ov. 23, 1888.] 



SCIENTIFIC NEWS. 



543 



■ behaviour of the weather plants in the Society's 

 lens varied at one and the same time, according to 

 special conditions under which they were growing. 



iverpool Astronomical Society. — At the meeting 

 I on November 12th, Mr. W. H. Davies, F.R.A.S., in 

 chair, the Secretary read a paper on " The Limits of 

 Stellar Universe," by Mr. W. H. S. Monck, M.A., 

 A.S., which excited a very interesting discussion, 

 ■aper on " Micrometrical Measures of 200 Double 

 s," by Mr. Kenneth J. Tarrant, was next read. A 

 t interesting report, by Mr. W. F. Denning, 

 A.S., on "Observations of Jupiter during opposition 

 887-8," was also read. 



RECENT INVENTIONS. 



e following list has been compiled especially for the Scientific 

 s by Messrs. "W. P. Thompson and Boult, Patent Agents, of 

 High Holborn, London, W.C.; Newcastle Chambers, Angel 

 Nottingham ; Ducie Buildings, Bank Street, Manchester ; 

 1, Lord Street, Liverpool. 



dndensing Gases. — Mr. D. Herman has patented 

 ensers or towers, for condensing acid and corrosive 

 s. It consists essentially in constructing the con- 

 ers of a series of glass pipes carried by bearers, each 

 having at one end an external flange, and at the 

 r an internal flange, the whole being placed in a 

 .ble casing. The ends of the pipes having internal 

 ;es are made of less diameter than the ends having 

 rnal flanges, so that the pipes may be fitted one 

 in the other. 



jbmarine Cables. — Mr. R. Haddan has patented 

 is for the insulation of submarine telegraph cables 

 ather electrical conductors on behalf of Herr E. G. 

 witz. The invention consists in covering the cable 



strips of tinfoil having on the side towards the 

 : a comparatively thick coating of powdered glass, 



on the tinfoil by a suitable adhesive substance, 

 layer is further covered with a layer of caoutchouc 

 ised in incombustible impregnated silk or other 

 rial according to requirements. 



5tons. — Mr. P. W. Williams has patented a piston 

 single acting vertical engines. The object is to 

 ly remove the fluid which condenses in the cylin- 

 The top of the piston is therefore made with an 

 led surface sloping downwards, so that the parts of 

 ■iston which are contiguous to the exhaust port are 

 Dwest, whether the port be in the cylinder or in the 

 n-rod. The result is that the fluid collecting on the 

 f the piston runs down to this point, and is blown 

 mmediately the exhaust port is opened. 



ring Jack. — Messrs. A. Coleman, H. F. Jackson, 

 i. L. Dudley have patented a spring jack for tele- 

 ic and other electrical purposes. The object is to 

 de means for ensuring proper electrical connections 

 een the spring slipper, in ordinarily constructed 

 g jacks, upon the removal of the plug, even though 

 pring may fail to bear properly on the slipper. This 

 tained by the provision of a secondary spring, which 

 ed at its forward end permanently in contact with 

 lipper, and, when the plug is not inserted within the 

 bears up at its hinder end against the under side of 

 nain spring. 



Electric Accumulators. — Mr. A. Stetson has patented 

 an electrical accumulator. A thin case of lead is formed, 

 into which is introduced the peroxide of lead or active 

 material. To allow access of the liquid in the battery 

 to the peroxide, the case has holes punched through it 

 and the peroxide. The puncturing is so done that small 

 pieces of lead will be partially detached and bent inward 

 to retain the peroxide in the case. On charging the 

 accumulator, these pieces of the lead case and the edges 

 around the holes will be converted into peroxide, so that 

 the case and the plate will be chemically united. 



Spinning Machines. — Messrs. H. Whitwam and H. 

 Taylor have patented a n.ethod of stepping spinning and 

 other machines. When this invention is applied to a 

 mule a band running the length of the machine is 

 employed and placed on the front of the carriage ; this 

 band is connected to and supports a piece of metal near 

 the " head-stock " of the mule. A slot is made in this 

 piece of metal, through which passes a wire running 

 alongside the head-stock and holding a lever which is 

 connected to the strap-guide which moves the strap from 

 the fast to the loose pulley, or vice versa, for stopping or 

 starting the machine. 



Trimming Specimens. — Mr. F. H. Butler has patented 

 an apparatus for cutting and trimming specimens of rocks 

 and minerals. It consists of a cast-iron base with a head- 

 stock at each end, connected by two rods with nuts at 

 their ends. One head-stock is grooved on its inner face 

 and perforated to receive spanner bolts to hold the cutter; 

 the other head-stock carries a screw with a lever through 

 its head. On the rods connecting the head-stocks is a 

 movable poppet head with the cutter, which is propelled 

 by the screw passing through the second head-stock. 

 For cutting large stones two or more screws may be 

 used, working simultaneously by means of cogwheels. 



Electrical Currents. — Mr. W. H. Douglas has 

 patented a meter for measuring electrical currents. It 

 consists in creating heat in proportion to the current by 

 resistance in the coil, and placing in near proximity 

 thereto a thermometer which will, by indicating the 

 temperature, show the intensity of the current, the 

 normal temperature of the atmosphere being indicated 

 by another thermometer, so that the difference between 

 the registration of the movements of the two ther- 

 mometers will indicate the intensity of the current. To 

 obtain a permanent registration a strip of paper is em- 

 ployed which is moved by a motor upon which the 

 hands of the thermometers are made to leave a record. 



Chlorine. — Messrs. L. Mond and G. Eschellmann 

 have patented a process for the manufacture of chlorine 

 from hydrochloric acid or ammonium chloride by means 

 of magnesia, and its object is to prevent the retrograde 

 formation of hydrochloric acid. For this purpose a 

 certain amount of a fixed alkaline chloride is mixed with 

 the magnesia before it is treated with hydrochloric acid. 

 The quantity requisite is about 5 to 10 per cent, of the 

 magnesia. If the magnesia be then treated with hydro- 

 chloric acid, magnesium chloride, steam, and ammonia 

 gas are formed. This chloride is then treated to set free 

 all the chlorine, in such a manner that by employing the 

 mixed magnesia and alkaline chloride, no wateris absorbed 

 by it, all the chlorine is obtained as such, and free from 

 hydrochloric acid. 



