7819.] Origin of Steam-Boats, &c. 279 
data upon which this pretended explanation was founded have 
been recently controverted, the whole fabric must fall to the 
ground. Still, however, it appears indubitable, that both the 
assimilation of the chyle and the formation of animal heat are 
intimately connected with respiration, though from the vital 
character of the processes, we shall probably ever remain igno- 
rant of their precise nature. 
(fo be continued.) 
SEER BELLE EEL SE ETSI 
Articite IV. 
Origin of Steam-Boats, and Description of Stevenson's Dalswin- 
ton Steam-Boat. By a Civil Engineer. (With a Plate.) 
Amone the various important mechanical uses to which Mr. 
Watt’s improvements on the steam-engine have enabled us to 
apply steam asa power, that of propelling vessels without the aid 
of winds or of tides, not only in rivers, but in large friths and 
arms of the sea, is none of the least ; and it is only the difficulty 
of procuring a sufficient supply of fuel which now prevents it 
from being extended generally to the wide expanse of the 
ocean. 
It is somewhat more than a century since the first invention 
of the steam-engine, by Savary and the Marquis of Worcester. 
It was afterwards improved by Newcomen, who, in conjunction 
with Savary, obtained a patent for its invention and improvement 
in the year 1705. About 1712, it appears to have been first used 
for pumping water at collieries ; and before 1720, it had come 
into pretty general use. In 1725, a fire-engine was erected at 
the collieries of Edmonstone, which was probably the first upon 
Newcomen’s plan, which was erected in Scotland. 
The early history of the steam-engine has been pretty care- 
fully ascertamed, and is generally known; but what we wish 
to establish in the present case is, the period at which the steam- 
engine was first employed afloat as the propelling power, in order 
that we may be enabled to claim it distinctly as a British inven- 
tion. Accordingly it appears, in the year 1736, that Jonathan 
Hulls, of London, obtained a patent forthe invention of a steam- 
boat engine, which will be found among the list of British 
atents for that year. In the year following, Mr. Hulls pub 
shed a pamphlet upon his invention, to which he has given the 
following title, viz.: “ A Description and Draught of a new- 
invented Machine for carrying Vessels or Ships out of or into 
any Harbour, Port, or River, against Wind and Tide, or in a 
Calm; by J. Hulls, London. Printed for the Author, 1737. 
Price 6d.” In this pamphlet, various problems in pneumatics 
are commented upon, by which the operation of his machine is 
