Polytechnic Association Proceedings. 747 



rails together at each end of the plates, the plate being cut away 

 to prevent said end clamps being displaced. Spikes or screws 

 passing through eyes or holes made in the flanges of the rails on 

 each side, at about midway of their length, fasten the rails more 

 securely and prevent the rails crawling, and these do not in any 

 Tvay interfere with the expansion and contraction thereof. 



By my improved rail coupling and fastening, the rails are securely 

 held in place without notching their ends or punching holes through 

 their bodies, which is not only a destructive practice, but does not 

 accomplish the purpose sought. The ends of the rails rest upon a 

 bed, which permits them to yield just the same as does the rail at 

 an}^ other point between the ties, and is firm and secure in every 

 respect, and prevents the rail being battered or laminated, at the 

 same time providing a free chance for expansion and contraction. 

 The rails are consequently kept in perfect line with each other; 

 therefore cars, when pjissiug over such a track, ride easily and 

 without any abrupt jarring, or surging in rounding curves, and 

 thereby a great saving is effected in the wear and tear of track ;md 

 machinery. 



There have been manj^ attempts to accomplish the above object. 

 For instance, strips of wood have beeu placed on each side of the 

 rails against the necks thereof, at their joints, and bolted through 

 them. Now, in a mile of rail the contraction is between five and six 

 feet; it is therefore necessary to distribute the space as equally as 

 possible between the ends of the rails. Where the rails are bolted 

 together by appliances at their ends, as above stated, they tend to 

 crawl and bring all the space caused by contraction at one place, 

 especially on grades; but by my improvement each rail is bolted 

 at its center to the ties, and hence the expansion and contraction is 

 from the center to the end of each and every rail. 



In brief, then, the object gained by my invention is to secure a 

 uniform and easy motion to the trains, and to allow for expansion 

 and contraction of the rails without their being destroyed, and to 

 save in the wear and tear of track and machinery. 



KITCHEN BOILER. 



Mr. Foot presented a'svash boiler, patented by the Rev. Mr. 

 Staple. It consists of an addition to the old boiler. It is a perfo 

 rated false bottom from which two tubes arise, bent at end. The 

 theory is, that as soon as the water is heated the steam will force 

 the water through the tubes into the upper part containing the 



