D;

Fig. 1 represents a side elevation; fig. 2, an end elevation; and fig. 3, a horizontal view of the machinery. A A, is a bench, or table, for supporting the several parts of the machine; B, B, is a standard, or bracket-frame, firmly fixed to the said bench; which frame is provided with plummer-blocks and bearings c, c, to receive a spindle D. E, is a forked frame, or swinging arm, firmly fixed upon the spindle and the other end of the arm E, is furnished with suitable bearings, which carry, in a vertical position, a spindle F. The lower end of this spindle F, is formed to receive a chuck v, or other suitable contrivance, for attaching and holding securely, the tool, drill, or cutter x, or such other cutter as may be required; and upon the spindle F, near its upper end, is fixed a conical pulley &, having grooves of different diameters, for the purpose of determining the velocity with which the spindle shall be made to revolve. This pulley is designed to receive an endless band or cord н, which passes round the lower part of a similar pulley 1, running loosely upon the spindle D; the upper groove of the pulley 1, is made to receive another endless band or cord к, that passes around a wheel or drum L, supported by a standard or frame N, which is connected, by a similar frame м, to the standard в; but the band K, may be driven by any other means. o, is a horizontal movable table, mounted upon a vertical shaft, R, which passes through the bench A; its lower end being supported by, and turning freely upon, a step or bearing s, in the arch z, fixed to the framing of the bench. The tablet or slab of wood, or other material, intended to be wrought by the cutter x, is to be placed upon the turning-table, as at P, and made fast thereon by screwed clamps. At the left-hand end of the bench A, there is a vertical bar 3, made fast to the wood framing, in which there is a fulcrum-pin for the lever w, to turn upon; one end of this lever w, is formed into a concave socket to receive, as a step, the lower end of the spindle, D. before mentioned; and the other end of the lever is connected, by a joint, with a treadle-rod T. This treadle-rod and lever are for the purpose of raising, when required, the spindle D, with the forked frame E, carrying the drill. u, is an adjustable screw, set in the leg of the bench, as a stop to the lever intended to regulate the descent of the spindle D, with the frame E, in order that the cutter x, shall not penetrate deeper into the material, or substauce P, than may be desired.

Fig. S, and the part dotted in fig. 2, represents another arrangement for raising and lowering the spindle D, with the forked frame and drill, instead of the lever and treadle-rod, before described: this arrangement is used when the carving of variable relief, such as foliage, figures, &c., is required to be executed.

Upon any convenient part of the standard B, is fixed a frame a, with bearings b, b, to receive and support the axle of a quadraut c, which has a lever d, attached to its centre. From the periphery of the quadrant c, is suspended, by a chain e, or other suitable contrivance, the spindle D, carrying the forked frame E, with the drill. To the lever d, a weight f, is suspended by a rod, or other convenient means, hung in any of the notches provided in the lever for that purpose; which weighted rod acts as a counter-balance to the spindle D, VOL. X, 3RD SERIES-NO. 1.-JULY, 1845.

and the several parts attached thereto; thus enabling the cutter x, to be raised or lowered with the greatest facility and precision; all the other parts of the machine, and their action, being the same as hereinbefore described.

Fig. 4, is an elevation, and fig. 5, an under side or end-view of a tool or cutter, for cutting or carving a semi-circular or quarter-round hollow, for mouldings, gothic tracery, &c. ; fig. 6, is an elevation, and fig. 7, an under side or end view of a tool or cutter, for cutting or carving a bead and fillet, or astragal. These are only two examples of cutters, but, of course, a great variety may be employed, and these must depend upon the form of the edge of the recess intended to be cut or formed; as any and every variety of rounds and hollows, ovolos, ogees, &c.; separately or combined, may be executed, not only in straight lengths, but to the form of any regular or irregular curve that may be desired.

The mode of cutting or carving with this machine is as follows:Upon the revolving table o, the tablet, slab, or piece of wood, or other material P, to be cut, or carved, is fixed; and on its upper surface, when desired, is placed a template or pattern Q, (formed of iron, brass, or other approved material,) of the design required to be cut or carved; and the two are firmly held upon the table o, by cramps, or crampingbars, as shown. Motion being given by any convenient power to the wheel or drum L, or communicated by any other means to the band or cord K, the pulley 1, will be made to turn rapidly upon the spindle D; by which means the band or cord н, passed round the pulley G, will cause the spindle F, carrying the cutter x, to revolve with great speed; the velocity of the cutter being determined by the proportions which the diameters of the pulleys G, and 1, bear to each other, and the speed of the driving power. The cutter x, being set to the depth of cut required, by adjusting the stop u, the workman presses down the treadle-rod T, with his foot, which causes the lever w, to raise the spindle D, with the cutter x, and the several parts attached thereto; thus the forked arm E, is raised, and being moved around the cutter x, may be passed over the tablet P, in an arc; at the same time the movable table o, must be turned, so that the cutter may be perpendicularly pendant over the part of the tablet where the work is to commence. The revolving cutter x, is then let down, by removing the pressure from the treadle-rod T, and it immediately penetrates into the tablet. The form in which the cutter moves over the tablet is now to be determined by guiding the shaft of the cutter against the edges of the template or pattern; the table o, with the tablet P, upon it, being moved at the same time, in order to keep the edge of the template always close to the shaft of the cutter. By thus moving the swinging-frame E, and the table o, various arcs of circles, that are constantly tangential to each other, may be traced upon the tablet under operation; thereby enabling every possible variety of regular and irregular, curved and straight forms to be cut or carved in the material acted upon; and this combined or simultaneous action forms the principal novelty of the invention.

The patentee claims the combination and application of the several

parts, as herein shown and described, and any variation of that combination or application, for effecting the principle of his invention; provided the swinging-frame, which carries the cutter, and also the table on which the article to be wrought is placed, have both the means of circular motion.-[Enrolled May, 1844.] Lond. Jour. of Arts & Science.

Specification of a Patent granted to EDWARD GUIGUES, of the county of Surrey, for improvements in Printing on Leather and Skins, being a communication.-[Sealed 17th October, 1844.]

The improvements in printing on leather and skins, which constitute this invention, are as follow:-The patentee takes goat, sheep, or other hides, tanned, by preference, with Sicilian sumach, and washes them in water, to remove all oily matter, and any sumach that they may contain. For one dozen skins, a pint of sulphuric acid, of 66° Baumé, and 12 gallons of water, heated to 90° Fahr., are put into a tub, and in this liquid the skins are immersed for ten minutes; they are then immersed in the same quantity of cold water for a quarter of an hour, after which they are placed upon a table, and by the process of "striking out," nearly all the water is extracted, and they are hung out to dry; when about half dry, the skins are laid, one above another, upon a table, and brushed smooth, in order that they may be more easily printed upon; and after remaining on the table for a day, they are ready for the printer.

The printing-table, and the accessories, are the same as when printing on stuffs and other fabrics; but the modes of preparing the colors are different. The following solution is mixed with all the colors, to render them unalterable and proof against acids:-Half a gallon of muriatic acid, of 81° Baumé, and a quarter of a gallon of aquafortis, of 36° Baumé, are introduced into a flat bottle with a long neck, termed a "matrass," which bottle is placed upon an oven, heated to 100° Fahr., and gradually raised to 150°; then 1 lb. of sal-ammoniac is cut very fine, and, every two minutes, 1 oz. of it is put into the bottle, until all is dissolved; then 1 lb. of granulated tin is divided into twenty equal parts, and one part is introduced into the bottle every ten minutes. As soon as the tin is perfectly dissolved, the bottle is taken off the oven, and the solution allowed to "fine" during two days; at the expiration of which, it is poured into a bottle, and kept tightly corked.

The colors are prepared in the following manner :-For red, 4 lbs. of Brazil chips are put into 4 gallons of salt water, and boiled for six hours; then the liquor is passed through a sieve, and allowed to remain for a month before being used: to every pint of this liquid color, one-fourth of a pint of the solution, above described, is added. Violet is made by substituting Campeachy chips for the Brazil chips; the color is ready for use immediately after straining; and the solution is added in the same proportion as to the red. Yellow is produced by using Persian berries; and the color is ready for use when cool. Other colors are prepared in like manner.

After the skin has been printed, and is perfectly dry, it is dipped into cold water, and then into water heated to 100° Fahr., (to which

sulphuric acid has been added, in the proportion of 1 pint to 12 gallons of water;) when the skin has remained in the latter for three minutes, it is withdrawn, and soaked in cold water for ten minutes; it is then laid upon a table, and the water extracted by the process of "striking out;" after which, the surface is smoothed over by hand, with linseed oil, and the skin is hung up to dry; when dry, it may be polished in the ordinary manner.

The patentee claims "the mode of printing leather and skins, by the use of a preparation of the materials as herein described."-Enrolled April, 1845.

Ibid.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE.

FOR THE JOURNAL OF THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE.

A Treatise on the Steam Engine, by the Artizan Club-to be completed in twenty-four monthly parts—illustrated by Steel Plates and Wood Cuts. Published by LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN & LONGMAN, London. Price, 1 shilling per number.

We have always thought that the history of the steam engine, from its first crude elements to its present elaborate and varied form, was the best means of illustrating its construction and principles, and have, therefore, much pleasure in noticing that such has been the course of the new periodical, entitled "A Treatise on the Steam Engine," by the Artizan Club, of which work we have received the first nine numbers.

In glancing over these numbers, it is evident, that a vast amount of useful information has been concentrated in a very small space, and that the matter has been collected in a systematic form.

A brief space has been devoted to the history, with descriptions and illustrations, of the structure of the early attempts, from which has grown to maturity, this all powerful agent, each step of which, is perspicuously described and exhibited. The work then proceeds to the discussion of principles, with useful illustrative tables; each number having a well engraved plate, of an engine, of modern construction, for mining, marine, or locomotive purposes.

The work then proceeds to the structure of furnaces, boilers, and to fuel, with smoke consuming arrangements, &c.; with numerous cuts, of a legible character, taken from authentic examples.

If this work is continued in the style in which the numbers before us have been conducted, of which we have no doubt, from the ability thus far displayed, it will furnish the mechanician with the means, in a collected form, of making himself thoroughly acquainted with the structure of the steam engine in all its phases, and will give him a plain and practical illustration of all its principles.

Our time will not admit, even if we were so disposed, to enter into a critical examination of the various tables and formula contained in these numbers, but we have no doubt that those who have the inclination and ability, will find both pleasure and profit in an examination of them; and we are sure that the mechanicians and engineers of

our country will derive much pleasure from the information contained, and promised, in the published and forthcoming numbers of this useful periodical.

FRANKLIN INSTITUTE.

Costill's Cast Iron Screw and Nut, for Bedstead Fastenings. The Committee on Science and the Arts constituted by the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania for the Promotion of the Mechanic Arts, to whom was referred for examination a Cast-Iron Screw and Nut for Bedstead Fastenings, invented by Stacy Costill, of Philadelphia, Penna., REPORT:

That hitherto, the swelled beam windlass bedsteads have had male screws formed on the ends of the wooden rails, right and left, so that by turning these rails by a simple wrench, the rails and posts could be successively brought into contact, so as to form the ordinary fourpost bedstead.

This arrangement is liable to some objections, which would apparently be obviated by forming the male screw of iron, and inserting, also in the post, a nut of the same metal.

Precisely this object is attained by this contrivance of Stacy Costill, who casts, in suitable flasks, a male screw of cast iron, of about threequarters of an inch in diameter, and four and a quarter inches total length; the thread of the screw being three-quarters of an inch in length, the remaining three and a half inches forming a cylindrical shank, which is inserted into the body of the rail, and is therein confined by an iron pin.

The female screw-similarly cast-is, in fact, a cylindrical nut, having both an interior and an exterior thread; the interior receives the screw before mentioned, which projects its length from the end of the rail; and by the exterior thread, this cylindrical nut is screwed into the post, being turned by a square bit, of which the corners catch into notches formed across the threads of the interior screw.

The cheapness, strength and permanence of this kind of fastening, and the ease with which it admits of adjustment, by propelling or withdrawing the cylindrical nut, with the square bit, recommend