612 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



Mr. Tillman observed, that the principle was the same in both 

 hydrants. He explained the self-opening and closing gate of Mr. 

 Ayres'. This being approached from either side, the two gates 

 open fully, and remain so until the carriage has passed, and then 

 closes. This manifest advantage to heavy loads of farms and car- 

 riages with many persons, drew the approbation of the Club. 



Mr. Leonard explained the Ayres cattle well. Where there is 

 a large number, it is serious work to draw water for them; and, 

 besides, the cattle are not thirsty at the same time. This well 

 being dug on the lowest part of a field, will, generally, not be 

 very deep. A suitable bucket is suspended in it, so loaded as to 

 sink readily. A moveable platform, suited to receive one ox at a 

 time, steps on this, and his weight (or that of a calf) draws up 

 the bucket, which then pours water from a spout into the trough, 

 as long as the ox stays to drink. He retires, the bucket sinks, is 

 refilled, and the next ox repeats the operation. This invention 

 was approved. Even where there are ponds, the water is apt to 

 be dirty; while the pure water from the well is as gratifying to 

 an ox, as it is to a man. 



Mr. Tillman — Some suppose that, in England, a man must be 

 the inventor of the article which he patents. Not so, he may 

 patent anything, from the United States or elsewhere. 



The Chairman — Six months are now reserved in England for an 

 original inventor to come in for his patent. 



Mr. Tillman — We have furnished much in inventions. When 

 the true history of the steam engine shall be written, it will be 

 astounding. Does everybody know that our great discoverer in 

 machinery, Oliver Evans, was the inventor of the high-pressure 

 engine ? 



Mr. Godwin spoke of valves; and, by drawings on the black- 

 board, illustrated the peculiar and valuable character of Hansen's 

 valves. 



Mr. Lamothe exhibited his new model of a metallic steamship, 

 in which plates an,d bands render her greatly stronger than the 

 rivet plan. Also, a sort of suspended cabin, vibrating with the 

 roll of the ship, much as sailors' hammocks swing to the rolL 



