132 REPORT—1852. 
the South-Eastern Terminus. Sets of springs are placed near at hand to some of the 
wheels; the springs are all tipped with platinum, and are respectively connected with 
the several wires concerned in the scheme; and, according as the contacts between 
the several springs are varied, so is the time signal led to its destination. Mr. Walker 
then explained an ingenious contrivance, by which, at the completion of the circuit at 
Greenwich, a voltaic current of instantaneous duration passes from Greenwich to 
Dover, and causes one sharp deflection of the galvanometer needle of the usual elec- 
tric telegraph. The clerks at the several stations, should they overlook the general 
order to cease working, and to be on the watch, are reminded that the time is nearly 
due by finding that the telegraph circuit is broken; which happens during the two 
minutes that the spring is lifted by the pin off the earth wire at London. The clerks 
watch the signal, and make note of the error of their local clock. The time-signals 
will, at set times, be allowed to pass automatically to Hastings, to Deal, and to 
Ramsgate, by turning them on the main line by the usual telegraph turn-plates now 
in use at junction stations. The signal will be transmitted to intermediate stations by 
hand, which can be done correctly to a fraction of a second. ‘The clerk will watch for 
the signal while he holds in his hand the handle of a group, or a branch instrument ; 
he will move his hand as he sees the signal, and a simultaneous signal will pass along 
the group. 

On Graphite Batteries. By Cuarites V. WALKER. 
After referring to the unfitness of copper, and the too great cost of the superior 
metals for the purpose of batteries for telegraphic purposes, Mr. Walker said he had 
early sought a substitute, and had found one which seemed to promise all that was 
required in the deposit of carbon or graphite from iron gas-retorts, 
On the New Patent Law. By Tuomas WessteEr, F.R.S. 
The author contrasted the facilities which the new law afforded in the application for 
and obtaining of patents, and in the protection to such property, with the cumbrous, 
expensive, and duplicated processes which characterized the old system. He further 
pointed out the necessity of extending further protection to designs according to a 
system analogous to that of the new patent law, if the industrial education which the 
schools of design were endeavouring to introduce was to be useful to the pupils as 
creating a body of educated persons not only dependent on their employers or on 
capitalists. 

On a New Method of Scutching the New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax). 
By Mattuew Wuyttaw, C.E. of Auckland, New Zealand. (Communi- 
cated by Sir Davin BrewstTER.) 
After noticing the plan hitherto used in the colony, and pointing out some of its 
defects, Mr. Whytlaw went on to show that the principle on which New Zealand flax 
ought to be scutched was by transverse rubbing instead of longitudinal beatings as 
now in use, and described a very simple machine invented by him, in which this 
principle was carried into effect, and which was perfectly effectual for the purpose; 
and he suggested that a machine on the same principle might be used with advantage 
for European flax. 

On the Mould for casting Conical Bullets. By Aurrep J. WoopHousE. 

