708 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1889. 



taken from Strickland's report, previously alluded to. Among the early 

 forms of switches used in America was the lever switch, with the heavy 

 iron counter-weight (see Fig. 137) to keep it in position. Sometimes 



Fig. 137. 

 Switch with "Ball" Counter- Weight. 



(From a drawing in the U. S. National Museum. ) 



the "ball" was omitted, and the lever was secured by a padlock fast- 

 ened to a staple driven into a cross-tie. 



It is to be hoped that an opportunity may be given to extend the col- 

 lection of frogs and switches in the near future, so that the history of 

 the development of these two very important track-appliances may be 

 preserved. 



