Scientific American, Vol. 17, No. 26 December 28, 1867 by Various

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[Illustration]

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN

A WEEKLY JOURNAL OF PRACTICAL INFORMATION, ART, SCIENCE, MECHANICS,
CHEMISTRY, AND MANUFACTURES.

NEW YORK, DECEMBER 28, 1867.

Vol. XVII.--No. 26. [NEW SERIES.]

$3 per Annum [IN ADVANCE.]

* * * * *

Contents: (Illustrated articles are marked with an asterisk.)

*Improvement in Hulling and Cleansing Hominy

Nitro Glycerin

*Hisert's Adjustable Cultivator Tooth

Remedy for Cold Feet in City Cars

Getting Your Money Back

Patent Claims

Pending Applications for Reissues

The Last Number of Volume XVII

Commencement of a New Volume

A Change at the Patent Office

Obituary

How to Make Intelligent Workmen--Go and Do Likewise

The SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN as a Medium of Business

*Hunt's Improved Steam Packing Piston

The Iron Clads at Sea

*Improvement in Hand Drills

*Improved Method of Securing Cutters on Boring Bars

Tides and Their Causes

The Great Hoosac Tunnel

Horse-hair Snakes--Wonderful Transformation

Man Proposes, but God Disposes

Extraordinary Effects of an Earthquake

Recent American and Foreign Patents

Answers to Correspondents

Business and Personal

Manufacturing, Mining, and Railroad Items

Patent Office Decision

* * * * *

Improvement in Hulling and Cleansing Hominy.

Many of our readers well remember when "hulled corn" was a standing
winter dish. This was corn or maize the kernels of which were denuded
of their "hulls" by the chemical action of alkalies, which, however,
impaired the sweetness of the food. Hominy is corn deprived of the
hulls by mechanical means leaving the corn with all its original flavor
unimpaired. Hominy is a favorite dish throughout the country, but is not
always entirely free from particles of the outer skin of the kernels.
The mill shown in perspective in the engraving is intended to obviate
this objection.

[Illustration: DONALDSON'S PATENT HOMINY MILL.]

The corn is placed in the hopper, A, from which it is fed to the hulling
cylinder contained in the case, B. The hulling machinery is driven by
a belt on the pulley, C, the other end of the shaft of which carries
a pinion which gives motion to the gear wheel, D. This, by means of a
pinion on the shaft of the blower, E, drives the fans of the blower. On
the other, or front end of the shaft which carries the gear, D, is a
bevel gear by which another bevel gear and worm is turned. The worm
rotates the worm gear, F, in two opposite arms of which are slots that
carry pins projecting inwards, which may be moved toward or away from
the center. This gear wheel turns free on the shaft that carries the
pulley, C, and is intended for opening, by means of the pins in the
arms and levers, a cover in the bottom of the hopper and a valve in the
bottom of the hulling cylinder. Coiled or bent springs return these
levers or valves to place when the pin which moves them has passed.

A wrist-pin on the gear, D, forms a crank which is connected to a bar
at the rear end of the sieves, G, pivoted to an arm at H, by which the
sieves have a shaking or reciprocating motion as the machine operates.
The blower drives out the hulls and the motion of the sieves with their
inclined position insure access of the air to every portion of the
hominy.

It will be noticed that the connection of all the parts is absolute. The
motion of the sieves, the speed of the blower, and the action of the
inlet hopper valve and the delivery hulling valve are always exactly
proportioned to the speed of the hulling cylinder, whether fast or slow.
The upper or feed valve opens upward and has a downward projecting lip
that shuts into a recess in its seat which insures security against
leakage from the hopper to the hulling cylinder during the intervals of
its being raised; a great advantage in hominy making, as no grain ought
to get into the batch until that in the cylinder is done.

Patented Oct. 15, 1867, by John Donaldson, who may be addressed for
further information at Rockford, Ill.

* * * * *

Nitro-Glycerin.

Professor Doremus of this city was called as a witness at the inquest
upon the bodies of the unfortunate persons killed by the recent
explosion at Bergen, N.J. The Professor having previously analyzed some
of the explosive mixture, testified as follows:--"I have subjected it
to chemical analysis, and find it to correspond to the formula C_{6},
H_{3}, O_{3}, and NO_{5}; it is well made nitro-glycerin; the substance
freezes at about 46; it is made to decompose in a very peculiar way; on
moistening paper with it it burns with rapidity; it does not explode
when red-hot copper is placed in it; we tried it with the most intense
heat--we can produce with a galvanic battery with two hundred cells
holding a gallon and a half each; some nitro-glycerin was placed in a
cup and connected with one of the poles of the battery; through a pencil
of gas carbon the other poles of the battery were connected with the
glycerin, no explosion ensued; but when the point touched the britannia
vessel the nitro-glycerin took fire, a portion burning and the rest
scattering about; this is as severe a test as we can submit it to in the
way of heat under the pressure of the air; we therefore would conclude
that nitro-glycerin carried about exposed cannot explode, even if you
drop a coal of fire into it; if the liquid is confined, or is under
pressure, then an explosion will ensue; if paper be moistened with
it and put on an anvil and a smart blow given with a hammer, a sharp
detonation ensues; if gunpowder or the fulminates of mercury, silver or
gun-cotton be ignited in a vacuum by a galvanic battery, none of them
will explode; if any gas be introduced so as to produce a gentle
pressure during the decomposition, then a rapid evolution of gases will
result; the results of decomposition in a vacuum differ from those under
atmospheric pressure or when they are burnt in a pistol, musket,
a cannon, or in a mine; where we have little or no pressure it is
difficult to get these substances to burn rapidly; nitro-glycerin is
more difficult to explode than powder; in many respects it resembles
gun-cotton which is made in a similar way; if gun-cotton be immersed
in the proto-chloride of iron it turns into common cotton; the
same experiment was tried with nitro-glycerin by mixing it with
proto-chloride of iron, and it reverted into common glycerin; there
are four well known varieties of gun-cotton made by employing acids of
different strengths; they differ in chemical composition and properties,
as well as in their explosive qualities; the late Minister of War in
Austria in 1862 stated to me that he had ordered four hundred cannon for
gun-cotton, and six months after he stated that he had ordered all
the cannon to be changed and adapted to powder, in consequence of
spontaneous combustions; much less is known of nitro-glycerin than of
gun-cotton, and probably several varieties of this article may be formed
as of gun cotton; this would explain cases of spontaneous explosion; if
the nitro-glycerin is not carefully washed to get rid of the acid, a
gradual decomposition will ensue, producing gases, which, if the vessel
be closed, will explode; my opinion is that nitro-glycerin should be
used in the most careful hands; do not think I would put it in the hands
of a common laborer for blasting purposes; it is less dangerous in a
frozen than a liquid state; I think concussion would explode frozen
nitro-glycerin.

* * * * *

HISERT'S ADJUSTABLE CULTIVATOR TOOTH.

The object of the device exhibited in the engraving is to allow the
teeth of a cultivator to turn slightly and avoid obstructions, while
they will follow at all times the line of draft, so that in turning the
cultivator there is no risk of breaking the teeth or their shanks, or
of overturning the implement. The cultivator blade, A, may be of any
desired form, and it is secured to the curved shank, B, which is pivoted
by a bolt to the beam, C. On the under or lower side of the beam is an
iron plate, D, having a projecting socket, E, which is the stud or pin
on which the eye of the shank turns. A bolt passing through the socket
and beam holds the shank in place. Farmers will readily perceive the
advantages of this device. It may be applied to any or all of the
different cultivators now in use. Patented Sept 3, 1867, by B.F. Hisert
who may be addressed for rights to make or sell at Norton Hill, Green
Co., N.Y., or address G.W. King, Scoharie, N.Y.

[Illustration]

* * * * *

Remedy for Cold Feet in City Cars.

"Riding down town these cold mornings in the horse cars, the unpleasant
sensation of chilled feet reminds us of the plan adopted in France and
other parts of Europe to keep the feet of car passengers warm. This is
accomplished by inserting a flattened iron tube along the bottom of the
car lengthwise in the center, between the rows of seats. This tube is
raised a little above the floor level of the car to afford a rest for
the feet, yet, not enough to make a stumbling block. When the car leaves
the depot this tube is filled with hot water from a boiler kept heated
for the purpose, and this water retains its heat and gives a pleasant
warmth to the feet of the passengers and the car generally, for about
two hours, after which the tube is refilled at a convenient station on
the road. In the case of our city cars this might easily be done, and be
a cheap and exceedingly comfortable improvement."--_Evening Post_.

It should be understood that the French cars are arranged with small
compartments like stage coaches, and the passengers sit face to face,
with the warming tube above described under their feet. One tube
for every six persons. We should be glad, indeed, to see this plan
introduced here. But it is not to be expected that our city railroad
companies will do anything for the comfort of their passsengers, while
without such trouble they continue to reap rich harvests. Very likely
the idea of loading a lot of hot water upon their cars, for passengers
to stand upon, would strike them as a good joke. Their poor, broken
down, spavined horses, could not stand any additional load.

* * * * *

Getting Your Money Back.

The French are a curious people and one of the novelties of Parisian
enterprises is a large warehouse, in which are sold, at retail, all
manner of goods, from a diamond necklace to a shoe brush. The purchaser,
having paid the price, receives not only the goods, but a bond for the
whole amount of his purchase money, payable, after thirty years, and
guaranteed by the Credit Foncier and other moneyed corporations. The
prices charged are said to be no greater than in any other retail shops.
This is really eating your cake in order to keep it; the more you
spend the richer you will be; indeed it sets at defiance the whole of
Franklin's code of proverbs, and proves "Poor Richard" a silly fellow.
Imagine Jones lecturing his wife on her economy, and reproaching her for
a spirit of saving, "My dear, if you had bought this camel's hair shawl
thirty years ago, it would now be a source of income to us; if you
had not been so close we should now be wealthy." Smith acquires an
independence by giving his children an expensive education, and sees in
every new dress or costly jewel which his growing daughters wear, a new
mine of wealth for himself. If he can only persuade them to spend money
enough he is sure of a support in his old age.

* * * * *

A GIGANTIC BRIDGE.--A suspension bridge is to be erected by M. Oudry,
engineer, over the Straits of Messina, Sicily, from Point Pezzo, on the
Calabrian Coast. It is to consist of four spans of 3,281 feet each,
elevated about 150 feet above high-water level, so that the largest
ships may pass under. The proposed Roebling bridge over the East River,
between New York and Brooklyn, is to have a single span of 1,600 feet.

* * * * *

The through mails to the West now go in iron-bound boxes instead of
leathern bags. Each box, tightly packed, contains about eight hundred
letters.

* * * * *

The first steam vessel used in Great Britain was called the _Comet_, and
built by Henry Bell in 1812. It was thirty tuns burden.

* * * * *

OFFICIAL REPORT OF PATENTS AND CLAIMS

Issued by the United States Patent Office,

FOR THE WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 10, 1867.

_Reported Officially for the Scientific American_

PATENTS ARE GRANTED FOR SEVENTEEN YEARS the following being a schedule
of fees:--

On filing each Caveat $10
On filing each application for a Patent, except for a design $15
On issuing each original Patent $20
On appeal to Commissioner of Patents $20
On application for Reissue $30
On application for Extension of Patent $50
On granting the Extension $50
On filing a Disclaimer $10
On filing application for Design (three and a half years) $10
On filing application for Design (seven years) $15
On filing application for Design (fourteen years) $30

In addition to which there are some small revenue-stamp taxes. Residents
of Canada and Nova Scotia pay $500 on application.

_Pamphlets containing the Patent Laws and full particulars of the mode
of applying for Letters Patent, specifying size of model required,
and much other information useful to Inventors, may be had gratis by
addressing MUNN & CO., Publishers of the Scientific American, New York._

* * * * *

71,836.--MACHINE FOR NOTCHING KNITTING NEEDLES.--W. Aiken, Franklin,
N.H.

I claim 1st, The improved machine, substantially as described, for
effecting the several operations of notching, slotting, boring, and
burring a knitting machine needle blank, in the order and manner as
explained.

2d, Also, the combination of one or more vibratory clamps, Y, the cam,
E, and the two burrs or cutters, q r, for forming the notches in the
needle blank such clamp or clamps, cam and cutters being provided with
mechanism for operating them, substantially as described.

3d, Also the combination of one or more vibratory clamps Y, the cam, E,
the two burrs or cutter wheels, q r, and the slotting burr or cutters,
s, provided with mechanism for operating them substantially as
explained,

4th, Also, the combination of one or more rotary clamps, Y, the cam,
E, the burrs or cutter wheels, q r s, and the drill, u, provided with
mechanism for operating them, substantially as set forth.

5th, Also, the combination of one or more vibrating clamps, the burring
cutter, t, the drill, u, and the slotting cutter, s, arranged and
provided with mechanism for operating, substantially as explained.

71,837.--TEA AND COFFEE POT.--Alfred Arnold, Tenafly, N.J.

I claim 1st, In a tea or coffee boiler, the base, D, so constructed and
adapted, relatively to the other parts, that an oscillating motion will
be imparted to the vessel by process of ebullition, substantially as
shown and described.

2d, In combination with the base or heating-surface, D, the chambers, b
b', and diaphragm, E, or their equivalents, substantially as arranged
and described, and for the purposes shown.

71,838.--TOOL FOR SIZING LAMP CHIMNEYS.--Lewis J. Atwood, (assignor to
himself and Holmes, Booth and Haydens), Waterbury, Conn.

I claim the adjustable sizing and shaping-jaws employed, substantially
as specified, in the manufacture of glass lamp chimneys and similar
articles.

71,839.--MODE OF PREVENTING THE UNTWISTING OF THE ENDS OF WIRE ROPE
BANDS.--Arthur Barbarin, New Orleans, La.

I claim a wire rope band, in which the ends of the several wires
composing the same are soldered together, substantially as herein
described and shown in the accompanying drawings, and for the purposes
set forth.

71,840.--SPRING-BED BOTTOM.--Alonzo B. Baty, Binghamton, N.Y.

I claim the construction and application of the bracket, B, in
combination with the bail or pendant, C, the springs, D D, transverse
pieces, F F, and slats, A A, all being constructed substantially as
herein described and represented, for the purpose set forth.

71,841.--HORSE-RAKE.--H.L. Beach, Montrose, Pa., assignor to Beach Wheel
Horse-Rake Manufacturing Company, N.Y.

I claim 1st, The teeth heads, N, constructed and operating substantially
as described.

2d, In combination with the teeth heads, N, the teeth, Q, substantially
as described.

3d, The arms, K, and teeth heads, N, combined and operating
substantially as set forth.

4th, The cleaners, M, teeth heads, N, and teeth, Q, when combined for
the purposes indicated.

5th, The blocks, f, pins, c, sliding bar, E, and lever, G, when combined
for the purposes set forth.

6th, The hooks, i i, and pins, j, secured in the axle for the purpose
shown.

7th, The washers, P, combined with the teeth and teeth heads,
substantially as and for the purpose described.

71,842.--APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING STREET GAS-LAMPS.--J. W. Beard, St.
Johns, New Brunswick.

I claim the combination of the hook, F, and the perforated cap, E, with
the lamp, D', to be affixed on a pole or staff, as set forth.

Also, the combination of the curved or hooked arms, c c, with the key,
k, of the cock of the burner, and their arrangement with respect, to the
opening in the bottom of the lantern, as explained.

Also, the combination of the socket tube, e, with the lamp, D', its
hook, F, and perforated cap, E.

Also the combination of the receiving tube, f, and bayonet connection,
g, with the socket tube, e, the lamp, D', its hook and perforated cap,
as described.

71,843.--CALIPER AND T-SQUARE.--Joseph Bennor, Philadelphia, Pa.

I claim the rule, a, stand, c, slide, m, legs, p and q, marker, u,
cutter, w, with their several described appendages, all combined in the
manner and for the purpose substantially as shown and described.

71,844.--REFRIGERATOR.--Ferdinand Borchard, Detroit, Mich.

I claim 1st, A refrigerator which is provided with movable racks, H,
within cooling chambers which are arranged beneath an ice chamber,
B, constructed with inclined walls, a a a, a drip pan, D, and an
ice-supporting rack, c, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2d, Providing the movable racks, with sliding brackets, I, which are so
applied as to serve as supports for the outer ends of the racks when
drawn partially out of their respective apartments, substantially as
described.

71,845.--CONSTRUCTION OF METAL SALVERS.--George Brabrook, (assignor to
Reed and Barton), Taunton, Mass.

I claim the arrangement and combination of the metallic ring and cap
molding together, and with the waiter or salver, in manner substantially
as and for the purpose specified.

Also, as a new or improved manufacture, a waiter or salver of britannia
metal, having a metallic strengthening-ring and cap molding combined and
arranged with its body in manner as specified.

71,846.--MANUFACTURE OF SHOES, ETC.--M.L. Brett, Warren, Ohio.

I claim the construction of a seamless shoe, etc., by felting, in the
manner set forth, as a new article of manufacture.

71,847.--CONSTRUCTION OF SCOOPS.--Theo. C. Bromley, Fort Howard, Wis.

I claim the cone-shaped back and the circular raised brace.

71,848.--WATER-RESERVOIR FOR EXTENSION-TOP STOVE.--Chas. H. Buck, St
Louis, Mo.

I claim 1st, the boiler, D, constructed with a depression in its rear
side, in combination with a stove made with the extended top, A, and
with a stovepipe, C, which is entirely independent of the boiler, but
still is partly enclosed by the boiler, in the manner and for the
purpose described.

2d, The boiler, D. with its depression in its rear side made wholly
independent of the pipe, C, but capable of enclosing a portion of said
pipe, and of being removed without disturbing the pipe, as herein
described and shown.

71,849.--JOURNAL-BOX.--T.F. Burgess, Lowell, Mass.

I claim the drips, e e, and conducting holes, d d, in combination with
the recesses, b b, when arranged to operate substantially as described
and for the purposes fully set forth.

71,850.--HAY ELEVATOR.--E.H. Carpenter, Dexter, Mich.

I claim 1st, In combination with a cable, A, frame, F, wheels, G,
sheave, E, and rope, C, the disengaging device, consisting of a collar,
M, stop, L, and vertical catch, K, enclosing the cable, A, and rope, C,
and operated substantially as described.

2d, The combination of the frame, F, rope, C, collar, M, stop, L, catch,
K, and valves, H, cams, I, and lever, l', said parts being constructed
and the whole arranged substantially as set forth.

71,831.--STEAM GENERATOR.--C.E. Case, Xenia, Ohio.

I claim the metal cup, G, constructed and arranged substantially upon
the principle and in the manner herein set forth.

71,852.--LOOM FOR WEAVING PALM-LEAF, ETC.--Geo. W. Chandler, (assignor
to himself and Lysander F. Thompson), Fitchburg, Mass.

I claim 1st, The hinged holder, G, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.

2d, The combination of the hinged fingers, c c, with the ribs, b b b,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3d, The combination of the adjustable weight, G', with the bottom of the
holder, for the purposes set forth.

4th, The combination with the hinged fingers, c c, of the hinged
holding-piece, G", substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5th, The fingered stop or guard piece, h', with the holder, G
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6th, The combination, with the stand or plate, h, of the grooved hinged
flap, i, for supporting the guard or stop piece, h'.

7th, The combination with the ribbed holder, G, of the guide piece, s,
as and for the purposes set forth.

The combination of the feed arm, m, with the slide-piece, n, and lever,
26, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9th, the combination with lever, 26, of the adjustable ears, 27 27, for
the purposes stated.

10, The combination with slide piece, n, and table, L, of the connecting
piece, 21, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

11th, The combination with the slotted slide piece, M", and connecting
piece, 21, of the double shouldered bolts, 18 18, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.

12th, The combination with the curved lever, M, and the slide piece, M",
of the bent levers, M' M', substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.

13th, The combination with the arm, 70, and notched bar, w, of the
sping-pawl, t, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

14th, Mechanism for separating the pieces of material to be fed,
constructed and combined for operation substantially as described, and
as shown in fig. 7, of the accompanying drawings.

15th, The combination with a loom for weaving palm-leaf and other cloth,
of a push-finger, 41, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

16th, The combination with the stem of the push finger, 41, of
the catch-piece, 42, lever, 44, and operating springs, 43 and 46,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

17th, The combination with the slide, n, of the projection or dog, 47,
for releasing lever, 46, from the catch-piece, 42, as set forth.

18th, The combination with the hinged table, L, of the mechanism for
separating and feeding the material, substantially as set forth.

19th, The combination with the stationary bed, L", and stand, 72, of the
hinged table, L, and catch, o, substantially as set forth.

20th, The combination and relative arrangement with the table, L, bed,
L", and holder, G, of the evener knives, 12 and 14, as shown and set
forth.

21st, The combination with the bridge piece, 50, of the hinged dog, 52,
and bell-spring, 53, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

22d, The combination and relative arrangement of mechanism,
substantially such as is shown and described for communicating the
proper motions to the feed arms, S, from lever, K.

23d, The combination with a loom for weaving palm-leaf of mechanism
substantially such as shown and described for stopping the loom, as set
forth.

71,853.--PITMAN COUPLING.--G. W. Clark, Manchester, Ind.

I claim the arrangement of forked pitman, A G G', bolt, H, screw shanked
hook, D, and nuts, F F', or their equivalents, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.

71,854.--MACHINE FOR MAKING LEVEES.--Ernest Comeaux, Bayou Goula, La.

I claim 1st, The endless apron in combination with the hinged adjustable
frame, K, operating as described for elevating the earth used in making
levees, in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

2d, The combination of the endless apron, F, chains, H, slats, J, and
adjustable supporting-frame, K, and standards, L, as herein described
for the purpose set forth.

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