AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 683 



one wide, intersected so as to contain eight blocks of wood, into 

 which flat wedges of iron, of one or two eighths of an inch thick, 

 by one inch and a-half wide, are driven into the blocks to the 

 level of the round surface; about eight in each block. The 

 blocks are six inches in length. Mr. Selleck considered that the 

 iron wedges will lessen the wear of the wood, and will be pre- 

 ferred by travel to an even surface. Each case of eiglit blocks 

 is readily taken up for repair; and the presence of iron in the 

 wooden blocks, by their rusting, will help their preservation j 

 and it is believed that they will last ten years undecayed. 



Prof Nash suggested the use of iron tubes, of two inches 

 diameter, placed vertically, firmly, on a suitable base of iron. 

 Gravel to fill the tubes. 



Mr. Butler proposed to invert the pyramidal granite Belgian 

 blocks, so that on a firm concrete they will stand firm, while the 

 smaller surface filled in with gravel, forms perfect foot hold for 

 the horses' foot. 



Mr. Fisher described Neapolitan pavements, consisting of large 

 slabs of stone, pecked sufficiently to form foot hold; somewhat 

 after the manner of the large granite rough pecked side-walk in 

 front of Bowen & McNamees' new marble stores in Broadway; 

 and some other j^laces. When the Neapolitan pavement wears 

 smooth, they pick it over again. Under the slabs they use the 

 softer tufa. 



Mr. Tillman explained (by desire,) his plan, which consists of 

 iron, and the several parts so united that in no case can a wheel 

 depress one part below the other, so as to cause that injurious 

 shock felt at every joint of railroad iron. 



The Secretary observed that Mr. John D. Ward had noticed 

 brick pavements in Holland which appeared to be excellent and 

 durable. They were of hard burnt bricks, placed on their edges 

 upon a firm base. Mr. Ward thinks that very hard burnt bricks 

 set on end, and in close contact with each other, upon a firm base, 

 would make a durable pavement, and one where horses could not 

 slip. 



Mr. Wm. B. Leonard — I prefer the solid, granite Russ pave- 

 ment, on account of its great durability, and that it can be 



