108 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERT. 



tiniiation of the systora proceeds towards Tiflis and thence to Te- 

 heran, where it will join existing lines. In its course it may be 

 added that it will comprise a* S-wire cable of about 100 miles in 

 length, ending at Souchum Kaleh, the conductors of which will 

 be of stranded wire, covered with alternate layers of the mixture 

 now known among scientilic men as Chctterton's compound and 

 gutta-percha, and will weigh a little over 270 lbs. per knot. 



In order that the means of communication with India may be 

 as complete as possible, it is intended to im])rove the lines at 

 present constructed from Teheran to India. These agencies of 

 correspondence proceed from Teheran via Ispahan and Shiraz to 

 Bushire, on the Persian Gulf, and from that point to Kurrachee. 

 The improvements, to which reference has been made, will in- 

 clude the substitution of iron for Avooden posts on the lines from 

 Teheran, the submergence of a cable, about 500 miles long, from 

 Bushire to Jask, and the completion of a land-line from Jask to 

 Kurrachee. The result of these extensions will be, that two 

 cables between Bushire and Jask, and a cable and a land-line 

 from Jask to Kurrachee, will duplicate the facilities of communi- 

 cation through the whole of the Persian Gulf. The shore-ends 

 of the Black 8ea cable, which will probably be laid during the 

 approaching summer, arc to be sheathed with heavy galvanized 

 iron wires protected by tarred jute. The section to which Tehe- 

 ran will form the eastern terminus will, it is expected, be com- 

 pleted by the end of next July. Meanwhile, the project lor es- 

 tablishing complete submarine communication between this coun- 

 try and India is being vigorously promoted. Of the probable 

 results of the competition of the rival systems there are but few 

 data, at present, upon which to erect an opinion. 



TELEGRAPH ENTERPRISE. 



Another great European telegraph project is on foot. A com- 

 pany just formed in London has purchased, with concessional 

 rights, the following cables, namely, 1st, Denmark to Eng- 

 land, from Sondervig to Newbiggin, actual distance 33-1 miles; 

 2d, Denmark to Norway, from llirtshalts to Arendal, actual dis- 

 tance 60 miles ; 3d, Denmark to Russia, from Moen to Born- 

 holm, and Bornholm to Libau, actual distance 30-1 miles; 4th, 

 Norway to Scotland, from Egersund to Peterhead, actual dis- 

 tance 270 miles ; 5th, Sweden to Russia, from Grislehamn to 

 Nystad, actual distance 96 miles. Of these, the three first are 

 already laid, and have been for some time working; the fourth 

 is shipped on board ready for laying; and the arrangements lor 

 the filth are in course of completion, and both the latter are to be 

 laid at the risk and cost of the old companies. The new company 

 undertakes the working, and will be entitled to the receipts from 

 tiie 1st of June. The cost of purchase was 2,500,000 dollars. 

 The ultimate intention of the company is a connection with North 

 America via the Russian dominions. 



