204 TRANSACTION'S OF THE 



iron cylinder. One important feature of this instrument is the 

 peculiar kind of valve employed for the escape of the steam, and 

 which cannot well be described in this article. 



The iron cylinders for receiving the steam from the boiler, are 

 about three inches in diameter inside, and into which the valves 

 are firmly placed, and on each valve the whistle is as firmly 

 screwed. 



The valve is what is commonly termed a puppet valve, one end 

 of the stem only protruding; and from this protruding end are 

 ingeniously arranged galvanized wires, wliich extend to angles, 

 at one end of the cylinder, and to which the finger keys are 

 attached, the slightest touch of the finger of which will open the 

 valve, when the sound is produced, and as soon as the finger 

 leaves the key, the valve is closed by the pressure of the steam 

 on the other end of the valve, or the studded iron cylinder acts 

 upon the jn'otruding end of the valve by tlie assistance of a hinged 

 finger, which is attached to an arm, or angle of brass. 



The valve is opened and closed instantaneously, thus making 

 very quick music as well as slow. 



Underneath the steam chest is placed a steam regulator which 

 admits an equal pressure of steam from the boiler, and which is 

 operated upon by the foot of the performer, thus making music 

 of a soft and melodious sound, cr may be swelled so that it will 

 fill the air for miles around. 



The pressure of steam usually used is from tliree to seven or 

 eight pounds per inch, but may be used with twenty, forty, or 

 even 100 pounds. 



The instrument is well adapted to steamers, and is fast coming 

 in use, especially on the ocean, lakes, &c., where the fogs are 

 more troublesome than on the rivers, and the circus companies 

 are now extensively adapting them with their travelling shows, 

 as a matter of curiosity, as they most certainly are. 



The amount of steam required to supply the instrument is so 

 small that no engineer has yet been found who could compute it. 



[Jl large silver medal awarded. 



