1855.] 



MISCELLANEA 



413 



Silvered Forcelaiu Reflectors. 



A new kind of reflector for lights -was brouglit before the notice of 

 the members of the Institution of Civil Engineers, on the 20th ult. It 

 ■was composed of silvered porcelain, and appeared to possess a very- 

 brilliant polish, which was stated to be indestructible. Hitherto re- 

 flectors of small sizes only had been produced, but by means now 

 adopted it was expected that they could be made as large as 21 inches 

 in diameter over the mouth. If this manufacture was brought to the 

 perfection that was anticipated, a great economy would result, as the 

 silvered copper reflectors at present used were very expensive origin- 

 ally, were liable to oxidation, and were frequently injured by the care 

 of the attendants in rubbing them to keep the reflecting surfaces 

 bright. The new Porcelain Reflector had been transmitted by the 

 Hon. IMajor Fitzmaurice to Captain Washington, E.N., by whomitwas 

 introduced to the notice of the meeting. 



TJio Cauailian JTojuiial.— Close of tlie Series. 



The present number brings the first Series of the Canadian Journal 

 to a close. When, in August, 1852, the Council of the Institute ven- 

 tured to risk the publication of an expensive monthly periodical, the 

 Society did not embrace more than one hundred and fifty members. 

 The Journal was " designed to afford a Canadian medium of communica- 

 tion between all engaged or interested in Scientific or Industrial 

 pursuits, to assist and elevate the labours of the Mechanic, to aiford 

 information to the Manufacturer, and to administer to the wants of 

 that rapidly-increasing class in British America, who are desirous of 

 becoming acquainted with the most recent inventions and improvements 

 in the Arts, and those Scientific changes and discoveries which are in 

 progress throughout the world."* 



The vapid increase in the number of the Members of the Institute, 

 and the consequent speedy exhaustion of the present edition of the 

 Journal, already increased from 500 copies monthly in 1852 and 1853, 

 to 750 copies monthly in 1854 and 1855, has forced upon the Council 

 the necessity of either reprinting the earlier Volumes, or issuing an 

 enlarged edition of a New Series. The latter course has, for various 

 reasons, been adopted, and with it such changes in the form, issue, 

 and general objects of the Journal, as have seemed to the Council most 

 in accordance with the present position and enccTuraging prospects of 

 the Institute. The plan of the New Series will be found in the Annual 

 Report for 1855, page 399 of this Volume. 



The subjoined statement of the expenses incident to the publication 

 of the Journal during the past year, and the receipts accruing from the 

 sale of the monthly issues during the same period, will not be found 

 uninteresting to those who gave timely and generous assistance and 

 encouragement during the critical period of the first few months of its 

 existence. 

 Total Expense of the Publication of the Canadian Journal 



for 18.55 



Distributed to members, 508 copies monthly, 



estimated at 12s. 6d. per annum £317 



Subscribers to Journal, not members of the 



Institute, 46 copies at 15s 34 10 



Distributed to Canadian Literary Societies on 



account of Government, GO copies at 15s. 45 

 Donations and Exchanges, foreign and Cana- 

 dian, 43 copies, estimated at IDs 21 10 



.£380 3 



10 



418 10 



Balance in favor of the Journal, for 1855 £37 9 9 



Saw-mill Machinekt. — The cut of an ordinary saw-mill being 

 exactly vertical, and the teeth following one another in one line, a con- 

 siderable power would appear to be expended in pulverising the saw- 

 dust already cut. In this machine this waste of power is obviated by 

 a motion similar to that given by a man's arm in a saw-pit, and the 

 saw is retired from the wood in the np-stroke. There is said to be a 

 large saving of power by this alteration. 



DooES, Windows, Blinds, &c. — These are remarkable specimens 

 for quality and cheapness. The doors are pannelled and with moulded 

 jambs. The windows are not hung with lines, but open and shut with 

 a catch, and the degree of light may be regulated in the blinds. The 

 makers will execute orders at Montreal at the following prices : — Door 

 and framing complete for 19 francs. The window, 9 francs ; tha 

 blinds, at 9 francs each. They are made by machinery. 



Heat Producer. — An apparatus for producing heat by friction. A 

 wooden cone wound round with hemp revolves inside a polished brass 

 cone in the centre of a boiler ; a slight pressure on the end of the 

 wooden cone ensures its being kept tight inside the brass one, and the 

 hemp being kept profusely lubricated prevents its becoming charred. 

 With 20 square feet of rubbing surface, and a speed of GOO revolutions 

 of the cone per minute, it is said to be capable of evaporating GO lb. 

 of water in an hour. This apparatus solves the converse of the problem 

 accomplished by the steam-engine, that is, the power being given it 

 produces heat. 



Items lu the Paris ExlUbltion. 



BcsT Reducino Lathe. — A lathe for copying and reducing irregular 

 surfaces, which is extensively used in the United States for turning 

 gunstocks, boot lasts, &c. The lathe exhibited is shown as executing a 

 reduced bust of the Empress in marble, in which it seems to perform 

 perfectly. A modification of the same machine is shown, reducing 

 medallions in a similar manner. 



* S« Proapectoi. 



Yield of the Copper Mines for 1S55. 



The total yield of the various mines for the present year was as 

 follows : — 



Ontonagon District. 



Toss. 



Minnesota 1035 



Norwich 200 



Rockland 170 



National 30 



Forest. 100 



Nebraska 20 



Windsor 38 



Toltec 85 



Total from the Ontonagon District 2,170 



Portage Lake District. 



Tons. Toss 



Toss 



Adventure 80 



Ohio T. Rock 15 



Aztec 10 



Ohio „ 5 



Merchants' 3 



Ridge 37 



D. Houton 30 



Quincy 10 



Pewabic 17* 



IsleRoyale 245 



Portage 48 



Huron 10 



Albion 15 



Total from Portage Lake District 445i 



Keweenaw Point District. 



Toss 



Summit 4 



Star 5 



Central 48 



Eagle river 3 



Fulton 2 



Toss. 



Cliflr Mine 1600 



N. American 250 



Copper Falls 90 



N. Western 90 



N. West li^5 



Phoenix 5 



Native 2 



Total from Keweenaw Point District 2,234 



Recapitulation. To.is. 



Ontonagon District 2,176 



Portage Lake do 325 



Keweenaw do 2,234 



Total 4,845 



The value of copper on the wharves on Lake Superior is $440 per 

 ton; totjil products §2,000,000. The gain in shipments this year over 

 1854 is 2,000 tons. The French Government have had a commission 

 examining the Lake Superior mines, in consequence of their supplies 

 b ing cut off from Russia, the result of which is that Aracricnn copper 

 wa-s found to be far superior to the English and fully equal to the 

 Russian. It is used in the nmnufncturo of ordnance, and no incon- 

 siderable quantities arc consumed in the manufacture of jewelry, 

 percussion caps, and a great variety of other articles. The superior 

 tenacity of American copper is a very strong recommen<Iatioa in its 

 favour. 



