342 KEPORT— 1872. 



principles of aerostation, and to stow that aerial navij2;ation was practicable only to 

 a certain limit by simple mechanical means. Of the practicability of applying 

 steam-power he had no hope, the weight of a steam-engine made as light as 

 possible, consistent with due strength, being much too great for any gas balloon to 

 support. The power he proposed was manual, being, he believed, the only power 

 applicable to gas balloons. But propulsion having been secured, the question 

 arose how the power of direction could be acquired, that being of the utmost 

 importance in actual warfare. That was accomplished by rotating the balloon to 

 any required position, and then, holding it from further motion, tlie rotation was 

 completely under the control of the aeronaut. A rudder was the instrument to be 

 used for that pm-pose, a vertical disk fixed in a line with the axis of the propeller. 

 By turning tlie plane of the disk, the current of air forced from the fan on the 

 rudder caused the whole machine to rotate right or left, precisely as the rudder of 

 a ship guided the vessel, 



0)1 a Modification of the Earth- Closet. By D. Carter. 



Progress of ike Through Railwatj to India. 

 By Htde Clarke, G.E., Corr. Mem. of the Vienna Imtitation of Engineers. 



The progress of the railways in Turkey is of interest in connexion with the through 

 railway to India. On this side the railway to India has long since reached B.isiash 

 on the Danube and lialted there ; but at length the Turkish Government had taken 

 measures for its extension. The main line will be from Hungary through Servia to 

 Filibeh (Philipopoli), and Edreneh (Adrianople) to Constantinople. 



On account of political difficulties raised by the Serviau administration, the 

 works have been carried on at other points; but the Servian junction having been 

 arranged operations will be begun there. The works now in progress are from 

 Filibeh to Constantinople, with branches from Uskup to Salonika and the 

 Mediterranean, and from Edreneh to Dedeh Aghaj on the same sea. The portions 

 open or ready for opening are :— 



Edreneh to Ilarmanli 40 miles. 



Constantinople to Chekmejeh, &c 30 „ 



Salonika brancli 65 



Edreneh branch 90 



)> 



;) 



The Constantinople terminus is ready. 



Only 25 miles will at the end of the year remain uncompleted between Constan- 

 tinople and Edi-eneh. 



A connexion is proposed between Edreneh and the Varna and Euschuk railway, 

 which has a circuitous connexion with the Austro-IIungarian and Russian railways. 



The Salonilca branch is proposed as a steam-boat station for Smyrna, Skanderven, 

 and the Euphrates valley and Alexandria, 



No measures are talcen for passing tLe Bosphorus at Constantinople except by 

 steam-boat. 



In the Asiatic suburb of Constantinople, at Sluitari, the Asia Minor section of 

 the through railway to India has been begun and continued to Ismid. The 

 continuation from Ismid to Angora, 400 miles, has just been granted to Mr. 

 Pressel, Chief Engineer of the Eoumelianrailways, and willbe puslied with vigour. 



On the Drainage of Shoreham. By J, P. Colbeon. 



The Sewage Difficulty. By T. CaRLET, F.G.S. 



On Breacli-Loading Firearms. By C. F. Dknnet. 



