Scientific Intelligence, Sfc. 469 



The 1st part of the process is sawing out the cedar into long 

 planks, and then into what are technically termed tops and bottoms. 

 The 2d, sawing out the grooves by means of a fly-wheel. The 

 3rd, scraping the lead on a stone; having been previously made 

 into thin slices, to suit the groove ; introducing it into the groove, 

 and scratching the side with a sharp pointed instrument, so as to 

 break it off exactly above the groove. The 4th, glueing the tops and 

 bottoms together, and turning the cedar cases in a gauge. 



The ever-pointed pencils are first cut into thin slabs, then into 

 square pieces, by means of a steel guage. They are then passed 

 through three small holes, armed with rubies, which last about three 

 or four days. Steel does not last above as many hours. Six of 

 these ever-pointed pencils may be had for 2s. 6d. If they are 

 cheaper than this, we may be sure that they are adulterated.^ 



In Paris, when you buy a sheet of paper in a stationer's shop, 

 some of these pencils are added to the purchase. Now these are 

 formed of a mixture of plumbago, fuller's earth, and vermicelli. 

 Genuine cedar pencils must cost (id. each. If they are sold at a 

 lower price, they must be formed from a mixture, not from pure 

 plumbago. Pencils are, however, sold as low as Al,d. a dozen. 



There is no patent which has been more infringed on than that 

 of Mordan's, for ever-pointed pencils. Birmingham is the source 

 of this infringement, where they are sold as low asfd. each, formed 

 of composition. A thousand persons are now engaged in the manu- 

 facture of these pencils, and pencil-cases. 



These facts were stated by Dr. Faraday, at the Royal Institution, 

 April "22nd. 



II. — Breakwater at Madras. 



Madras has been long well known as one of the most dangerous 

 ports for shipping in the East. It is with no small degree ol plea- 

 sure that we observe its enterprising inhabitants coming forward 

 with liberal subscriptions, for the purpose of raising a breakwater. 

 — Madras Gazette, June, 1835. 



It is proposed that the work should be unconnected with the 

 shore; that its shape should be a straight line parallel with the 

 coast ; that it should be of rough stone ; and that it should be nei- 

 ther within, nor much beyond, the outer line of the surf. Its dis- 

 tance from the shore will be about 350 yards, and its length about 

 200. The depth of water is about 20 feet ; and as it is intended 

 to raise it five feet above high water, its total height will be J) 

 feet. The materials are to be brought down the Adyar, passed 

 over the bar in trucks, or by means of cranes; and conveyed by 

 sea on catamarans, to the site of the work. The estimated expense 

 of the carriage is one rupee per cubic yard, and of the quarrying l^ 

 rupee; and the whole expense as follows: Quarrying, 20,400 cu- 

 bic yards, at 1| rupees, 35,700, conveying at one rupee = 20,4UU, 

 total 01,100 rupees. But as government have liberally ottered to 

 furnish prisoners, &c. to assist in the work, it is hoped that the 



