Volume 12 (1866) (428 pages)

The Mining and Scientific Press, 39 Mechanical, A NEW SUBSTITUTE FOR IRON AND Wi Prof. A. L. Ficary, in ove of his interesting letters to the Pittabarg Oil News and ManuSacturing Journal, gives quito a full deseription of a reeet invention of a substnnee kaown as Zopissa purerhoard, which, he states, is now heing extensively introduecd in England ns a substitute for many purposea for wood and iron. ‘The inveotion wns mode by Col. N. C. Seezeretmey, n Ifungariun gentleman, residing in London. ‘The following description, compiled from the Lrofessor’s letter, will be read with interest as giving some idea of the usefulness und value of this invention : The Zopissa paperboards and pipes are made of u inatorial manufactured from fibrous substanees, and saturated with the Zopisso eoinpouad only, without tho slightest adinixturn of any bituminous matter. ‘hey are therefore unt to be eonfounded witb pipes made of bituminous paper, The material is of a aigst remarkable eliaracter, its speeific gravity compared to iron is as one to six and a half or thereabouts, depending on the modo of ‘its wanufactare ; it is slightly gretter than the speeific gravity of wood (English oak.) bat the Zopissa bonrd is much stronger than any description of wood. A test with Zopissa board of one incb in thickhess against oak planks of the sama width nnd length, but six inches thick, has shown that where the one inch Zopissa boards have deflected hulfan inch, the six inch oak planks have been thoroughly broken. When fired at with a Whitworth rifle it hos been found thatthe resistance to penetration of two i:ches of this board is proved to he greater than thut of ten inehes of solid ouk. The Zopissn boards are perfectly waterproof or non-sbsorbent, and practically indestrnetible, for neither animal, nor vegetnble matter cnn adhere to theiz surfuce. The material is a aon-eonductor of heat, cold or electricity, and perfectly non-inflainmalle, no aaionnt of heat cnn set it in o flaine. When prepared in sheets, whieh eaa be made 100 feet long or upwards, and of any breadth and thickness, this materiul is eminently adapted for ship and boat building, the liuing or covering of ships. for backing armor plated vessels ; for the eonstruction of water tanks; for portable houses; for roofing and flooring ; for railway and private carriage building; fermany descriptions of furniture ; for the soles of boota and shoes, Jur oil and water tanks, petroleum harrels, hogsheads, easks, boxes, ete., ete. The Zopissa boards are readily fixed to the framework of vessels, and do not require sheathing with copper or other metal, for they are never fouled. ‘I'he heaviest shot going through vessels eoustructed of this mutcrial will make only a clear, round hole, without splinteriag, which is the eausc of the destructiou ol life in vessels of war, (the same con he said to happen in the railroad collisions.) the damaged portion cau at ouee bo plugged and rendered perlectly secure. If such a vessel strikes npona rock, there will be no shattering of timbers, as with a wooden vessel, or complete destruetioo as is olten the case with iron ones, owiag to the inability to immediately repair the dumaged portion. When used as a lining for iron ships, the Zopissa board entirely praveats tbe unpleasant and unbealthy effect of sweating, always to be found in such vessels. So fully alive are the English government and the shipping interest to this invention and its important advantages, that large offers have been mude tothe patentee for the right to apply tbe material for this purpose ouly. For the construction ol railway carriages an immense field is open for the application of the Zopissa board, and orders are ulready promised for many yeare to eome. When this material is used, a carriage is obtaiaed eombining the maxiinum of strength with the minimum of weight and cost,aad the most beautiful polished surface ean be given to the exterior of such catriages. THE ZOPISSA PIPES. In addition to the multifarious uses to which the Zopissa sheets are suited, tbe Zopissa pipes are peculiarly applicable for the transmission ol water, gas, sewerage, oil, and other liquids, also for underground telegraph purposes, for speakiag tubes and a vast variety of other uses. Te Zopissa pipes are cunsiderably stronger, (compared by weight) much cheaper, aud remarkably light as compared with iroa pipes. Water passing through tbem will remain perfeetly pure and cannot freeze in the severest lrost, therefore, pipes of this material are not liable to burst. To prove the latter statement the Zopissa pipee have been tested in Russiu fora whole winter without being affeeted in the smallest degres. Tbe Zopizea pipes will beur a pressare of 260 ponnds to the square iuch, aud ean be mude of greuter strength if required. WhaT 18 zorissa? The Zopissa is a substance eoming from the Enst Indies. and possesses the pecutiur properties given to the titrous muteriuls. If we look aruund in nature we find many eurious properties due to the admixtaro of eertnin sulstances, the strength of tho fibre in certuin qualities ot wood, the stiffness of straw, the tenacity of the vine, the indestructihitity of the human hair, the fmrdness of the ccvering, und the eompuctness of the tooth, and many other instances, show that wo have yet many things to learn. ‘bea preservation of the monaments of antiquity in Enstern cities, in Egypt, in the Kost Indies and others, hinve led Col. Szerelmey to the eniployment of what is now knowu ns Zupissa, a peculiar gnmi used by the ancients for the proservation ef wood und cloths. The Papier Mache of the Chinese and Japnnese has never yet been equalized or superseded by any of the Kuropenn or Aniericon manufacturers, and from tha ubove given extracts from English puhlieations, we enn seo that our neighbors over the water begin to show that theynre oot remoioiog behind in the general progress. 1s USE AS AN INSULATON. The following extract from the Lendon Times September Ist of the present year, foreshadows another importont improvement: “ But what, strikes us most at the present time,” snys the journal, “just after a seeond failure to cstablish telegraphie communieation with America, is the confident assertion of Colonel Szerelmey's friends, well known in several eireles, that by the use of this Zopisea paper alone, of all the materials at preseut known, can a perfect eleetric eable be formed. We were shown a rope of less thaa an iach in diameter, with an ordinury eopper wire projeeting at ench end through the eenter. ‘This rope was formed neither of hemp, india-rubber, gutta percha, cork shavings, nor any ordinary recommended covering, but simply of Zopissa paper. It is almost impossible thnt it caa break; it will not stretch, and: thus throw the strain on the copper wire, although it is perfeetly flexible. Lastly, it has been reported by some of the niost skilled electricinns of the day as being perfect in insulation and other respects. Now, il anything like what we have heard as to the practicability of this discovery and its application to so many of the purposes of life, its eheapacess, its durubility. 7s comparative safety from five, ete., be feasible, it is high time that the publie took pains to be thoroughly informed ou the suhject.” Mecnanics’ W aces are advaneiag in Englaad. The cabinet-makers in London lately demanded an advance of ten per cent. on all kinds of work, ond reccived it. Wages are also advancing sll through the iron districts. This is one of the expected and legitimate results of the great revolution movement recently set on foot ia the Eastern States for the proeurement of skilled lahor from Europe. ‘The policy heretofore adopted of building up manofaeturing enterprises in this conutry which ean coaipete with the pauper labor of Europe, by a system of proteetive duties, is to he, ia a great measure, abandoned; aad the same end is to be gaincd by drawing off ths skilled labor of England to this country, by the offer of high wnges and the facilities of emigration, uatil the Eaglish mauufuetnrer shall be compelled, by the very scareity of labor, to raise the price of wazes to # slundard so near to onr own, as to place the two countries on equality of footing in that particular, It is not proposed to degrade the American operative te the coadition of a mere toiliag animal: but rather to elevate the Furopean laborer to the American level—to a position in which his toil will secure for him the means of a deeent and comfortable living. ‘I'he eaterprise is likely to sueceed, too; and not only America hut Europe, also—the great prodacing classes of the world everywhere—will be benefited by the movement. Wemay be compelled to pay a little more for vur broadcloths und liaens, our silks and satins, our railroad iron aad our cutlery; hut the gold with whicb they are now purchased, and whicb finds its way iuto the coffers of European hankers, will he kept in the hands of our own conutrymen. The mission in which we are eagaged is a great and a noble one ; aud one in every way worthy of our people, and of the age in whieb we live. Bessemer Srreu.—There aro now seventcen large Bessemer steel works in Great Britain, produciag steel at $100 per ton below the av. crage priee at which steel was sold lefore this new process was invented. These works ore capahle of produeing 6,000 tons of steel weekly, equal to fiftcen times the entire produetion of thot metal before the introduetion of the Bessemer process, and effecting an annual saving iu the cost of steel in Great Britain alone of over $30,000,000! By the extensive cupolus and heavy hydraulic machinery, couneeted with some of the largest of these stecl works, three men are ennbled to produce one hundred tons of Bessemer steci per day. Perhaps no diseovery, if we sxeept the steain engine, hus proved ol! sueh immense impottanee to the world as this. Improvement in Making Steel Oastings. Mr. Thomas E. Vickors, of Sheffield, England, has recently pateuted what is clnimed to be an important iinprovement in the manufaeture of steel eustings, which he descrihes as follows : My invention of improvements io the manufactura of steel castings relates more partienlarly to eusting heavy masses of stecl, such as whecl-tires, gun-blocks, crank-axles, and other masses. The object of the invention is to pre vent formation of large erystals, which are objectioouble in steel castings. ‘To this end, when the metal has beeu poured into the mould, or while it is heing poured in, motion is imparted to the mould, so that the inetat being in a molten or liquid state, is kept in continual motion or agitation. Ido not confine myself to any particular motion, but 1 prefer on oscillating, reeiprocuting, or rocking motion, whereby the liquid metal will be gently agitated or moved in the mould. Wheo the artiele to be cast is cirenlar, such as rnilway-wheels or tires, an oscillating or rocking movement of the mould will bs found sufficient to set the molten metal in motion, and thereby prevent the formation of large crystals. For some orticles an interniittent circular motion will be preferable, while for others a reciprocnting movement will answer the purpose. Other motions or compound alvvemeats may be advantageously employed in some iastances. ‘The particular tnotion to be used for the purpose of my iavention must, therefore, he lelt to the diseretioa of the manulucturer. The most convenicat method of carrying out my invention is: to mount or pluce the mould on a fraine, to which, the required motion cnn be imparted either by tbe haud of the workman or by mechanical means, such as by the use of a crank, eceentrit, or other eqnivalent mechanism, and this motion may, if desired, be continued until the metal is quite set. New Apparatus ror SEEINO ‘THRovGH' WaTuR.—The lust number of the Edinburg Review SAYS: Currents in the very bed of a river or heneath the surfaes of the sea, may he watched, as Mr. Campbell informs us, by un arrangement which the smugglers used in old days. They sank their contraband cargo when there was an alarm, and they searehed for it again by the help of aso-ealled telescope. It was nothing more than a cask with a plate of strong glass at tbe bottom. The man plunged the closed end a few inehes below the surface, and put his bead into the otber end, and then he saw clearly into the water. The glare and confused reflection and refractions from and through the rippled surface of the sea, were cotirely shut out by this eontrivanee. Seal hunters still use it. With this simple apparatus, the atirriag life of thesea-hottom can be watched at leisare und with great distinctness. So far as thie contrivance enables men to see the land under the waves, movements under wnter closely resemble the movements under air. Sca weeds, like plants, bend before the gnle; fish, like birds, keep their heads to the stream, and hnag poisedon their fins; mud clonds take the shape of water clouds ia nir, impede the light, cast shadows aud take shapes which point out the directions which eurreats flow. It is strange at first, to hang overa hoat’'s side peering into a new world, and the iaterest grows. There is excitement in watehing big fish swoop like hawks out of their sea-weed forest after a white fly sunk to the tree-tops to tempt them, and the fight which follows is hetLer fun when ptainly seen. (Vol. 1, p. 67.) Mr. Campbell suggests plate glass windows in the bottoin of a boat; it would bring inen and fish Tace to face; and the babits of the latter could be leisurely watched. Important Invention.—The iavention of Ebenezer Danforth, of Geneva, Illinois, by which steam can be generated without the least risk of explosion, bas beea patented and sold to a New York company, with a capital of $2,100,000, for the manufaeture of the apparatus. ~ MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS PATENT AGENCY. For the Pacifie Coast. Orrics or te Mutixo anv Scixntirio Paess—No, 505 Clay aircot, corner of Sansome, San Frnnelsco. Information for Inventors! Inventors on this coast having their applications for patents made out through our Agency can eign their papers at once, and thus secure their rights at least three months sooner than by trusting the same to dletant agencies, situated in New York or Washington. The first aaslon that presenta Itself to the Inventor, who des! 9 res to proctire a patene Is: “Can lobtaln a paren A posltfve answer to thls qnestion Is only to be had y presenting a formal ni eaiion fora putcut to the Governqnentembuee n petition, speciticatlon, niodel, duplicate, drawings, and the payment of the preseribed officinl fees. Aside from these steps, nil tho Inventor can do ly, lo submit his plans fo eens experienced In the bislnessot oblalning atents, and sollelt thelr opinion and adyleo. If the partles lonsnited arc honorable men, the Inventor may See con: nde his Ideas to them, and they will Inform him whether or cot his Invention ls probably patentable. hose whohave made Iivent'ons and desire to consult with us respecting the same, are cordially Invited to do so. We shall be happy to sce them Ih pea at our office, or to advise them by mall, or through the Minina ann Sorenririo Vrres. In allenses they may expeet from us an honest opinion. For these consullationa, opinion and adylce, wo make no charge. A pen-and-ink sketch, and description of the Inventlon should bosent toycther will astaimp for return postaze, Write plain; do not use pencil or male Ink; be rel, Remembcr that all business committed to our care, and all, Tepe aro kept by us seeret, and strictly confidenal. . . Caveats. A Cavent Is a confidential communieatlon made to the Patent Ofiice, and Is therefore filed within lta seerct archives. The privilege secured under a caveat ls, that It ontitles tho > caveator to recelvo notice, for a perlod of ono year, of on application for a patent subsequently filed, and which Is ad. judged to be novel, and Is Ilkely to Interfere with the Invention described in the caveat, and the caveator Is thenro. guired to complete his applicatlon for a putent within three taonths trom the date ol said notice. Caveat papers should be very a a Our fee for the service varies” from $10 to $20, The Government feo under the new law ts reduced to ten dollars; ond this sum does not apply, as heretofore, as part of the tee on presenting an application for a patent. . i, 4 Inventors wlll oftt!mes find It very Important to tnke advantage ofthe caveat system—the expenso undcr the law being comparatively smatl. To enablo us to caine caveat papcr, we only reqnire a sketch and description of the Invention; no model belng necessary, Expenss of Applying for « Patent, Rejections, ete. Under the new law, the Government fee, on fillng an application for a patent,.ts fifteen dollars ; and If tho patent ja allowed, twenty dollars additlonal ls required. If rejected, the first fee of fiftcen dollars Is all thatis demanded, EngUsh, French, Austrian, Prusslan Spanish, and Inventors of every natlonallty, may now obtain patents in the United States upon the samo terms as our own citizens. The only discrimInation made 1s agalnst subjects of government that discriminate agalnst the Inhabitants of the Unlted States, To the foregoing officlal fees must be added the Attorney's fees for preparlug the various documents and drawlngs. Our charge for preparing a case, aeseDt ne It to. the Gov ernment, and attending to al! business connected with It, until a decision Is given, Is from $2010 $40, If the patent is grantted no further agency expenses onsues. If the app: catlon Is reiected we cause thorough Investigatlon to bo made {nto the reason’ prescnted to the Commissioner for refusing the patent. In making thizexamination, our WashIngton agent has access to all the lrawings, models, booka and specliications clied in reference, and we report the result as carly as possible to our client, If’ the rejoctlon proves to be an unjust one—which sometlmes happens—It can genernully be reversed, and the patent obtained by contesting the case. For thls prosecutlon we charge a fec proportionate to the extra labor involved, payable onl on the Issue of the patent ; but our demand will be reasonable and.satisfactory. to our elients, and wlll be arranged heforchand by specinl herecment. The system adopted by us works iwellanlved general satlafaction and presents to all applicants, rich or poor, an equal cupertuniiy of having thelr patent casos prepared, conducted and prosecuted In the best manner, by experienced nttorney's, upon the most moderate terma. have rejected cases, prcpared elther by themselves, or for ‘ them by other agents, and deslre to ascertaln thelr TOs-, pects of success bh: furihor efforts, are Invited to avall themselves of our unequalled facilitles.In apeuring fe vorgble Te5 sults: We have been successful In securing Lettors Patent ln many cases of sucha matter. Our terms tor auch casas are very moderate. Models, Remittances, etc, The law requires that the Inventor shall, In all cases, fur. nish a model, which must not excced twelvo Inches In any of its dimentions ; It should, be neally made, of hard woo or metal, or both, varnlshed or painted; the name of the nyentor should be engraved or painted on It eousplcuoualy. When the Invention consists of an Improvement on some known machine, a full working model of the whole will not bo necessary. It should be sufficlently perfect, however, to alow: with clenrness, the nature and operation of the. inventlon.io E As soon as the mode] ts ready, It should he carefully boxed and shipped by express or otherwise, to our address, name. vy: Dew o., Mining and Scientific Press, No. 605 Clery Street, corner of Sansome, San ‘anclsco, Cal. ‘Pre. pay expenses and send oxpress recelpt to us by mall. Simultaneously with the medel, tho Inventorshould send us the first installment ot the Government fee, fifteen dollars. he money may be forwarded elthor by express with the modcl, or by mail_ The safest way to remit is by dratt .on San Franelsco, payable to our order., Always send a letiter w th the model,and also the remittance atating the name and address of the sender. a er A full description should also be sent with the model, emBoas Ine all the ldeas of the Inyentor respecting the improve1 Inventors who 4. =) ent. On the recelpt of the model and Oovernment fee, the case is duly registered upon our books, and the application proceeded with asians: ay possible. When the documents are ready wesend thein tothe inventor by malt, for his examination, signature and aftidavit, with a lotter of Instruction, ete. Ourtee for prepare the case Is then due and will be called for. The case will then be presented to tha Patent O42ce, and as soon as the patent ts ordered to he ig. sued the Oovernment fec, namely, tents dollar Inventors who do business with us will be state of their application In the Patent Office, when It ls pos. sihle for ug to do so. We do not require the personal attend. apeg of the inveutor, unless it is one of great complication; the business enn he well done by correspondence. When the invention consists of a new article of manufacture, or a ew composition, samples of tho separate Ingredlents, sufiicient to make the experlmcnt, ond aisoof the manufactured urticle ltsclf must be furnished. The average time required to procure a patent, when tho case Is conducted at our areney, Is three months. We fre. quently gct them through in less tlme ; hut In other cases, owing to delay on the par! of offtclals, the perlod 13 sometimes extended to four or flve months, andeven more. We make a apecin) polnt to forward our cases aa rapidly ag. possible. f Patent Office Fees, and How Payable. Nearly all the fees payahle to the Patent Office are posltively required by law to be pald In advance, A The following Is the Oovernment tarlff of fees establishes by law: On every application for a design, for 3 y’rs and 6 mos.. $10 On every application for a design, for seven years.. wb Ou every application for a design, for fourteen years On every upplication for a pateut, for seventeen years, O1 3 . Onis ¢ iS ing a dis On every application fora is Ou every nhaittonal patent grante: On every upplicution for an extensiou. On the grant of every extension 50 On appeai to the C: issi trom -In-chlef 20 Ov every appeal to the Judges of Circult Court, D.C.. 25 We have bad successful oxperience In conducting these appeals and our services are rendered on moderato terms. N. B.—We make out our own forms for applications, etc., and wonld re:wectfully Inform all parties that we have no printed biankitorms lor sale. DEWEY & CO., Agents, Mining and Sclentific Press Office, No, 505 Clay street, cor: ner of Sausome, San Francisco.

The Mining and Scientific Press, 39 Mechanical, A NEW SUBSTITUTE FOR IRON AND Wi Prof. A. L. Ficary, in ove of his interesting letters to the Pittabarg Oil News and ManuSacturing Journal, gives quito a full deseription of a reeet invention of a substnnee kaown as Zopissa purerhoard, which, he states, is now heing extensively introduecd in England ns a substitute for many purposea for wood and iron. ‘The inveotion wns mode by Col. N. C. Seezeretmey, n Ifungariun gentleman, residing in London. ‘The following description, compiled from the Lrofessor’s letter, will be read with interest as giving some idea of the usefulness und value of this invention : The Zopissa paperboards and pipes are made of u inatorial manufactured from fibrous substanees, and saturated with the Zopisso eoinpouad only, without tho slightest adinixturn of any bituminous matter. ‘hey are therefore unt to be eonfounded witb pipes made of bituminous paper, The material is of a aigst remarkable eliaracter, its speeific gravity compared to iron is as one to six and a half or thereabouts, depending on the modo of ‘its wanufactare ; it is slightly gretter than the speeific gravity of wood (English oak.) bat the Zopissa bonrd is much stronger than any description of wood. A test with Zopissa board of one incb in thickhess against oak planks of the sama width nnd length, but six inches thick, has shown that where the one inch Zopissa boards have deflected hulfan inch, the six inch oak planks have been thoroughly broken. When fired at with a Whitworth rifle it hos been found thatthe resistance to penetration of two i:ches of this board is proved to he greater than thut of ten inehes of solid ouk. The Zopissn boards are perfectly waterproof or non-sbsorbent, and practically indestrnetible, for neither animal, nor vegetnble matter cnn adhere to theiz surfuce. The material is a aon-eonductor of heat, cold or electricity, and perfectly non-inflainmalle, no aaionnt of heat cnn set it in o flaine. When prepared in sheets, whieh eaa be made 100 feet long or upwards, and of any breadth and thickness, this materiul is eminently adapted for ship and boat building, the liuing or covering of ships. for backing armor plated vessels ; for the eonstruction of water tanks; for portable houses; for roofing and flooring ; for railway and private carriage building; fermany descriptions of furniture ; for the soles of boota and shoes, Jur oil and water tanks, petroleum harrels, hogsheads, easks, boxes, ete., ete. The Zopissa boards are readily fixed to the framework of vessels, and do not require sheathing with copper or other metal, for they are never fouled. ‘I'he heaviest shot going through vessels eoustructed of this mutcrial will make only a clear, round hole, without splinteriag, which is the eausc of the destructiou ol life in vessels of war, (the same con he said to happen in the railroad collisions.) the damaged portion cau at ouee bo plugged and rendered perlectly secure. If such a vessel strikes npona rock, there will be no shattering of timbers, as with a wooden vessel, or complete destruetioo as is olten the case with iron ones, owiag to the inability to immediately repair the dumaged portion. When used as a lining for iron ships, the Zopissa board entirely praveats tbe unpleasant and unbealthy effect of sweating, always to be found in such vessels. So fully alive are the English government and the shipping interest to this invention and its important advantages, that large offers have been mude tothe patentee for the right to apply tbe material for this purpose ouly. For the construction ol railway carriages an immense field is open for the application of the Zopissa board, and orders are ulready promised for many yeare to eome. When this material is used, a carriage is obtaiaed eombining the maxiinum of strength with the minimum of weight and cost,aad the most beautiful polished surface ean be given to the exterior of such catriages. THE ZOPISSA PIPES. In addition to the multifarious uses to which the Zopissa sheets are suited, tbe Zopissa pipes are peculiarly applicable for the transmission ol water, gas, sewerage, oil, and other liquids, also for underground telegraph purposes, for speakiag tubes and a vast variety of other uses. Te Zopissa pipes are cunsiderably stronger, (compared by weight) much cheaper, aud remarkably light as compared with iroa pipes. Water passing through tbem will remain perfeetly pure and cannot freeze in the severest lrost, therefore, pipes of this material are not liable to burst. To prove the latter statement the Zopissa pipee have been tested in Russiu fora whole winter without being affeeted in the smallest degres. Tbe Zopizea pipes will beur a pressare of 260 ponnds to the square iuch, aud ean be mude of greuter strength if required. WhaT 18 zorissa? The Zopissa is a substance eoming from the Enst Indies. and possesses the pecutiur properties given to the titrous muteriuls. If we look aruund in nature we find many eurious properties due to the admixtaro of eertnin sulstances, the strength of tho fibre in certuin qualities ot wood, the stiffness of straw, the tenacity of the vine, the indestructihitity of the human hair, the fmrdness of the ccvering, und the eompuctness of the tooth, and many other instances, show that wo have yet many things to learn. ‘bea preservation of the monaments of antiquity in Enstern cities, in Egypt, in the Kost Indies and others, hinve led Col. Szerelmey to the eniployment of what is now knowu ns Zupissa, a peculiar gnmi used by the ancients for the proservation ef wood und cloths. The Papier Mache of the Chinese and Japnnese has never yet been equalized or superseded by any of the Kuropenn or Aniericon manufacturers, and from tha ubove given extracts from English puhlieations, we enn seo that our neighbors over the water begin to show that theynre oot remoioiog behind in the general progress. 1s USE AS AN INSULATON. The following extract from the Lendon Times September Ist of the present year, foreshadows another importont improvement: “ But what, strikes us most at the present time,” snys the journal, “just after a seeond failure to cstablish telegraphie communieation with America, is the confident assertion of Colonel Szerelmey's friends, well known in several eireles, that by the use of this Zopisea paper alone, of all the materials at preseut known, can a perfect eleetric eable be formed. We were shown a rope of less thaa an iach in diameter, with an ordinury eopper wire projeeting at ench end through the eenter. ‘This rope was formed neither of hemp, india-rubber, gutta percha, cork shavings, nor any ordinary recommended covering, but simply of Zopissa paper. It is almost impossible thnt it caa break; it will not stretch, and: thus throw the strain on the copper wire, although it is perfeetly flexible. Lastly, it has been reported by some of the niost skilled electricinns of the day as being perfect in insulation and other respects. Now, il anything like what we have heard as to the practicability of this discovery and its application to so many of the purposes of life, its eheapacess, its durubility. 7s comparative safety from five, ete., be feasible, it is high time that the publie took pains to be thoroughly informed ou the suhject.” Mecnanics’ W aces are advaneiag in Englaad. The cabinet-makers in London lately demanded an advance of ten per cent. on all kinds of work, ond reccived it. Wages are also advancing sll through the iron districts. This is one of the expected and legitimate results of the great revolution movement recently set on foot ia the Eastern States for the proeurement of skilled lahor from Europe. ‘The policy heretofore adopted of building up manofaeturing enterprises in this conutry which ean coaipete with the pauper labor of Europe, by a system of proteetive duties, is to he, ia a great measure, abandoned; aad the same end is to be gaincd by drawing off ths skilled labor of England to this country, by the offer of high wnges and the facilities of emigration, uatil the Eaglish mauufuetnrer shall be compelled, by the very scareity of labor, to raise the price of wazes to # slundard so near to onr own, as to place the two countries on equality of footing in that particular, It is not proposed to degrade the American operative te the coadition of a mere toiliag animal: but rather to elevate the Furopean laborer to the American level—to a position in which his toil will secure for him the means of a deeent and comfortable living. ‘I'he eaterprise is likely to sueceed, too; and not only America hut Europe, also—the great prodacing classes of the world everywhere—will be benefited by the movement. Wemay be compelled to pay a little more for vur broadcloths und liaens, our silks and satins, our railroad iron aad our cutlery; hut the gold with whicb they are now purchased, and whicb finds its way iuto the coffers of European hankers, will he kept in the hands of our own conutrymen. The mission in which we are eagaged is a great and a noble one ; aud one in every way worthy of our people, and of the age in whieb we live. Bessemer Srreu.—There aro now seventcen large Bessemer steel works in Great Britain, produciag steel at $100 per ton below the av. crage priee at which steel was sold lefore this new process was invented. These works ore capahle of produeing 6,000 tons of steel weekly, equal to fiftcen times the entire produetion of thot metal before the introduetion of the Bessemer process, and effecting an annual saving iu the cost of steel in Great Britain alone of over $30,000,000! By the extensive cupolus and heavy hydraulic machinery, couneeted with some of the largest of these stecl works, three men are ennbled to produce one hundred tons of Bessemer steci per day. Perhaps no diseovery, if we sxeept the steain engine, hus proved ol! sueh immense impottanee to the world as this. Improvement in Making Steel Oastings. Mr. Thomas E. Vickors, of Sheffield, England, has recently pateuted what is clnimed to be an important iinprovement in the manufaeture of steel eustings, which he descrihes as follows : My invention of improvements io the manufactura of steel castings relates more partienlarly to eusting heavy masses of stecl, such as whecl-tires, gun-blocks, crank-axles, and other masses. The object of the invention is to pre vent formation of large erystals, which are objectioouble in steel castings. ‘To this end, when the metal has beeu poured into the mould, or while it is heing poured in, motion is imparted to the mould, so that the inetat being in a molten or liquid state, is kept in continual motion or agitation. Ido not confine myself to any particular motion, but 1 prefer on oscillating, reeiprocuting, or rocking motion, whereby the liquid metal will be gently agitated or moved in the mould. Wheo the artiele to be cast is cirenlar, such as rnilway-wheels or tires, an oscillating or rocking movement of the mould will bs found sufficient to set the molten

metal in motion, and thereby prevent the formation of large crystals. For some orticles an interniittent circular motion will be preferable, while for others a reciprocnting movement will answer the purpose. Other motions or compound alvvemeats may be advantageously employed in some iastances. ‘The particular tnotion to be used for the purpose of my iavention must, therefore, he lelt to the diseretioa of the manulucturer. The most convenicat method of carrying out my invention is: to mount or pluce the mould on a fraine, to which, the required motion cnn be imparted either by tbe haud of the workman or by mechanical means, such as by the use of a crank, eceentrit, or other eqnivalent mechanism, and this motion may, if desired, be continued until the metal is quite set. New Apparatus ror SEEINO ‘THRovGH' WaTuR.—The lust number of the Edinburg Review SAYS: Currents in the very bed of a river or heneath the surfaes of the sea, may he watched, as Mr. Campbell informs us, by un arrangement which the smugglers used in old days. They sank their contraband cargo when there was an alarm, and they searehed for it again by the help of aso-ealled telescope. It was nothing more than a cask with a plate of strong glass at tbe bottom. The man plunged the closed end a few inehes below the surface, and put his bead into the otber end, and then he saw clearly into the water. The glare and confused reflection and refractions from and through the rippled surface of the sea, were cotirely shut out by this eontrivanee. Seal hunters still use it. With this simple apparatus, the atirriag life of thesea-hottom can be watched at leisare und with great distinctness. So far as thie contrivance enables men to see the land under the waves, movements under wnter closely resemble the movements under air. Sca weeds, like plants, bend before the gnle; fish, like birds, keep their heads to the stream, and hnag poisedon their fins; mud clonds take the shape of water clouds ia nir, impede the light, cast shadows aud take shapes which point out the directions which eurreats flow. It is strange at first, to hang overa hoat’'s side peering into a new world, and the iaterest grows. There is excitement in watehing big fish swoop like hawks out of their sea-weed forest after a white fly sunk to the tree-tops to tempt them, and the fight which follows is hetLer fun when ptainly seen. (Vol. 1, p. 67.) Mr. Campbell suggests plate glass windows in the bottoin of a boat; it would bring inen and fish Tace to face; and the babits of the latter could be leisurely watched. Important Invention.—The iavention of Ebenezer Danforth, of Geneva, Illinois, by which steam can be generated without the least risk of explosion, bas beea patented and sold to a New York company, with a capital of $2,100,000, for the manufaeture of the apparatus. ~ MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS PATENT AGENCY. For the Pacifie Coast. Orrics or te Mutixo anv Scixntirio Paess—No, 505 Clay aircot, corner of Sansome, San Frnnelsco. Information for Inventors! Inventors on this coast having their applications for patents made out through our Agency can eign their papers at once, and thus secure their rights at least three months sooner than by trusting the same to dletant agencies, situated in New York or Washington. The first aaslon that presenta Itself to the Inventor, who des! 9 res to proctire a patene Is: “Can lobtaln a paren A posltfve answer to thls qnestion Is only to be had y presenting a formal ni eaiion fora putcut to the Governqnentembuee n petition, speciticatlon, niodel, duplicate, drawings, and the payment of the preseribed officinl fees. Aside from these steps, nil tho Inventor can do ly, lo submit his plans fo eens experienced In the bislnessot oblalning atents, and sollelt thelr opinion and adyleo. If the partles lonsnited arc honorable men, the Inventor may See con: nde his Ideas to them, and they will Inform him whether or cot his Invention ls probably patentable. hose whohave made Iivent'ons and desire to consult with us respecting the same, are cordially Invited to do so. We shall be happy to sce them Ih pea at our office, or to advise them by mall, or through the Minina ann Sorenririo Vrres. In allenses they may expeet from us an honest opinion. For these consullationa, opinion and adylce, wo make no charge. A pen-and-ink sketch, and description of the Inventlon should bosent toycther will astaimp for return postaze, Write plain; do not use pencil or male Ink; be rel, Remembcr that all business committed to our care, and all, Tepe aro kept by us seeret, and strictly confidenal. . . Caveats. A Cavent Is a confidential communieatlon made to the Patent Ofiice, and Is therefore filed within lta seerct archives. The privilege secured under a caveat ls, that It ontitles tho > caveator to recelvo notice, for a perlod of ono year, of on application for a patent subsequently filed, and which Is ad. judged to be novel, and Is Ilkely to Interfere with the Invention described in the caveat, and the caveator Is thenro. guired to complete his applicatlon for a putent within three taonths trom the date ol said notice. Caveat papers should be very a a Our fee for the service varies” from $10 to $20, The Government feo under the new law ts reduced to ten dollars; ond this sum does not apply, as heretofore, as part of the tee on presenting an application for a patent. . i, 4 Inventors wlll oftt!mes find It very Important to tnke advantage ofthe caveat system—the expenso undcr the law being comparatively smatl. To enablo us to caine caveat papcr, we only reqnire a sketch and description of the Invention; no model belng necessary, Expenss of Applying for « Patent, Rejections, ete. Under the new law, the Government fee, on fillng an application for a patent,.ts fifteen dollars ; and If tho patent ja allowed, twenty dollars additlonal ls required. If rejected, the first fee of fiftcen dollars Is all thatis demanded, EngUsh, French, Austrian, Prusslan Spanish, and Inventors of every natlonallty, may now obtain patents in the United States upon the samo terms as our own citizens. The only discrimInation made 1s agalnst subjects of government that discriminate agalnst the Inhabitants of the Unlted States, To the foregoing officlal fees must be added the Attorney's fees for preparlug the various documents and drawlngs. Our charge for preparing a case, aeseDt ne It to. the Gov ernment, and attending to al! business connected with It, until a decision Is given, Is from $2010 $40, If the patent is grantted no further agency expenses onsues. If the app: catlon Is reiected we cause thorough Investigatlon to bo made {nto the reason’ prescnted to the Commissioner for refusing the patent. In making thizexamination, our WashIngton agent has access to all the lrawings, models, booka and specliications clied in reference, and we report the result as carly as possible to our client, If’ the rejoctlon proves to be an unjust one—which sometlmes happens—It can genernully be reversed, and the patent obtained by contesting the case. For thls prosecutlon we charge a fec proportionate to the extra labor involved, payable onl on the Issue of the patent ; but our demand will be reasonable and.satisfactory. to our elients, and wlll be arranged heforchand by specinl herecment. The system adopted by us works iwellanlved general satlafaction and presents to all applicants, rich or poor, an equal cupertuniiy of having thelr patent casos prepared, conducted and prosecuted In the best manner, by experienced nttorney's, upon the most moderate terma. have rejected cases, prcpared elther by themselves, or for ‘ them by other agents, and deslre to ascertaln thelr TOs-, pects of success bh: furihor efforts, are Invited to avall themselves of our unequalled facilitles.In apeuring fe vorgble Te5 sults: We have been successful In securing Lettors Patent ln many cases of sucha matter. Our terms tor auch casas are very moderate. Models, Remittances, etc, The law requires that the Inventor shall, In all cases, fur. nish a model, which must not excced twelvo Inches In any of its dimentions ; It should, be neally made, of hard woo or metal, or both, varnlshed or painted; the name of the nyentor should be engraved or painted on It eousplcuoualy. When the Invention consists of an Improvement on some known machine, a full working model of the whole will not bo necessary. It should be sufficlently perfect, however, to alow: with clenrness, the nature and operation of the. inventlon.io E As soon as the mode] ts ready, It should he carefully boxed and shipped by express or otherwise, to our address, name. vy: Dew o., Mining and Scientific Press, No. 605 Clery Street, corner of Sansome, San ‘anclsco, Cal. ‘Pre. pay expenses and send oxpress recelpt to us by mall. Simultaneously with the medel, tho Inventorshould send us the first installment ot the Government fee, fifteen dollars. he money may be forwarded elthor by express with the modcl, or by mail_ The safest way to remit is by dratt .on San Franelsco, payable to our order., Always send a letiter w th the model,and also the remittance atating the name and address of the sender. a er A full description should also be sent with the model, emBoas Ine all the ldeas of the Inyentor respecting the improve1 Inventors who 4. =) ent. On the recelpt of the model and Oovernment fee, the case is duly registered upon our books, and the application proceeded with asians: ay possible. When the documents are ready wesend thein tothe inventor by malt, for his examination, signature and aftidavit, with a lotter of Instruction, ete. Ourtee for prepare the case Is then due and will be called for. The case will then be presented to tha Patent O42ce, and as soon as the patent ts ordered to he ig. sued the Oovernment fec, namely, tents dollar Inventors who do business with us will be state of their application In the Patent Office, when It ls pos. sihle for ug to do so. We do not require the personal attend. apeg of the inveutor, unless it is one of great complication; the business enn he well done by correspondence. When the invention consists of a new article of manufacture, or a ew composition, samples of tho separate Ingredlents, sufiicient to make the experlmcnt, ond aisoof the manufactured urticle ltsclf must be furnished. The average time required to procure a patent, when tho case Is conducted at our areney, Is three months. We fre. quently gct them through in less tlme ; hut In other cases, owing to delay on the par! of offtclals, the perlod 13 sometimes extended to four or flve months, andeven more. We make a apecin) polnt to forward our cases aa rapidly ag. possible. f Patent Office Fees, and How Payable. Nearly all the fees payahle to the Patent Office are posltively required by law to be pald In advance, A The following Is the Oovernment tarlff of fees establishes by law: On every application for a design, for 3 y’rs and 6 mos... $10 On every application for a design, for seven years... wb Ou every application for a design, for fourteen years On every upplication for a pateut, for seventeen years, O1 3 . Onis ¢ iS ing a dis On every application fora is Ou every nhaittonal patent grante: On every upplicution for an extensiou. On the grant of every extension 50 On appeai to the C: issi trom -In-chlef 20 Ov every appeal to the Judges of Circult Court, D.C... 25 We have bad successful oxperience In conducting these appeals and our services are rendered on moderato terms. N. B.—We make out our own forms for applications, etc., and wonld re:wectfully Inform all parties that we have no printed biankitorms lor sale. DEWEY & CO., Agents, Mining and Sclentific Press Office, No, 505 Clay street, cor: ner of Sausome, San Francisco.