TRANSACTiONS OP THE SECTIONS. 99 



started in the opposite direction. The object is to admit of the supply and combus- 

 tion of the fuel being perfectly regulated according to circumstances, and to prevent 

 the emission of smoke, by causing the gas generated from the fresh coal, at the time 

 when the heat commences to act upon it, to pass over the whole surface of the ignited 

 fuel before i-eaching the chimney. 



Mr. Bodmer exhibited a variety of improved Cutting Tools. 

 Dr. Bevan explained a new Life Boat which he has invented. 



On the Scantlometer. By James Wylson. 



The instrument, thus named, the invention of Mr. Wylson, determines the scantlings 

 of joists and rafters, the former level, the latter sloped to any pitch not exceeding 

 sixty degrees, and both to any bearing not exceeding twenty-five feet. It is calculated 

 for joists of dwelling-house floors, and rafters carrying medium-sized slating ; the 

 material fir ; the distance asunder twelve inches ; the rate of weight sustained sup. 

 posed to be similar in all cases, and diffused uniformly throughout. The principle is 

 stated in the accompanying explanation to be capable of application to the other tim- 

 bers occurring in buildings. 



Explanation of an Apparatus, invented by Mr. Littledale of York, by which 

 the Blind can write and read. By the Rev, W, Taylor, F.R.S. 



The following is a description of the instrument : — " Into a case, probably a yard 

 long, and three or four inches square, is fitted a slide, something like one section of a 

 letter-rack used in printing-offices for depositing the type when not in use. This 

 slide is adapted to any alphabet or to arbitrary characters. At one end of the case 

 there is a hammer, under which the paper is placed, and as the letters are brought up 

 successively, by the application of an ingenious contrivance at the opposite end of the 

 case, the hammer is raised, and by its fall they are impressed or rather embossed upon 

 the paper, so that blind persons may distinguish them by the touch. When the first 

 letter of a word is printed the hammer is raised, and that causes the letter to move 

 away, and at the same time a space on the paper for the next letter is produced. The 

 blank between each letter or word may be increased by raising the hammer twice or 

 thrice instead of once. The successive letters are brought up to the hammer, by the 

 means before' alluded to. There is also a prepared paper (black), which may be put 

 over the white paper at discretion, the object of which is to enable persons who have 

 their sight to read the printing better, the force of the hammer causing the black 

 paper to 'set oif,' At the hammer end of the case a piece of cloth is attached, to 

 place between the hammer and the type, so that the letter may not be bruised. The 

 type in the slide was made of wood, but to metallic letters the instrument would be 

 equally applicable." 



On the Improved Compasses ofM. De Sire Lebrun, and the Cold-drawn 

 Pipes ofM. Le Dru. By O. Byrne. 



Explanations of the Barege Mobile, or Canalization of Rivers, and of the 

 Grenier Mobile, or moveable Granary for preserving Corn. By O. Byrne. 



The latter machine consists of a cylinder, divided into compartments, which will hold 

 800 quarters of corn. It is made of zinc and galvanized iron, and turns round like a 

 barrel, so that the grain is thus turned over by one man daily. The advantages are, 

 that the corn gets gradually dried, may be preserved for a longer period, bad corn is 

 improved, grain generally comes out heavier than when it went in, and is not bruised 

 and wasted by being turned over with the shovel. With regard to the increase it was 

 stated at 6f lbs, in 110 cwt. The cost of the machine is about 1/. a quarter. 



On the Construction of Buildings for the Accommodation of Audiences. 



By Sir T. Dean. 

 In this communication the author gave an account of alterations, which in conse- 



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