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likely "pale lacquer," or lacquer with a slight tinge of blue in it.-NUN. DOR.

[52811.]-Empire Work.-Presumably the gilt was laid on either by the oil or water process: but it would be necessary to examine the work to state positively.-E. J. T.

[52815.]-Sunsets.-I think the stars are much too small (I mean their images in the telescope) to be affected by the refraction produced by volcanic or other dust in the earth's atmosphere.-STENO. [52824.]-Curing Albatross Skins.-These must be cured in just the same way as other skins, either by the alum process or the arsenical soap treatment. The question has been frequently answered; the difficulty, if there is any, does not lie in the recipe, but in the skill with which it is applied.-TAXIDERMIST.

[52826.]-Cleaning Binding Screws.-You can clean by putting them into dipping acid, or by means of bath brick, washleather, and brushes, plus elbow grease. The parts would not get very foul if you cleaned up as a laboratory assistant ought to do.-NUN. DOR.

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[52834.]-Damp Schoolroom.-It would need an examination to determine the best method; and in this case there is no reason assigned for the dampness." As a rule, free ventilation is safest method in cases of dampness.-S. R.

[52956.]-Dyeing Furs.-All I can tell "J. C." about dyeing furs is, that he will never obtain any useful information on the subject, except by the one mode of paying for it. Fur dealers and dyers are pounds is no uncommon price to pay for a recipe, most jealous and exclusive. Three or four hundred and I do not suppose that the celebrated seal dye (the best, for there are several) could be obtained for as many thousands. These secrets are the capital and stock-in-trade of the dyers. Seals, for instance, come from America here in the raw state; are brought here by Americans, dressed and dyed taxed with a 30 per cent. duty, and all this ruinous here, and then reimported into America, though expense because they cannot be got up over there in the same style. Similarly, white foxes were, a few years ago, sent in thousands to Lyons to be dyed black; raccoons still go in large numbers to Germany for black dye; and skins of all sorts have been going in hundreds of thousands, for the last three years or so, to two or three dyers in Paris, for the celebrated French brown, which cannot yet be exactly equalled by the London dyers. I mention these facts to show "J. C.," that when a good dye will enable a man to draw customers from all quarters of the globe, at a cost of a halfpenny or penny per skin for freight and insurance, he is not likely to get much useful information for the asking.

-FUR MERCHANT.

my

[52966.]-Spring.-I suppose I must have been
insufficiently explicit; otherwise some of your
readers, workers in spring steel," would have
answered my question on p. 505. I want to replace
blower by the means of a spring; what strength
of steel should I require to equal the force of a
man, and what length should I require to continue
the same for two hours? In what compass could I
place the spring? Spiral, not a helix.-E. M. B.
[52982.1-Gramme Dynamo.-I am not sur-

[52837.]-Storage Battery.-Mr. Smith will find several storage batteries in back numbers; but how is he going to "store" the battery ?-E. G. [52842.]-Water Engine.-"J. H." asks how he shall alter his steam-engine to a water-engine but, of course, gives no indication of the size of valve and valve gear he has already, nor of the pressure of the water he is going to use. I notice these facts for the sake of pointing out that querists cannot expect answers to indefinite questions.prised at "D'Elgo" being perplexed at the difference

ESSAR.

[52848.]-Faulty Sewing Machine.-The missed stitch you speak of probably occurs from one of the following causes: either the needle or looper are not adjusted properly; or the check brush is not in the right condition or position; or the top tension is too slack. See that the needle comes within the 32nd of an inch from the looper, and that the needle eye is one-sixth of an inch below the point of the looper when the said point just arrives at the needle; also see that the check brush just touches the looper, so that the thread is only held by it long enough for the looper point to enter the next loop, and then to relieve the previous one.-J. I. S.

[52850.]-Silver Polisher's Lime.-Perhaps it is prepared chalk; or a mixture of whiting two parts, white oxide of tin one part, and calcined hartshorn one part. Lime is used for nickel, but for silver it is in the form of prepared chalk or whiting.-NUN. Dor.

of opinion expressed by S. Bottone and myself;
but I thought the mistake made by S. Bottone
would be sufficiently obvious to him, and that he
would wind on the size wire I advised him. I did
not say that you were to wind 4lb. of wire on A.;
in fact, it would be almost impossible to wind that
amount on so small an A. If you wind on six
layers very evenly of No. 20, you will get on about
241b. This amount on A will give a rise between
brushes of 2-6 ohms; to equal this you must wind
on magnets about 4lb. of No. 18. You say both
W. H. E" and S. Bottone agree as to the power
required to drive my dynamo; now this is not cor-
rect, S. Bottone giving double the power I said the
machine would absorb. I cannot positively say the
machine will not drive four 10-candle lamps; but I
know that when it had been running for about twenty
minutes you would smell the burning insulation.
It would run four 5-candle lamps for two hours or
more. There is no rule or formula for what you
require.-W. H. E., Coventry.

[52982.]-Gramme Dynamo.-The rule that [52851.] Question from Goodeve's the resistance of the field magnets and of the arma"Steam."-Cannot "D. S." work out the ques-ture should be about equal in circuit-wound mation from the rules given in the text?-ESSAR. [52854.) Rollers of Blowers. Perhaps "Bas:o" will explain what he means by his query

--X.

[52857.] Hygiene.-Are they not indicated in the syllabus If not, see Churchill's list, New Burlington-street, W.-SAN. INSP.

[52860.1-Steamproof Lining for Wooden

Chest.-Line it with lead.-ESSAR.

[52871.1-Rancid Tallow.-I think the querist may take it for granted that there is no known method of preventing the smelt in melting tallow. -F. J. C.

hoops cut out of a solid piece of rosewood 2 in.
thick and 11in. diameter, or less, according to size
of instrument required. The parchment may be
sewn on to a wire ring fitting outside of hoop, and
try and examine a good instrument for practical
But P. A. I." should
strained with the screws.
hints.-W. SAXON.

white pine 2in. wide, in. thick, and 39in. long,
[53010.]-Making Banjo.-Make a lath of
thin the ends for 3in. for overlap joint. Borrow a
piece of iron gaspipe 42in. long and 3in. internal
diameter, plug up one end of the pipe with clay or
end in the bottom of the grate or on the hearthstone,
a wad of wet rag, fix the pipe upright on plugged
put the lath into the pipe and fix it there, fill up
the pipe with water to cover the lath, then build a
minutes. Take out the lath and immediately bend
fire around the pipe and boil the lath fifteen
it while hot into the drum shape and tie the over-
lap joint with tape or soft string. When dry, glue
smooth on both sides, and 15in. wide. Soak it in
the joint, finish, and varnish. Get the vellum
water and stretch it on the drum by a circle of in.
wire, tightly fitting the drum. Turn up the loose
edge of the vellum, and over the double thickness
pass a tight hoop of thin brass fin. wide, and screw
down this hoop with the banjo shop screws. When
the vellum drives it will be found quite firm.-
ENQUIRER.

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[53024.]-Wimshurst's Influence Machine. narrow for the sectors. I am able to speak posiVery Much an Amateur will not find fin. too tively on the point because just now I am getting some fine results from 12in. discs. Each disc has broad at the wide end and fin. at the narrow end. 12 sectors; the sectors are 23in. long, and They are situated nearly in. from the edge of the disc. The system I follow is to sketch out a diagram of the completed plate. I then varnish (shellac) and dry the plates, then cut out enough tinfoil sectors. I place the varnished plate over my diagram, and stick the sectors by means of a little shellac varnish upon the plate in the position seen on the diagram. Having put on all the sectors, I place the plate on a turn-table, and add two rings of varnish, the one to cover the small end and the other the large end of the sectors. This makes the sectors rather more firm, and to a large extent checks the escape of the electricity from the ends of the sectors. 12in. plates so prepared, when used with properly-insulated Leyden jars of good size, will readily give 4in. length of spark with each two revolutions of the handle. ANOTHER AMATEUR.

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be true if they were set properly on the planing [53042.]-Lathe-Beds.-Lathe-beds would all machine and moderate cuts taken off. It is humbug" to talk of the bed shaking on the planer, and to say that it cannot be otherwise. Of course, it must shake if too heavy a cut is being taken, and if it has been strained in bolting down. Most lathe-bed castings come out more or less untrue, and it is the business of the machinist to make them true. But if they are hurried over at a low piecework price, chines of the class described is correct. But, they must be scamped, and in too many cases are judging by the illustration sent, I felt that the out of truth when they leave the shop, the pretty field-magnet iron was of a section too small in scraping (which costs next to nothing) notwithproportion to the size of the dynamo; hence the standing. Lathe-beds are untrue because, in the usual rule-viz., that the wire covering should first place they are not packed up properly on the equal the thickness of the iron, would give a re-planing-machine table before being bolted down, sistance too low in proportion to the full amount and, as a consequence, are strained downwards and of wire on the armature. Of course, if the amount pulled out of shape by the bolts, followed, as a sistance is also increased, but not to any useful on being released from the table. They are untrue of wire on the field magnet is increased, the re-matter-of-course, by a return to their original form purpose, since the diameter of core is such that it in the next place, because the cuts are taken with must be near its saturation point. On the other hand, the armature, if wound with less wire, would not be doing its full duty proportionate to its size. Hence my desire to know results. Perhaps the tentative method proposed by W. H. E." is the one which, under the circumstances, will find that the dynamo becomes highly magnetised give the best results. If, when completed, you and works very stiffly while running on a short circuit, while it gives little or no current if a

too coarse a feed; and a slight casting, unless well stayed, will yield somewhat to the tool. Three moderate cuts are better than two coarse ones. For small slide-rest castings there is no excuse whatever for inaccurate work; being small, they are rigid in themselves.-J. H.

[52873.]-Cough Cure.-At the risk of being sat on by Dr. Allinson, I here give "David" and others a cough cure that has stood the test of generations, and has cured three-fourths to whom it has been administered-whooping-cough included. In two-quart bottle (such as sweets are sold in wholesale) put one pint rectified spirits of wine resistance is in the way, you may be sure that the The simple batten joint is the one commonly

armature resistance is too great. Pray publish
results and oblige all.-S. BOTTONE.

(can be had of Gilbey's agents) and one pint cold
water: now add 4oz. oil of peppermint, oz. oil of
aniseed, oz. of opium in powder, oz. ipecacuanha [52985.]-New Synchronised Clock and
in powder, lb. of sulphate of potash in powder. Time Signals at the British Horological
Shake once a day for seven days; then add one Institute.-The clock is, as far as I can ascertain,
quart cold water, shake once a day for three days: an ordinary 18in. double dial, synchronised by the
then filter through blotting paper. Make the filtered Standard Time and Telephone Company's method
liquor into two quarts, with half cold water and half (Barraud and Lund's patent).
You could un-
spirits of wine rectified. Dose for adults, small doubtedly make the clock yourself, and the syn-
teaspoonful in wineglass of water; for 15 years chroniser can be obtained from the above company.
old, three-quarters teaspoonful; for 10 years, half-W. H. BALDWIN.
teaspoonful; for five years, 10 drops; and for [53006 AND 53018.]-Convergent Lenses for
from an infant to two years old, five drops-all to Polariscope.-"Emeritus" and "D. T. K." will
be given in cold water or a little tea. For bron- find a description of these lenses in Mr. Lewis
chitis.-In Soz. medicine bottle put loz. of above
mixture, loz. camphico (paregoric), oz. diluted
phosphoric acid, 10 drops tincture aconite, and if
attended with sore throat add 10 drops tincture
belladonna. Dose, one tablespoonful two or three
times daily in wineglassful of cold water for an
adult.-OSEALDESTON, Harrogate.

Wright's excellent treatise on Light," p. 517
(most of which first appeared in the columns of the
ENGLISH MECHANIC), or in Dr. Spottiswoode's
little book on
"Polarised Light," p. 102.
E. R. P.

[53010.]-Banjo Making. One of the best methods to make a drum for banjo is to have the

not be able to cast a bed straight from the two [53044.]-Lathe Matters.-The moulder will patterns unless they are joined. But a half-hour's work will suffice for all the jointing you require. adopted for temporary and makeshift jobs. In the case of your bed it simply means two rough batteus planed true on one face only, and, say, 2ft. long by 2in. by lin., screwed on the outsides of the bed (Fig. 1). Or, to prevent any overlapping of the butt joints, which are not united or assisted in any other way, it will be better, perhaps, to have two battens on each side, one near the top, the other near the bottom. The loose Vee-strips leave as they are to the moulder's care. The use of the batten is this: The moulder rams up the sand within the bed to the top, and outside the bed as high or a little higher than the battens, in sufficient quantity to maintain the bed rigidly in place without assistance from the battens. Then they are unscrewed, as no longer of service, their purpose having been fulfilled, and the ramming up is completed, sand occupying the space they had occupied. The various parts of the pattern are then withdrawn separately. In this way, and this way only, you can insure a straight bed with your butt jointed pattern.

Fig. 1.

electromotive force e is expressed in volts (1 volt
[53083.]-Battery Work.-Assuming that the
andr in ohms (1 ohm = 10' electro-magnetic units),
= 10 electro-maguet units), and the resistances R
1
then the current in ampères (1 ampère = electro-
10
magnetic unit), is or in electro-magnet units

e x 108

в

R+ r

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The work done by

10 R + r

(R+ r) × 109
a current the product of the current into the
electromotive force which drives it, or in this case
ergs per second, or
ex

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10 R + r

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10

1 9 x 10 kilogrammetres per

foot pounds per

This last expression may be reduced to horse-power by dividing by 550. Of this whole amount of work the fraction

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The pattern of the headstock in my sketch is ar- on another, being side by side-a space of, say, for a couple of p ence, and see how much it holds. ranged, as you say, for lifting sideways, and if your 10ft. intervening from centre of one cylinder to-Os. pattern is made like that sketch, it will mould in centre of the other cylinder, the cranks being at that way, and in no other possible fashion. I fail right angles one to the other. I do not mean to to see where your difficulty is, unless indeed you say that it is impossible to get good turning from have hollowed out your arms between the spindle a single engine, as many firms have adopted the bearings and back-gear bosses, as I imagine you tandem engine on account of want of space, and in must have done by your remark thereon at the close order to make the outlay, in the first instance, as of your query. In that case all you have to do is small as possible, and they claim to get satisfactory to make the overhanging portions loose. (Fig. 2.) turning; yet I believe that the extra expense enBut pray don't imagine that you are bound to tailed in putting a compound engine down, of the make a lathe head pattern to mould as I have type known as the compound engine with cranks at described. I described that (as I stated in my first right angles, will amply repay the owner, providing article on the lathe) as one only which might proper attention is paid to its construction. The be adopted, and I chose it as being the most con- first thing to be noticed is that the engine shall be venient for a small headstock. Moulding it no larger than required to turn the load with safety. 2nd, that the ratio of the cylinders, one to the other, shall be equal to the square root of the number of the expansions, the points of cut-off in each cylinder being also equal to the square root of the number of expansions, the cut-off in each cylinder taking second, place at the same point of the stroke, and a receiver of about five times the capacity of the low-pressure second. cylinder placed between the cylinders. I should strongly recommend "A Spinner" to put down a compound engine (or a pair as he names them) with the cranks at right angles one to the other, of the following dimensions, his boiler pressure being, as he states, 65lb. pressure, and should recommend the stroke to be 4ft. instead of 3ft. 6in., allowing a difference only of 5lb. between boiler pressure and initial pressure in h.p. cylinder, a result which certainly ought to be obtained:-Initial pressure in h.p. cylinder, 75lb. absolute; area of low-pressure cylinder, 1171-73 square inches; area of highpressure cylinder, 375-8 square inches; diameter of low-pressure cylinder, 38 in.; diameter of highpressure cylinder, 22in.; point of cut-off in each cylinder, 15.77in. travel of piston; number of expansions, 9.75; square root of number of expansions, 3.11; capacity of receiver, five times capacity of 1.p. cylinder; indicated horse-power, 250. I should also recommend the receiver to be steamjacketed, and placed, if possible, higher than the boilers, so that the water condensed in receiver can be returned back again to boilers, which is the most efficient way of steam jacketing, having a supply pipe direct from the boiler to the receiver, and the return pipe to boilers being carried inside the boiler to within 4in. of the flue crowns, placing a stop valve as near to the boiler as possible in each pipe, and a back-pressure valve on the return pipe, between boiler and receiver, to prevent water from boiler backing into receiver in case the supply pipe valve was closed before, or without the return pipe valve being closed. I am sure if "A Spinner' will adopt the foregoing remarks and examples when ordering his engine, he will get one of the most efficient and economical compound engine it the steam pipes and passages shall be made as large is possible to construct, providing he stipulates that as possible to admit of a free flow of the steam, in when the valve commences to open, and to get out order that the steam may be got in the cylinder, again immediately the exhaust opens. The above calculations are based on a terminal pressure in the low-pressure cylinder of half an atmosphere, and a vacuum of 131b., which ought to be obtained easily.-RIGHT ANGLES.

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thus, not a single piece was required loose; but had I made it to mould topside downwards, the bearing facings and their prints, the overhanging portions for the cap screws, and the boss for the back centre, would each have had to be skewered on-unnecessary work, all of it. But in large headstocks the pattern is not usually jointed, but moulded upside down-that is, with the bearings in the bottom of the mould. Then the arms for back gear are left loose and taken away in "drawbacks." But in those large castings the back gear lugs are not made the thickness of the end standards, but perhaps about half that thickness, and the remainder is made up with facings. Fig. 3 illustrates this: a is the actual lug thickness, and 6 is a thickness piece wired on, and which draws into the a space; c, the mandrel bearing facing, also wired on.-J. H.

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[53052.]-Light for Dark Room Windows. -Under the circumstances I should prefer for a permanent window in this case one sheet of flashed ruby," ground on the white side, and one sheet of deep pot-metal orange. For all practical purposes this would be thoroughly satisfactory.FINEM RESPICE.

[53057.]-Surveyor.-I know of two methods adopted. 1. For houses, calculate all the brickwork needed, and price out at the cost per rod. Multiply the sum thus gained by three. This will be the approximate cost. 2. Find the cubical contents of the building, measuring to the outside of walls, and price out at 4d., 44d., or 5d. per foot cube according to the class of work; materials, &c., to be used; 5d. is a very good average for well-built houses.-VITA.

[53075.1-Hot Pot.-Eating-house hot pots are generally but indifferent affairs; but if "M. I. K." wants to make a perfect hot pot let him proceed as follows:-Procure a lean, juicy leg of mutton, well hung, a fresh beef kidney, a plump, well kept grouse, a score of large oysters, a Spanish onion, and good potatoes ad lib." Cut the mutton into dice about an inch square, picking out every bit of fat and skin, also cut up the kidney, and half stew them in a closed mug. Stew the bone and the grouse down also for gravy. Take the hot-pot mug best of brown stoneware) and rub the inside well with a shallot; place therein first a layer of potato, then one of the semi-stewed meat, and fill up with alternate layers, imbedding the onion in the centre, finishing off with potatoes the size of pigeon's eggs, seasoning with salt and pepper as you go on; and sluice the whole well with the gravy from all the meat and bone, &c. Plenty of slop is necessary. Bake in a brisk oven, and when nearly done, take out, and open the oysters, and "dibble" them in with a knife, and pour in their liquor, and replace in oven for a quarter of an hour. Serve up with a clean napkin around the mug, and do not hesitate to invite princes and potentates to partake of it.

-HAMMER.

[53077.]-Engine Query.-It is a well-known fact, and will be admitted by almost everyone who has had experience in the matter, that those engines give the best turning that are so arranged, that the h.p. engine shall be on one bed, and the l.p. engine

and any other in the same predicament to do is to
[53081.]-Electrical.-The best thing for you
read up the subject a little in some of the ordinary
textbooks. About the next best thing is to put on
the shortest length of wire you have found effect-
ive, on a horse-shoe shape, lapping it, as you say,
so that one pole is N, and the other S. You will
find that the armature is most strongly attracted in
this way, bulk for bulk. The best wire to use is a
pretty thick one, about the size of common cord
twine. The ready-covered wire is just the same as
you buy uncovered, possibly purer.-DoN.

in the ordinary bell made to hang up one electro-
[53081.]-Electrical.-Concerning electric bells,
magnet will suffice, and that should not be placed
too near the centre of motion of the armature
the more power will it have over the spring; but
spring. The farther it is placed from that centre
of course the armature will move through a
smaller arc, so that both these matters must be
considered.
used, it should be wound to make the poles N. and
If a double or horseshoe magnet is
S. There are some bells mounted on a box, with
the magnet, &c., inside. In this form a double
magnet is a decided advantage, as the armature is
instead of in a line with it. I don't wish to lay
(or can be) placed at right-angles to the spring,
claim to much theoretical knowledge myself; but
the next part of the query shows a lamentable
ignorance of elementary magnetism. The arma-
ture is made of iron, and either N. or S. pole will
attract it equally. What the N. pole of a magnet
does repel is the same named pole of another-that
is, a magnet will attract the opposite poles of other
magnets, but repel like poles. Electrical wire is
very little more expensive than ordinary copper
wire; but I should not hesitate to use the latter if
I happened to have it. I think about No. 26 is
used on some bells which I have. Buy a bobbin

of heat per second.-X. N. X.

[53084.]-Electricity (Static).- Each of the charged bodies will induce upon the outer surface of the tin canister an equal quantity of electricity of the same kind as its own charge, and the result will not be altered if the charged body touch the inside the final charge of the canister is the algebraic sum of the canister, and so become discharged. Hence, of the charges of the separate bodies, and will be the same as if the charged bodies had been simply dropped into the canister. If a, a, as, as, &c., represent the charges of positive electricity, and b1, ba, ba, b, &c., those of negative electricity, the final charge will be Σ (a) - Σ (6).—X. N. X.

[53090.]-Bromide Dryplates.-I very much regret that, owing to my not keeping our paper, I am unable to refer to the reply quoted in this case, and I can therefore only infer that it refers to Dr. Eder's process where the nitrate of silver is precipitated and redissolved by the addition of ammonia before emulsifying. If so, extra-sensitiveness is to be gained by keeping the emulsion (after mixing) in the hot-water bath at 93deg. F. a longer time, be used, trying each batch a little longer in a tenor heating it a little hotter; but great caution must tative way, because fog is easily induced. I never rous oxalate developer, but always got them with succeeded in getting very rapid pictures with feralkaline pyro. Has the querist seen my reply on page 506, July 26th, 1878, No. 696, and also those in Nos. 704, 707, 724, 728, 729, and 730? They would probably give him all he wants. If not, write again.-FINEM RESPICE.

answering this query. The method is a very good
[53091.1-Magnetic Machine.-Excuse my
one, and is employed at the Arsenal, Woolwich.
But there, I believe, the magnets are fixed on a
broad leather band passing over two rollers.-D
AND W.

not mention how many 15 or 20 c.p. lights you wish
[53095.]-Dynamo.-To S. BOTTONE.-You do
to place on the machine. If you will tell me this
in your next letter, I will draw you out a complete
specification for such a machine. I must warn you
that the machine which I am at present describing
as it gets so hot after 20 minutes' run as to en-
in the "E. M." is not fitted for continuous work,
danger the insulation.
adopted for continued work.-S. BOTTONE.

Another form must be

am afraid your steel is of poor quality, or else you [53097.]-Hardening Steel-Faced Dies.-I have made it too hot. I should myself heat them to a bright cherry red; have ready some clean water take one by the tongs, steel downwards, and plunge with a little salt added; when the dies are hot enough into the water about an inch, gradually lowering them. By this means the water is constantly changed at the surface of the die, and consequently chills it more effectually.-G. L. SCOTT.

dies will not harden is that a film of steam separates [53097.]-Hardening Dies.-The reason your the hot steel from the cold water. You should stand a barrel or tub, say, 5ft. or more from the ground, make a hole, say, lin. diameter, near the bottom, fit a bung loosely in the hole, then bore a hole through centre of bung, put the end of a piece of string through it, and tie a knot; fill the tub with water, and ascertain the exact spot where the cataract strikes the ground and "mark the spot." Re-fill your tub, make the die red not white-hot, stand the die in the place marked; get behind some shelter

and pull the string. The steel, if not burnt, will be "dead hard." Do not let anyone hover over it while hardening, as the steel face suddenly expands on being chilled, and if the welding is imperfect may be projected with some force. The quantity of water, height of waterfall, and size of hole, will vary with the weight and size of steel. Try it on the die before heating it, and form an opinion; be sure to have enough water and sufficient fall to harden the first time, and throw away those you

have made white-hot.-GAMMA.

[53097.]-Hardening Steel-faced Dies.Hardening steel is about the easiest thing in the world to accomplish if the correct method is adopted; but there is such a thing as making the steel too hot, in which case it won't harden at all. I have seen it laying at the bottom of the water surrounded by a thin layer of steam absolutely refusing to cool-that is, for a certain length of time. The best heat and fire to use is an ordinary clean

;

tool from the tap, soften it, and chase it up with and, therefore, makes contact with the iron. To
the screw-tool, and all the irregularities of the ascertain this, attach one end of the wire to one
thread, which cannot be avoided in the first in-pole of a battery; connect the other pole of the
stance, will be corrected." The writer also adds: battery with one binding-screw of a galvanometer:
"I have seen this method of obtaining left-handed attach a piece of wire to the other binding-screw of
screws with right-handed dies performed several the galvauometer, and touch the armature at any
times, and always with success."-T. R. SAXTON. part of the iron. If the insulation is imperfect the
be possible to mix it with gas-tar, and
[53107.]-Sawdust from Mill.-Would not it galvanometer needle will indicate this by an un-
mistakable "kick," in which case you must un-
press it up
into cubes? It will make very good fuel, and wind, find the grazed place, cover carefully with
should think would pay its expenses. It might be paraffined darning-cotton and rewind, having
mixed with slack.-Os.
previously wrapped a layer of paraffined paper
round the web and sides of the armature.-S.
BOTTONE.

[53109.]-Soldering Labels into Switch
Cards.-The only difficulty I see in this, if I under-
bar hot first before commencing to solder on the
stand the query rightly, is in getting the one inch
wires. If you can do this, there is no difficulty in
soldering them with ordinary copper bit, and killed
spirits of salts and tinman's solder.-G. L. SCOTT.
[53110.]-Glazed Clay Pipes.-These are
usually glazed whilst they are being burnt by
throwing salt on to the fire. The salt is volatilised
and combines with the silicate of the clay.-D.
AND W.

[53116]-Telescope.-I purchased the finder of which is 1 in. diameter, at the sale of his effects the late Mr. Henley's telescope, the object-glass of last year, and I have since had the same adjusted to take various astronomical eyepieces. I looked at "Jupiter" on Friday evening, the 29th ult., the coke fire. A coke fire is much about the same temdate of your last issue, through my 120 perature throughout, and it does not cake like coal, power, and saw the planet about this size, and there is no smoke or flame to interfere with with three moons on the right and the operations; it should be tolerably well raked out at other on his left; and upon referring to the bottom. Into this fire put your steel, and when Whitaker's Almanack I found the planet hot plunge into a pail of water, and if your dies [53111.]-Wax and Parchment Paper.and his moons exactly described. I quite too hard to use. To temper them, polish on an oil-front of a hot fire to glaze it. See back numbers, planets appear like balls of fire, and I understand have not been previously spoiled, they will be much Make your wax paper with solid paraffin; hold it in agree with "Longnorth " with regard to focussing Venus and Mars. In my instrument both these stone to get a bright surface, and lay them on a last volume, for paraffin paper. The parchment that they are very severe tests for a small instrularge piece of red-hot iron till they change colour, paper is made by soaking Swedish filtering paper in ment. However, I have come to the conclusion then into the water again. If you just get them a sulphuric acid of a certain strength. I can't lay that the telescope possessed by the querist is one of pale straw colour you will find them still very hard. my hand on the recipe at the present moment.-Os."little worth."-J. G. Anything harder than this will probably smash up but you need not temper them if you don't like.- [53112.]-Violin.-What the querist means is Os. called purfling. It consists of three pieces of will advertise his address, I will give him full par[53117.]-Hand-Lever Tricycle.-If "Friend" different coloured wood joined together as veneer, the two outer ones dark. It is cut into long slips and sold ready for insertion in the groove made round the borders. This is managed as follows:-The exact width of the purfling should be measured, and two lines scratched round, the distance apart that the purfling is thick; it may be done with two similar pieces of metal filed to size, care being taken not to tear up the grain while proceeding. These lines will only be used as guides for the knife, whose point will require nicely sharpening. It should be held rather upright, but firmly gripped by the hand, and gently run round deeper by degrees. The wood should be routed out from the groove by a small bradawl, or something similar, care being taken not to bruise the walls. It will not be necessary to make the groove quite as

[53101.]-Cleansing Violin Bows from Resin-Methylated spirit of wine, to be obtained

of the chemist or oilman.-Os.

[53101.]-Violin Bow.-A small portion of turpentine will remove the rosin from the stick; but be very careful that you do not allow any of it to come in contact with the hair. There is nothing safer than soap-and-water for cleaning the hair of violin bows. The best plan to adopt in cleaning the stick is first to remove the hair from it; then you will be enabled to do so without danger of getting the turpentine on any part of the hair. If the stick is dull, you can apply a little varnish to it before you replace the hair. In future, do not use so much rosin as will canse it to get on the stick, and be careful what kind of rosin you use, and clean the hair of your bow occasionally with clean soap-and-water, and also be very careful not to handle it with greasy fingers, and use as little rosin as possible. G. FRYER.

[53102.]-Harmonium. - Without seeing the harmonium in question, it is little better than guesswork to reply. The reeds, perhaps, are not screwed carefully on the pan, which may cause the vibrators to catch against the sides of the reed apertures, and so cause a rattling when the reeds are subjected to a high pressure, and if the vibrators in any way touch the sides of the blocks, it would cause the notes to rattle (or "jingle," as the querist terms it), even if the pressure of air is ever so slight. The sluggishness of speech in the lowest notes may be due to wrong setting of the vibrators; perhaps they are too high or not high enough, or maybe you have not sufficient wind at your command for those heavy notes. If this reply does not benefit you, write again with more particulars.-G. FRYER.

[53105.]-Cutting Left-hand Thread with Right-hand Tools. This can be done by starting and finishing the thread from left to right, instead of from right to left.-G. L. SCOTT.

[53105.]-Cutting Left-hand Thread with Right-hand Tool.-No difficulty in this. With the lathe turning as usual, the tool is moved from to right for a left-hand screw. From a neglect of right to left for a right-hand screw, and from left this important precaution, the first screw I ever chased was a left-handed one. That is now many years since, and I was rather puzzled at the time as to why it would not fit. It is only the bare edges of the tool that need be used, and it will not make

much difference in the screw.-Os.

ticulars where he can get one for about £12, suitable for the person he speaks of.-TURNER.

[53117.1 Hand-Lever Tricycle. A case came under my notice of a man who met with an accident which deprived him for life of the use of his legs. A hand-lever tricycle was procured for him, and I have often seen him getting about the streets working and steering it with the greatest ease. I do not know the cost of the machine; but if "A Friend" will advertise his address; I will inquire and put him in communication with the maker.-T. R. SAXTON.

[53121.]-Weight of Flywheel.-There is no actual power in a flywheel; therefore, if you put on a wheel heavier than is necessary for the proper working of the engine, you must lose instead of gain.-G. L. SCOTT.

[53122.]-Street Coil-You have a cord or wire to join up the handles. Where this cord is fastened to the handles it, or they, are oxidised or way the current passes, and in some other certain dirty. way the current won't pass. Get new cords, clean out the terminal screws with a smooth rat-tail file, and use a little emery-paper on the handles, if necessary. See that all connections are clean and bright. Try this, and report progress.-Os.

When the handles are held in a certain

deep as the purfling usually sold. When placed
in it may project slightly above the groove to allow
of fining down a little. Round the larger curves
the purfling will bed well in without further
attention; but for the smaller ones heating by the
middle curve should be done first by placing a little
Italian iron will be necessary for good work. The
glue in the groove and placing the purfling in
immediately and pressing down with the polished
end of the handle of almost any small tool. The
ends must previously be cut carefully off for the
mitring at the corners. When the whole of the
purpling has been neatly placed in all round the
will clear off the projecting part above the groove,
violin on both sides and dried, a gouge run round
and give it a neat appearance. It will be seen now
inserted, this being a part of the work on the violin
better whether the purfling has been neatly
which helps to give what is called character.-swered for five weeks are inserted in this list, and if still

JAMES H. ANDREW.

[53114.]-Blow-off Taps.-I don't know much about these; but it strikes me that there is dirt in your water, and that it gets into the taps.-Os.

UNANSWERED QUERIES.

The numbers and titles of queries which remain unanunanswered are repeated four weeks afterwards. We trust our readers will look over the list and send what information they can for the benefit of their fellow contributors, Since our last, W. J. Grey has replied to 52521, 52531. 52561. Waterproof, 374. 52557. Ornamental Steelwork, p. 374. 52562. Terracotta, 374. 52565. Spectroscope, 374.

[53114.]-Blow-off Taps.-The water used by
"A Reader" probably contains sediment of a very
fine gritty, cutting nature, which cuts or scores the
faces of taps when opened, and afterwards allows a 52573.
leakage under pressure, the leakage being tempo- 52575.
at rest. Probably the metal of taps is soft, and 52799.
rarily stopped by the accumulation of deposit when 52576.
easily scored. I have known cast-iron taps used in 52803.
similar cases to advantage; but the only tap
(which I know) which insures freedom from trouble 52810.
in this direction is Dewrance's asbestos packed
taps. Some may say, Use the tap less; but my
advice is, use taps daily, even at the cost of new
taps, or a heavier cost may be the result.-Bos-

[53106.]-Cutting Left-hand Thread with WELL.
Right-hand Tool.-I have copied the following
exactly as it appeared in the Mechanics' Magazine the two wires from commutator plates, and connect
[53115.]-Siemens Armature. - Disconnect
of November 22nd, 1823. "To cut a left-hand
thread you must be possessed of a set of right-hand one end of A. wire to one end of battery wire, and
dies and taps. By placing one of the right-handed with the other end of battery wire scrape along A.;
dies in the stock, and on the other side a blank of if you get a spark there is a short circuit, and A.
lead, you fix the tap to be cut left-handed in the the same manner; see that the plates are not in
must be re-wound. Test commutator plates in
vice, putting the right-handed tap against the
right-handed die, and against the blank tap, which contact with each other.-W. H. E., Coventry.
comes on the blank die; then by turning the
stock round the same as when tapping a screw,
you will produce marks sufficiently deep on the
blank tap as to be able to follow it up in the lathe.
By this means you will obtain a master tap
with a left-handed screw, from which you can
make dies and screw-tools at pleasure. It is neces-
sary first (to make a perfect tap, either right or
left-handed) to harden it; then making a screw-

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[53115.]-Siemens Armature.-What do you mean? If the Siemens armature is to be of any use as such, it must be of soft iron. and, consequently, will retain very little magnetism when the current is broken. During the passage of the current it should evince powerful magnetism if the wire is properly insulated. In all probability the covering of the wire has been cut at some point while winding round the sharp corners of the web,

52805.

52818.

52822.

Dimensions of Boiler Plates, 374.
Grease, 374.
Microscope Eyepiece, p. 459.
Boat Cloths, 374.
Tuning Forks, 459.
Weber's Wave Canal, 459.
Jam, 459.
Clamp Bricks, 459.

52825.

Links in Locomotive History, 459.

Regulating and Dividing Current, 459.

52831.

Reagent, 459.

52838.

Eyelets, 460.

52839.

Raising Water, 460.

52841.

Piggott's Battery, 460.

52852.

52856.

52858.

Freehold, 460.

Peach Leaves as a Substitute for Hops, 460.

Calico Printing, 460.

52861.

Halse Galvanic Battery, 460.

52866.

Mosquito, 460.

THE Swedish frigate Vanadis has been despatched on a voyage of scientific investigation round the world. The main object of the voyage is the collection of ethnographical specimens for the museum to be established in Stockholm. The scientific leader of the expedition is Dr. Hjalman Stolpe, and the second son of the King, Prince Oscar, goes with him. The Straits of Magellan and Polynesia will be the stations claiming most attention. The University of Upsala has contributed £200 for the purchase of specimens.

QUERIES.

[53126.)-Magneto-Electric Machine.-I must thank Mr. Bottone for his reply to my query in last week's issue. The wire is not broken at any point, and the insulation and split ring of commutator is perfect, as I proved with a battery and galvanometer. Therefore, I think the fault must be in magnet, which will not sustain 1lb. weight. How can I magnetise it? I have coppercovered wire and battery. Isn't it rather awkward, on account of the form of magnet?-which is a ring, the poles being cut out to allow armature to revolve between them. The brushes press continuously, as Mr. Bottone suggests; and when the circuit is made through a galvanometer (home-made), the needle is deflected several degrees. I should also like some information with respect to "interrupter," and the exact time of the revolution of armature when the brushes should make contact with commutator.-W. H. H.

Edmunds' deserted post, and give us an occasional letter on medical subjects like those capital letters he contributed some time since G. R.

[53137.]-Planing Machine Bed.-Would any reader kindly inform me what should be the proportions (depth, width, and thickness of casting) for a planing machine bed 3ft. 6in. long! Also whether the pattern of bed should be cored out, or made to shape of casting AMATEUR,

brake pipe has been carried to the leading end of several [53139.]-G.W.R.-I have lately noticed that the of the G.W. passenger engines. Can Mr. Stretton inform me if this company intend fitting it to all their engines ?-T. M. R.

(53139.]-G.W.R.-Will "Meteor" inform me how many engines there are in the 1000 class, particulars of which he gave some time back? Do the dimensions there given also apply to the 1116-1133 class ?-T. M. R.

[53140.]-Froment's Motor.-Would some one kindly explain now the circuit is made and broken in Froment's motor, with illustration, if possible?-IRISH. tell me the approximate E.M.F. and internal resistance 153141.]-To S. Hargreaves.-Would you kindly of a granule carbon cell containing two quarts? Also the time that the battery will last without recharging

IRISH.

-

[53142.] Midland Railway. Did engines, stationed at Leeds, work the newspaper express (5.15 a.m. from London) through from Leeds to Carlisle, due there at 1.45 p.m., and return with 5.30 p.m. ex Carlisle due at Leeds at 8.50 p.m., when the Settle and Carlisle line was opened for passenger traffic on May 1st, 1876? If not, when did Leeds engines first work these trains. and how were these trains worked between Leeds and Carlisle when the line was opened ?-Avox.

[53127.)-Gas-Engines -At the factory where I am employed we have a 3-h. p. gas-engine, firing the compressed charge at every alternate stroke, if required. On first putting the engine down, we found it caused the gaslight in the factory, and also in the town, to jump occasionally, but regularly. This we attributed to the engine, on taking gas, reducing the pressure in the mains (which are small), and were advised to have a checkvalve put in; but we did not. In looking for a cause, and experimenting to find a remedy, we filled the engine gas bag, and then shut off gas at meter, and find the gases jump just the same as when the connections from engine to main are open. I must say that the engine is worked through a separate meter and service pipe to the ordinary lights, though both join the same main in the street about 50 or 60ft. from meter, and about 14 or 16ft. apart where they join the main. Can any of your readers say the cause, and suggest a remedy -J. I. S. 53129.]-Bee-keeping. As I intend commencing in the season, I wish for the following information: How to make comb or working foundation. As I can only afford a small outlay, I want to know if I could add (to a small colony) brood comb, or buy a 1lb. swarm, and [53144.]-Curious Instrument. -I have in my trust to the bees making a queen out of the brood comb; possession a flat brass instrument, 3in. diam., with a susor get a hybrid queen in April or May. I have a cata-pending eye on the upper edge. On one side are a pair logue by me, the proprietors of which sell swarms by the of hands. The upper half of the instrument is divided pound-also brood comb at 1s. 6d. per lb. What is the into degrees; the lower with curved radial lines. Langstroth hive and its advantages? A list of bee the other side is a revolving pair of sights, with the cir flowers would oblige. I want to know the cheapest way cumference divided into degrees and minutes, &c. Can to commence. I want to add to a very small income. any of your obliging correspondents inform me the use ECONOMIST. of the instrument -H. G. COOMBS.

[53129.1-To Coppersmiths.-I have to make a globular dish of copper in two hemispheres, each to have a 4 in. wrought flange at bottom for connecting to the other, and to be each constructed of four sheets, each sheet tapering to, and meeting in, a point in crown of hemisphere. The edge of sheets, of course, must be so curved that, when they are put together, they may-as nearly as possib'e--form a perfect hemisphere; and what I want to find out is, how to curve them to attain this result. Of course, I know that by making scale drawing of globular dish, and marking off set distances along the circumference, which distances also mark off on centre line of sheet, and then marking off the breadth, each sheet will require to be at that point by calculating circumference from diameter and dividing it by the number of sheets, you can-after a manner-trace out sweep of curve. But this method is rather a slow and cumbersome one; and unless done very carefully, not very exact; and I would like to find out if there is any simpler and surer way of drawing them out.-COPPER

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(53131.1-Dumb-belis.-I am a tall, thin, flatchested clerk, and wish to try to develop my chest and shoulders. Not having time enough to attend a gymnasium, I should be obliged if some of your readers would kindly advise me what to do. I have been told that dumb bells are suitable. If so, I should like to know what weight they should be? Also how, when, and how Jong I ought to practise? I am 18 years old, 5ft. 11in. high in stocking feet, measure 334in, round the chest, and weigh 10st. 21b. in my clothes. Would some one kindly say what the chest should measure in proportion to the height and oblige.-Tuos. W. SMITH,

[53143.]-Contraction of Brass Castings.-If I make a pattern a foot long, and have it cast in brass, what will be the exact length of the casting if a straight article, and if other shapes, and what percentage will different forms contract in cooling ?-WAVE.

On

half of the combined focal length of lenses: that is to say, eye lens 2in., field lens 25; distance between lenses in eyepiece about 2. Is this the rule? I want to make an eyepiece, and shall be glad of the information. Have searched back numbers in vain.-CORNWALL.

[53154.]-To "Historian."-Have any experiments been made of heating the feed-water in locos, with a portion of the exhaust? I know about the Metropolitan coudensing arrangement.-Le BŒUF.

lished any statement as to the saving in coal consump [53155.-L.N.W. Locos.-Has Mr. Webb yet pubtion, or other advantages, of the new compounds? Experiment was said to be saving 8lb. of fuel per train mile. Have any better results been obtained with the new engines ?-W. THOMPSON.

[3158.1-G.W.R. Tanks.-Which are the heaviest class of these engines, and what is their weight, and length of frame ?-LE BŒUF.

[53157.]-Volts and E.M.F.-To" ELECTRICIAN, Dublin."-Will you kindly explain what is meant by the term currents of about 100 volts," as used in your letter (52914) ?-VOLTA SUBITO.

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[53158.)-Limekilns.-I wish to build a limekiln on some improved and economical system, capacity to manufacture, say, 25 tons of lime for building purposes per day of 24 hours. Will some reader inform me how to build the kiln, and supply a sketch or drawing? Coal to be used for burning stone.-ALPHA.

(53159.]-Binding Screw.-What is the best varnish for binding screws of battery plates? They corrode from the salt or acid, and are difficult to clean.-R. HANNEN.

[53160.)-Resistance.-I have a wire 22 B.W.G., 30 yards long. What length of 32 B. W.G. would have the same resistance, other things being equal ?-R. HANNEN.

[53161.]-Wash for Outside of House.-Will some correspondent kindly tell me what is the best material (and how to mix the same) for a durable wash for the outside of a house! Whitewash is too glaring, besides being so easily stained. I see some houses which, when done, look as if freshly cemented. What are they done with ?-ACTONIAN.

[53182.]-Red-hot Wire.-I should be very glad to know if a steel wire, 3in. long by 2-10in. diam., can be made red-hot by an electric current. What kind of battery? How the wire is to be mounted, so that one end may be raised to put a hollow cylinder on, and when hot enough, to readily take it off? If the hot wire may be hinged at one end, the other only to rest on a metallic board, about 8 by 6in. The wire would be wanted only Trays-pillar. I should like this to be mounted on a stand or

[58163.1-Restoring Gloss to Japanese Table.

[53145.1-Worn Papier Mache have one of those dishes made of compressed paper, and from which the composition or paint with which it is blood-red hot.-X. covered is coming off. leaving the paper bare, I have painted it several times with ordinary white lead; but in a short time it comes off. Will some one kindly-Can any of our readers tell me how to restore the gloss let me know what kind of paint to use, that will harden, to a Japanese worktable, with gilt figures on it? Should so as to resist boiling water, as it formerly did! it be revarnished, and if so, with what sort of varnish, HOUSEKEEPER. and how laid on ?-R. E. C.

[53146.]-Measuring Wind Current.-Will any reader kindly oblige with the name of an instrument for measuring the quantity of air passing through a pipe. and say where it can be procured, and give particulars of construction? How many cubic feet of air will pass through a pipe lin. in diameter in a wind travelling at a speed of 30 miles an hour, with the pipe exactly facing the wind. To what extent would a funnel-shaped head of any given diameter influence the quantity of air pas sing-A. P. A.

[53147.]-Deck Varnish.-What is the best thing to put on yellow pine decks to preserve them through the winter? Would linseed oil be better than varnish, and would it be possible to get the decks white after oiling? Also, what will dissolve marine glue ?-WHITE DECK. [53148.1-Colouring Rockwork.-Will some of your readers kindly tell me the simplest method of colouring rockwork for a fernery? It must stand moisture, and not wash off. The rockwork consists of coke, bricks, flowerpots, &c., fastened to a wall with Portland cement.-LINCOLN'S INN.

[53149.]-Planing Machine.-On referring to the drawings of a planing machine in the ENGLISH MECHANIC for Oct. 15, 1869, by J. K. P.," I cannot quite see how the sliding rest always remains parallel to the bed if it does not work in V slides up and down the standards, which the drawing does not appear to indicate. Are the two downright screws sufficient for this purpose? If "J. K. P." will kindly set the matter right, I shall be very much obliged to him.-E.

[53132.]-Earthshine on the Moon.-During [53150.1-Thomas Sewing Machine.-Will any the last lunation, when the moon was between two or brother reader inform me what is the cause of machine three days old, the earthshine was very visible; but breaking thread, and suggest a remedy for same? It around the margin of the part of the moon illuminated works all right with that exception.-ONE IN A FIX. by the earthshine there was a line of light brighter and [53151.]-Grating in Musical Boxes.-Will any more distinct than the other portion. Can any of our brother reader kindly instruct me how to cure a whist scientific friends say what the cause of this was?-ling and grating noise heard in large musical boxes when MOONGAZER. playing the comb being in tune, but accompanied with a rough grating noise.-ONE IN A FIX.

153133.1-Blast Furnace.-Can any reader tell me what the brilliant sparks which rise from very hard iron as it runs from the furnace are composed of? They are are not seen when the iron is at all grey. What is the fusing point of silica and of peroxide of iron as existing in argillaceous ores! Also of silicates, as in forge and and mill cinders -J. E. H.

a

[53134.]—Adjusting Headstock.-I am m king 4in. screw-cutting lathe, and I should like the opinion of some of your re-ders as regards the system adopted in tool shops of adjusting the headstocks.-Dip. [53135.]-Aviary.-Will some reader kindly suggest to me the cheapest means of warming a very thick-walled room (5 x 68ft.), which has no fireplace; proposed to be used as an aviary for several kinds of the smaller British birds, and state the lowest temperature (Fahr.) at which, consistently with the welfare of the inmates, the room may be kept 1-C. W.

[53136.1-Medical.-To MR. ALLINSON, "L.R.C.P.," &e-Will you kindly give me a remedy for an inflamed throat? Also would be glad of a good liver tonic? I and many other readers wish you would step into Dr.

[53152.] Fuel Consumption in Different Locos.-Will some of your readers kindly give the following information-viz., What is the average amount of coal consumed per mile by the following engines in running the fastest trains?-stating which trains, their weight, and the kind of coal used. 1. M.R. (a) The 6ft. Sin. 4-coupled bogie engines like 1657. (b) The new 71t. 4-coupled bogies (if they are yet out).-2. L. and N.W.R. (a) Mr. Webb's compounds. (8) 7ft. 6in. singles, Lady of the Lake class. (c) The 6ft. 6in. 4-coupled Precedent class. 3. G.W.H. (a) The N.G. 7ft. singles like No. 1000. (b) The B.G. 8ft. singles. (Please give heating and grate surfaces of these.) 4. G.N.R. (a) The Sft. singles. (b) The 4-coupled 6ft. 7in. 5. L.B & S.C. The 4-coupled leaders and drivers 6ft. 6in., like the Gladstone. 6. G.E.R. The 7ft. 6in. singles like 245 and 609. 7. L. & S.W.R (a) The 4-coupled 6ft. 6in. bogies. (b) The 7ft. 4-coupled bogies.-LE BEUF.

[53164.]-S.W. Locos.-Can" Clyde," "Meteor," or some other locomotive correspondents of ours," give cos. No. 10, 11, 13, 63, 71, 72, 78, 80, 84, 97, 95, 113, the names and dates of the following South-Western 115, 122, 222. Also numbers of R. H. Dutton, Electra, Cupia, Ariadne, and Dragon.-LITTLE JOHN.

inform me how this defect in my chronometer can be [53165.]-Faulty Chronometer.-Will Mr. Crisp remedied! I fear some injury has befallen it since it was last cleaned. I find it loses time very much-sometimes one or two minutes a day; and apparently it seems to stop and pick the seconds hand up again. The balance appears to be swinging; but its beat stops, and cannot be heard. I have had it some years in my observatory. and it has never served me such tricks before, although the same country watchmaker has twice cleaned it. It is a long way from London. If Mr. Crisp can offer or sugges a remedy, he will confer a great favour on aCOUNTRY PARSON.

[53166.1-Dynamo.-I have lately seen a dynamo in which the armature appeared to be very good and simple, and one which an amateur could attempt. It appeared to be made of a number of sheet-iron washers or discs about 6in. diameter, with alternate equal spaces cut out of wire were then wound around this ring, fitting into the of the outside of same-perhaps a dozen grooves. Coils grooves outside, and coming level with each other inside. This was all I could ascertain about it; but I thought it ought to work well and very cool, and I almost decided to make one with 3in. or 4in. armature; but before doing so would like to have the opinion of some of our readers, and would like to know who is the inventor. The armsture appears to be modification of both the Gramme and De Meritens rings, except that the latter is made in sections insulated from each other.--BOBBIN.

[53167.]-Lamp Burners.-I should like to know the comparative illuminating power, with same oil, of three burners now commonly seen in the shop windowsviz., Duplex, Silber, and Kosmos (No. 14). The Duplex is generally thought to give the most powerful light, but only at the expense of more oil than the Argand pattern. As these lamps are sold everywhere, I hope this query will not be considered an advertisement.-GUIDO.

[53168.]-Automatic Blower. While speaking with a blacksmith the other week, he told me that about twenty years ago he got a job in a small smithy where the fire was blown with air from an arrangement of two barrels with water off the main of the town. The inlet and outlet for the water was in the one barrel, and the other seemed to be the air reservoir. There was no mechanism to be seen outside, it being all inside, and worked automatically. All he had to do when he wanted the fire blown was to pull a handle, which opened a cock between the air reservoir and the fire. He could not tell me how the valves were made to work inside; and as I would like to know, I would be mach obliged if some of your readers who may know something of such an arrangement would let me know, and if not asking too much, with sketch.--VULCAN.

[53153.]-Eyepiece. In making up eyepiece for micro. and telescope, what is the principle followed? I [68169.-Iron Roof.-I have built a shop with roof find, on examining both a microscope and telescope, the of corrugated iron, the sheets simply laid on rafters and distance between the eye lens and field lens just one-fixed down. During this cold weather it sweats so much

that drops of water are falling from it. more or less, all day long, rusting everything about. I am told to line the inside with felt and boarding. Would this cure it. and which would be the better way to do it-the felt and boards put inside the rafters close up to the iron, or fixed to the bottom edge of rafters, so leaving a clear space the depth of rafters -NEMO.

[53170.]-Boiler for Model Locomotive.-Will any kind reader assist me in the above! I want to know full length, diameter, size of firebox, diam. and number of tubes, what metal will be the best, and what strength it ought to be! I have got my cylinders made, which are 1n. bore by 3in. stroke. A small sketch of boiler will greatly oblige.-N.

[53171.]-Water Motors.-Would some of " Ours who have had experience with water motors kindly tell me what quantity of water per minute, with a head of 200ft., would be required to give 10-h.p. Also say whether a water engine requires the same quantity of water when running empty as when loaded.-J. H. WARD.

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[53183.]-Abel's Fuses.-Will some reader kindly tell me how to make the above, and oblige ?—VOLT. Stone" for his valuable remarks, and quite agree with 153184.]-Soap Making.-Much obliged to "London him that small soap factories do not, and could not, pay, as a rule, where the competition of extensive ones has to be met. Would "London Stone," or somebody who knows, say whether there is a better way of raising tallow (melted) and leys from the ground floor to the soap pans, situated at a height of some 40ft., than by pumping. Steam pumping is troublesome: there are so many cocks to be opened and shut, besides the danger of ripes getting choked. Also a scientific definition of the cleans ing properties of soap-Why does it cleanse 1-would oblige.-PHILO

[53185.]-Bank of England Clerkships.-Could you inform me on what subjects candidates for appointment to the Bank of England are examined, and where past examination papers may be obtained ?-GEORGE.

[53186.]-Prussian Blue.-Is this largely used in the arts, and if so, what is its principal application? [53172.1-Peculiar Clock.-Passing through Hack-pletely swamp the market at home and abroad? Would Would a production of, say, 200 tons per week comney, I saw a clock without hands. The means of telling a reduction in price be likely to stimulate the demand time were two openings: one had number of minutes on to any considerable extent -FERRO. a strip of paper, another hours; and at intervals of one minute the paper changed. Thus-at, say, 20 minutes past 6 the 19 passed away and 20 followed into place of

19, as

20

Minutes
past

6

I am very desirous of making clock similar (as doubtless
many other readers) to above, but have not the least idea
how to set about it. I presume it works by electricity;
and I shall be greatly obliged if any of our friends will

oblige with instructions, with drawings of the same.
Also if it can be put up in shop -ALREADY OBLIGATED.
[53173.1-Sewing-machine.-I recently came into
possession of a strong hand sewing-machine by Jones and
Co.
It is in perfect order, apparently. Under thread is
worked by a rotating hook, which I do not know how to
thread in such a way as to make it catch in stitch from
needle.-ALPHA.

on

If

[53174.]- Transposing Tunes Organ Barrel.-I was much pleased with "A. S. L.'s description for orguinette music cutting. He says it is easy to transpose tunes from the ordinary music books to suit the notes in an orguinette. I have had many tunes done by a musical shoemaker, and they are quite accurate; but he reckons it very clever work. "A. S. L." would show how it is done, I should, for one, feel obliged, and no doubt many others.-PROGRESS. [53175.]-Dynamo.-To MR. S. R. BOTTONE.-I have made the dynamo you have described with the exception of wiring. Would you kindly give instructions how the incandescent lamps are connected to the wire ! Also size of wires used-if covered with cotton or guttapercha! intend working it by power. Would you let me know the speed it must not exceed? Also if it will supply more than one lamp? How many c.p. is an ordinary No. 4 gas burner equal to, or what size of a lamp ought I to get to equal a No. 4 Bray's gas burner ?-W. W. W.

[53176.]-How to Season Timber Quickly.The last storm has blown down a large apple tree, which I have cut into planks of Sin. I want to cut it into boards in. thick, but fear it will warp. How can I make it fit for cutting into boards in two months. I have oiled the ends of the planks to prevent cracking. I have a copper boiler over which I could steam it. Is there not a process called kyanising, by which wood can be made fit for working in a short time, instead of keeping a year to dry ?-W. F.

[53177.1-Tangent Galvanometer.-Will some

one tell me the correct way to calculate the strength of a current with the above 1-PRACTICAL.

[53178.]-Granule Cell.-What is about the internal resistance of this cell when newly charged, and how can

it be measured ?-PRACTICAL.

53179.]-Ohm's Law.-Will some one explain if the cut given in both Ferguson and Guthrie, of a number of cells coupled up in threes, is correct? If you take any one of the threes, they are working as three cells, not as one with plates trebled ?-PRACTICAL.

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[53187.]-Ornamental Turning Slide-rest.To J. H. EVANS.-On the 13th January, 1882, Mr. J: H. Evans promised to give drawings and description of the latest slide-rest for ornament turning with slide 18in. long, &c. I have been anxiously waiting for these to appear, as I intend to make one as soon as I can get the full details. Cannot Mr. Evans oblige ornamental turners with the promised details ?-TRAVERSING MAN

DBEL.

(53188.)-Legal.-I am threatened with an action by
parties owning property adjoining my steam brewery to
compel me to stop the noise and vibration caused by the
machinery of the same. It has been in work 12 years
without previous complaint. Can they compel me to
stop it?-VIBRATION.

give me instructions for making a drying box forgelatine
[53189.]-Drying Box.-Will any reader kindly
dry plates !-G. JUDD.

[53190.]-Chinese Serpents Eggs.-Can any of
our chemical friends oblige me with recipe how to make
the above the cheap kind, as sold by toy dealers? They
are white, about size of a pea. There is a recipe in back
vol.; but I think there is another method, as according
to that recipe, they could not be sold for three in box for
id.. as they are now. Can any one oblige -W. JONES.
[53191.-Centrifugal Pump.-Will any kind
give me a sketch of the inside of a centrifugal
pump, and formula for finding dimensions of parts! If
of one in actual use, or the space that should be left
formula cannot be given, should be glad of dimensions
between the fan and case of a 975in. pump lifting 20ft.
running 35-76ft. per second, lifting 4,000 cubic feet per

reader

minute.-DILPE.

wanting cylinder. Could any one oblige by telling me
[53192.-Watchmaking.-I have a Geneva watch
how to put one in! How to get height, and height of
hairspring and balance, &c. 1-8. R. M.

[53193.)-Ornamental Turning.-I should be
glad if any one would give sketch to scale of the double
used by Evans and Holtzapffel for their best lathes, as I
frame of mahogany for iron bed 3ft. 6in. to 4ft. 6in. long
wish to make one, and should like to have one of best
design for the purpose.-TRAVERSING MANDREL.

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Utilising Tidal Power.-What the Times calls a new departure in methods of utilising tidal power,' has been recently devised by Mr. C. M. Walker, and has been shown in model form. The arrangement consists of a series of tanks connected with each other by tubing. In practice an airtight tank would be constructed at about the level of low water, and fitted with a valve so arranged that its contents could escape at dead low water. This tank has a vertical supply pipe, which starts from inside near the bottom, and, passing through the top, rises in the river to near the top of the tide, where it is open. From the top of this tank starts another vertical pipe, which reaches nearly to the top of the inside of a second airtight tank placed above it, and at a point just below the level of high water. This second tank is again connected, by a pipe starting from near its bottom, with a third or reservoir tank, the vertical distance between the tanks being rather less than the rise of the tide. Other tanks may be added so as to obtain the required head or fall of water. The operation would be as follows:-All the tanks being empty at starting, the water at high tide would flow into the lowest tank through the vertical supply pipe, filling it and the tank next above it. As the tide receded the second tank would be left full, but the contents of the lower tank would flow out and be replaced by air, and as the tide rose again the outlet valve would be closed. At high tide water would again flow down the supply pipe into the lowest tank, where it would compress the contained air, which would be forced up the tube into the second tank, driving its contents into the third tank or reservoir, the second tank becoming again filled with water, and so left by the tide. Thus, the operation being repeated at every tide, a body of water would each time be lifted a stage, and the [53181.]-Organ.-Can any of "ours" oblige with top tank of the series would by this means be resketches and description of a set of three double-action plenished at regular interval with water available composition pedals for the Great manual of an old instrument where stop-knobs are arranged vertically for giving motion to electric light or machinery. Conversely, this ingenious invention is applicable to the discharge of towns sewage at any required level, without the aid of pumping machinery, as was also demonstrated by the inventor-at least so says the Times.

[53180.]-Dynamo.-To MR. S. BOTTONE.-I making a dynamo by your instructions, and have got all done to your instructions, and the lenses of field-magnets Brunswick blacked; but I have not coated the parts to which the armature bearings are clamped. Please say if they should be done, and if the bearings should be insulated from the field-magnets. Referring to paragraph 32 of your instructions respecting wire, I note the quality is of utmost importance. Will you, therefore, kindly inform me how I can insure getting new wire, and of the highest conductivity and also inform me, as an amateur, how I am to know that I am being supplied with the best article? Should it be double covered and paraffined I have a Rhumkorf's induction coil giving a fin. spark; and I specially wish your advice as to whether the dynamo can be safely used for the coil in place of a battery? Would it in any way whatever injure the coil when driven at its full speed? Would the speed have to be reduced, or what arrangements would be necessary AMATEUR ELECTRICIAN.

MARCH.

[58182.]-Dynamo. To MR. 8. R. BOTTONE.— Please say if your dynamo would give as good results if constructed to rotate by means of a small lathe instead of a bracket and flywheel ?-G. B.

other

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CORRECT Solutions to 878 and 874 by C. S. Bright, Genoa,
NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.
and J. B. of Boxford; to 874 by Dicky Sam; to 875
by R. A. Bennett.

J. C. P.-White can't force the mate if Black play for
his second move K takes Kt. See solution above.
DICKY SAM.-You are right about 872.

F. O'N. HOPKINS.-Thanks for the problems. In the Game Correspondence Tourney, which is now concluded, Mr. Mainwaring has won the second prize (£1), and Mr. Blake the third (108.).

THE following gentlemen have joined the new Tourney: J. Russell, W. Nash, F. A. Vincent, J. Pierce, H. B. Reyno'ds, G. H. Mainwaring, J. Clothier, Rev. J. T. C. Chatto, C. H. Johns, Leslie, Ladlaw, R. Gosling, J. Bourn, and W. H. Blythe. Those who have not paid their subscriptions are requested to do so. Play will begin at once; and we hope this Tourney will be as great a success as the last.

"E. M." Tourney Correspondence Game between Messrs. G. H. Mainwaring (White) and F. A. Vincent (Black) :—

(Irregular opening.)

1. P-Q B 4, P-K 3/2. P-K 3, Kt-K B 3/3. Kt-K B 3, P-Q4/4. P-Q4, B-K 2 5. Kt-Q B 3, Castles/6. B-Q3, PQ Kt 3/7. P takes P, P takes P (a) 8. Kt-K 5 (b), B-Kt 2 (c)/9. PQ Kt 3 (d), P-B 4/10. Castles,

Kt-K 5/11. B-Kt_2, P-K B 3, 12. Kt-K B3 (e), P-B4 P takes B, Kt takes Kt/16. B takes K (9), B-R 3 (), 17. (f) 13. Kt-K 5, B-K B 3/14. P-B 3, B takes Kt 15. P-B 4, QQ 2/ 18. R-B 2, B takes B/19. Q takes B, Kt-B 3/20. R-Q sq, QR-Q sq/21. KR-Q 2, Q-K 3/22. Q-K 2, R-B 2/23. P-KR 3, K R-Q 2/ 24. P-K Kt 4, P-Kt 3/25. P-Kt5 (i), K-Kt 2/26. PKR 4. PKR 3 P-Q5 (k)/39. P takes Q P, P takes QP) 81. B-Kt 2, 27. Q-Kt 2, P-KR 4/28. P-Q R 3, K.B 2 29. P-Kt 4, P-Q6 32. Q-B 3, Q-B 5/33. K-B 2 (m), Kt-K 2 (n) / 34. R-Q 8 sq. Q-Kt 4/35. P-K 6 (ch), K takes P 36. R-K sq (ch), K-B 2/37. Q-K 3, Q-B 5/38. Q-K 5, R-K Kt sq/ 39. R K 3, Q-B 2/40. Q-K6 (ch), K-B sq/41. B-K B 6, takes P (ch)/42. K Kt 2, Q-B 2 (0) 43. R (Q 2) takes P, R takes R/44. B takes Kt (ch) (p), K-Kt 2 / 45. B-B (ch), K-R 2 46. R takes B, Q-B 7 (ch) 47. K Kt 8q, R-Kt 2 (2) 148. Q-Q Kt 3, Q takes Q/49. R takes Q, R-Q 2/50. R-K 3, K-Kt sq 51. R-K 7, R takes R 52. B takes R (r), K-B 2/53. B-Q 6, K-K 3/54. B-Kt 8. P-R 3/ 55. P-R 4, K-Q 4156. K-B 2, P-Kt 4/57. P takes P. P K-B 6/61. K-Q 2, K-Q4/62. K-Q 3, K-K 4163. B-Q 4 takes P/ 58. K-K 3, K-B 5/59. B-Q 6, K-B 6/60. B B 5, (ch), K-B 5/64, B-B 3, K-Kt 5/65. B-K sq, K-B 6/66. K-Q 4, K-K 7 67. B-B 3, K-B6/68. K-K 5, K-Kt 5/69. B-K sq, P B 5/70. K-B 6 (8), Resigns.

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