660 TBANSACTIONS OF THE 



In modern times Telford made a solid basis of stones set by- 

 hand, a close firm pavement. Those in the middle of the road 

 were set seven inches deep, and smaller as receding from crown 

 to sides; roadway thirty feet wide; insterstices filled with stone 

 chips, and general surface hammered into uniformity. It pro- 

 duced intolerable dust in summer ! The rapid wear of every sort 

 of pavement in Oxford, Holborn, Fleet street, the Strand, &c., 

 suspension of travel for repairs, dust in summer and mud in 

 winter. This induced a trial of wooden pavement in Oxford 

 street in 1839, which, after several months trial, was laid through 

 the whole street. The idea of a pavement of wood is not new. 

 In northern Germany, and in Russia they have been long in use. 

 Some of the main streets of Petersburgh and of Vienna have 

 long been paved with wood. 



It was tried in New- York, and was another failure ! 



C. B. Morse exhibited and explained his patent machine for 

 tonguing, grooving, and finishing floor planks on both sides at one 

 operation, saving half the usual work. 



Mr. Loth, of the firm of Roth and Leuthe, of Hartford, Conn., 

 exhibited, explained, and operated their patent animal trap, by 

 which an animal finding on its bearded fangs closed, suitable 

 bait, bites at it, and instantly on pulling two balls are fired down 

 his throat. Or if desirable to take him alive, omit the balls, and 

 when he pulls the bait the fangs open and hold him fast, with his 

 mouth wide open, so that he can be secured while yet alive. The 

 advantage of the balls is to leave the skin unhurt. 



Henry Schreiner, Jr., of Berry sburg, Dauphin Co., Penn.,, 

 exhibited and explained his patent " Combined Reversible Corn 

 Pluw and Harrow, and Seed Plow." 



The President called up the regular subject, ''Roads and 

 Pavements," and made the following remarks on the subject: 



I once imagined that a soft and yielding foundation for a road,, 

 was far superior to an unyielding and firm one; for the reason 

 that a yielding one would be more elastic, and thus prevent the 

 covering from being worn out, and crushed by the passage of 



