The Year-book of Facts in Science and Art

THENEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
165914

ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
1900.

LONDON:

CLARKE, PRINTERS, SILVER STREET, FALCON SQUARE.

PREFA CЕ.

THE extensive sale of the first "Year-Book of Facts" has naturally led to the production of a successor in the present volume; which, we hope, will be received as alike worthy of public approval. It is gratifying to state that the number of the Year-Book already sold is more than double that of the yearly sale of either of the recent volumes of the Arcana of Science; which circumstance must be regarded as the best proof of our extended design having been readily recognised by the public in general, as well as by the annual purchasers of the above work.

To popularize Science, by rendering its newest and most valu le facts accessible to all who read, has ever been our aim in providing healthful literature for the people. This design was, twelve years since, (upon the first appearance of the Arcana of Science,) generously commended by contemporaries, and as warmly encouraged by the reading public; and, it is not too much to add that few books published within the above period are better entitled, by the sterling character of their contents, to the respect of the reader. The whole series of volumes, including the Year-Book, 1839, is, indeed, a treasury of valuable facts; whereat the theorist and the practical man may meet, and into which they may, at all times, dip with pleasure and profit. This universal recommendation will, we trust, be found to pervade the Fear-Book, 1840; in the compilation of which, neither labour, taste, nor judgment, have been spared, on our part, to secure so desirable an extension of popular favour.

A glance at the annexed "Contents" will remind the
reader that "the progress of Science in its various applications
to social improvement" is sought to be registered in the
ensuing pages. Herein the mechanician and the student of
natural philosophy; of electrical and chemical science; the natu-
ralist and the lover of nature; the geologist and the meteorolo-
gist, the observer of the phenomena of the earth and the heavens
-may alike be gratified with the novelty and variety of the
several facts recorded; whilst their stock of useful knowledge
in each section of Science will be refreshed and kept up by each
accession of information.

Trusting, therefore, that "our labour of love" in the prepa-
ration of this volume has not induced us to over-estimate its
attractiveness and useful merit, we commend it to the intel-
ligent reader; in whose advantage lies our best "recompense
of reward."

I. T.

Gray's Inn, March, 1840.

CONTENTS.

MECHANICAL AND USEFUL ARTS:

Improvements in the Steam-Engine, and the progress of

Steam Navigation and Locomotion; Civil Engineering

and Architecture; Steamers and Railways; Telegraphs,

Ship-building, Bridges, Mining and Working Metals;

Fireproofing and Filtration; Lighting; Heating and

Ventilating; Machinery and Manufactures; and New

Processes in the Useful Arts

NATURAL PHILOSOPHY: