TRANSACTIONS OF THE SUCTIONS. 213 



plunger, carrying the heading-tool, which operates upon the upper end of the blank, 

 spreading it out so as to fill a cavity of the shape of the head. Such a cavity is 

 formed ia each one of a pair of dies, twelve in number, inserted about the periphery 

 of a strong bolster-wheel carried on a horizontal axis. The blanks to be headed 

 are fed by the atteudaut into the dies, and by the intermittent motion of the wheel 

 are brought at the right time under the action of the heading-tool. There is a 

 contrivance b}' which the halves of the disks are grasped firmly together while the 

 pressure is being put on the head ; but this grasp is talcen off after the head is 

 formed, so as to allow the headed blank to be readily discharged. 



An efficient but simple mode of repairing the heading-dies is then pointed out. 



After tlie heading the blanks are again annealed, and they are then taken to the 

 final machine, the shaping-machine. 



The author describes that this machine is almost identical in its construction 

 with that of the " Header," the difference being that the heading-tool in the vertical 

 punch is replaced by one of a proper form to give the fiat-way shape, while a pair 

 of side presses are added which produce the side-way finish. 



After this operation the nails are submitted to a final examination, then to two 

 consecutive " rumblings," the first one being with a gritty substance to produce 

 extra attrition ; and after these two " rumblings" the nails are taken to a revolving 

 cylinder, like a coffee-roaster, in which they are heated to such a temperature as 

 to produce a deep blue colour. They are then ready for the market. 



The author concludes his paper by stating that the works, which are situated at 

 Nine Elms, near London, are provided with machinery which is now tua-ning out 

 five tons of nails per week, that he understands that the machinery is speedily 

 about to be very much added to, to increase the production ; and he then expresses 

 his opinion that the result of the invention will be not only, as he trusts, a profit 

 to the spirited inventors and to the capitalist (Mr. Moser), but also a benefit to 

 the public, and a benefit even to the persons now employed in the hand manu- 

 facture of horse-nails, which, being a trade that demands scarcely any plant, is 

 carried on in the cottages of the workpeople, is very badly remunerated, is the 

 subject of very great disturbances, in the way of trade disputes, and is altogether 

 in a most unsatisfactory condition, so far as regards both the remuneration and 

 comfort of the workpeople. 



On the Nant-y-cjlo Coal-cutting Machine. By Dr. W. J. Clapp. 



Progress of the Through Itaihvay to India. 

 By Hyde Claeke, C.E., F.S.S., Corr. Mtm. Vienna Institution of Engineers. 



In continuation of last year's Report it was stated that in European Turkey 341 

 miles are open from Sarem Bey to Philipopoli, and Adrianople to Constantinople, 

 witli a sea branch to Dedeh-Aghadj, in the archipelago. Beyond Constantinople, 

 in Asiatic Turkey, the line is at work to Ismid. The only gap is now between the 

 Austrian railways and Sarem Bey. 



The .alternative line is open from Banyaluka to Doberlin in Bosnia, and from 

 Keupruly to Salonika. 



Iteference was made to the old Persian concessions having passed into the hands 

 of Baron de Beuter, and to the preparations being made for proceeding with the 

 Russian connecting section from Keslid, on the Caspian, to Teheran, 



On Brain's System of Alining by means of Bonng-mMchinery, Dynamite, and 

 Electric Blasting. By Samuel Davis. 



Further Results on the Worling of Locomotives with Heated Air and Steam. 



By R. Eaton. 



