132 REPORT — 1839. 



On Railway Foundations. By Thomas Parkin. 



The author, after noticing the various modes which have been 

 adopted for securing railway foundations, expresses his surprise that 

 ' concrete,' often proved to be very efficient for foundations of build- 

 ings, even in swampy ground, has scarcely been thought of for railways. 

 He gives an example where 500 yards of rails were laid down more 

 than two years ago on a colliery railway, in South Wales, where the 

 traffic is both heavy and great, and though in constant use ever since, 

 the level and gauge have remained perfect, and no expense has been 

 incurred in repairs. 



From this and other examples cited on the Southampton and Green- 

 wich Railways, Mr. Parkin recommends the use of continuous beams 

 of wood laid upon and imbedded in concrete, the surface up to the top 

 of the wood being covered with a cement made of boiled gas-tar, and 

 sand, about an inch thick. 



On the Evaporative Calorijic Powers of Fuel. By Dr. Ure. 



On methods adapted to increase the security and extend the advantages 

 upon Railroads. By W. J. Curtis. 



On a new method of forming Fuel. By Stephen Geary. 

 On a new Kitchen Range, with a Model. By Mr. King. 



On folding Plates in Books and Maps for the Pocket. 

 By John Isaac Hawkins. 



In folding plates in books or maps for the pocket, it is usual, first to 

 reduce the height of the plate or map by a few horizontal folds, so as 

 to correspond with the height of the book or of the pocket- case, and 

 then reduce the width by as many vertical folds as will bring it within 

 the width of the book or pocket-case. 



Mr. Hawkins's plan is, to reverse this order, and first to fold the 

 maps or plates in the width, usually the greater number of folds, laid 

 alternately forwards and backwards, and then to fold the length into 

 as few folds as convenient. 



By this plan of folding, the map or plate can be referred to in parts 

 conveniently, and the paper is not liable to be torn, advantages alto- 

 gether sacrificed by the ordinary process. 



