2lS 



NATURE 



[July 4, 1S95 



the explorer of to-day must add to his enterprise scientific 

 training, and to scientific training diligent study. 



The contrast between the means of training for ex- 

 plorers in this country- and on the continent, suggests 

 many curious thoughts as to the proportion in which 

 different countries will undertake the detailed study of 

 the earth's surface in all its aspects, from which alone a 

 true view of nature can be obtained. The theoretical 

 training in geography only to be obtained in continental 

 universities, and the practical training in the use of 

 instruments and methods offered only by the Royal 

 Geographical Society, are too far apart, and until they 

 come together the general level of original work in 

 unexplored countries will fall far short of the standard 

 set by Prof. Martin. Hugh Robert Mill. 



MILL ENGINEERING. 



Steam Power and Mitt Work. 13y George William 

 Sutcliffe, M.Inst.C.E. (London : Whittaker and Co.. 

 1895) 



TH E Specialist Seri es of technical books is well known 

 and appreciated ; many subjects are admirably 

 treated by well-known authors. The present volume, of 

 some 800 pages, is no exception to this rule, and it fully 

 maintains the high character of the series. In the 

 preface we are told that this work aims at giving an 

 account of modem practice for the consideration of those 

 interested in the manufacture, control, and operation of 

 boilers, engines, and mill work, also of the leading prin- 

 ciples and calculations affecting such work, most of the 

 subject-matter being based upon the personal experience 

 of the author. Useful information has also been obtained 

 from the minutes of proceedings of the leading technical 

 societies and from various journals, adding considerably 

 to the value of the book. Taken as a whole, this work 

 will be of much use to steam users, particularly those 

 employing steam power extensively with much machinery 

 in operation. 



It is impossible to notice in the space at our disposal 

 the large amount of ground covered in this book. The 

 author has arranged his matter in a sensible manner, and 

 explains himself in a practical way. Many steam users 

 are under the erroneous impression that the economical 

 firing of a boiler is easily accomplished, that any labourer 

 is capable of handling the shovel ; to such men we re- 

 commend a careful perusal of this work, wherein they 

 will discover that economical firing means more than 

 they anticipated. 



The author has much to say in chapter vi. on convec- 

 tion, circulation, evaporation, and priming in boilers. 

 These points are thoroughly well discussed, being all- 

 important to the life of the boiler iind the comfort of 

 the user. The estimation of the moisture in steam as 

 delivered from the boiler is often necessary, and the 

 difficulty of obtaining a true sample of the steam has to 

 be met. Much useful information is given on this sub- 

 ject, and we would draw the attention of the author to an 

 instrument designed by Prof. Watkinson, of Glasgow, 

 which appears to give true results for the direct estima- 

 tion of small i|uantitics of water in steam. 



The different methods of forced draught are discussed in 

 NO. 1340, VOL. 52] 



the following chapter. The author, when descriljing tho 

 closed stoke-hole system, observes : " It is scarcely possible 

 to imagine a case in which it would be wise to adopt a 

 closed stoke-hole in stationary work." This is a \cry 

 usual opinion held by engineers, who believe that most 

 of the break-downs in the Na\y, through leaky tubes, 

 may be traced to this system of forced draught being 

 adopted. The question of gas firing appears to be coming 

 to the front for steam boilers in towns, for the preven- 

 tion of smoke, and an increased economy in fuel. There 

 is no doubt that a good deal can be said in favour of the 

 system. The author has much useful information on the 

 subject, particularly on the production of gas for the pur- 

 pose. Liquid fuel, again, is another innovation in the way 

 of raising steam. This system has reached its present 

 state of perfection in the hands of Mr. Holden, the loco- 

 motive engineer of the Great Eastern Railway, who has 

 successfully applied it to locomotives and stationar)' 

 boilers. 



The important subject of a pure water supply for steam 

 boilers is pointed out in the following chapter. The 

 effects of different impurities are described, besides the 

 dangerous results involved by admitting grease into a 

 boiler with the feed-water through contamination with 

 the exhaust steam. Many furnaces ha\e collapsed from , 

 this cause. We now come to the more mechanical part ' 

 of the book, commencing with the construction and 

 general fittings of Lancashire and Cornish boilers. 

 Taken as a whole, the subject of boilers generally is 

 fairly well dealt with. In the paragraph on internal tlucs. 

 we find no description of Fox's corrugated tlues, nor 

 those of the Farnley Company ; both are \er)' commonly 

 in use, and should have been mentioned. Under the 

 head of "riveting" it might be well to point out that, 

 although steel rivets are now the general rule when closed 

 by machine, the few hand rivets necessary should in all 

 cases be of Yorkshire iron. Caulking is now generally 

 done by steam or pneumatic tools, the best of which is 

 certainly Maccwan Ross's patent, of (".lasgow. Probably 

 the most important fitting for a boiler is the glass-water 

 gauge, and this should close automatically if the glass 

 breaks. There are many of these in the market, more or 

 less trustworthy ; those supplied by Messrs. Dcwranceand 

 Co. being among the best. The author recommends the 

 pendant syphon arrangement for fixing the pressure gauge 

 to the boiler. This allows loo much heat to reach the 

 gauge through the heavy metallic fitting, and cannot be 

 recommended for this reason. The locomotive type of 

 stationary boiler is being largely used for steam raising ; 

 it is economical, easily set in position, and produces large 

 quantities of steam when pressed. 



Under the heading of "Types of Steam Engines," we 

 find much information of a varied nature. The Willans 

 central valve engine is, however, not described. This is 

 a pity, because it is now being largely used for ordinary 

 work, and gives great satisfaction. It is most economical, 

 and will run for months without attention. The author 

 goes into much detail when discussing valve arrangemcnls 

 for steam engines, commencing with the well-known 

 "technical school" diagrams of slide valves with and 

 without lap, &c., and ending with the piston valve ; then \ 

 follows double beat valves, Corlin valves, and many others. 

 All these descriptions arc clear and to the point. 



