MECHANICS AND USEFUL ARTS. 39 



It is stated by the inventor that timber thus bent is much stronger and 

 will bear greater pressure than that which has a natural curve. By a 

 slight modification of the moulds or models, which are intended to be 

 made in sections, great diversity of shape, even to a double curve, can be 

 given ; and the immense variety of purposes to which this invention can 

 be applied will at once suggest themselves to the mind. It will give 

 increased strength and lightness to furniture requiring curves of wooden 

 material. The principle of making timber flexible by the aid of heat and 

 moisture has been long known and practised upon ; and when we see the 

 wonderfully perfect results of such simple but effective machinery, it 

 appears strange that its application should never have been made before 

 the present time. It is supposed that this invention will effect a very great 

 reduction in the cost of ship-timber, and increase the buoyancy of vessels 

 by giving equal strength with a lesser weight of timber. The largest sticks 

 that have yet been bent are but ten inches in diameter ; but there appears 

 no reason why sticks of much larger size should not be handled with 

 almost equal facility. The only difficulty to meet would be the increased 

 strength and size of machinery. 



IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILROADS AND RAILROAD LOCOMOTION. 



Rices Improved Break. This break is in r the form of a shoe, is located 

 between the wheels, and is intended to act upon the rail, instead of upon 

 the wheel. It is worked by levers, in precisely the same manner as the 

 present wheel breaks. It is composed of a substance softer than the rail, 

 so that there can be very little expense on account of " wear and tear." 

 When the train is in motion, the " shoe," which^turns up at each end, so 

 as to avoid hitting bluntly, any slight unevenness, is about a quarter of 

 an inch from, the rail, and when the lever is applied, the " shoe ~" is pressed 

 down in such a manner as to lift the wheels from the track. The con- 

 trivance is simple, but effective. The cost of the shoe break is small, and 

 can be easily repaired or replaced. In' case a wheel gives, it would not 

 only stay the motion of the train, but would tend to support the car. 



Improved Method of Fastening Rails to Cross-Ties. A method of 

 securing rails to cross-ties without the use of rnetal fixtures, has been 

 introduced on the Strasbourg Railroad, France. The inventor places the 

 rails directly upon the cross-ties, and secures them by means of two short 

 wooden braces, each bearing with one end against the rail, and with the 

 other against a shoulder cut into the cross-ties ; the braces are fastened 

 with wooden pins or iron spikes. It is exceedingly cheap ; it secures the 

 rail in the most perfect manner ; it is easily kept in repair ; the rails are 

 much easier laid down and adjusted ; the whole fastening being of wood, 

 it affords, consequently, more elasticity, produces no jarring, and the deaf- 

 ening rattling noise, caused by the friction of the rails upon the iron chairs . 

 is entirely avoided. 



