Fig. 4, is a middle section of a boiler in the form of a parallelopiped, surmounted by a half cylinder. This is an excellent mode when the fuel is wood. When similar letters to those in Fig. 1, are used, they represent portions of the boiler, &c., intended for similar purposes. The dotted additions to the figure (b, c, d,) show how a grate, wind-box, and the wind-pipe of the bellows may be adopted. o, is the door of the fire-place.

Specification of a patent for a machine for Ditching, or Excavating Ground for Canals, or other purposes. Granted to GEORGE HENRICKS, Urbanna, Champaign county, Ohio, August 5, 1829.

I MAKE a carriage, or frame, with four wheels, the front wheels being made and fixed in all respects like those of a common wagon. Under the body of the carriage, a plough, with the mould board, of any of the known forms, is fixed so as to extend along between the hind and fore wheels, the land-side of the plough standing in a line with the centre of the bed of the carriage, or frame, so that the mould board may reach nearly to one side; it is also to be depressed sufficiently below the wheels to turn up the required quantity of earth. In order to remove the earth as it is turned up by the plough, there are a number of elevators, or boxes, made usually of strong sheet iron, somewhat in the manner of the elevators of a flour mill, but much larger. These elevators are attached to each other, so as to form an endless band, or chain, the boxes being connected to each other by means of strong links. These elevators are made to revolve by passing them round two revolving shafts, or rollers, one of which is fixed as near to the mould board of the plough, as will allow the elevators to pass round: this stands longitudinally with the carriage and plough. The other roller is fixed by proper frame work above, and extending to a distance beyond the side of the carriage. When this chain of elevators is made to revolve as the carriage is drawn forward by horses, or oxen, the earth which is ploughed up is received into the elevators, is by them raised and carried beyond the side of the ditch, so as to be delivered, or thrown upon the bank, or it may be thrown into carts, or on to stageing, in the digging of canals.

In order to cause the shafts to revolve, upon which the excavators are sustained, the lower of these shafts is geared to one of the hind wheels, from which teeth, or cogs, project inwards, so as to take into teeth, or cogs, which form a trundle upon the end of the shaft; the planes of these wheels, or trundles, standing at right angles with each other. The shaft I generally make square, so that the flat sides of the elevators may exactly fit them on each face, as they revolve. If made round, spikes must project from them in such a way as to check the elevators, and prevent their slipping round.

In order to insure the turning of that wheel of the carriage to which the shaft is geared, its periphery, or rim, has a number of projecting

spikes of iron, to lay hold of the ground; as, without these, it would slide, instead of turning.

What I claim as new in the above described machine, is, the use of the elevators, plough, rollers, and gearing, in the manner described. And I do hereby declare that the foregoing is a full and clear description of my said machine.

GEORGE HENRICKS.

FRANKLIN INSTITUTE.

Quarterly Meeting.

THE twenty-third Quarterly Meeting of the Franklin Institute, was held at their Hall, October 15, 1829.

ISAIAH LUKENS, Vice President, in the Chair.

The minutes of the last Quarterly Meeting were read and approved. The annexed quarterly report of the Board of Managers, accompanied by the quarterly report of the Treasurer, was presented and read; when, on motion, it was accepted, and referred to the committee on Publications.

On motion, adjourned.

ISAIAH LUKENS, Vice President. A. S. ROBERTS, Recording Secretary.

The twenty-third Quarterly Report of the Managers of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania, for the Promotion of the Mechanic Arts.

THE Board of Managers, in obedience to the 3d section of the 10th article of the constitution, make report of their proceedings since the last quarterly meeting of the Institute.

The principal objects which have engaged the attention of the board during the preceding quarter, are the experiments "to ascertain the value of water as a moving power, and the relative effects produced by it on water-wheels of different constructions," and the monthly meetings for the discussion of scientific questions, upon the plan adopted at the quarterly meeting in April last.

The committee appointed to carry into effect the views of the board on the subject of water power, have continued to be actively engaged in the prosecution of the undertaking, and by their zealous and praiseworthy perseverance, have succeeded in collecting about $2,000 to defray the expenses.

The house for the accommodation of the apparatus for making the experiments, situated at the corner of Ninth and Vine streets, is completed. Four mill-wrights are now at work; and it is confidently expected that the committee will be able to present to the Institute the result of their labours at the next annual meeting. An additional subscription is considered necessary to enable the committee to complete the experiments, which, it it is hoped, the members of the Institute will voluntarily contribute to an object of so much utility.

The monthly meetings have been regularly held, and the subjects proposed have been discussed in that liberal and amicable spirit which ought always to characterize the search after truth. It is believed that something has already been done to forward the great work of improvement, for the promotion of which this association was formed.

A more general attendance of the members is desirable, and would tend to increase the interest already excited at these meetings, and render them still more useful.

The Committee on Inventions have diligently attended to the objects submitted to their inspection, which have been more numerous than formerly. The utility of this Committee is beginning to be generally felt and acknowledged by inventors, and they are frequently put in possession of facts and principles in relation to their supposed inventions, of which they were previously ignorant, and by which their views and pursuits are entirely changed. Thus, often an honest and industrious mechanic, with mistaken ideas, is saved from the loss of time and money, while the ingenious inventor is encouraged and assisted by the countenance and concurrent opinions of those more experienced than himself, and thereby enabled to reap the reward of his exertions, at the same time that an important improvement is ultimately secured to the public.

The Board of Managers also beg leave to announce that the vacancy in the Professorship of Mechanics and Natural Philosophy, occasioned by the resignation of Dr. T. P. Jones, has been filled by the election to that office of Walter R. Johnson, A. M.

The lectures for the season, will commence on the second Monday in November, and it is hoped that the members of the Institute will evince by their attendance, that interest in them which the variety and the utility of the subjects to be treated of would seem naturally to excite.

The Board have always viewed the lectures of the Institute, as one of its most useful auxiliaries in the diffusion of practical and scientific instruction through the community, and also as one of the most effectual means of increasing the prosperity of the institution, and, therefore, respectfully ask the members of the Institute to aid and assist by their exertions, in extending the sphere of their usefulness.

The Board announce, also, that Mr. S. C. Walker has resigned the office of Teacher of the Mathematical School of the Institute, which he has conducted in a creditable and satisfactory manner.The vacancy thus created, has been filled by the appointment of Levi Fletcher, A. M., a gentleman already known to the Institute as their first teacher of Mathematics, from which situation he was compelled to withdraw, in consequence of ill health.

From the additional experience Mr. F. has acquired in the practical applications of the science of Mathematics, by being employed several years on board one of our ships of war, the board feel every confidence in his ability to communicate instruction in that departThe school will be opened the 27th inst.

ment.