block may be bevelled off, as shewn in the preceding figures, so as to give a good hold to the horses' feet; or grooves may be cut in the top face of the block, for the same purpose.

Figs. 36 and 37, are similar views of a modification of the cross-shaped block, in which two of its arms are made a little higher than the other two, in order that their upper surfaces, when several are combined, may not be in the same plane, but leave a hollow for the holding of the horses' feet.

Fig. 38, represents another shaped block, which may be considered as a modification of the block shewn at figs. 15 and 16, being a segment of a cylinder, cut in a meniscus form; fig. 39, exhibits, in elevation, three of these blocks -connected; and fig. 40, is a plan or horizontal view of nine of these blocks combined, so as to constitute part of a pavement.

I will now proceed to describe the machine, by means of which I am enabled to cut or form certain of the blocks, above described, in a very speedy and economical manner :

Plate II., fig. 41, represents a vertical section, taken longitudinally through the machine; fig. 42, is a horizontal view of the same; and fig. 43, a transverse section, taken vertically. The frame-work is shewn at a, a, a, a, and should be made of cast-iron, in order to obtain a sufficient degree of strength. A crank-shaft b, actuated by a steamengine, or other convenient power, is mounted in the framing, at about the middle of the machine. Two connecting rods c, c, are attached to the crank; and to the reverse ends of each of these rods, a cross-head d, d, is connected. This cross-head slides in guides e, e, formed in slots in the frame-work. The rough block of wood, intended to be operated upon, is shewn at f, supported but not fixed upon the table g, in front of the stationary knife or cutter

h; the form of the cutter or knife-edge blades being of course variable, according to the shape of the block desired to be produced.

The operations of the machine will be as follow::-When the block of rough wood f, has been placed upon the table g, (but not fixed thereon,) the crank-shaft b, in its revolution, will cause the cross-head d, to force or thrust the block of wood f, a certain distance forward against the edges of the stationary knife h. The further rotation of the crank b, will then cause the cross-head d, to recede, when another rough block of wood must be placed upon the table, behind the former; and, on the next advance of the cross-head, its pressure against the second block, will force the first block through the cutter, that is, beyond the knife-edges, and deliver the block beyond the cutter, shaved or cut to the required form.

It will be seen, by reference to fig. 3, that the knife or cutter, shewn as fixed in the machine, is intended to produce octagonal blocks; such cutter may however be removed from the machine, by unscrewing the bolts i, i, i, i, when a cutter of any other shape or construction may be adapted in is place, to produce another shaped block.

I would here observe, that although I have shewn in the drawings, a cutter, formed apparently of one piece of steel, yet I sometimes make the cutter of two or more pieces; and I have further found it eligible, in the case of a cutter being constituted of two parts, to place the under cutter in advance of the upper cutter, in order that the advanced knife may first perform its operation upon the block, and allow the second cutter to finish the said block, whilst the first cutter is begining to operate upon the following block.

Although I have shewn the machine as acting horizontally, yet I sometimes place the cutter immediately below the crank-shaft, and cause the block to be formed by the

downward thrust of the cross-head. This last arrangement may be employed in situations where the horizontal space, occupied by a machine of the construction shewn in the drawing, is a consideration worth attending to, as a machine, with the downward thrust, would not occupy more than half the space of the horizontal one. I have not, however, thought it necessary minutely to describe a machine of this construction, as any good mechanic would, from the foregoing description, be enabled to construct a machine, possessing the same principles, to suit the circumstances and situation, as might be required.

In conclusion, I wish it to be understood, that I claim, as my invention, in the first place, the shapes and configurations of all the blocks above described; and secondly, the application of a stationary knife or cutter, of any shape, in connection with the machinery described, to cut or form blocks of wood for paving streets, roads, and ways, in whatever manner such cutter may be applied.-[Inrolled in the Rolls Chapel Office, December, 1840.]

Specification drawn by Messrs. Newton and Berry.

TO WILLIAM SAUNDERS, of China-terrace, in the borough of Lambeth, and county of Surrey, chemist, for certain improvements in paving streets, roads, and ways.[Sealed 3rd August, 1840.]

My invention of certain improvements in paving streets, roads, and ways, consists, in the first place, of a new shape or configuration, in which a block of wood is to be formed; and secondly, in the method or methods of combining blocks of wood so formed, as to make a firm and solid pavement, to suit different circumstances; and which, when

VOL. XVIII.

C

properly laid, will constitute a compact and solid mass, each block being supported by, and also tending to support, the surrounding or contiguous ones.

The block I propose to use for paving, is shewn in Plate II. Fig. 1, is a front or back view of the block; fig. 2, is a plan or bird's-eye view of the same; and fig. 3, is a side view. By referring to these figures, it will be seen, that each block is in fact composed of three distinct blocks, which are fastened or attached together, by pins or tree-nails,—the centre block being twice the thickness of the side blocks, and carrying the pins, bolts, or tree-nails, the ends of which are inserted into holes made in the side blocks for that purpose.

Fig. 4, represents the centre and two side blocks, detached and ready to be pinned together, in the way above mentioned.

The proper angle for producing the blocks of the required form, is obtained in the following manner:-Draw a rectangular four-sided figure a, b, c, d, fig. 5, and divide the top and bottom sides into three equal portions, marked 1-2-3-4; then, in order to obtain the angle of the centre block, draw a line from the top left-hand corner a, of the square, (see fig. 6,) to the point 3, on the bottom side; and again, from the point 2, on the upper side, to the right-hand bottom corner d. And to produce the opposite angle for the side blocks, draw a line from the point 1, (see fig. 7,) to the left-hand bottom corner c, and also from the top right-hand corner b, of the square, to the point 4, on the under side.

The required angles of both blocks having been thus ascertained, a log of wood must be prepared to the proper thickness, and the blocks cut therefrom, in the manner shewn in fig. 8.

Sometimes, under certain circumstances, instead of con

necting the blocks together by means of pins or tree-nails, I cut grooves in the sides of the blocks; and these grooves, when the blocks are brought into contact, form mortices, in which I insert dowells, as shewn in figs. 9 and 10.

Fig. 10, represents a side view of a number of the compound blocks, connected together in the manner above shewn.

Having now described the mode of forming the blocks, I will proceed to explain several methods of combining them together, in order to produce a firm and solid pavement. Fig. 11, represents a plan or bird's-eye view, of which fig. 10, is the elevation. This is the most simple mode of combining the blocks, and will be found very convenient under some circumstances, such as over gas and water pipes, where the pavement would be liable to occasional removal. The different rows of blocks may be connected together either by pins or tree-nails, as shewn in figs. 3 and 4, or by dowells, as shewn in figs. 9 and 10.

Another arrangement or combination of the compound blocks, is represented at fig. 12; and from the peculiar shape of the block, as well as the method herein shewn, of combining a number together, the pavement, when complete, cannot either rise or sink from unequal pressure; but yet it may be removed with facility when once an opening is made. Each compound block is supported by the four surrounding ones; and this also tends to support each of those four in the following manner :

The compound block A, is composed of the three blocks a, b, and c, as before explained. The block a, slanting in one direction, and the blocks b, and c, in the opposite direction. Now the centre part a, of the block A, rests upon and is supported by the parts d, e, of the two blocks immediately above, while the central parts f, g, of the same blocks, rest upon the parts b, c, of the block A, in con