82 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



cesses arranged in the bottom of the tube for the reception of the 

 ores, or other substances ; these substances, after being pulverized, 

 are fed to one end of the tube from a hopper placed above it, and are 

 subjected to the uniform current of air above the recesses ; the heav- 

 iest particles fall immediately to the bottom of the tube to the receiver 

 prepared for its reception, and those lighter to the adjoining recesses, 

 and so on, in proportion to their specific gravities, the lightest being 

 found in the receiver farthest from the feed opening. The particles 

 of matter received in any one receiver of the series will have a spe- 

 cific gravity so much greater, compared with that of the other particles, 

 as their volume is less, and vice versa. When thus classified, the per- 

 fect separation of the different substances may be easily affected, and, 

 at the same time, the removal of any impurities which may exist in 

 the pulverized material. This easy and simple classification and sep- 

 aration of particles of matter is a most desirable result, and will very 

 much facilitate the analysis of ores and other substances submitted to 

 its action. The improvement has been already tested in Belgium, and 

 is believed to be one of utility. Scientific American. 



New Method of Crushing Ores. A new method of crushing ore, 

 invented by Capt. Sharpnell, of London, is thus described in the 

 London Mechanics Magazine : 



" The invention consists of a chamber about ten feet long, eight 

 feet high, and six feet wide, the back of which is made of inch and a 

 half wrought iron, and the sides of sheet iron. The sides are riveted 

 and strengthened with ribs. The whole rests upon a bed of timber 

 strongly framed. A short railroad track is placed in front of the box 

 for the cannon to run upon. The gun is charged with powder, and a 

 wad rammed down upon it, and all above the wad is charged with 

 broken pieces of ore, and the whole covered with another wad. It is 

 now moved forward upon the rails, against the front of the chamber, 

 in which there is a circular hole, rather larger than the muzzle of the 

 gun. The muzzle is just introduced within the thickness of the plate, 

 the piece is primed and fired, when the charge is projected against the 

 strong thick plate forming the back of the box. To relieve the sides 

 of the box from the concussive force, the roof is formed in doors upon, 

 hinges, which suddenly fly up when the explosion takes place, and act 

 as safety valves, after which they immediately fall. The reduced ore 

 is acted upon by a gentle blast, which sends off the lighter particles, 

 and allows the heavier metallic to fall. A preforated false bottom 

 allows the reduced ore to fall into a drawer, which is withdrawn with 

 the dust, to submit the latter to the winnowing process." 



Gardiner's Quartz Crusher and Amalgamator. This invention con- 

 sists, first, of a kettle or trough, which in the working machine is to 

 be of cast iron, 8 feet long, and of sufficient width to admit a ball 3| 

 feet in diameter. This trough is stationary, is set horizontally, and is 

 firmly imbedded in a framework of wood. The ball which travels in 

 this trough has a pole passing through its centre, serving as its axis or 

 journals, to which is attached a horizontal shaft working on the jour- 

 nals of the ball ; and that shaft is attached to a crank or to the piston 



