faithful and literal representation of the expansion of matter. In the same way the attractive force exerted amongst a large number of bodies, one half of which are charged positively, and the other negatively, will exemplify the contraction of matter.

But here an objection presents itself-the electric fluid continually endeavours to establish an equilibrium, therefore the redundant fluid which caused the expansion will in time be dissipated, the repulsive or expansive force will be exhausted or destroyed, and the bodies or atoms will collapse; so, also, between positive and negative bodies or atoms there will be an interchange of fluid-the equilibrium will be restored, and the attractive or contractive force will cease to operate. If a perfect equilibrium could be established and maintained, no motion from electrical causes could ensue. This objection appears at first sight formidable, but nature has provided an answer: when fluid and solid bodies are in contact, as acid and zinc, the fluid will be found positive, and the solid negative. Here, then, are two bodies in opposite electrical conditions, and in contact, but the equilibrium remains permanently disturbed; indeed it is by this contact that it has been disturbed at this point begins a power that will expand the hardest diamond into an invisible vapour-at this point begins the expansion of matter. The whole universe is filled with fluid and solid matter, therefore this disturbing force is in universal operation. Again, when two electrics, as the glass cylinder and silk rubber of the machine are in contact and in motion, one is found to be positive and the other negative; and if the motion be continued, the electric equilibrium is permanently disturbed. If it be objected that the continuance of the motion is a necessary condition, it may be answered, that all matter is in motion; wherever there is matter there also is motion. Here then are two points at which we find the electric equilibrium disturbed; and they are enough,at one begins the expansion, at the other the contraction of matter. To these two points, all motion from electrical agency may be. referred, and however small these forces may appear upon a limited surface, the aggregate is immense and fully adequate to the developement of all the phenomena connected with the motion of matter as resulting from physical causes.'

All motion, he continued, proceeds in a kind of circle, that is, in a line that has neither beginning nor end-an endless chain; at one point of the circuit we find the expansive process; at another, the contractive process going on, the one force compensating the other; without which compensation the motion could not go on for ever. Heat and light are constant and faithful indications of

the expansive process-the sun exhibits these indications in an eminent degree, therefore we conclude, that at the sun's surface the expansive process is going on-that the expanded matter is projected to the utmost limits of the solar system, is proved by its influence upon the vegetation of the earth, and by the reflection of light from the most distant planet. But if the motion is to continue for ever, this expanded matter must be again contracted and returned-and when by the rolling or twisting motion of fluids, by which friction is produced and the electric equilibrium disturbed, as well as by induction amongst the contracting particles, a large body of loose materials is formed; in what respect does this body differ from a comet? When the contraction has proceeded to a certain point, the body will be attracted towards the centre; but as it approaches the sun, a large proportion of its loose materials will be expanded into a tail, and the body will be again driven off from the centre under the expansive force. By a series of these revolutions, the tail or expanded matter being continually turned away from the sun, the comet's orbit must be widened and reduced to the planetary form, the loose materials continuing to contract, it may be. further asked, in what respect does this body differ from a planet? He concluded by remarking, if matter recedes from the centre in proportion, as it is expanded, and returns to that centre in proportion as it is contracted, we have to enquire whether the earth is contracting, and this will form the subject of the next lecture.

LIST OF ENGLISH PATENTS, GRANTED BETWEEN THE 22ND OF SEPTEMBER AND 22ND OF OCTOBER, 1836.

Moses Poole, of Lincoln's-inn, gentleman, for improvements in anchors and in friction-rollers, to facilitate the lowering and raising such and other anchors, which friction-rollers are applicable to other purposes; being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad. Sept. 15; six months. (Omitted last month.)

William Pringle Green, of Falmouth, Cornwall, lieutenant, R.N., for improvements on capstans, applicable to ships and other purposes, and for methods or contrivances to reduce manual labour at capstans used at mines, such methods or contrivances, strengthening capstans, prevents them being overpowered, and are improvements on the modes hitherto resorted to for the performance of work; such capstans, methods, and contrivances being used conjointly or separately, and for raising ore and men from mines. Sept. 28; six months.

John Isaac Hawkins, of Chase Cottage, Hampstead-road, Middlesex, civil engineer, for an improvement in the blowing-pipe of blast-furnaces and forges; being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad. Sept. 28; six months.

George Crane, of Yuiseedywyn Iron Works, near Swansea, iron-master, for an improvement in the manufacture of iron. Sept. 28; six months.

Richard Pearson, of Saint Giles, Oxford, organ. Ist, of Carfax Church, Oxford, for certain improvements in drags or apparatus for retarding carriages. Sept. 28; six months.

John Ledyard Phillips, of Melksham, Wiltshire, cloth manufacturer, for an improvement in the manufacture of woollen cloths. Oct. 4; two months.

James White, of Lambeth. engineer, for certain improvements on railways. Oct. 4; six months.

Charles William Stone, of Finchley, Middlesex,' mechanic, for improvements in harness for weav ing purposes, and in the apparatus for making the same being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad. Oct. 4; six months.

Henry Huntley Mohun, of Walworth, Surrey, doctor in medicine, for improvements in the manufacturing of fuel. Oct. 4 six months.

Samuel Tonkin Jones, of Manchester, merchant, for certain improvements in the tanning of hides and skins. Oct. 6; six months.

Miles Berry, of 66, Chancery-lane, Holborn, mechanical draftsman, for certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for making or manufacturing metal screws. Oct. 6; six months.

John Sharp. of Dundee, Forfar, flax spinner, for certain machinery for converting ropes into tow, and certain improvements in certain machinery for preparing hemp or flax for spinning, part of which improvements are also applicable to the preparing of cotton, wool, and silk for spinning. Oct. 8; six months.

Henry Scott, junior, and Robert Stephen Oliver, hatters, of Edinburgh, for a certain improvement or improvements in the manufacture of hats, caps, and bonnets; being a communication from a fo reigner residing abroad. Oct. 13; six months.

Frederick Benjamin Geithner, of Birmingham, brass-founder, for improvements applicable to the drawing or winding up of window and other rollerblinds or maps; which improvements are also ap plicable to other useful purposes. Oct. 13; six months,

John Hemming, of Edward-street, Portmansquare, Middlesex, gentleman, for improvements in the manufacture of white lead. Oct. 13; six months.

Thomas Lutwyche, of Liverpool, Lancaster, ma nufacturing chemist, for certain improvements in the construction of apparatus used in the decomposition of common salt, and in the mode or method of working or using the same. Oct. 13; six

months.

John Ruthven, of Edinburgh, for improvements in the formation of rails or rods for making railways, and in the method of fixing or joining them. Oct. 13; six months.

Charles Pierre Devaux, of Fenchurch-street, London, merchant, for a new or improved apparatus for preventing the explosion of boilers or generators of steam; being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad. Oct. 13; six months.

John Joseph Charles Sheridan, of Peckham, Surrey, chemist, for certain improvements in the several processes of saccharine, vinous, and acetons fermentation. Oct. 20; six months.

William Bridges Adams, of Brecknock-crescent, Camden Town, Middlesex, coach-maker, for cer tain improvements in wheel carriages. Oct. 20; six months.

Christopher Nickels, of Guildford-street, Lam

beth, manufacturer of caoutchone. for improve ments in preparing and manufacturing caoutchouc, applicable to various useful purposes; being partly a communication from a foreigner residing abroad. Oct. 24; six months.

LIST OF SCOTCH PATENTS GRANTED BETWEEN THE 21ST OF SEPTEMBER AND 22ND OF OCTOBER, 1836.

Francis Coffin, of Russell-square, Bloomsbury, gentleman, in consequence of a communication from a foreigner residing abroad, for certain improvements in the construction of printing ma chinery or presses. Sealed Sept. 24.

Matthew Hawthornthwaite, of Kendal, Westmoreland, weaver, for a new mode of producing certain patterns in certain woven goods. Oct. 4.

John Isaac Hawkins, of the Chase Cottage, Hampstead-road, Middlesex, civil engineer, in consequence of a communication made to him by a cer tain foreigner residing abroad, for an improvement in the blowing-pipe of blast furnaces and forges. Oct. 4.

George Richard Eikington, of Birmingham, gilt toy maker, for an improved method for gilding copper, brass, and other metals, or alloy of metals. Oct 4.

William Hinkes Cox, of Bedminster, near Bristol, tanner, for an improvement or improvements in tanning. Oct. 14.

John Pickersgill, of Coleman-street, London, merchant, in consequence of a communication made 10 him by a certain foreigner residing abroad, for improvements in preparing and in applying India-rubber (caoutchouc) to fabrics. Oct. 14.

Thomas John Fuller, of the Commercial-road, Limehouse, civil engineer, for a new or improved screen for intercepting or stopping the radiant heat arising or proceeding from the boilers or cylinders of steam engines. Oct. 18.

George, Marquis of Tweedale, for an improved method of making tiles for draining, soles, housetiles, flat roofing tiles and bricks; the word "bricks" having been omitted in former patent of 25th May last. Oct. 19.

William Hale, of Croom's Hill, Greenwich, civil engineer, for certain improvements on machinery applicable to vessels propelled by steam and other power; which improvements or parts thereof are applicable to other useful purposes.

Oct. 22.

The publication of the Supplement to Vol. xxv. is unavoidably postponed until the 1st of December.

British and Foreign Patents taken out with economy and despatch; Specifications, Dis claimers, and Amendments, prepared or revised; Caveats entered; and generally every Branch of Patent Business promptly transacted.

A complete list of Patents from the earliest period (15 Car. II. 1675,) to the present time may be examined. Fee 28. 6.; Clients, gratis. Patent Agency Office,

Peterborough-court, Fleet-street.

LONDON: Published by J. CUNNINGHAM, at the Mechanics' Magazine Office, No. 6, Peterborough-court, between 135 and 136, Fleet-street, Agent for the American Edition, Mr. O. RICH, 12, Red Lion-square. Sold by G. W. M. REYNOLDS, Proprietor of the French, English, and American Library, 55, Rue Neuve, Saint Augustin, Paris.

CUNNINGHAM and SALMON, Printers,
Fleet-street.

HUTCHISON'S GAS AND WATER VALVE.

Sir,-It has long been felt as a great desideratum by Gas and Water Companies that they should possess the most simple, and, at the same time, the most perfect valve for regulating the supply of gas or water. Hitherto all the valves that have been in use, owing to the complexity of their mechanism, the materials of which they are constructed, or both, have proved a source of considerable an xiety and disappointment to the superintendents of GaAs and Water Establishments. Several ingenious inventions and improvements have from time to time been suggested and adopted, but all have more or less failed, or, at least, been only partially successful, causing great trouble and expense to the proprietors.

This has at last been obviated by Mr. Stephen Hutchison, the eminent engineer and patentee of the London GasWorks, in the construction of a valve, which for simplicity, correctness, and durability, stands unrivalled, and will, I have no doubt, be largely patronised. Its construction is so simple, that a boy of eight years of age can put it into action with the same certainty as the most scientific man; while, at the same time, its mechanism is adjusted to that nicely that the supply of gas or water can be regulated with the greatest précision. I am happy to be able to forward you a drawing and description of this most useful and ingenious machine.

Fig. 1 represents the ordinary appearance of the machine as it stands in a room or office, showing the dial-plate, which is divided into thirteen parts or inches, from 1 to 12; the black space denoting when the valve is completely shut. It will be seen at once from the arrangement of the dial, that the greatest nicety can be obtained in regulating the supply of gas or water, alike avoiding a sudden pressure on the pipes, often causing accidents and that disagreeable jerk in gas lights so observable in some districts.

aa, fig. 2, is a hollow shaft or column, through the centre of which passes b, an iron rod, with a screw or worm, having a square thread, as at e, and connected with the wheel d, which is made to revolve by means of a handle or crank e, affixed to the wheel f, also putting the wheel g in motion, through which is a

Sir,—In your 687th Number, I perceive a statement concerning an invention for alarming poachers and thieves, instead of shooting them with spring. guns or maiming them with steel-traps. This consists in causing such persons to excite the firing of a rocket or other explosive contrivance, upon touching a wire or string, as was practised with springguns. I think I am entitled to state, that in this month (October) of last year, I ordered of Mr. Cannon, firework-maker, of the Westminster-road, certain parts of my contrivance for a precisely similar purpose, which I could not conveniently make at home; and explained to his wife the purpose to which I intended to apply them.

According to my arrangement, rockets, petards, or any illuminating fires, may be left exposed to any rain or weather for any number of months, without deterioration, and the strings or wires may be laid on or taken off at pleasure. I have tried the plan, and have had two “flairups" in my little garden since I first applied it. I do not think I shall have a third-as the whole neighbourhood was alarmed, and the parties implicated could not conceal their feelings.-Yours, &c. F. MACERONI.

Oct. 8, 1836.

CHALKLEN AND BONHAM'S PATENT VICE.

Sir, The unequal wear and strain on the screw and shoulders of the common vice, render it so liable to break and get out of repair, that a simple and effectual remedy for those evils will be acknowledged by all who make use of it as a most valuable and important improve

ment.

Messrs. Chalklen and Bonham claim to have overcome these evils, by a very simple alteration in the present construction of the vice.