414 Progress in Science. [July, 



in the lamp itself, so that it is completely independent of the external atmo- 

 sphere. A chamber of a capacity of not more than 36 cubic inches, is found 

 sufficiently large to contain a supply of air for twelve hours' use. The pro- 

 ducts of combustion are carried off and condensed by a bent or coiled tube 

 fixed at the top of the lamp. The patentee recommends that the air should 

 be compressed at the mouth of the pit, and that the condensation pipes should 

 be carried to the top of the shaft so as to avoid the retention of hot gases and 

 vapours in the mine. 



A form of rock-drill, known as the Power Jumper, has been patented by 

 Messrs. Brydon, Davidson, and Warrington. This drill is said to be re- 

 commended by its simplicity, lightness, and small size ; and may be worked 

 with a pressure of steam or compressed air of only 30 or 40 lbs. to the square 

 inch. 



Mr. Henry S. Poole, the new Inspector of Mines for Nova Scotia, has pre- 

 sented to the Commissioner of Public Works and Mines an excellent report 

 on " Mining in the Province." This report gives a very encouraging account 

 of the present position of coal-mining. 



An account of the mineral resources of India by so competent a geologist, 

 and one so well acquainted with the country, as Mr. W. T. Blanford, neces- 

 sarily commands attention. Mr. Blanford's paper, recently read before the 

 Society of Arts, does not, however, give a very brilliant view of the mineral 

 wealth of our Indian possessions. The ores of copper, lead, and silver, and 

 the deposits containing gold and diamonds, are really of but small value. 

 Tin-ore, on the contrary, occurs in valuable deposits in the Tenasserim pro- 

 vinces, and salt-mines of great importance are worked in the Punjab. Coal is 

 abundant within a certain area, but the quality is inferior. The deposits 

 of iron ore, however, are, according to Mr. Blanford, destined to be the 

 chief source of India's mineral wealth in the future : these ores, though 

 hitherto but little worked, are extremely plentiful, and in some cases are of 

 very high quality. 



A a recent meeting of the South Midland Institute of Mining Engineers, at 

 Wolverhampton, a paper on " Colliery Winding Engines " was read by Mr. 

 S. Watkins. After discussing the most important requirements of a colliery 

 engine, he advocated the use of the direct-acting horizontal engine, with link- 

 motion and reversing excentrics for valve-gearing 



Among the papers read at a recent meeting of the South Wales Institute of 

 Mining Engineers, we may mention one, by Mr. J. Snape, on the " Use of 

 Compressed Air Underground for Winding and Pumping." 



The Rev. H. Sandford has communicated to the South Staffordshire and 

 East Worcestershire Institute of Mining Engineers a paper on " Mines' 

 Schools in Germany," in which he describes the method of instruction pursued 

 in the schools at Saarbruck and Siegen, and compares it with the education 

 given in this country. 



METALLURGY. 



During the past quarter the Iron and Steel Institute has held its Annual 

 General Meeting. Mr. Bessemer, the retiring President, has been succeeded 

 by Mr. I. Lowthian Bell, who took occasion, in his presidential address, to 

 lay before the Institute a masterly review of the present position of the iron 

 and steel manufactures of this country. It is pleasing to remark that Mr. 

 Bessemer has liberally placed in the hands of the Council a sum of money for 

 the purpose of founding a gold medal to be awarded annually for the pro- 

 motion of metallurgical science, either by original research or by literary 

 work. 



Among the communications presented to the Institute at this meeting, we 

 may call especial attention to Dr. C. W. Siemens's paper on the " Manufacture 

 of Iron and Steel by the Direct Process." The iron and steel produced by 

 this direct process are said to be of very high quality, and this in spite of the 

 presence of prejudicial ingredients in the raw materials. 



