404 Chronicles of Science. [J^y, 



designed by M. J. Larmanjat, and was first carried out by him in a 

 short trial line, constructed between Eaincy and Montfermeil in the 

 summer of 1868. According to M. Larmanjat's system, the tram- 

 way is constructed with a single central rail, and along a good road 

 this constitutes the whole of the permanent way. The locomotive 

 employed to haul the trains has four wheels, the two driving wheels, 

 placed on either side, resting on the ordinary surface of the road, 

 and a leading and trailing wheel, having grooved peripheries, and 

 which are situated on the centre line of the machine, bearing upon 

 the central rail. The carriages have also four wheels, arranged in a 

 similar manner, but whilst in the engine the greater weight rests 

 on the side driving wheels, in the case of the carriages the adjust- 

 ment of the springs is such that the chief weight rests upon the 

 wheels running on the central rail, the other wheels merely serving 

 to steady the vehicle. 



Wire Tramway. — Another improved method of cheap tramway 

 construction is found in Hodgson's Wire Tramway system, a specimen 

 of which, five miles in length, has recently been constructed in the 

 immediate vicinity of Brighton. One respect in which this differs 

 from other tramway projects is its unfitness for passenger traffic, it 

 being principally applicable for the conveyance of mining produce 

 and goods generally. Hitherto it has mostly been employed by the 

 French beet-root growers to carry the roots from the field to the 

 storehouses. This tramway consists of a strong iron wire, running 

 over rollers supported on posts, having brackets extending on either 

 side. The greatest length to which one rope line is usually applied 

 is five miles, and a succession of such lengths would be required for 

 any greater distance. At each end of the line is placed a horizontal 

 wheel, around which the rope turns, and at one end is placed an 

 engine for giving motion to the wire. The truck employed consists 

 of a kind of shallow box without a lid, suspended from the wire by 

 means of a bent arm, so arranged that the saddle which rests on 

 the wire is immediately over the centre of the truck. The rope 

 being put in motion, these trucks are caused to run upon it, and are 

 carried forward with it. Where a long line is required, suitable 

 arrangements are made by which the trucks run from one wire on 

 to the next, and so on. 



Meetings of Societies. 



Institution of Civil Engineers. — Space will not admit of more 

 than a passing remark on the most important papers read at this 

 Institution. On 8th March, Mr. D. M. Fox read a " Description of 

 the Line and Works of the San Paulo Kailway in the Empire of 

 Brazil." The line is 88 miles in length, and was constructed at a 

 total aggregate cost of 1,861,667/. It runs over low swampy 



