1879*] 
British Association. 
697 
English engineers and men of science set themselves to 
work to discover and apply new processes for the production 
and manufacture of this most wonderful metal ; and in the 
whole history of metallurgy, from the time of Tubal Cain 
downwards, there has been no such progress in invention 
and manufacture as has been realised by the aid of such 
men as Mushet, Krupp, Bessemer, Siemens, Whitworth, 
Martin, Vickers, Bell, Bauschinger, Styffe, and many others 
within the last forty years. 
An important paper was read by Captain Bedford Pirn, 
“ On the proposed Canal across the Isthmus of Panama.” 
He estimated that the canal would not cost more than ten 
millions. 
A paper “ On Leon Francq’s Fireless Locomotive ” was 
read by M. C. Bergeron. The idea of such a locomotive 
was originated at the time of the horse plague in New 
Orleans, in 1872. After the Franco-German war M. Francq, 
who was connected with the Paris tramways, gave his 
attention to discovering a motive power for his tram-cars. 
The objeCt he had in view was in obtaining such heat from 
water as would supply the motive power he needed. The 
engine in question was the result of his investigations. It 
had a large cylindrical reservoir, surmounted by a steel 
dome, two cylinders aCting with piston rods, and a crank 
carrying two driving wheels, which were connected with 
other two wheels. The reservoir holds more than 
700 gallons of water, heated to such an extent as to 
produce a pressure of 224 lbs. to the square inch. It was 
claimed for the new engines that they were very economical 
in every respeCt. It was pointed out that the engine would 
be especially useful on the Metropolitan lines, as it neither 
gave off smoke nor deleterious gases. In a few weeks an 
engine of this character will be used on the tramway at 
Leeds and another at Liverpool Docks. 
At the concluding General Meeting of the Association 
it was announced that the Meeting in 1880 will be held at 
Swansea, the President-EleCt being Prof. Ramsav, LL.D., 
F.R.S. 
