PATENT AXLETREES, TO tKEVENT ACCIDENTS. 



51 



taken off, when necessary, by opening 

 the hoop to let the nave pass. 



exception, of course, of the earths and 

 metallic oxydes,) into water, carbonic 



When the jointed hoop is fast in its • acid, and nitrogen. In order to effect this, 

 place, if the axle breaks, the nave is sus- j the substance under examination was re- 

 tained by the iron straps whicli support [ duced to a state of the utmost possible 

 the jointed hoop, and this grooved hoop 1 division, and mixed with such a propor- 

 projecting from the nave, forming an ob- ' tion of hyper-oxymuriate of potash, as 

 stacle all round v/liich cannot pass the j was capable of eflecling its entire decom- 

 jointed hoop, the nave is retained in its, position, it was then subjected to combus- 

 place, and revolves witiiin the jointed i tion in a proper apparatus, and the mixed 

 hoop so as to suppoit tlie carriage; and by [ gas hence resulting, was analysed in the 

 the same means tlie nave is prevented from usual manner. 



passing outwards, if the linch-pins shouKl In this way, analyses have been per- 

 drop out. -: formed with the most scrupulous accuracy, 



A second method of effecting the same of the following substances, viz: oxalia,' 

 purpose consists in making the box of the | tartaric, mucous, citric, and acetic ac;ids; 

 wheel project beyond the back of the nave, I resin of turpentine, copal, wax, and: olive 



where it is surroimded with two flanchcs; 

 between which a jointed hoop connected, 

 as the one before mentioned, with the bed 

 of the axle, is made to lie, which in like 

 manner secures the wheel from coming off 

 in case of accidents. Covers are fastened 

 to the jointed hoops to secure the grooves 

 Between the flanches from dirt. 



A third method for the same design is 

 effected by attaching to the back of tlie 

 nave a hoop with a flanch to it projecting 

 towards its centre, which is placed so as 

 to inclose within it another Iioop attached 

 to the axle of its bed. 



The patentee adds, that these contri- 

 vances have been proved on a heavy load- 

 ed stage coacli furnished with them, which 

 went several miles without linch-pins or 

 nutts, without inconvenience; and again 

 went several miles more after the axle 

 was broken ofl purposel3% 



Observations. — The many- serious ac- 

 cidents which happen from wheels com- 

 ing off render contrivances of the above 

 description of much imj)ortance, stage 

 coach owners would find it to their interest 

 to adopt them. — Retrospecf. 



ON THE ANALYSIS OF VEGETABLE AND 



ANIMAL MATTER. 



By M. Gay Lussac and 'rhenard, Aim. de Chim. 

 Volume 74. 



In order to obtain precise ideas on the 

 ultimate component parts of vegetable and 

 animal matter, it appeared to the authors 

 of this paper, of essential importance to 

 invent some satisfactory method of com- 

 bining the subjects of their analysis with 

 oxygen, so as to convert them, (with the 



important general 



oil; sugar, gum, starcii, sugar of milk; 

 the chrystallizable part of maniaa, and 

 beecli and oak woods. 



From their labours they have deduced 

 the following very 

 principles.-^ 



1. Whenever a vegetable substance af- 

 fords oxygen and hydrogen; and the ratio 

 of the former to the latter, is greater than 

 the proportion required for the formation 

 of water; such substance is an acid. The 

 strength of the acid is also in proportion 

 to the excess of oxygen. — 



Thus 100 parts of oxalic acid are com- 

 posed of, 



Carbon, 2Q, 566 



Oxygen, 70, 689 



Hydrogen, 2, 745 



The quantity of oxygen requisite for 

 tlie saturation of the whole of the hydro- 

 gen, is 20, 127. There remains therefore, 

 an excess of oxygen to the amount of 

 50.562. 



100 parts of acetic acid, on the other 

 hand, are composed of, 



Carbon, 50, 224 



Oxygen, 44, 147 • 



Hydrogen, 5, 629 



The hydrogen requires for saturation, 

 41,282; of oxygen. There remains there- 

 fore, of ibis lattei-, in excess, 2,865. 



The two substances, the analysis of 

 which are here recited, occupy the extrem- 

 ities of the series of vegetable acids, the 

 one being in the highest, and the other in 

 the lowest state of oxygenation. Hence 

 is explained the fact of so large a propor- 

 tion of nitric acid being required for the 

 conversion of sugar, of gum, ^♦c., into 

 oxalic acid; and hence also, we see clearly 



