TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 129 
internally and in fomentations. During this course, they enjoin a 
_ strictly abstemious diet, and prohibit the use of animal food in a great 
_ measure, especially the use of the manati, the capebaru, the arapaia, 
and several kinds of fish, which are considered as gross food.” 
Section G.—MECHANICAL SCIENCE. 
: A Railway Balance Lock, designed for the purpose of Raising or 
Lowering a Train of Carriages by Horizontal Motion. By GrorcE 
ReminerTon, Jun. 
Mr. Remington proposes that the trains should be run on to a stage 
' of wood or iron, and that the stage should be raised or lowered by 
wheels and axles upon tram-plates or rails, laid in a series of inclined 
planes made in the walls on either side of the stage; the weight of the 
stage and train is to be partially counterbalanced by a system of 
weights, and the requisite power is to be supplied by a stationary 
Bb engine. 
_ The construction and method of working was explained by reference 
to aplan and section ; and the author thinks that the introduction of 
_ this system, both as regards cheapness and despatch, will tend in a great - 
measure to promote the science of railways, which has been so ably 
introduced, and would extend the system to those places which have 
been considered almost inaccessible. 
The Treffos Pump.. By Joun Wii11aMs, of Bangor. 
Mr. Williams proposes to keep up a continuous supply of water, 
_ whatever may be the relative position of the well and of the pump, by 
means of an air-tight vessel or chamber, which he calls a “ Treffos ;” 
and which is to be filled in the first instance with water through an 
“aperture in the top, the aperture being completely closed before the 
pump is setin motion. As the piston ascends in the working barrel 
the water will flow in from the additional vessel; and thus that which 
_is attained imperfectly by use of two or more cylinders acting in 
succession, may be accomplished in the common house-pump. 
On the Expansive Action of Steam in some of the Cornish Pumping 
dq Engines. By W. J. HEnwoop, F.G.S. 
_ Mr. Henwood gave an account of experiments which he had in- 
stituted on the expansion of steam in the cylinders of some reciprocating 
engines in the Cornish mines. ‘The curved lines described by an 
‘indicator were exhibited, and shown to vary, as the pressures and ~ 
VOL, vi. 1837. K 
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