NOTES BY THE EDITOR. V 



authorities at the Hoosac tunnel do not speak very favorably of it. 

 It consists, as do most of these new explosives, of nitre-glycerine, 

 with some comparatively inert base : in the case of dualin the base 

 is sawdust. 



The manufacturers of iron are quickly adopting the latest in- 

 ventions, but have given us no very new modifications or im- 

 provements during the year. 



Mechanical stoking is attracting considerable attention, and an 

 able paper on this subject was delivered at the meeting of the 

 British association, which can be found on page 23. 



The European war has not added materially to the list of in- 

 ventions of arms of warfare. The merits of the chassepot and the 

 needle-gun have been actively canvassed, but on account of the 

 physical superiority and training of the German over the French 

 soldier, the trial between the weapons has not perhaps been a 

 conclusive one. The mitrailleuse has also come in for its share 

 of praise and abuse. It is thought to be a good weapon for 

 mowing down a close assaulting column, but not for general 

 field work. 



It is stated that the projectiles of the chassepot and the mitrail- 

 leuse reached an enormous distance in the recent contests. Ac- 

 cording to the *' Lancet," the number of thigh wounds made by 

 bullets was relatively very great in the late battles ; and the 

 wounds made by the French sword-bayonet more difficult to heal 

 than those of the Prussian triangular weapon. 



The loss of the " Captain " will necessarily call attention to the 

 safer construction of iron-clads. 



At the meeting of the British Association, Captain Rowell pre- 

 sented his claims of the superiority of hemp cables over iron and 

 hemp cables, and asserted that the hemp cable would be 50 per 

 cent, cheaper than the present system. 



The recent interruption of telegraphic communication with 

 Europe will result, undoubtedly, in the laying of more cables. 



A cable between England and France, from Beechy Head to 

 Cape Antiper, near Havre, is in process of construction. It is to 

 be an independent line, and is much needed on account of the 

 pressure of business upon the other cables. 



Considerable attention has been paid lately to the use of wire- 

 rope tramways. The late Mr. Roebling, by perfecting the manu- 

 facture of iron cables, undoubtedly led the way to this result. In 

 mining districts, on steep inclines, and even on ordinary transpor- 

 tation lines, the telo-dynarnic system seems destined to play an 



