TRANSACTIONS OP THE SECTIONS. 203 



for express trains was impracticable with goods trains, without rapid destruction to 

 the rails, road, and machinery. That slow trains with many passengers, and goods 

 trains also, were much more important to revenue than express passengers, who were 

 in many cases a positive loss, by interfering with other arrangements. That dupli- 

 cating the lines of rails, to divide them into goods and passenger lines, would not 

 remedy the evil, as the stations and goods warehouses would require many inter- 

 secting crossings, and the expense of alterations, in purchase of land, which has 

 already taken an additional value, widening bridges and tunnels, Avithout producing 

 the desired effect, would cost far more than an altogether new line, which would 

 permit the most rapid traffic possible to circulate over it. It was stated, that the 

 actual loss of direct long passenger traffic in money receipts would be far more than 

 compensated by the increase of goods traffic, and the multiplication of local traffic of 

 various kinds; traffic that could never be competed for by rival lines imless the fares 

 were kept too high. That if such a course were pursued, the existing lines would 

 become commercial streets, thickly peopled by population flocking to their borders. 



He proposed the formation of express lines, which could be managed by a very 

 small staff, without the expense of stations, and could run at the rate of fifty or sixty 

 miles an hour. He proposed improved springs, better modes of communication, and 

 larger carriages, with all conveniences of refreshments, &c. He also proposed that 

 an arrangement should be made with the French Government for the extension of 

 the principle, and that a large steamer should be made, to overcome the turbulence 

 of the Channel, and projecting piers at Folkestone. He suggested that lines of rails 

 should be laid on the level part of turnpikes, to be used either with horse or by means 

 of locomotives. The latter might, when not in use, be employed in farm operations. 



k 



On Artillery and Projectiles. By W. Bridges Adams. 



This paper gave a description of various kinds of projectiles, and the reasons why 

 gun-cotton is better for blasting rocks than for gunnery. The first guns in use in all 

 countries were long ; but the inconvenience of very long guns was the cause why the 

 length was curtailed, and why also carronades and mortars were invented. The paper 

 then went on to describe the material of which artillery should be made, and the 

 proper mode of manufacture. An improved trunnion was noticed, with some original 

 suggestions regarding the form of wadding and shot best suited to give sure aim and 

 increased velocity and penetration. In giving his idea of the best form of a ball, 

 Mr. Adams thought that the conical form, with feathers, was the best, which is exactly 

 that which Mr. Kennedy, of Kilmarnock, has lately patented, and vi^hich has been 

 experimented upon lately at Ardrossan and Troon. The idea of an elongated ball, 

 which should also be charged like a bomb, has also been anticipated by Mr. Kennedy. 

 Welded guns, united by hydrostatic pressure, — the coating inside with another metal 

 to prevent abrasion, — and several other improvements, which have in part been 

 ado[ited by inventors, were also recommended. 



On Mechanical Notation, as exemplified in the Swedish Calculating Machine 

 of Messrs. Scheiitz. By Henry P. Babbage. 



Mr. Babbage said, — The system of describing machinery, of which I am about to 

 give a brief outline, is not new. It was published by Mr. Babbage in the 'Philo- 

 sophical Transactions,' iu the year 1S26, where apparently it did not attract the 

 notice of those most likely to find it practically useful. It had been used for some 

 years before this in the construction, for the Government, of the Difference Engine, 

 which is now in the Museum at King's College, London; and it was also used in 

 the contrivance of the Analytical Engine, on which my father was engaged 

 for many years. Indeed, without the aid of the mechanical notation, it would be 

 beyond the power of the human mind to master and retain the details of the compli- 

 cated machinery which such an engine necessarily requires. Its importance as a 

 tool for the invention of machinery for any purpose is very great ; since we can de- 

 monstrate the practicability of any contrivance, and the certainty of all its parts 

 working in unison, before a single part of it is actually made. It is also important 

 both as a means of understanding and of explaining to others existing machinery ; 



