AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 539 



a 'flash of lightning is water, or rather the gases which form it, 

 as hydrogen and oxygen, into which water is decomposed by 

 electricity. If the water be entire when the electric contact takes 

 place, it is then resolved into those gases; if the gases are separate, 

 then they become resolved into water, or sometimes hail, and 

 frequently snow. 



Faraday says that the atoms of water, (viz :) hydrogen and 

 oxygen, are held in combination by an amount of electricity equal 

 to a considerable thunder cloud. Mr. Andrew Smith has found 

 the means of producing at will this electric flash, and the means 

 of control and direction of its immense power. Electric caloric 

 and aqueous vapor are the essentials. It may be described as the 

 generation of a gas of a most highly refined or sublimated quality, 

 producing intensely elastic pov/er, effected by the decomposition 

 of water — such is lightning itself. In the combination accom- 

 plishing the process, caloric, at a temperature effecting the fusion 

 of electric metals, is one and a principal ingredient. One appli- 

 cation of this potent agent is to the projection of heavy missiles. 

 Mr. Smith is able to do this with a power, rapidity and accuracy 

 which has not been accomplished by gunpoAvder. The guns used 

 are of wrought iron, longer than common guns. The generating 

 apparatus is contained in the compass of the carriage of an ordi- 

 nary " ship's gun," or- battering cannon. The gun is loaded at 

 the breech. The weight of it, with the generating apparatus, is 

 greater than that of common guns, but need not exceed the weight 

 of our common cannons. Sixty balls are discharged per minute, 

 with precision and effect. 



[Journal of the Society of Arts, London, April 18th, 1856.1 



Boydell's Traction Steam Engine, for agricultural purposes, is 

 a great success. It is a horizontal machine, on wheels, with a 

 man to steer in front, and an engineer behind. Two cylinders, 

 6^ by 10, are worked at 60 pounds pressure per inch, with quick 

 movement, and are estimated at sixteen horse power. 20 pounds 

 of steam go to move the machine, and 40 pounds for traction- 

 The machine can turn as easily as a common wagon, and does not 

 mind a deep furrow or a side hill. It ascends an acclivity of one 



