850 Transactions or the American Institute. 



Positive Motion Loom. 



Mr. James Lyall exhibited a model of his positive motion loom. 

 The most striking feature of it is that the picMng stick heretofore of 

 universal use is entirely dispensed with. The shuttle heing carried 

 through the icarp is, with all other parts of the loom, held and 

 entirely controlled by a direct and continuous connection with the 

 motive power ; hence the liability of a " smash " is totally removed, 

 and no injury can happen to the reed. In case of the loorri being 

 stopped during the passage of the shuttle, or at any other time, each 

 part is in place for starting again. The advantages of this loom over 

 others are : 



Ist. The unlimited scope of the shuttle ; it being carried instead of 

 knocked through the warps, enables the carrying of large quantities of 

 weft any distance. 2d. The friction of the shuttle on the yarn is wholly 

 overcome, therefore, the shuttle does not wear the warps, nor break 

 any threads, even in the finest fabrics of silk, wool, cotton or linen. 

 3d. The weft is not subject to sudden pulls in starting, hence, may 

 be of the most delicate texture, regardless of the width of the fabrics. 

 4th. The reed moves but a little distance and wears less on the warp. 

 5th. The heddles do not require to be opened as wide as usual, thus 

 avoiding much of the strain on the warp. 6th. The width of the 

 fabric may be extended indefinitely. 7th. The loom runs with less 

 power, much more quietly than other looms, and at any speed 

 desirable. Mr. Lyall further remarked that he had in practical opera- 

 tion the largest power loom in the world, run bj^ steam power, 

 weaving goods six yards in width. One girl takes the place of ten 

 men, she can attend to five looms. 



Mr. Dudley Blanchard said this was one of the most important 

 inventions he had yet seen. The improvement here shown lias been 

 long sought after. He, himself, had tried his inventive powers to 

 make something that would accomplish this result, but could not 

 succeed. 



Di-8. J. V. C. Smith, J. J. Edwards and Mr. Lambert, spoke in the 

 highest terms of the importance of this invention. 



Self-kightino Life Boat. 



Mr. ('h;irles (Tunner exhibited a model of Gunner & Peterson's 



Universal Self-righting Life Boat. He said that it is not a now 



thing for boats to right themselves ; there are many built that will 



right when empty, but not when freighted. He claimed that his 



