will feel themselves obliged to Edward Sheppard, Esq. of Uley, in Gloucestershire, for the particulars which he has given of the produce of his Flocks of 1929 Merino and Merino-Ryeland Sheep in 1811, amounting to 7749 lbs. of wool; (about 4 lb. per fleece;) and also for his thoughts on the best state in which to produce the British Merino wool for the market. Mr. S. apprehends that the wool obtained from Spain is injured by being thoroughly scowered and exposed to a burning sun previously to its package; and he strongly objects to a hasty removal of the native grease to which wool owes much of its softness:

My opinion,' says he, as to the best mode of preparing Merino wool for the market, is, that where a certain and ready sale offers, it should be left wholly in its native grease, without being washed on the sheeps' back. This further advantage attends it, that the fleece is much more captivating to the eye, and the fibre appears much more silky and fine, I fear, however, that there is not, at present, that quickness and certainty of sale, which will permit the grower to produce his wool in this condition. For if they have a chance of lying a long time in the grease, they will heat and be injured. I cannot therefore recommend it as a general practice, but I think, where wools are likely to be used within six months of shearing, there can be no objection to keeping them in the full grease. I have, however, the satisfaction to state, that by the moderate degree of ablution, which takes place in washing the wool on the sheeps' back, the grease is not expunged in a degree to injure the softness of the fibre. The same mode is practised in Saxony, and is altogether different from the complete washing in hot and cold water, which the wool receives after being shorn in Spain.'

The gold medal was adjudged to Mr. S.

The Earl of Dundonald having, in the year 1806, pointed out the defects of the sail-cloth generally used in the Royal Navy, and the superiority of that which is manufactured by the Dutch, the attention of the Society has been directed to this matter; and premiums having been offered, Messrs. Robert and Giles Cayme, of Yeovil, in Somersetshire, come forwards in this volume to claim the proferred reward (the gold medal, or forty guineas,) for the manufacture of Sail Cloth equal to the best Dutch. The specimens produced underwent the fullest examination by persons conversant in the business, who reported that the canvas for sails made by Messrs. Caymes is superior to the Dutch, and preferable to any that is commonly used in the Royal Navy. We are informed that it is employed for the Custom-house cutters.

MECHANICAL INVENTIONS Occupy the next department, and display as usual the ingenuity of man. Though the blind are not often restored to sight, we have frequent opportunities of perceiving

perceiving how materially blind persons are assisted, and the loss of sight in a great measure obviated. We are here presented, in the first instance, by Mr. Matthew Cooke, No. 10. Winchester-row, Paddington, with a well-contrived Apparatus by means of which Blind People can both learn and teach Music. It is impossible for us, without the plate, to explain the particulars of this machine, which may be termed the Blind Musieian's Book: but it will occur to the reader that, in this business, by the introduction of tangible objects of notation, the fingers are made to supply the place of eyes. Mr. Cooke appears to have greatly improved on the old plan. Every character in music is represented by figures in sheet-brass, which may be stuck on a cushion; and the whole apparatus may be packed in a case three feet long, one foot three inches wide, and four and a half inches in depth. The price is 20 guineas. The gold medal was given to Mr. C.

For several mechanical as well as surgical purposes, the Annular or Circular Saw, which can cut deeper than its own center, invented by Mr. Thomas Machell, surgeon, Walsingham, near Durham, will be found useful: but a machine of this nature cannot be fully explained by mere verbal description. A gold› medal was also allotted to Mr. Machell.

Mr. Wm. Bowler, of Holborn Hill, may be said to understand trap, since he has contrived an effectual mode of Trapping Animals both large and small, and of retaining them without the possibility of escape. Rat-catchers and destroyers of vermin

should avail themselves of Mr. Bowler's invention: for which ten guineas were awarded.

Literary men, who have not been taught in their youth a proper attitude in the use of the pen, generally bend too much in writing, and press the stomach and chest against the desk or table. This bad habit being once acquired is not easily rectified, and study becomes more injurious to the health than otherwise it might have been. We conceive it therefore to be a matter of no little importance to have young persons taught to write with freedom, while the head is prevented from being too much inclined forwards; and, if the simple contrivance, called a Chirographist, by Mr. Thomas Perry, of Farnham, Surrey, be effectual towards forming the hand to correctness in writing, and keeping the body in a proper attitude, it ought generally to be introduced in schools. The silver medal and 15 guineas were adjudged to the inventor.

As writing and arithmetic generally go together, we have next the account of an Instrument to work Addition of Numbers · with accuracy and dispatch, by Mr. J. Goss, of Enfield, to whom the same reward was given. This instrument consists

of

of a wheel with four rows of figures on its face: the first row nearest the teeth on the circumference denotes pence, the second shillings, and the third and fourth, the total number of pence or shillings.

Thus, if 64 in the the third row should be under the index, if I were casting up pence, I should see in the first row, 4 under or next before the index, and the next red figure passed over by the index would be 5, which signify 5s. 4d., the red figure or figures nearest the index signifying shillings, and the black figure or figures before the index the odd pence. In the second row, the black figure before the index signifies the number of odd shillings, and the next red figure the number of pounds. Before I begin to work, the red figures 360, 180, 9, 15, must always be placed next before the index, I then begin to cast up the row of pence. If I should have 5s. 4d., I set down the 4d. under the bill, and bring back the red figures 360, &c. again before the index; then, with the brass handle, I move round the wheel 5 divisions, and go on with the row of shillings, &c.'

Much ingenuity is displayed in this contrivance: but we question whether shop-keepers will be induced to adopt it. The method of using it is fully detailed; and we can readily believe the inventor when he adds that his addition-wheel has cost him much time and thought.

It is very true that, in streets which are great thoroughfares, much inconvenience is experienced by breaking up the pavement to fix poles for scaffolding; and to obviate this evil Mr. Joseph Davis, of Catharine-street, Strand, has endeavoured to improve on the plan of suspending from the windows of the upper story a Temporary Scaffold, by means of which the outside walls of houses may be repaired or beautified with safety and economy. The contrivance is very simple; and persons are here adduced who speak in its favour. Workmen are prevented from falling over the platform by ropes extended from one end to the other: but, if the beams from which the whole is suspended, and the blocks, pullies, and ropes, be not in proper order and security, the swinging artizan may be precipitated on the pavement. We say this not to discourage the adoption of Mr. Davis's scaffold, but to recommend peculiar care in its use. -The silver medal was bestowed on the inventor.

How often have our feelings been shocked by seeing a poor horse lying on the pavement with the shafts of a heavily laden cart, with which he has fallen, pressing on him, and neither the carter nor the passenger able to render the suffering animal any immediate relief! Carts with two wheels, when heavily loaded, are very apt to throw down the horse in the shafts, and the weight then comes on him with an increased momentum. A plan, however, has been suggested by Mr. Joseph Martin, No.176.

No. 176. Fleet-street, to relieve Horses in this situation. By his contrivance, the shafts are united to the cart by screws, so that they can be detached in cases of accident; and moveable legs or stays are provided to take the weight off the horse's back. We are not, however, informed that the invention has been actually used and found to succeed; which is an omission in this short communication: but 10 guineas were voted for it.

We have before noticed the attention which has been paid in these Transactions to the health of the sons of Crispin, and the subject is pursued in the present volume. A reward of 10 guineas was adjudged to Mr. J. King, No. 4. Mulberry-court, near the Bank, for an improved Machine to enable Shoe and BootMakers to work without pressure on the breast or stomach. Of its utility, we are no judges: but, from the number of signatures to the certificate, we conclude that actual experience has decided in its favour.

The curious in chronometers know that many contrivances have been employed to keep the pendulums of clocks of equal length, which is necessary to the equality of their vibrations. This Society has also laudably encouraged inventions of this kind, several of which are recorded in their published journals; and we have here an account by Mr. David Ritchie, Princesstreet, Percival-street, Clerkenwell, of a Compensation Pendulum, to prevent the rate of a clock from varying by heat or cold: for which 20 guineas were allotted. Mr. Ramsay's testimony is a proof of its value; and his letter contains so much of history relative to the subject about which it treats, that we must transcribe it:

In addition to the opinions delivered by many of the trade, at the committee, in favour of Mr. Ritchie's pendulum, I shall beg leave, for the general information of the Society, to point out more fully its properties.

I shall, however, first mention the principal objections to the compound pendulums now in use.

The gridiron pendulum has much friction, is difficult to adjust, and from the great weight of the rods, the center of oscillation is much above the center of gravity.

Ellicot's pendulum, in its improved state, is objectionable on account of its friction; Mr. Ward's pendulum has likewise friction; Mr. Read of Woolwich's pendulum has friction, and depends upon a doubtful metal, viz. zinc.

Mr. Doughty's pendulum has the whole weight of the ball and two pendulum rods, resting on the extreme ends of a long compound bar, placed at the upper end of the pendulum, which cannot be adjusted without altering the length of the pendulum, and from the weight of the rods and bar the center of oscillation is considerably above the center of gravity. The late Mr. Grimaldé applied a single

compound

compound bar to the lower end of a pendulum, but it is now laid aside.

Mr. Ritchie's pendulum has only one steel rod, with two short compound bars of brass and steel, placed near the ball, at right angles to the pendulum rod; the bars, being parallel, admit of perfect adjustments without altering the rate of the clock. A simple contrivance is introduced between the compound bore which takes off the weight of the ball, and leaves them at liberty to contract or expand, free of every incumbrance.

6

The compound bars may be reduced to the size of the pendulum rod, and will be equally affected by heat and cold. It is free from friction. It has some advantages over the mercurial pendulum, by being portable, and not liable to be deranged. It may be applied to the smallest table clock, or the largest turret. It is likely to be of great public utility, and can be afforded for less than half the expence of the most approved pendulums.'

Lastly in the class of Mechanics occurs a Vapour, Fumigation, or Shower-Bath, adapted, at a cheap Expence, for the Use of Public Hospitals or Private Families, by George Cumming, M.D., of Denbigh, in Wales. This contrivance has the merit of simplicity; and the expence of heating the bath is so trifling, that several persons may bathe at the cost of one penny. Dr. Cumming received the silver medal of this Society, and the thanks of the General Dispensary at Denbigh, for his improved Vapourbath. An explanatory plate is subjoined to his present letter.

Considerable information and amusement are generally afforded by the PAPERS RELATIVE TO COLONIES AND TRADE: now, however, the fund is scanty. Our old acquaintance Dr. Roxburgh, of Calcutta, figures (as usual) to advantage in this department; and we are always ready to bear our testimony to his laudably assiduity in promoting science and the commercial interests of his country. The first of these papers is a mere notice from him to James Amos, Esq. of St. Helen's Place, London, in reference to the article Caoutchouc, or India-Rubber; and the subsequent letters discuss the utility of the Sphagnum Palustre, or Peat-Bog-Moss, in preserving the vegetative powers of plants that are packed in it, through long voyages. Dr.R. represents that Mr. Salisbury of Sloane-street, who in the 23d Vol. of these Transactions first recommended its adoption as a package for transported plants, has disappointed his hopes in those which were sent to him, and he requests him to forward no more thus embedded to Calcutta; yet he admits that the disappointment which he experienced, on finding no plant alive and no seed that would grow in the chests packed with the Peat-Bog-Moss, might have arisen from the careless manner in which they were shipped, and from their being stowed in the

bot