Rotherham, iron founder, for certain improvements in the construction of furnaces. October 19; six months.

Charles Rober, of Leadenhall-street, cloth manufacturer, for improvements in fixing colour in cloth. October 19; two months.

William Newton, of Chancery-lane, civil engineer, for certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for making or manufacturing screws. (A communication.) October 24; six months.

James Sutcliffe, of Henry-street, Limerick, builder, for certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for raising and forcing water, or other fluids, and increasing the power of water upon water-wheels and other machinery. October 24; six months.

George Graydon, of Sloane-street, Chelsea, for certain improvements in instruments, for which letters patent were formerly granted to him, and which were called therein, "A new Compass for Navigation and other Purposes," part of which improvements are applicable to instruments for measuring angles at sea or on shore, by aid of reflection or refraction, or of reflection combined with refrac. tion, and part are applicable to magnetic compasses for ascertaining true bearings from celestial obser vations, and for comparing the same with the bearing of the magnetic needle contained in such compasses, whereby to determine and be enabled to allow for the deviation of such needle from the true meridian, whether by variation, local attraction, or other cause of error. October 24; six months.

LIST OF SCOTCH PATENTS GRANTED BETWEEN 22ND OF SEPTEMBER AND 22ND OF OCTOBER, 1839.

Peter Lomax, of Bolton-le Moors, Lancaster, weaver, for certain improvements in looms for weaying. Sealed, 9th of October, 1839; four months to specify.

Joseph Garnett, of Haslingden, Lancaster, dyer, (communication from a foreigner), for certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for carding, drawing, roving, and spinning cotton, flax, wool, and other fibrous materials. October 9.

63

Joseph Davies, of Nelson-square, Surrey, gentleman, for a composition for protecting wood from flame. October 9.

William Edmondson and James Edmondson, both of Manchester, engineers, for certain improvements in the machinery or apparatus for the manufacture of wood screws and screw bolts. October 19.

Wilkinson Steele and Patrick Sanderson Steele, manufacturing and furnishing ironmongers, Georgestreet, Edinburgh, for improvements in kitchen ranges for culinary purposes, and apparatus for raising the temperature of water in baths and other uses. October 18.

Robert Stewart, of North Woodside, near Glasgow, ironsmith, for an improved crane for raising stones or other heavy substances from quarries or other works. October 22.

Samuel Hall, of Basford, Nottingham, engineer, for improvements in steam engines and in propelling. October 22.

NOTES AND NOTICES.

Pape's Patent Table Pianofortes.-Amongst the objects of the fine arts admitted at the late exhibition of the produce of French industry, pianos were, unquestionably, the most remarkable. Sixtyseven masters sent to the exhibition nearly 200 pianos, amongst which were several of an entirely new shape: such as table, gueridon, ovalt hexagon, and consol. These new instruments are made at the manufactory of M. Pape, piano maker to the King, who also exhibited a square piano, which judges have justly considered as a master-piece of its kind. The latter is veneered with sheets of ivory, part of which is carved and inlaid, and forms a most beautiful mosaic design. M. Pape obtains these ivory sheets by means of spiral machinery of his own invention, which produces from elephant's teeth of an ordinary size, sheets of from twelve to fifteen feet in length, and two feet in width. This invention will, no doubt, be appreciated by miniature painters, to whom this mechanical discovery will be of very great advantage. M. Pape also exhibited an horizontal grand piano of a small size. The most remarkable improvement in this instrument is the sounding board, which is so disposed that the tension of the string stretches and keeps the sounding board level. The consequence is, that the sound improves in course of time, whilst in pianos of the ordinary const uction, the contrary will happen. M. Pape's new instruments have attracted the attention of the Royal Family, and her Royal Highness the Duchess of Orleans has purchased one of the table pianos for her own use.-Musical World.

Ornamental Bricks.-It is not generally known that all kinds of ornamental bricks may now be made without their being subject to more than double duty. This information may conduce to the reintroduction of the ancient style of brick-work which contributed so much to the beauty of the architecture of Henry and Elizabeth.

Pin Making.-Messrs. John Edelston and Son, of Warrington, have just fitted up a large factory, in Lachford, called the Mersey Pin Works, which is to be entirely devoted to the manufacture of that useful and necessary article in ladies' dress-pins. It is decidly the largest manufactory of the kind in England, and, when in full work, will give employment to 1.000 men, women, and children. The nun ber of pins now made there averages 15,000,000 or 16,000,000 per week.-Manchester Guardian.

Paper made of Sen Reed.-At a meeting of the Boston Society of Natural History, the President read a report on the specimens of paper and pasteboard manufactured from the Beach grass, and

presented by its inventor, Mr. Sanderson, of Dorchester. The plant is the Arundo arenaria. Lin. It is placed in the genus Calamagrostis by Withering and Decandolle, Ammophila by Hort and Hooker, Psamma by Palissot de Beauvais, Torrey, Eaton and Beck, Phalaris by Nuttall. It is called sea-reed or mat-reed, in England, and is found on all the shores from Iceland to Barbary, and all the Atlantic shores from Greenland as far south as New Jersey, at least. Its principal use therefore has been a negative one, connected with the very terms of its existence. It effectully secures the shifting sands on which it grows; and for that purpose large sums are annually appropriated by government, that by its cultivation important harbours may be preserved. The paper is smooth, soft, and pleasant to write upon, and takes ink well. It is firm and very strong, and may be whitened readily. The pasteboard appears to be specially valuable.-Silliman's Journal.

The Experimental Wood Paring in Oxford-street. The vestry of St. Marylebone having determined on paving with wood the whole of the carriageway of Oxford-street, from Rathbone-place to Wells-street, being a space of 4,000 superficial yards, the Paving Committee met yesterday to consider the matter, and after considerable discussion it was resolved to invite all the known projectors of plans for wood. paving to lay down specimens of their different modes of performing the works within the above named space. A variety of specimens of wooden blocks, some of a most singular character and appearance, have already been deposited at the Courthouse, and the committee have extended the time for those of other projectors to be sent in until Thursday next, when they will again meet to read the proposals, appoint the space to be allotted to each experiment. &c. The issue of these experiments will be conclusive as to the eligibility of wood paving for the streets of this metropolis, as this portion of the work will be subjected to the severe test of the wear and tear of Oxford-street for the space of one year. The experiment already laid down will then have been, at the termination of that period, subjected to a trial of two years, and the question of durability, slipperinesss, and facility of taking up and relaying after gas and water companies will all be determined.

Civil Engineering, King's College.-On Monday last a new and very important class of "manufacturing art and machinery," was opened to the students of this institution by Mr. Edward Cowper, It belongs to the department of civil engineering and science applied to the arts and manufactures, and arose from an acknowledgement of the want of a system of education suitable to young men intended for the profession of civil engineers. The subject having for a considerable time occupied the attention of the council, they arranged in the year 1838 a plan, which was then presented to the public, with the view of giving a scientific education to those who professionally or otherwise desired to obtain it. These views of the council having been fully justified by the success which has attended the measure, they decided upon incorporating with it a course of instruction, having a special reference to the arts and manufactures of the country, and with this view appointed Mr. Cowper the lecturer on manufacturing art and machinery. The objects of the lectures and instructions in this section are to familiarise the student with the machinery and contrivance in actual use, thus adding a knowledge of practice to the knowledge of theory taught by the professors. To effect these, machines will not only be described in general terms, but their various details, and the design of each particular construction, will be explained and illustrated by drawings or models. The observation, judgment,

and invention of the students will be exercised by experiments made by themselves, and by visits to various manufactories and other works, to which access has been liberally granted by the proprietors and directors, and where they will be accompanied by the lecturer, who will give explanations on the spot.

Gas from Grapes.-An interesting experiment was made at Bordeaux, a few days ago, in the presence of the Mayor, on the husks of grapes, when pressed, and the lees of the wine, in order to show their use for the purposes of lighting. A pound of the dried husks put into a red-hot retort, gave, in seven minutes, 200 litres of gas, which burnt with an intense light, and free from smoke or smell. A second experiment with the dried lees was equally satisfactory.

If

Jacobi's Electro-magnetic Engine.-Dr. Jacobi, in a letter to Mr. Faraday, thus alludes to this subject:" In the application of electro-magnetism to the movement of machines, the most important obstacle always has been the embarrassment and difficult manipulation of the battery. This obstacle exists no longer. During the past autumn, and at a season already too advanced, I made, as you may perhaps have learned by the gazettes, the first experiments in navigation on the Neva, with a ten-oared shallop furnished with paddle-wheels, which were put into motion by an electro-magnetic machine. Although we journeyed during entire days, and usually with 10 or 12 persons on board, I was not well satisfied with this first trial, for there were so many faults of construction and want of insulation in the machines and battery, which could not be repaired on the spot, that I was terribly annoyed. All these repairs and important changes being accomplished, the experiments will shortly be recommenced. The experience of the past year, combined with the recent improvements of the battery, give as the result, that to produce the force of one horse (steam-engine estimation) it will require a battery of 20 square feet of platina distributed in a convenient manner, but I hope that from 8 to 10 square feet will produce the effect. heaven preserves my health, which is a little affected by continual labours, I hope that within a year of this time, I shall have equipped an electro-magnetic vessel of from 40 to 50 horse power."-Athen. Mechanical-Playing Violin,-Decidedly one of the most ingenious musical instruments for years presented to the public, has been lately invented by Mr. Jenkins. the organist of Lurgan Church. The principle, though not altogether novel, is improved upon in a manner quite unique, It consists of a large violin body without neck or fingerboard, placed horizontally on a frame, having a greater number of strings than the violoncello, which are acted upon by a bow, at the one end, and a key-board as in the pianoforte answering to the left hand of the violin player. The entire of the springs are at once under the movement of the bow, and to avoid the discordant effect which must ensue when a piano tone is required, any string is made removeable at pleasure from the touch of the bow, by the simple contrivance of a few treadles wrought with the foot, and connected with a damper in the inside of the instrument. One great beauty of the instrument is, that by the judicious disposition of the stops, each one produces the full chord of any key in which the performer thinks proper to play. The tone is most powerful; and from the vast variety of tones capable of being produced, it forms one of the best orchestral instruments which we have seen. The writer heard it accompanying a grand piano, and the tone of the latter in some instances was wholly drowned by the strength of Jenkin's instrument.-Belfast News

Letter.

CHAMPONNOIS'S IMPROVED HORSE

POWER WHEEL.

The common horse-mill consists of a vertical central shaft, turning in two trunnions, a barrel or toothed wheel placed upon this shaft, by which the power is communicated through bands or other wheels to perform its destined work, and a horizontal lever projecting from the central shaft, to the outer end of which lever the horse is harnessed, and turns the shaft by moving in a circular path. There are several disadvantages attending the action of this mill; one is, the great space which the circular horse-path occupies; another, that the power of the horse is applied obliquely; and being cramped by the unequal action of the muscles of one side in comparison with those of the other, consequent upon the circular motion, a great deal of the strength of the animal is lost. It has been observed in horse racing that a small boned horse will have an advantage over a large boned animal in a circular race course, they being equally matched on a straight course, in consequence of the less abruptness of the action of the muscles in the gradual turning of the smaller animal.

In the Recueil de la Société Polytechnique, for March last, is published a description and engravings of a horsewheel, invented by M. Champonnois, in which these disadvantages are proposed to be obviated; it possesses some novelty, although precisely similar in principle to the ancient dog turnspits-one of which was described in an early volume of the Mechanics' Magazine.

This new French horse-wheel, besides being free from the objections before stated to belong to the common mill, possesses the advantage of appropriating the weight of the horse as power, and of rendering fewer bevilled cog-wheels, or other means of transmitting the motion to the machinery, necessary,-its shaft being horizontal.

Fig. 1, on our front page, is a side elevation of the horse-wheel, and fig. 2 (page 67) a sectional plan. The horizontal driving shaft A, works in suitable plummer blocks or trunnions. Radiating from this driving shaft, are placed sixteen arms or spokes, which cross each other, and form the inner sides of two drums, each large enough for a horse to work in. Each pair of arms is con

nected by the cross piece B, attach-ed by iron pins. Upon these cross pieces are firmly bolted felloes, and floor pieces, sufficient in number to fill up the circumference of the wheel. The whole outer side of each wheel is strengthened by an iron rim bolted to the felloes. Each side is open to admit the horse to work the wheel.

This wheel may be erected between two walls, or against one, openings being made for the passage of the horses; but it would be most convenient as represented in the engravings, supported upon two wooden blocks or standards. Two cross-pieces, CC, CC, are placed on each side, fixed to arms attached to the pillars or standards; these cross-pieces project into the wheels and carry bars provided with hooks, eyes, and pins to harness the horses to. The harness is so adjusted that the whole of the strength, and a great part of the weight of the animals are made to act simultaneously to produce the rotation of the wheel.

The inventor states that experience has proved that by this new horse-wheel, twice the power of the old mill may be obtained from the same horses.

METALLIC RELIEF ENGRAVING-
WOONE'S PROCESS- JACKSON'S
HISTORY OF WOOD ENGRAVING.

Sir, I perceive by an advertisement in the Scotsman newspaper, that Messrs. Woone and Co., the patentees of the mode of engraving in "Metallic Relief," described in your 29th volume, have made arrangements for executing orders for engravings by their process, and opened an establishment for that purpose at Edinburgh.

The readers of the Mechanics' Magazine are already aware that the process in question is nearly identical with one which was made public through its pages, not less than six years before the date of Mr. Woone's patent, under the name of "Engraving in Stereotype.' This information, however, appears not to have been in the possession of the writer of a recently-published "History of Wood Engraving," who, with perfect good faith, enters into a description of Mr. Woone's method as an entirely original one, and, in so doing, offers one of the most convincing proofs possible of the substantial identity of the two pro