450 JOHN BIRKINBINE 



It is only when one descends into mines and notes the 

 great chambers dug out of the earth, the quantities of timber 

 placed to support, as far as is possible, the weight of roof or 

 hanging wall, the massive pumps which elevate enormous vol- 

 umes of water from great depths, and the powerful hoisting and 

 ventilating appHances, that the magnitude of the mining in- 

 dustry is appreciated. When he investigates further and notes 

 the drills penetrating the hard rock, or the cutters channeling 

 below the mass, or locomotives traversing the low, narrow drifts 

 operated by electricity or compressed air, generated at some 

 distant point, the aid of the mechanic becomes apparent. 



The dip compass, the prospecting drill, the sinking pump, 

 the steam winch, the rock drills, the crushers, the coal cutters, 

 the chutes and the tram cars, the framing of shafts, mine tim- 

 ber, head houses and breakers; the conveyance of steam, water, 

 air, electricity for power in hoisting, tramming, pumping, etc., 

 the rails, locomotives, cars and loading bins; the shipping and 

 receiving docks for coal and ore, and the vessels built for their 

 transportation; the machinery of concentrators, breakers, the 

 huddle rocker, the vanner, jig, and stamps, etc., the blast fur- 

 naces, converters and roll trains, with their motive powers, all 

 represent developments in the mechanic arts. 



The influence of the mining industry can be thus demon- 

 strated to have extended into all branches of the mechanic arts. 



^^ 



