210 REPORT— 1873. 



more capable of improvinf^ and S3'stematizing our methoda of testing, or better able 

 to devise effectual means for removing the impediments to the use of steel, than are 

 to be found in the scientific and practical men who form tlie Mechanical Section of 

 the British Association. 



On the Lisbon Steam Tramways, 1873. By W. H. Barlow, Jmi. 



This paper was a description of the Lisbon steam tramways. The peculiarity of 

 their construction is, that the permanent way consists of only one central rail, on 

 which double-flange bogie-wheels, supporting the weight of the train, run. On 

 each side of this central rail are longitudinal timbers, inches broad, on which run 

 the side wheels of the engine and carriages, said side wheels having no flanges. 

 The driving-wheels of the engine are 14 inches broad, giving great adhesion in 

 running on the timbers. 



This construction possesses great facilities for ascending steep gTadients and going 

 round sharp curves. The ruling gradient was 1 in 20 ; the curves principally in use 

 are from f to 2 chains radius. 



The author of the paper had travelled on the tramway at Lisbon, constructed as 

 above, at a pace of twelve miles an hour, and in some places had travelled twenty 

 to thirty miles an hour, and could therefore testify to its efficiency, while its 

 economy spoke for itself. 



The can-iages are further balanced on the central bogie-wheels, so that they run 

 like a bicycle ; when running fast the side wheels are scarcely used. 



The author remarked on the want of a construction of this nature for localities 

 where the traffic would not justify the outla}"^ necessary for constructing an ordinary 

 railway ; and, further, that it was a good construction to lay down, pro tern., to 

 develop the resources of a district, and gradually to be superseded by a regular 

 railway. In France and in Portugal it is used as a tramway and laid along the 

 public roads, and has been found to answer admirably. 



On the Manufacture of Cards for Spinning Purjyoses*. By Daniel Batesian. 



On the Saint- Gotthard Tunnel. By C. Bergeron. 



On ike Hydrostatic Loyf. By Eev. E. L. Berthon. 



On Huyyett's Siistem of Manufacturing Horse-nails. 

 By F.J. Bramwell, C.E., F.R.S. 



The author, in the commencement of his paper, remarks upon the fact that while 

 for many years past ordinary nails have been made by machinery, and in more 

 recent times even the screws which are used by cai-penters (commonly called "wood 

 screws") have been so made, the horse-nail has remained in the domain of handi- 

 craft, although its simple form and appearance would lead to the belief that it was 

 at least as fit a subject to be the product of mechanical skill as is the carpenter's 

 nail, and far more fit a subject than the carpenter's screw, requiring, as this latter 

 does, a number of delicate and complicated processes, all of which processes, how- 

 ever, are now most successfully performed by a succession of automatic machines. 



The author then shows that the horse-nail, notwithstanding its apparently simple 

 character, has a speciality in its use which demands in it special qualities and 

 involves a special manufacture. 



The speciality in its use is that, unlike the carpenter's nail and screw, which are 

 employed to penetrate mere inert and dead matter, the horse-nail has to be driven 



* Published in cxfcnso in the ' Engineer ' for Oct. o 1873. f Ibid. 



