machinery for excavating and embanking earth, for the construction of railways and other works. The specification of this patent does not set out, in very clear terms, what are the features of novelty proposed, but speaks of the "system of a lever." As far as we can understand the subject, it seems to be merely the adaptation of a long lever as a crane, which works vertically, to raise loads of earth in a box, in place of employing hand-barrows, passed up inclined planes, or of pitching the earth from stage to stage by hand-labour. This lever is mounted upon a platform, with running wheels, for the convenience of passing it from place to place, upon a railway; and the lever, to one end of which the loaded box is attached, is worked by a cord or chain, connected to the other end, and to a winding drum or barrel and windlass; and when the load of soil is conducted to the place of deposit, it is let fall into a cart, by opening the bottom of the box.

An invention of certain improved machinery, for cutting and removing earth, was communicated to Mr. William Newton, of Chancery Lane, by a foreigner, for the purpose of obtaining a patent, which was granted on the 27th March, 1839. This invention is a peculiar arrangement and construction of apparatus, mounted in a carriage upon a temporary railway, in which a series of rotary cutters or peckers, working in inclined positions, are made to break the ground below, at an angle of about fortyfive degrees, as the carriage proceeds; and also to throw the earth, thus broken, into a consecutive series of buckets, attached to an endless chain, which, by travelling vertically, takes up the broken earth to the top of the excavation, and delivers it into a series of troughs above, which troughs, by moving in a transverse direction, carry away the earth and deposit it in carts or otherwise, as convenience may require.-See Vol. XVI., page 57, Conjoined Series.

Mr. W. Scamp, of Woolwich, obtained a patent, dated 16th February, 1841, for an application of machinery to steam vessels, for the removal of sand, mud, soil, and other matters, from the sea, rivers, docks, harbours, and other bodies of water. This invention consists merely of a barrel, studded all over with spikes, which, being mounted upon an axle, was suspended by lever arms from the vessel, and on being lowered down to the bed or bottom of the river, the barrel was made to revolve, as the vessel advanced, by a travelling endless chain, extending from a pulley or spur wheel, on the axle of the propelling wheels; or, by other

rotatory means, to a pulley on the axle of the barrel, so as to cause the mud, sand, and other materials, on the bottom, to be disturbed or broken up by the spikes, and on mixing with the water, to be carried away by the current.

These are all the schemes which have been proposed and brought before the public, under the protection of Letters Patent in England, within the last twenty years, until the introduction of the American invention above alluded to.

This machine, which we are not permitted at present to lay before our readers in all its details, consists of a horizontal platform, mounted upon wheels, carrying a strong jib-crane, and also a steam-engine. From the end of this jib-crane the excavating tool or cutter is suspended by chains and pullies, which allow of its swinging in a forward direction; and the back part of the tool or cutter is attached to a rod or beam, sliding on rollers, which, being acted upon by chains and toothed wheels, in communication with the steam-engine, causes the cutter to be projected, with great force, against the earth required to be broken up.

The mechanism and the suspending chains, connected with the steam-engine, and with the projecting rod or beam, affords the means of regulating and determining the course in which the cutting tool shall move forward; and by means of a small hand-lever, a workman, standing upon the platform, is enabled to direct the advancing cutter through the ground, in a horizontal line, or through any inclined or curved course, up to a perpendicular; the movements of the pendulous chains determining the course of the cutter, whilst the sliding beam projects it forward.

The excavating tool is formed as a scoop, with strong tangs or teeth in front, to break the earth as it enters, and a sharp cutting edge to take up the broken fragments.

The machine having been moved upon its railway to the place where it is required to excavate, the platform is then made fast pro tem. in that situation, and the steam-power of the engine brought to act upon the mechanism, by sliding clutches or other contrivances. The pendant tool or excavator is then forced forward by chains, connected to the projecting beam, and passed round a rotary drum, driven by gear from the engine; and at the same time the pendant chain is drawn up or let out, as may be necessary, to allow the excavator to advance in the required course. When the projecting beam has carried the excavating tool forward to its extent of action, in a horizontal cut, the sus

pending chain, from the crane-jib, will raise the loaded scoop, (or the projecting and raising of the scoop may be simultaneous, as the workman shall direct,) which loaded scoop, when brought to its highest position, may be conducted to one side of the excavation by the swinging jib, and the contents let fall into a cart, by opening the back of the scoop; all which operations are effected through the agency and power of the steam-engine, under the direction and regulating hand of the workman.

It is only necessary further to say, that by turning the jib of the crane to the right or left, the cutting of the earth may be performed at any angle to the direction of the machine, and consequently to a very considerable extent; viz., a circuit of 40 or 50 feet, without shifting its situation; but when a change of place becomes necessary, the fastenings by which the platform was secured, must be withdrawn, and the power of the steam applied to move the whole upon its turning wheels to the next place, where it may be required to be made stationary.

Having given this brief description of the construction and mode of working the new American excavating machine, we conclude our present report, by stating the points of novelty which it may fairly claim over others that have preceded it. Firstly, it is locomotive; its movements and all its operative parts deriving their powers from the steam-engine which it carries. Secondly, that the earth is broken up and carried away from the place excavated by one instrument, (the scoop,) acting with immense effect, through the power and agency of steam. Thirdly, that the cutting may be made with equal facility, at any inclination to the horizon, and to a great extent around the spot on which it is stationed, by the direction of the workman, without requiring to be moved from its place. Fourthly, that by this machine, a channel may be cut through a hill, with the proper slopes for its sides, and a level base correctly formed, the excavated earth being simultaneously removed. Fifthly, the capability of cutting many feet below the base, on which the machine runs, by lengthening its chains and guide-beam; which last feature, renders it also applicable to working under water, when placed in a vessel, for removing sand-banks, bars, and beds of mud.

The figures and details of this machine, as set out in the specification, we shall give in an early forthcoming number.

List of Disclaimers

OF PARTS OF INVENTIONS AND

Amendments

MADE UNDER Lord BROUGHAM'S ACT.

John Jeremiah Rubery,-disclaimer to patent dated 14th November, 1837, for "certain improvements in the manufacture of part of the furniture of an umbrella. Filed 5th February, 1841. Henry Phillips, ditto to patent dated 17th August, 1835, for "certain improvements in purifying gas, for the purpose of illumination." Filed 5th February, 1841.

Abel Morrall, ditto to patent dated 3rd January, 1839, for " certain improvements in the making or manufacturing needles, and in the machinery or apparatus employed therein." Filed 26th March, 1841.

Stephen Hutchison,-ditto to patent dated 12th October 1833, for "certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for manufacturing gas for illumination, and in the mode or means of supplying gas to the consumer; and also in the construction of gas burners, parts of which improvements are applicable to other useful purposes." Filed 20th April, 1841. William Hannis Taylor,-ditto to patent dated 20th May, 1840, for" certain improvements in the mode of forming or manufacturing staves, shingles, and laths, and the machinery used for that purpose." Filed 3rd June, 1841. William Crane Wilkins and Matthew Samuel Kendrick,-ditto to patent dated 28th April, 1840, for "certain improvements in lighting and in lamps." Filed 14th June, 1841.

Luke Hebert, ditto to patent dated 7th March, 1840, for "im

provements in the manufacture of cofered spades and shovels, soughing and grafting tools, and other implements of a like nature." Filed 24th July, 1841.

William Ward Andrews,-ditto to patent dated 2nd February, 1841, for certain improved methods of raising and lowering

VOL. XXII.

G

windows and window blinds, and opening and shutting doors, which are also applicable to the raising and lowering of maps, curtains, and other articles." Filed 3rd August, 1841. William Petrie,-ditto to patent dated 19th June, 1841, for "improvements in obtaining mechanical power, which are also applicable for obtaining rapid motion." Filed 18th December,

1841.

Baron Heurteloup,-ditto to patent dated 22nd May, 1834, for "improvements in certain parts of certain descriptions of firearms." Filed 7th January, 1842.

Baron Heurteloup,-ditto to patent dated 23rd February, 1839, for "certain improvements in fire-arms, and in the balls to be used therewith." Filed 7th January, 1842.

Thomas John Davis,-ditto to patent dated 8th August, 1840,

for "certain improvements in the form and combination of blocks of such materials as are now used or hereafter may be used in building, or for paving public and private roads and court yards, or public and private causeways and subways, or any other purposes to which the said form and combination of blocks may be applied." Filed 22nd February, 1842. George Allarton,-ditto to patent dated 11th November, 1841,

for "improvements in the method of balling and blooming iron." Filed 11th May 1842.

William Knight,-ditto to patent dated 28th June, 1841, for " an indicator for registering the number of passengers using an omnibus or other passenger vehicle." Filed 18th May, 1842. Thomas Parkin,-ditto to patent dated 9th April, 1839, for "improvements in railroad and other carriages, in wheels for such carriages, and in roads and ways on which they are to travel." Filed 25th May, 1842.

James Simister,-ditto to patent dated 18th December, 1828, for "improvements in weaving, preparing, or manufacturing a cloth or fabric, and the application thereof to the making of stays, and other articles of dress."-Filed 7th June 1842. John Hall,-ditto to patent dated 9th December, 1841, for "improvements in the construction of boilers for generating steam,