164 REPORT — 1856. 



two oceans. The conclusions arrived at by the successive independent surveys 

 carried out at the expense of Mr. Kelley may be summed up as follows : — first, that 

 the oceans can be united through the Atrato and Truando by a canal without a lock or 

 any other impediment ; second, that while the distance between the oceans by this route 

 is only 131 miles, half that distance is provided by nature with a passage for the largest 

 ships ; third, the remaining distance requires the removal of bars, excavations, and 

 cuttings presenting no unusual difficulties ; fourth, harbours requiring but little im- 

 provement to render them excellent exist at the termini. 



On the Patent Laws. By W. A. Mackfie. 



On the Management of Mercantile Vessels. By R. Methuen, F.R.G.S. 



On a New Plan for a Ship Communicator. By Dr. Sibbald, Liverpool. 



Nothing is more common than for a ship in some position of difficulty to require 

 to communicate readily with adjoining land, especially with a lee shore when she 

 is in danger. Or it may be that two vessels require to communicate when they 

 cannot approach each other ; and various other sets of circumstances may arise to 

 render such communication desirable or absolutely necessary. 



The following apparatus has been patented for the purpose ; and numerous ex- 

 periments have shown that it may be employed with great success. 



A series of four parallel hoops of wood, about two feet and a half in diameter, 

 are covered with patent oiled cloth so as to be impervious to water. When not in 

 use, the machine lies flat, about four inches in thickness, and is less than six pounds 

 in weight. When required, the hoops are separated, and the machine becomes in- 

 flated on the system of a pair of bellows. It forms two cylinders with a small neck 

 between, the cylinders serving to produce buoyancy and to be acted upon by the 

 wind ; and the intermediate neck having coiled round it a cord of two miles, or of 

 any required length. In the centre of the lowest circle or bottom is an orifice of 

 brass, into which a spindle of light cane is inserted ; and this is fastened at the top 

 by a screw so as to keep the machine inflated during pleasure. 



It is now dropped into the water ; and a weight attached to the bottom keeps it 

 in a uniform position. Standing at least two feet out of the water, the wind catches 

 it, and drives it on. It revolves on a vertical axis, and "pays off" the cord with 

 which it is surrounded. When the line has reached the shore, a communication can 

 easily be eflfected with the other ship, or the wreck, as the case may be, in either 

 direction. It is obvious that additional line can be attached, should the original 

 quantity be found insufficient. 



To this general outline, various modifications have been added. For example, a 

 brass hoop, the plane of which is vertical, is screwed to the centre of the top, and 

 inside this are suspended a lamp and bell. These keep their position in all circum- 

 stances, and address themselves to two senses, the eye and the ear. Also, in a 

 pocket on the top, suitably protected from the water, letters may be inserted ; so 

 that the instrument acts as an inanimate postman, returning with replies, or con- 

 veying the most explicit directions. Lastly, to the top are attached ropes by which 

 one individual, or even more, can in special circumstances make it serve the purpose 

 of a life-buoy ; but this use might interfere with its primary one, which is simply 

 that of a communicator. Experiments have shown that it requires about a ton to 

 effect its immersion ; and it is hardly possible under any circumstances that such 

 an amount of force could be employed. 



There are many circumstances which might arise in which this instrument could 

 not be employed ; but the occasions are so numerous in which it could be put to 

 its legitimate use, that it is surely most desirable that it should be known and pos- 

 sessed. Its perfect portability is a great recommendation ; and its inflation and 

 immersion occupy only one minute. 



On Improved Mechanical Means for the Extraction of Oil, and the Econo- 

 mical Manufacture of Manures from Fish and Fishy Matter. 

 By W. Smith. 



