874 Transactio.xs of the Amebic ax Institute. 



% 



bited at the late fair of the Institute, cost, one twelve hundred, and the 

 other one thousand dyllars. An endless chain saw, capable of doing 

 much larger work, could be sold at one-tenth these amounts. 



N'ew System of Docks. 

 Professor J. A. Whitney explained the system of proposed docks 

 of Mr. Thomas Bracher, of Rahway, N". J., a model of which was 

 exhibited. Each dock was to. consist of granite blocks laid in 

 cement, and secured by iron clamps — the superstructure supported 

 upon twenty -four arches, about thirty feet wide, and resting upon a 

 a suitable foundation, with a space of ten feet between each arch, 

 the height of which sliould be proportioned to the average depth of 

 the water. Within the granite piers thus formed, should be provided 

 large store houses, fitted with apparatus worked by steam for carry- 

 ing and hauling merchandise, etc. Along the edge of each a line ®f 

 warehouses was proposed, communicating with the storage vaults 

 beneath. The outlet of these vaults was indicated as being to a 

 building at the inner end of the pier ; and it was suggested that the 

 buildings on the line of piers could be used as the superstructure of 

 an elevated railway line to belt the city. A model of a coffer dam, 

 also invented by Mr. Bracher, was shown. It embraced the novel 

 plan of locking together the vertical edges of the sections of the 

 dam by means of hook lugs furnished u])on the edge of one section, 

 and acting in conjunction with a longitudinal rib formed upon the 

 corresponding edge of the adjacent section — the two keing held 

 together by Keys, and the joint caulked in the usual manner. 



Vegetable Oils. 

 This subject having been introduced. Prof. Whitney remarked tliat 

 the most important vegetable oil is that made from the olive fruit. 

 This is gathered when nearly ripe ; it then resembles a small damson 

 or plum with a very hard stone in the center. The ripe fruit is 

 crushed in a mill, and the product is put in bags made of rushes and 

 6u1)jeet to slight pressure. This secures the finest quality of the oil. 

 The residue is broken up, treated with water, allowed to ferment, 

 and again pressed. Tliis produces an inferior quality. The former 

 is used as a salad oil ; the latter, in England, for dressing woolen 

 cloth in the ])rocessof manufacture. On the continent it is employed 

 in Boap making. In Spain and Italy it serves as a substitute for 

 cream and butter. Palm oil is made from the thin fleshy covering 



