250 Chronicles oj Science. [April, 



It is proposed to convert all the existing 32-pounder guns in the 

 service into 64-pounders, upon Major Palliser's principle. It is 

 reported that the converted Sneider rifles have not given satisfaction, 

 owing to the imperfect style of workmanship in their conversion. 

 There have recently been extensive trials of breech-loading guns, 

 both in Vienna and in America, with a view to obtaining the best 

 pattern gun ; and similar trials will shortly take place in this 

 country. An English gunmaker has just contracted with the 

 French government for the manufacture of a considerable number 

 of the Chassepot gun, and the Whitworth Company are making 

 upwards of 200 lathes for a private firm in Paris, who have con- 

 tracted to convert a large number of French rifles upon the same 

 system. 



The Mont Cenis tunnel has, during the past year, been ex- 

 tended 1,139 yards, making the aggregate distance pierced 7,083 

 yards ; the total distance remaining to be pierced is 6,493 yards. 



The fresh- water canal portion of the Suez Canal is now navi- 

 gable ; on 11th February a vessel from Siam, containing packages 

 for the Paris Exhibition, took that route; and on 17th February a 

 vessel of 80 tons, from Trieste, arrived in the Bed Sea, having 

 passed through Egypt by the Suez Canal. 



The first locomotive made in New South Wales was tested on 

 15th November last on the branch line between the Bedfem Bail- 

 way Station and Pyrmont. It is upwards of 70-horse power, and 

 is to be employed on the steep inclines or zigzags on the Great 

 Western Bauway. 



Very considerable works for the reclamation of land in Switzer- 

 land have been determined on in the neighbourhood of the Lakes 

 of Morat, Neuchatel, and Bienne. The total cost will be about 

 300,000/., and the value of the lands will be increased 626,382/. ; 

 the total extent to be reclaimed amounts to nearly 50,000 acres. 



Mr. James Parker, a gentleman residing near London, has lately 

 introduced a system of working engines by mixed steam and air, 

 which he applied to the propulsion of a small road locomotive some 

 time ago, and more recently for propelling a small vessel on the 

 Thames. The results of these experiments were very satisfactory, 

 and the subject has recently attracted no little attention. 



Amongst the numerous treatises which come before the public 

 every year, none perhaps aim at higher ends, or achieve more gene- 

 ral good than those which treat science in a popular manner, with- 

 out making scientific truths too subservient to the popular tastes. 

 In the category of such works may be included the three series of 

 " Useful Information for Engineers," which have lately emanated 

 from the pen of Mr. William Fairbairn. The third series of this 

 very useful little work has but recently seen the light ; it consists 

 of a reprint of six lectures, some of which have been published and 



