tity per yard as the stone blocks at Chalk Farm. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the same, showing the top of each rail. The dotted lines abc show the angle which the top of each rail makes with the lateral extremities of the bed of the slate platform. The angles abc, in fig. 3, are much greater than the angles abc, fig. 4; besides, the latter is considerably too much. Therefore, the platform, it is considered, would hold the rails much steadier than the blocks at Chalk Farm; the weight per yard of each being the same, and both being bedded in the same way.

Fig. 5 is the section of a rail proposed to be affixed directly to the slate platform, by means of bolts and copper or brass nuts introduced into the slate. If there are eight of these bolts in each yard, the points of fastening to the platform would be four times as many as those to the stone blocks, and the strain upon each, therefore, if the rail was not bedded, would only be th; but as the rail is proposed to be bedded throughout on felt and a leather collar under the head of each bolt, any jar or vibration the rail might have, it is considered, would scarcely be perceptible. The inner side of the rail, and the face of the slate under it, to be made quite fair. At each end of each piece of rail

is to be a mortice, the vertical section of which is shown by the lines a bed on this figure.

Fig. 6 shows the plan of this rail where two lengths meet, with the mortice in each, and the wedge which keeps them fair, which, as well as the elliptical holes for the bolts, allows for expansion and contraction. Two bolt heads are also shown.

This possibly may be sufficient for the present to draw attention to this subject; and I think I shall be able to show that slate material is applicable for this purpose, and may be advantageously used for Railways where there is great traffic, and where great speed is required.

I am Sir,

Your obedient servant,

JOSEPH JOPLING.

34 Somerset-street, Oct. 15, 1835.

qual oiling, which is the besetting sin of all former contrivances of this sort.

From the London Mechanics' Magazine. We were present at at an experimental trial at the Hereford Foundry, of a double- Mr. Hyne's Patent Improvements in Carcylinder grinding-mill, of a construction en- riage-Wheels, Axletrees, and Boxes. The object aimed at by the patantee will tirely new to this part of the kingdom. The The improvements comprehended under be at once recognised as of first-rate impormill is intended for crushing fruit, bones, this patent, divide themselves into two distance; nor do we run much risk, we ap&c., is of great power, and very simple in its principle. The propelling power is tinct branches. The first consists of a prehend, in giving it as our opinion, that steam, but horse power may easily be ap-method of constructing the wheels and he has gone further towards their complete plied. Should the enterprising proprietor, axletrees of carriages, or rather in certain accomplishment than any inventor who has Captain Radford, succeed in perfecting the convenient appendages thereto, by which preceded him. It is not often that so hapmachine, the economy which it will effect the wheels can be instantly locked or un-py a combination of science, sound judgin horse and mauual labor, will render the locked without alighting for the purpose, ment, and ingenuity, come before us, as is mill a most valuable agent on every farm.-as in the case of the ordinary drag-chain displayed in the various contrivances which [Hereford Times.] and slipper, and so concealed, that exter- we shall now proceed to describe in detail. nally they are hardly perceptible; the se- The figures on our front page represent, FLAX SPINNING.-A letter from Lille says cond in so constructing the boxes and secu-1, a back elevation of a pair of wheels, A great establishment is now erecting ring the ends of the axletrees permanently axle, and boxes, constructed according to in this city. It is intended for spinning flax therein, that there shall be an abundant, Mr. Hyne's patent, with one of the wheels by machinery. Thus the great problem is solved, for which the Emperor Napoleon of-never-failing, and equally diffused supply of and boxes shown in section; 2, a side-view oil to the rubbing surface, without its being of a box, with its external cover on; 3, a necessary, as usual, to take off the wheels similar view of a box, with the external every now and then, to renew the supply cover off; and, 4, part side-view of a wheel of oil, or to remedy the effects of that une-in its complete state.

fered a reward of a million of francs, and we shall now enter into competition with the English, who eagerly buy up all the flax of our country."-[ Brussels paper.]

1. Of the Locking and Unlocking. great desideratum, therefore, is a constant || These tubes screw into and upon each othThe axle a (fig. 1,) differs essentially and abundant supply of oil to the arms, and er at their extremities, in such a manner from all other axles, in having shoulders or every part of them-oil being the best of all that the space between them is perfectly enlargements, of the peculiar form repreknown lubricating substances. The ques- closed at both ends, and the better to pre sented in the engraving, at those parts tion here consequently presents itself-Have vent any lateral escape of oil, a cap (h) is where it comes into proximity with the in- the grooves, or things called "reservoirs," screwed on to both at the outside. But that ner ends of the naves-the axle and its which are now found in all the most im- the oil may pass freely and uniformly to the shoulders being forged or welded together proved boxes, ever yielded such a supply? axle-arm, where it is wanted, the inner cylall in one piece. Two holes are drilled in It would not, we imagine, be difficult to de-inder is perforated with holes at equal diseach shoulder, through its entire length, monstrate, that the very best boxes hither- tances. In every other box hitherto in use, for the reception of the locking-bolts e; and to made never did or could accomplish any the oil, as we have before pointed out, is in the back of each nave there are four thing of the kind. There is an eternal law supplied to two or three parts only of the holes or recipients made at the four cardi- of nature, that of gravitation, which forbids axle-arm, and never reaches, except, pernal points of a circle, corresponding with it. In all of them-take Collinge's for ex-haps, in very remote portions, the other that described on the rotation of the axle, ample there is a small space or groove parts; but as this double box revolves with by the holes in the shoulders thereof; so called a reservoir. This groove is cast in the wheels, it distributes through the holes that when the wheels are screwed on and the metal, is situated near its back end, and in the inner cylinder an equal supply of oil adjusted as close as possible to the shoul- may contain, when fully served with oil, to every part of the axle. As often as a ders, the bolts, on being let loose, must which can only be to about a fourth of its new supply of oil is wanted, it is introduced shoot with unerring precision into the first circumference, a table spoonful of oil. Well, without taking off the wheels (as the orditwo holes in the nave which they come op. at the other extreme end of the arm, that is nary practice is), or even unscrewing and posite to. The command of these bolts to say, in what is called the "cap," in uncapping the cylinders, by simply with may be effected, either by a jointed lever, as front of the wheel, there is a similar reser- drawing a small plug in the outer box (not shown at gg in our engravings; one end voir, containing, perhaps, another table shown in the engravings), which covers a of the lever being placed within reach of spoonful of oil. However, between this last- small orifice leading to the intermediate the person riding in the carriage, or of the mentioned reservoir, and the arm which ti space appropriated to the oil. attendants; or by chains carried to any is intended to feed with oil, there are two part of the vehicle which may be thought nuts and a coned collet, all closely fitted and most expedient, and there secured by hooks, screwed on to the axle. Now, be it rememor other holdfasts. The size of the bolts bered, that the arm and boxes are presumed must, of course, depend on the size and to be "air-tight," and that the position of weight of the carriage; and also, in some the arm is nearly horizontal; and, moredegree, on the uses to which it is to be ap-over, that these reservoirs are placed absoplied; as, for instance, whether it is to be lutely under the lowest point or level of the worked at high or low velocities, whether thing which they are meant to lubricate! on a level or a hilly country, &c. are told, indeed, that the reservoirs ventor thinks that bolts of from half an inch turning with the wheel, "wash the oil up ;" to one and a half inch in diameter, would and further, that this constant action of the be found abundantly strong for the lightest wheels has the effect of producing a "verprivate carriage up to the heaviest stagemicular motion" about the arm, which, in coach; and though he considers two bolts its turn, again causes a "pumping" of the Mr. Editor,-On perusing Mr. Galt's inserted into the nave, in the manner de- oil all along the air-tight arm, from one ex- substitute for steam power," No. 629, p. scribed, to be quite sufficient to counteract treme reservoir to the other. But does not 403, and the subsequent remarks of " Hythe leverage force of the peripheries of the this amount to a mere reciprocation of im- draulicus," No. 631, p. 460, I was rewheel, he has been careful to point out that possibilities? The theory might, perhaps, minded of an attempt made about two the principle of his invention admits of four have some little feasibility about it, were years ago by myself and an engineer, who bolts being made use of,equally well with two. the boxes and reservoirs fixtures, and the has since constructed for me a steam-carAs in every case of locking the wheels, arm a revolving cylinder within them; but riage, to employ water on the principle of a great increase of pressure must necessa as the case happens to be reversed, the arm Bramah's hydrostatic press, as a substitute rily take place at one of the four points on being a fixture, and the boxes revolving for steam. My object was to propel a slow the tires which correspond with the position bodies, no such vermicular motion can oc-heavy carriage as a substitute for the carof the bolts and recipients, Mr. Hynes, to cur under any circumstances of time or waggons in present use. protect the tires at these particular points, oil within it. Beyond the boundaries of its utmost velocity that the enperiment probox so must the be have failed: the

The in

defends them with plates of soft steel, or case-hardened iron, about eight inches in length, indented or dovetailed into the tires, screwed thereto, and projecting but little beyond the general surface.

The contrivances which Mr. Hynes makes use of to adjust the wheels to the arms of the axletree, are those commonly known by the name of Collinges; namely, collets, nuts (with right and left-handed screws), linch pins, outer caps, &c. We gather from his specification, that he thinks this the most perfect mode of adjustment which has been yet invented; and perhaps he is right, though on this point it is certain all the carriage-making world are not agreed.

2. Of the Axletres and Boxes.

We

narrow sphere gravitation will not permit it
to stir; water could as easily return to its
source, as oil mount up in the manner sup
posed, especially when we know that the
motion of the wheel near its axis is com-
Paratively a slow one, even when the peri-
phery is in a state of the utmost velocity.

We have, for the sake of impartial com-
parison, here adverted to the very best boxes
extant only, and not touched at all on those
which are cast with serpentine grooves, which
are, in fact, unworthy of comment. They
carry in them the elements of their own de-
struction, for no tools can be made to "clean
them out," even if they could be made oth-
erwise effective.

Both improvements, it will be observed, are of universal application-to all public as well as all private vehicles-to railway as well as to common road carriages. The safety-apparatus could hardly, we fear, be depended on at such high velocities, as are becoming common on railways; but to gentle. men's carriages employed for travelling on common roads, at ordinary rates of speed, it must prove an invaluable appendage.

From he London Mechanics' Magazine.
ON WATER AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR STEAM.

riers'

The ex

mised, supposing all intermediate difficul ties could have been successfully combated, would not have exceeded a quarter of a mile an hour-too slow for my purpose. The same ideas, or some modification of them, seem to have presented themselves to Mr. Galt and to Hydraulicus. Should my experiment, and its result, possess enough of interest to entitle them to a place in the Mechanics' Magazine, you will oblige me by inserting this paper, whilst attention is directed to the subject.

suitably strong iron stage, and an iron Having, in the first place, prepared a frame to carry a four-inch iron shaft, with a nine-inch throw crank at its centre, (the same I now have in my steam-carriage;) Let us now proceed to describe the im- there was, in the next place, fixed upon the Every reflecting person at all acquainted proved box of Mr. Hynes. This consists centre of the stage, or platform, an ordinary with carriage economy, is aware that upon of two wrought-iron concentric cylinders or double-acting steam-cylinder, 12 inches friction depends draft, and that, according-tubes (figs. 2 and 3), the one about a third diameter, 18 stroke. An ordinary sliding ly, in proportion as friction is reduced, so less than the other, leaving a space between valve, moved by an eccentric upon the draft is diminished, and vice versa. The which serves as a reservoir for the oil.shaft, which valve I now use to govern the

1

Lest my verbal description of the pump used be unintelligible, I subjoin a rude sketch of its working parts. This, however, Mr. Editor, you are, of course, quite at liberty to suppress, if you consider that it is superfluous, or that it would be a waste of space in your valuable pages.

dź

ingress and egress of steam, was used, on If-in mechanical pursuits, if is often a simply by shortening the oscillations of the that occasion, to regulate the ingress and stiffly perverse monosyllable; it sometimes double-joint; but the machine would have egress of the water. To get over the dead sticks, like a totally insuperable obstacle, crawled more slowly. W en the machine points, a compensating fly, just previously right in the way of what you would do. was moving upon a plain road, or down a patented by any engineer, was added at his If the resulting velocity had been satisfac-slight descent, the oscillations might have suggestion this was intended to super-tory, the advantages contemplated were been augmented and the speed increased. sede the necessity of introducing a second numerous. Amongst them are the follow- Whilst descending the steepest declivity, cylinder; the motion was, however, too ing. The stock of water, costing nothing, the velocity could have been entirely goslow to demonstrate the utility of that fiy. would have circulated somewhat like the verned, either restrained or the machine After the water, which was conducted from sanguineous fluid of an animal, and lasted quite stopped, through the incompressibithe pump into the working cylinder by a an indefinite time. The expenses of fuel, lity of the water, at the will of the men two-inch pipe, had caused the desired mo- of repair of injuries from fire, &c. &c., to working the lever. tion of the piston, it escaped through a two- which the steam-engine is liable, would inch eduction pipe into the tank to perform have been avoided. Almost any imaginaagain and again the same circulation. In ble force, at all events any force likely to be the tank, which was of cast-iron, and firmly required to propel the most heavily laden fixed upon the platform or stage, was fixed carrier's waggon up the steepest roads in a double-acting pump on the principle of England, would have been obtained from De la Hire. This pump is, I presume, so the bodily strength of two or three men, well known as to need no description. In virtue of certain arrangements for working this pump, by which it was filled four times, and emptied four times, by one revolution of its lever or handle, I hoped to obtain four times the speed that could be derived from a single-acting pump: these arrangements were as is below stated. The pump was strongly fixed, horizontally, in the iron tank. The rod of its piston was restrained to perfect perpendicularity of action by a strong guide. In the parts which may be denominated the continuations of the piston-rod, was a joint just without the guide; at about 18 inches beyond this was another, a double joint, where was united, at right angles to the line of direction of the piston-rod, a rod from the lever or handle; and at about 20 inches farther was another joint near to the fulcrum, which was as firmly fixed as our ingenuity could contrive. When the machine was worked, by raising and depressing the lever or handle, the double-joint oscillated past the line of direction of the piston-rod. When the continuations of the piston-rod were in a right line, the piston was at the bottom of its stroke; when these continuations were at their extreme angle, the piston was at the top of its stroke. The piston of the pump was thus worked by an oblique leverage; such as is, I believe, regarded as the peculiar principle of the Russel printing-press. According to theory, the force moving the piston of the pump is augmentable to any extent, by shortening the oscillations of the double-joint.

၁။

da

On now

Z is the cast-iron water tank; y the dou-through the pipe b 2. On depressing the ble-acting pump of De la Hire, strongly handle or lever k, until it regain its original fixed horizontally in the tank, under water; position, the double joint will travel through X the guide of the piston-rod; W the end the point d 1, and attain its original position of the eduction-pipe from the working cy- at d. The piston will be forced to the end linder, which returns the water to the tank, of its stroke downwards, near the pipes a 1, to be used over again; a 1, a 2, are the in- b 1; and the pump will be discharged, for duction pipes of the pump, having valves the second time, through the pipe b 1, and opening towards the pump, or upwards. synchronously filled, for the second time, In using this pump for a common well, through the pipe a 2. On continuing the these pipes may be united below the valves, depression of the handle or lever below its so that one tube only may run down into present position, until the double joint d the water; b1, b 2, are the eduction or passes through the point d 1 to d 2, below force pipes of the pump, having valves the line of direction of the piston rod, the opening from the pump or upwards; they piston will be again drawn to the upper end convey the water to the working cylinder, of its stroke, near to the pipes a 2, b2; and which is not represented. In adapting this the pump will be discharged for the third pump to domestic uses, these pipes may be time, through the pipe b 2, and filled, for the united above the valves, to form one main, third time, through the pipe a 1. which may be carried to the top of the raising the lever or handle until it shall have house, if required; c is the first joint of the regained its original position, (when it will continuations of the piston rod, situated just have completed just one revolution,) the without the guide X; d is the second or double joint will pass through the point d double joint of the continuations of the 1, below the line of direction of the piston piston rod; at this point the rod df, from rod, to its original position at d; and the the lever or handle, joins the piston rod at piston will be forced again to its original right angles; e is the third joint of the con- position near the pipes a 1, b 1. By this tinuations of the piston rod, situate near motion the pump will be emptied, for the the fulcrum h; fis a joint which unites the fourth time, through the pipe b 1 ; and filled, rod d f to the lever or handle k; g is an- for the fourth time, through the pipe a 2. other joint of the lever or handle, situate Thus by one revolution of the lever or hannear its fulcrum j. dle, or by one oscillation of the double joint d, the pump will be emptied four times, and filled four times. When efficient power is to be derived from the principle of Bramah's hydrostatic-press, the expeditious filling of the working cylinder is the grand desidcratum-the difficulty. In short, from the relations of the two pistons concerned, (upon which relations the power of the machine depends,) it is impossible the filling of the working cylinder can be

By thus uniting the principle of the Russel printing-press, to be worked by common lever-that of the double-acting pump of De la Hire, made to double its celerity of motion by an arrangement of parts of its piston-rod, and that of Bramah's hydrostatic-press, to move the piston of a common double-acting steam cylinder, so as that as little as possible of the resulting force should be neutralized by friction, I did hope to obtain an efficient power, which might be advantageously employed to propel heavily laden, slowly moving vehicles. But the experiment failed, inasmuch as the motion afforded was manifestly too slow for the purpose. When two men were working the lever, the engineer dryly remarked, "the principle throughout is good and correct, no doubt; it only wants a steam-engine to work the pump."

The fulcri hj being immovably fixed, when the lever or handle k is raised, the double joint d will be moved through the point d 1 to d 2, above the line of direction of the piston rod; and when the double joint shall have attained the position of d 2, the piston will be drawn to the end of its stroke upwards, near the pipes a 2, b 2. By this motion the pump will be filled once, through the pipe a 1, and emptied once

quickly enough effected, if the power to be used is to be derived solely from the principle of the hydrostatic-press. From this circumstance arose the necessity of lessening the disproportion between the two pistons; so as, in the first place, to derive

on the surface, in the first stage of decomposition.

The chemical state of this stratum is nearly that of some of the papyri found in moist places in Herculanaeum; that is to say, having long been exposed to the action

only part of the efficient force required, MR. MALLET'S EXPERIMENTS ON THE MANU- of water, at nearly a mean temperature, the

upon the principle of the hydrostatic-press; and, in the next place, make up in some degree by advantageous leverage, that could be worked quickly and powerfully, to impress the first impetus upon the water. This leverage seemed attainable most easily through the principle of oblique action used in the Russel printing-press; and if obstacles should arise, such as ascending a steep hill, greater than the primary force at command could overcome by full strokes of the piston, the resultant force might easily be augmented, by the employment of only the same primary force, by using half

FACTURE OF WHITE OR BLEACHED PULP

vegetable juices have nearly all been converted into ulmin-geine, or impure extract

FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING PAPER ive matter, and the fibres remain nearly un

FROM CERTAIN VARIETIES OF PEAT.

touched, together, probably, with some of the essential oils of the original plants. It therefore seemed that if these fibres, which were apparently sufficiently fine for the purpose, could be separated from their coloring matters, the object would be nearly if not entirely attained; to this, therefore, atten

[We are indebted to the Literary Gazette for the following detailed account of Mr. Mallet's process for manufacturing paper from turf, noticed in our report of the proceedings of the British Association. "It was a good-humored jest with the Irish populace," says our good-humored contempora"that the Association was planning to success. It is unnecessary here to enter distil the bogs into whiskey. But instead into any detail of experiments, or into any of the cup of Circe, Mr. Mallet's manipula- elaborate disquisition as to the principles constrokes of the pump, by keeping the oscil-tion of them would present provision, plen-cerned, in making a white pulp from this

lations of the double joint between the points d 1 above and d 1 below the line of direction of the piston rod.

Although the combination of levers for working the pump was, I think, unexceptionable, and might be advantageously used on some occasions, still the experiment, on the whole, failed.

If there be any originality in the combination, I have no desire to reap any advantage from it by way of patent. I should, indeed, more desire to hinder any one else from so doing; first, by offering herein the unlimited use of it to any one who may chance to see its utility and applicability; and, secondly, by stating, that I have lately constructed another pump upon nearly the same plan. This pump, during the summer, I have had fixed holf-way down in a deep well-the surface of the water being 36 feet below the surface of the earth, and I have carried the eduction pipe, or main, up to near the top of an adjoining chimney. lateral go pipes, of less diameter, to coppers, sinks, dairy, &c.

From the main

This pump raised water faster than either of the cocks upon the lateral branches would deliver it, whilst subject to only the pressure of the atmosphere. The water then accumulated in the main, more or less, according to the strength and activity of the pumper. The weight of the column of water in the main, which kept augmenting only until it reached a point now to be noticed, was adding continually its pressure to the weight of atmosphere, by which the delivery was accelerated by the cocks upon the lateral branch, turned on till it attained a point of equilibrium-a point at whieh the cock upon the lateral branch, although of less diameter than the main, or the barrel of the pump, delivered water just as fast as the pump could raise it.

When all the cocks upon the lateral branches were turned off, the discharge up at the chimney, at the top of the main, was so profuse and forcible, that it led me to expect that, if a pump of this description were fixed in every house, and a flexible or hose pipe fitted by an union joint to the end of the main, or at some more convenient part, it might, in the case of fire in the esta

ry,

ty, and civilization, where now only deserts
and wretchedness exist."-ED M. M.]

tion was directed, and was attended with

material, either as regards the manufacture or the pure chemist; presuming these to be already understood, the process may be briefly stated as follows:

:

A cheap, and yet good substitute for hemp for the rags, purpose of affording a pulp it for paper-making, has long been a desidera- The proper description of turf being setum with the manufacturer. Many attempts lected, is soaked in cold water until all its have been made to procure one, but the dif- parts are softened, and, to a certain extent, ficulties of finding one such as would suit disintegrated: it is then bruised in a suitable the required conditions, and the duty and engine, in cold water, which is continually cost of hemp rags have induced adulteration agitated and renewed, so that all pulveruto a vast extent in the paper manufacture. lent matter (or new dust while the turf is Much of the letter paper now in use owes dry,) may be washed off. The so far cleanits apparent thickness, and stiff, close tex-ed fibres are then partially dried by strong ture to an intimate admixture of the pulp or pressure, in hair bags, under the hydraulic vegetable fibres with a cream of plaster of press, or by other suitable means, and then Paris or whiting. Brown paper is adulter-by suitable seives and winnowing; all roots, ated with ground clay, and, for similar purposes, curriers' shavings, chopped wool and hair, cotton-flyings, thistledown, and other similar materials, have been occasionally tried; but from none of them has good paper ever been made; and amongst the many experiments that have been attempted with them, being the only one that has been brought into successful use, is that of the manufacture of paper from straw, which answers tolerably for some purposes, though not for writing on, and is now made in some few places very extensively.

Under these circumstances, it appeared probable that nature might afford some vegetable fibres of a texture sufficiently fine for making paper, and which had never undergone any manufacturing process; and, on looking around, the conferve of fresh waters, and also certain varieties of turfs or peats, suggested themselves. The former was soon found too fragile, and its structure unfit to resist the action of the bleaching reagents.

sticks or other gross matter incapable of being bleached, are removed. The fine, uniform, brown fibres, or rather minute stems, leaves, &c. &c. are then placed in proper vats, and digested in the cold; that is, at ordinary temperatures, with a very dilute solution of caustic, potass, or soda; preferring that made from what is called in commerce black potash.”

After some time, nearly the whole of the geine and other extractive matter is removed in combination with the alkali. The fibres are again pressed dry, or nearly so, from the digesting liquor, and are now found to be of a dark fawn color, in place of their former deep red brown. They are next transferred into an exceedingly dilute sulphuric acid, containing not more than fifty grains of acid of commerce to the quart of water. They remain in this at the common temperature for some time, generally about four hours, but varying with the kind of turf; this separates the iron and earthy matters from the fibre, and carries off the adhering It is generally known that a peat-bog, and portions of potass and of ammonia, if any especially those of Ireland, consists of vari-exist in the turf, which is occasionally the ous strata, varying in density and other prop-case. The fibres are now washed with pure erties in proportion to their depth. The top cold water, until they cease to give any acid surface of the bog is usually covered with re-action, and are finally pressed nearly living plants, chiefly mosses, heaths, and dry, and immersed in a dilute solution of chlocertain aquatic or paludose plants; imme- ride of lime; in this they remain at common diately beneath this lies a stratum varying temperature until sufficiently white for the from only two or three inches to four or five purpose of the paper-maker, and on being refeet, according to the state of the drainage moved, will generally be found fine enough, of the bog, of a spongy, reddish brown, as to fibre, for immediate manufacture; but if fibrous substance, consisting of the remains not, are to be reduced by the ordinary rag-enof vegetables, similar usually to those livinggine, or other suitable machinery.