28 ANNUAL OF 6C1LNT1F1C DISCOVERY. 



turned to account by M. Guerin, for the buffers act upon his brake while 

 they are being driven in, and the brake resumes its former position as soon 

 as the train has stopped, in consequence of the gradual action of the springs 

 of the buffers. These brakes are now extensively used on the Orleans Rail- 

 way. To M. I. Pierre, Professor of Chemistry at Caen, for his researches 

 into the efficacy of marine manures. To M. Fritz-Sollier, a manufacturer 

 of India-rubber articles, for having re-discovered a method previously 

 found, but neglected, by M.M. Sace and Jonas in 1846 for transforming 

 linseed oil into a substance resembling caoutchouc, by treating it with nitric 

 acid. This new compound is now applied for making water-proof stuffs, 

 saddlery, etc. To M.M. Gerard and Aubert for a process by which caout- 

 chouc may, without undergoing a previous dissolution, be rolled out into 

 thin leaves, threads, or pipes. They also are the inventors of the alkali- 

 zation of that substance, a process which renders it less brittle and much 

 stronger than vulcanized caoutchouc. To M.M. Perreaux and Clair ; to 

 the former for his India-rubber valves, and other improvements in instru- 

 ment making ; and to the latter for a new kind of dynamometer. Medals of 

 platinum were given to M. Derrien, for his manufacture of artificial manure 

 of invariable fertilizing power ; and to M. E. Muller, for a work on agricul- 

 tural and workmen's habitations. Silver medals were awarded to Mr. Stan- 

 ley, for the manufacture of articles in basalt and lava: to M. Dumesnil, for 

 an improved plaster-kiln ; to M. Gaudonnet, for improvements in piano- 

 fortes ; to M. Tripon, for a process of aquatint washing on stone, imitating 

 Indian ink drawings ; to M.M. Carmoy and Colas, for gilt nails and a 

 machine for making them ; to Dr. Benet, for a contrivance for washing foul 

 linen by pressure ; to Dr. Guyot, for a loom for weaving at a very trifling 

 cost straw mats, for gardening purposes ; and to M. Klein, for a plan for 

 retailing good and nutritious food to the poor in portions of the value of five 

 centimes each. Bronze medals were awarded : to M. de Luca, for an im- 

 provement in blowing pipes, producing an uninterrupted stream of air by 

 means of a hollow ball of India-rubber, acting as a reservoir ; to M. Troc- 

 con, for an improvement in the lamps called moderators ; to M.M. Lacas- 

 sagne and Thicrs, for a regulator applicable to the electric light ; to M. 

 Bruno, for a writing-apparatus for blind people, consisting in a steel point, 

 producing letters in relief on a kind of paper used for counterdrawing ; to 

 M. Masse, of Tours, a blind man, for a curious and ingenious contrivance, 

 by which those who, like him, have had the misfortune to lo.se their eye- 

 sight, may express their ideas on- paper by means of printing-types ; to M. 

 Colard Vienot, for an apparatus enabling the blind to write music ; to M. 

 Devisme, for an improvement in revolvers, by applying to them the prin- 

 ciple of the Minie rifle ; to- M. Yitard, a carpenter, for an instrument by 

 which the cubic contents of timber or trees may be ascertained off-hand ; to 

 J. Pouillen, for a bed, of peculiar contrivance, for patients ; to M. Heilbronn, 

 for a process by which zinc may receive a coating of paint as durable as that 

 which may be given to sheet-iron ; to M. More, for a flexible globe for the 

 study of geography, admitting of its being folded up like an umbrella; to 

 M.M. Lenz and Houdard, for a system of pedals and counter-pedals in 



