110 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



endless bands, which run in opposite directions. Two pairs of these endless 

 bands are prepared, one for rolling together the filling of the cigar, and the 

 other for winding the wrapper. The frame of the upper band is hung on 

 hinges at one side, so that it may be turned open. The operator gathers a 

 bundle of pieces of tobacco-leaf, previously cut of the proper length, and 

 places them upon the lower band, with a smooth piece of leaf loosely around 

 them. He then presses down the frame of the upper band, bringing it into 

 gear with the lower band, where it is held by a latch. He then throws the 

 two bands into gear with the driving machinery, and the bundle of tobacco 

 is rapidly rolled by the two bands between which it is pressed, which run in 

 opposite directions. The effect of this operation is to press the bundle to- 

 gether and sufficiently tighten the inner wrapper about it. The apparatus 

 for winding the wrappers is provided at one end with a hollow metallic cone, 

 partly formed with a revolving roller, for finishing the pointed end of the 

 cigars, and giving a twist to the wrapper which prevents it from unwinding. 

 The upper band of this apparatus being turned open, the wrapper, pre- 

 viously cut of the proper reniform shape, is placed with one end upon the 

 lower band near its end, and the filling, prepared as before described, is 

 then laid upon it, and the apparatus is closed and thrown into gear with the 

 driving machinery. The two endless bands, running in opposite directions, 

 roll the cigar between them, and as the wrapper is held at an angle by the 

 operator, it is drawn in and wrapped around the filling, forming the cigar. 

 The rotary motion is continued until the pointed end of the cigar is rubbed 

 smooth, and handsomely finished by its revolutions in the metallic cone. 

 The upper band now being turned open, the cigar is taken out and the 

 square end cut off, when it is ready for market. Scientific American. 



THE WESTMINSTER CLOCK. 



The clock recently constructed by Mr. Dent, of London, for the new House 

 of Parliament, Westminster, London, is one of the most complete and ac- 

 curate pieces of workmanship ever put together. When in its place, the 

 clock will report itself to Greenwich every day by a galvanic action at the 

 striking of some given hour, and when once fairly going and regulated, it 

 will not require altering to the extent of a second per week. It has been 

 erroneously stated that the dial-faces of this clock are the largest in the 

 world. This is not the case, as they are considerably less than one which 

 exists at Mechlin, in Belgium. But then the Westminster has four dial- 

 plates, and in this respect it stands at the head of all other clocks ; for no 

 other one in existence has to work four dials, 2'2i feet wide, for eight and a 

 half days. The hands of the Westminster clock weigh each about '2 cwt., 

 and at thirty seconds, or half minute, the ponderous minute-hand moves 7 

 inches on the circumference of the dials; but the movement will be gradual, 

 instead of a sudden jerk, the momentum being checked by Avhat is known 

 as the " gravity escapement." The frame of the check is 15 feet long, 4 

 feet 7 inches wide, and 19 deep. The whole of the mechanism of the clock 

 weighs nearly 4 tons; but motion is given to the whole by the action of a 

 small spring, weighing one-sixth of an ounce. The pendulum weighs 6 

 cwt.; but, so accurate are all the adjustments, that when it is required to 

 regulate the clock, the addition or removal of a piece of metal weighing one 

 ounce will accelerate or retard it at the rate of a second per day. The wind- 

 ing up of this clock is a matter of no small importance, inasmuch as the 



