Volume 13 (1866) (424 pages)

184 The Wining and Scientific Dress. Mining andl Scientific Press, W. B. EWER,.cceccseseeceecer eens eects ences Sentor Epiror. oO. W. M. SMITH. W. B. EWER. 4. T, DEWEY. DEWEY & Co., Publishers. * Orricx—No. 505 Clay street, corner of Sausome, 2d floor. Terms of Subscription; One copy, per annum, In advance,.. One copy, six months, in advance,. bay For sale by Carriers and Ne +5 00 3.00 Canvasting: Agents. Ovn Frrexps can do much In aid of our paper and the canse of practical knowledge and sclence, by assisting our Agents In their labors of canvassing, by lending their infilnence and encouraging favors. We shall send none but wortby men. Mr. Thomas Starr ls Agent for the Miving axp Sciexmrio Fress in Nevada, and will canvass (he principal eltles, towns and districts of that State. August 25, 1866. Mr. O. P. Truesdell will act as our Corresponding Agent and Solicitor, inthe interlor of this State, from this date. August 25, L866. i Mr, A. C. Knox, ls our city soliciting and collecting Agent, and all subscriptions. or other favors extcnded to him, will be duly acknowledced at thls office. San Francisco, Jan 11th, 1866. Mr. X. N. Hudson, is authorized to solicit subscrip tlons, advertising, cte., for the Mininc ANnp Scientirio Press, in San Francisco, and to receipt tor the same. The Agency of Chas. A. Russell and Erwin Zimmerman, for this paper, ceases from this date. Sept. 8th, 1866, SupscrIBERS who do not receive the MINING AND Screntiric Press in due time, are requested to inform the puhlishers. San Francisco: Saturday Morning, Sept, 22, 1866. NOTICES TOCORRESPONDENTS. Owine to the great and rapidly increasing amouut of our correspon:lence, consisting largely of queries relating to various interesting points connected with Mining and Metallurgy, we find it indipeusably necessary, for want of space, to confine our replies in future chiefly to aseries of brief notices, which hereafter wiil appear regularly under the above caption. X. Y.—Dry crushing, as described by those who have witnessed the recent trials of the re. auscitated Ryerson process, at Bear Valley, is a, very slow, tedious, nnd, consequently, expensive mode of reducing ores to a finely divided state. ‘The advantage of dry over wet crushing ores, to be afterwords reduced or amalgamated in the manner descrihed by the use of superheated steam, has not been fully established. The accounts of the trials at Bear Valley bear strong evidences of inflation, to use the mildest phrase. For instance, it is reported that one of the great aids towards the extraction of the gold is produced hy using superheated steam, at a temperature sufficiently high te sublime mercury, say about 700°, the vapor of which is condenscd nt the top by an iron plate constantly kept cold by means of water; and when reduced to the liquid form, it is nnticipated will descend hy its gravity, and so amalgamate with any free gold which may.be left. One great misfor_ tune for this process mnst be ‘that when the temperature of the vessel and contents is raised snificiently high to sublime quicksilver, it parts from the amalgamated gold, leaving the latter in something like its primitive mietallic form, Superheated steam, even at 800° or 900°, in a close vessel, will not desulphurize pyrites to the extent desired. Tuking the above facts inte consideration, and coupling with them the circumstance that the “ Pine Tree," from which the ore is said to have been derived, does not assay, on an nverage, anything like thirty dollars per ton, we are inclined to snspect that the accounts given of the expcriments you refer to are anything but impnrtial, ond ahould be accepted, as they have been by us, “cum grano salis.” Ewquirer, SHasta.—The orea fonnd in Montana and Idaho are very varied. The celebrated Candle-Box lead haa primarily consisted of n mixed sulphurct of ailver and antimony, which, by natural decompositiou, has become partially converted into metallic ailver. Other varieties are largely mixed with copper; amongst the tichest of this class is one principnily consisting of the red oxide of copper, intermixed with voriable proportions of the sulphureta of copper and silver, ond occnsionally with gold ulso. Oxe who Wants to Kyow—Houszonor. Lead in vnrious lors, and in ores of different species, has froin tiitue immemorial heen used to extract gold and silver from the most:complex ond difficult ores. here cannot, therefore, be anything new in the so called “ Lyon” process, uuless the lead or its compounds are employed in a peculiar furnace, or in some par. ticulnr manaer, We understand, from Doctor . Macgowan, that the Chiuese procure their sycee silver in this mauuer. (Editorial Correspondence.] THIRTEENTH ANNUAL STATE FAIR. New entries were daily made at the Pnvilion, op to the closing day of the exhibition, and the general interest manifested hy the public increased from day to day during its entire continuance. The Fair was certainly a financial snccess, even though it might not have reached that character, as an exhibition, which its managers and friends desired to see it attain. The deficiencies, in the latter pnrticnlar, were certainly in no wise attributable to the managemert ; hut must be chorged exclusively to the indifference manifested on the part of those who should have availed themselves of the opportunities offered by the Society, to place their inventions and improvements, their manufactures and productions, before the public. Inferior, however, as was the general aggregate of display, it was gratifying to notice that the pioneers in all the most important industrial enterprises were there with the results of their enterprise and ingenuity. Chief among the manufactures, was the display of Mr. W. H. Rector, of the Oaklaud Manufacturing Company, who made a fine exhibit of the first cotton manufacture ever turned out in the State. The mill of this company wove its first yard of goods on the first day of September last, since which time the works have been in constant and successful operation. Its capneity is about 30,000 yards of 4-4 sheeting per month. Of course the most of their raw material hus to be purchased abroud; hut they were enahled to exhibit several specimens of goods manufactured of California growncotton. It was remarked hy all observers, that the appearance of the goods made from homegrown cotton, was decidely superior to the same fineness of goods manunfactured from foreign material. This company will soon add to their works the requisite woolen machinery for producing jeans, linseys, flannels, etc. ‘I'hey also nfforda home market for all the cotton which can be grown,at the present time, on the Pacific coast. This wns one of the most importaut and suggestive exhibitions at the Paviliou. The above company also: exhihited several halls of cotton twine of their own mauufscture, which was pronounced fully equal, if not superior in evenness, strength aud manner of wind, to any which can be imported. This may also be regarded as quite an important enterprise, from the fact that our market has for 2 long time been compelled to put up with quite an inferior orticle, furnished from nbroad nt an exorbitant price. he first premium was awarded to Mr. Rector, both for his woven cotton goods, and for his twinc. I. C. Mayer & Sons, of the Pacific Excelsior Mills, of this city, displayed six hales of cotton wadding and batting, of different varietics aud qualities, mannfactured from California cotton, which they are prepared to supply at chenper rates than the same‘ goods can be imported from the Eastern States. The quality of this batting was much admired and commented on hy the ladies, especially, on account of its clean, neat and durahle appenrance. The imported batting is nsually made chiefly from the waste of the Eastern factories, while this ig made directly from the unselected cotton. The great superiority of the San Fraucisco batting wns therefore most especially apparent to every one. The enterprise is au important one, and cannot fail to prove n pecuniary success. Saimplcs of the new cotton, in the holls, from which hoth the woveu goods and batting were made, were exhibited hy the side of the goods themselves. The first premium was awarded for this exhihition. Next, if not equal in importance to the cotton exhibit, was the elegant and suggestive display of L. Prevost, of San Jose. This exhibition consisted of a perfect epitome of silk culture, from the enrliest stage of feeding the worms on the mulberry leaf, their gradua! growth, formiug the cocoon, hatching the eggs, the reeled silk, and, though somewhat late in the exhibition, a specimen of woveu silk from California production. Mr. Prevost exhibited a grent number of parties in various parta of the State. The piece of silk exhibited was manufactured by Messrs. Meyer & Neumann, who are just establishing a silk foctory in this city. It-is the first piece of silk manufactured in this State; and isa little over one yard in width, and about a yard in length. It is of the kind of goods known as ‘‘rep,’’and designed for ladies’ dresses. It is, moreover, the first piece of this kind of goods ever made in the United States. Too much credit cannot be given to Mr. Prevost, for the interest which he has taken in introducing this branch of industry into Colifornia. He has been indefatigable in his exertions, not for his own private gain, but often in direct conflict therewith. He is really doing the work of no philanthropist, ond has entered upon it with a degree of enthusiasm and self abnegation, which. will indissolubly connect his name with the establishment of a business ou this coast, which bids fair at no distant day to flourish in grenter perfection . and to assumea magnitude onsurpassed by any other locality on the globe, engaged in this branch of husiness. A special premium was awarded to both Mr. Prevost and to Messrs. Neumann & Meyer. Among the new inventions exhibited, was the grinding and omalzamating pan, by Mr. J. S. Crall, which was fully alluded to last week. Next, perhaps, in importance, was the Reversihle Side-Hill Plow, invented nnd exhib. ited by Mr. John Mott, of Danville, Contra Costa county. ‘This plow was illustrated in our issne of July 21st. It attracted mnch attention from those iuterested in agricultural pursuits, and fully sustained all that ia claimed for it in a practical trial, to which it wns subjected before the appropriatecommittee. We have repentedly described the principle and working of this plow. Suffice it now to say, that it is fast winning its way iuto universal use, not only for side-hill work, but also for ordinary level ground plowing. ‘The conception of this improvement is the result of much study and cost of time und labor on the part of the inventor, who is a practical adept at this important implement, the thorough and necurate working of which is the foundation of all agricultural success. ‘Two first premiuins were nwarded to Mr. Mott; one for the best stubble plow, and the other for the hest aide-hill plow. Messrs. Hill & Knaught, of Marysville, exhibited their newly-iayvented Broad-Cnst Grain Sowing Machine, with revolving harrow attached. This mochiae was fully described nnd illustrated in our issue of the 8th iast.; hut no description can give anything like such an accurate idea of its workiags as a personal examination of the machiae itself. We noticed that the machine nttracted much atteation from those interested; nnd all, so far as we could learn, expressed the utmost cunfidence in its cnpahility to perform its work in quite as rapid and effective a manner as is claimed for it. The great difficulty with hrond-cast sowing machines, is to make them do their work evenly, and at the same time he made adjustahle to the different sizes and variety of seed. A glance at the construction and method of its operntion will readily convince any practical man that this machine can do all thntisclaimed for it. It is rendily adjustable for any sized seed, from n mustard secd to the largest grnin; and the stirers are so arranged as to rendcr an evea distributioa of the same over the ground a moral certainty. No Opportunity is allowed for packing. The first premium was awarded to this machine. Rudolph & Broun exhibited a new gun-lock, of their own invention, which attracted no Little attcntion from all interested in firearms. The great advantage of this gun-lock over all others, grows out of the fact that while it is equally as strong and effective, it only occupies about half the depth of wnod of any other. The construction of the locks now in use require so much cuttiag away of the wood as to render the gun-stock extremely weak. Tt will be recollected that, gun-stocks always hreak at the very place where the locks are sct in, hecanse that is necessnrily the weakest point. Some idea of the superiority of this lock may be inferred from the fact that a double-barrel gun, fitted with two of these locks, has fully three times the thickness . of wood at the weakest point, which the snme gun would have fitted with the ordinary lock. The in-. his iavention tn the Chief Examiner of United States Ordnance, and other parties iaterested officially and otherwise ia military equipments, all of whom expressed themselves highly gratified with his invention, and assured him that it would must assuredly he introduced into all firearms hereafter manufactured for gnvernment use. The advantage uf such an improvement,in time of war, can scarcely he estimated, ennsidering the rough usage necessarily attendant npnn firearms, either in camp, on the mareh nrin battle. As a piece of mechanical skill, it takes front rank fur utility. It gives fully double ‘the ordinary strength to the gun at its weakest point, while nnt a particle of the efficiency uf the old gun is Inst by the application of this new inventinn. It is no more likely, and if anything less liahle, to get nut of order than the lock ordiaatrily in use. Our readers will nut be surprised that it was awarded a speéial preminm. ” Perhaps it may not he nutnf place here, to state that each and nll of these impnrtant inventions have heen patented through the Minixe anp Scirntiric Press Parent AoEency. Tur Excersion AMALOAMATOR—We don’t know of any better or more appropriate name by which to designate the new amalgamator recently invented by Messrs. Senntz & Knowlton, of Sacramento. It is a gold-saving machine, which we have nlready alluded to, and a working model of which we examined while in Sacramento last week. This machine is the result of much thought and experiment, and is quite a novelty in the way of gold-saving machinery. It consists essentially of two or more shaking tables, placed in a line endways, one above the other, like hroad staira. The tables are long boxes, with each end turned up and hent inwnrds, like the toe of a skate. Tho sand is fed into one end of the uppermost one, passes grodunlly, with a shnking motion, to the opposite extremity, at which place it is dischnrged through a circular opening nbout on inch and n half ahove the bottoin, into the next tahle below, and so on to the second nud third, if desired: although the experiments thus far reuder it very conclusive that but two tahles will be needed in netual practice. The tables are covered with a stationary covering, to the underside of which is attached a network of projecting teeth or riffles, the same being arranged in pairs, each puir representing a common staple, with square instead of round corners. These stationary teeth project downward so as to just clear the bottom of the pan or tahle, and as the latter works backward ond forward, with n aliding motion, while the former are stationary, the result is not only to prevent the sand from packing, but also to keep it in such a constant state of agitation as to repeatedly bring every particle of the same, with its golden contents, into intimate contact with the quicksilver. A great number of experiments on refuse tailinga, which have passed through the best pans, amalgamators and settlers in use, we are informed, have yielded up a very considerable amount of gold to the searching action of this new machine. The resnlta which have heen shown us, as obtained from the model machine, are really astonishing. This machine hns the merit of not conflicting with any of the pans now in use, aa it is used neither as a triturator nor separator of snlphurets; although, if it works as well in extensive practice, as the working of the medel would aeem to indicate that it will, it must avoid all necessity for setilers. The quartz must be ground, as usual, in pans, and the sulphurcts collected by n coneentrntor, after both of which this amalgamator should be used. A large machine was put in operation the first of last week at the Golden Rule mill in Placer county, and the report of its first cleanup,as compared with previous working, are quite as nstonishing as the reported efficiency of the model which we exnmiucd.” Rexeny ror tHe Bits or Ranm Anians. Mr. Youatt, a famous veterinary surgeon, who has been bitten severul times by rabid animals, relates that crystnls of nitrate of silver rubbed into the wound would positively prevent hydrophobia in the bitten. Truc or uot it is easily cocoons rnised from eggs furnished by him, from . yentor, while in Washington, recently submitted . tried, and is not dangerous.

184 The Wining and Scientific Dress. Mining andl Scientific Press, W. B. EWER,.cceccseseeceecer eens eects ences Sentor Epiror. oO. W. M. SMITH. W. B. EWER. 4. T, DEWEY. DEWEY & Co., Publishers. * Orricx—No. 505 Clay street, corner of Sausome, 2d floor. Terms of Subscription; One copy, per annum, In advance,... One copy, six months, in advance,.. bay For sale by Carriers and Ne +5 00 3.00 Canvasting: Agents. Ovn Frrexps can do much In aid of our paper and the canse of practical knowledge and sclence, by assisting our Agents In their labors of canvassing, by lending their infilnence and encouraging favors. We shall send none but wortby men. Mr. Thomas Starr ls Agent for the Miving axp Sciexmrio Fress in Nevada, and will canvass (he principal eltles, towns and districts of that State. August 25, 1866. Mr. O. P. Truesdell will act as our Corresponding Agent and Solicitor, inthe interlor of this State, from this date. August 25, L866. i Mr, A. C. Knox, ls our city soliciting and collecting Agent, and all subscriptions. or other favors extcnded to him, will be duly acknowledced at thls office. San Francisco, Jan 11th, 1866. Mr. X. N. Hudson, is authorized to solicit subscrip tlons, advertising, cte., for the Mininc ANnp Scientirio Press, in San Francisco, and to receipt tor the same. The Agency of Chas. A. Russell and Erwin Zimmerman, for this paper, ceases from this date. Sept. 8th, 1866, SupscrIBERS who do not receive the MINING AND Screntiric Press in due time, are requested to inform the puhlishers. San Francisco: Saturday Morning, Sept, 22, 1866. NOTICES TOCORRESPONDENTS. Owine to the great and rapidly increasing amouut of our correspon:lence, consisting largely of queries relating to various interesting points connected with Mining and Metallurgy, we find it indipeusably necessary, for want of space, to confine our replies in future chiefly to aseries of brief notices, which hereafter wiil appear regularly under the above caption. X. Y.—Dry crushing, as described by those who have witnessed the recent trials of the re. auscitated Ryerson process, at Bear Valley, is a, very slow, tedious, nnd, consequently, expensive mode of reducing ores to a finely divided state. ‘The advantage of dry over wet crushing ores, to be afterwords reduced or amalgamated in the manner descrihed by the use of superheated steam, has not been fully established. The accounts of the trials at Bear Valley bear strong evidences of inflation, to use the mildest phrase. For instance, it is reported that one of the great aids towards the extraction of the gold is produced hy using superheated steam, at a temperature sufficiently high te sublime mercury, say about 700°, the vapor of which is condenscd nt the top by an iron plate constantly kept cold by means of water; and when reduced to the liquid form, it is nnticipated will descend hy its gravity, and so amalgamate with any free gold which may.be left. One great misfor_ tune for this process mnst be ‘that when the temperature of the vessel and contents is raised snificiently high to sublime quicksilver, it parts from the amalgamated gold, leaving the latter in something like its primitive mietallic form, Superheated steam, even at 800° or 900°, in a close vessel, will not desulphurize pyrites to the extent desired. Tuking the above facts inte consideration, and coupling with them the circumstance that the “ Pine Tree," from which the ore is said to have been derived, does not assay, on an nverage, anything like thirty dollars per ton, we are inclined to snspect that the accounts given of the expcriments you refer to are anything but impnrtial, ond ahould be accepted, as they have been by us, “cum grano salis.” Ewquirer, SHasta.—The orea fonnd in Montana and Idaho are very varied. The celebrated Candle-Box lead haa primarily consisted of n mixed sulphurct of ailver and antimony, which, by natural decompositiou, has become partially converted into metallic ailver. Other varieties are largely mixed with copper; amongst the tichest of this class is one principnily consisting of the red oxide of copper, intermixed with voriable proportions of the sulphureta of copper and silver, ond occnsionally with gold ulso. Oxe who Wants to Kyow—Houszonor. Lead in vnrious lors, and in ores of different species, has froin tiitue immemorial heen used to extract gold and silver from the most:complex ond difficult ores. here cannot, therefore, be anything new in the so called “ Lyon” process, uuless the lead or its compounds are employed in a peculiar furnace, or in some par. ticulnr manaer, We understand, from Doctor . Macgowan, that the Chiuese procure their sycee silver in this mauuer. (Editorial Correspondence.] THIRTEENTH ANNUAL STATE FAIR. New entries were daily made at the Pnvilion, op to the closing day of the exhibition, and the general interest manifested hy the public increased from day to day during its entire continuance. The Fair was certainly a financial snccess, even though it might not have reached that character, as an exhibition, which its managers and friends desired to see it attain. The deficiencies, in the latter pnrticnlar, were certainly in no wise attributable to the managemert ; hut must be chorged exclusively to the indifference manifested on the part of those who should have availed themselves of the opportunities offered by the Society, to place their inventions and improvements, their manufactures and productions, before the public. Inferior, however, as was the general aggregate of display, it was gratifying to notice that the pioneers in all the most important industrial enterprises were there with the results of their enterprise and ingenuity. Chief among the manufactures, was the display of Mr. W. H. Rector, of the Oaklaud Manufacturing Company, who made a fine exhibit of the first cotton manufacture ever turned out in the State. The mill of this company wove its first yard of goods on the first day of September last, since which time the works have been in constant and successful operation. Its capneity is about 30,000 yards of 4-4 sheeting per month. Of course the most of their raw material hus to be purchased abroud; hut they were enahled to exhibit several specimens of goods manufactured of California growncotton. It was remarked hy all observers, that the appearance of the goods made from homegrown cotton, was decidely superior to the same fineness of goods manunfactured from foreign material. This company will soon add to their works the requisite woolen machinery for producing jeans, linseys, flannels, etc. ‘I'hey also nfforda home market for all the cotton which can be grown,at the present time, on the Pacific coast. This wns one of the most importaut and suggestive exhibitions at the Paviliou. The above company also: exhihited several halls of cotton twine of their own mauufscture, which was pronounced fully equal, if not superior in evenness, strength aud manner of wind, to any which can be imported. This may also be regarded as quite an important enterprise, from the fact that our market has for 2 long time been compelled to put up with quite an inferior orticle, furnished from nbroad nt an exorbitant price. he first premium was awarded to Mr. Rector, both for his woven cotton goods, and for his twinc. I. C. Mayer & Sons, of the Pacific Excelsior Mills, of this city, displayed six hales of cotton wadding and batting, of different varietics aud qualities, mannfactured from California cotton, which they are prepared to supply at chenper rates than the same‘ goods can be imported from the Eastern States. The quality of this batting was much admired and commented on hy the ladies, especially, on account of its clean, neat and durahle appenrance. The imported batting is nsually made chiefly from the waste of the Eastern factories, while this ig made directly from the unselected cotton. The great superiority of the San Fraucisco batting wns therefore most especially apparent to every one. The enterprise is au important one, and cannot fail to prove n pecuniary success. Saimplcs of the new cotton, in the holls, from which hoth the woveu goods and batting were made, were exhibited hy the side of the goods themselves. The first premium was awarded for this exhihition. Next, if not equal in importance to the cotton exhibit, was the elegant and suggestive display of L. Prevost, of San Jose. This exhibition consisted of a perfect epitome of silk culture, from the enrliest stage of feeding the worms on the mulberry leaf, their gradua! growth, formiug the cocoon, hatching the eggs, the reeled silk, and, though somewhat late in the exhibition, a specimen of woveu silk from

California production. Mr. Prevost exhibited a grent number of parties in various parta of the State. The piece of silk exhibited was manufactured by Messrs. Meyer & Neumann, who are just establishing a silk foctory in this city. It-is the first piece of silk manufactured in this State; and isa little over one yard in width, and about a yard in length. It is of the kind of goods known as ‘‘rep,’’and designed for ladies’ dresses. It is, moreover, the first piece of this kind of goods ever made in the United States. Too much credit cannot be given to Mr. Prevost, for the interest which he has taken in introducing this branch of industry into Colifornia. He has been indefatigable in his exertions, not for his own private gain, but often in direct conflict therewith. He is really doing the work of no philanthropist, ond has entered upon it with a degree of enthusiasm and self abnegation, which. will indissolubly connect his name with the establishment of a business ou this coast, which bids fair at no distant day to flourish in grenter perfection . and to assumea magnitude onsurpassed by any other locality on the globe, engaged in this branch of husiness. A special premium was awarded to both Mr. Prevost and to Messrs. Neumann & Meyer. Among the new inventions exhibited, was the grinding and omalzamating pan, by Mr. J. S. Crall, which was fully alluded to last week. Next, perhaps, in importance, was the Reversihle Side-Hill Plow, invented nnd exhib. ited by Mr. John Mott, of Danville, Contra Costa county. ‘This plow was illustrated in our issne of July 21st. It attracted mnch attention from those iuterested in agricultural pursuits, and fully sustained all that ia claimed for it in a practical trial, to which it wns subjected before the appropriatecommittee. We have repentedly described the principle and working of this plow. Suffice it now to say, that it is fast winning its way iuto universal use, not only for side-hill work, but also for ordinary level ground plowing. ‘The conception of this improvement is the result of much study and cost of time und labor on the part of the inventor, who is a practical adept at this important implement, the thorough and necurate working of which is the foundation of all agricultural success. ‘Two first premiuins were nwarded to Mr. Mott; one for the best stubble plow, and the other for the hest aide-hill plow. Messrs. Hill & Knaught, of Marysville, exhibited their newly-iayvented Broad-Cnst Grain Sowing Machine, with revolving harrow attached. This mochiae was fully described nnd illustrated in our issue of the 8th iast.; hut no description can give anything like such an accurate idea of its workiags as a personal examination of the machiae itself. We noticed that the machine nttracted much atteation from those interested; nnd all, so far as we could learn, expressed the utmost cunfidence in its cnpahility to perform its work in quite as rapid and effective a manner as is claimed for it. The great difficulty with hrond-cast sowing machines, is to make them do their work evenly, and at the same time he made adjustahle to the different sizes and variety of seed. A glance at the construction and method of its operntion will readily convince any practical man that this machine can do all thntisclaimed for it. It is rendily adjustable for any sized seed, from n mustard secd to the largest grnin; and the stirers are so arranged as to rendcr an evea distributioa of the same over the ground a moral certainty. No Opportunity is allowed for packing. The first premium was awarded to this machine. Rudolph & Broun exhibited a new gun-lock, of their own invention, which attracted no Little attcntion from all interested in firearms. The great advantage of this gun-lock over all others, grows out of the fact that while it is equally as strong and effective, it only occupies about half the depth of wnod of any other. The construction of the locks now in use require so much cuttiag away of the wood as to render the gun-stock extremely weak. Tt will be recollected that, gun-stocks always hreak at the very place where the locks are sct in, hecanse that is necessnrily the weakest point. Some idea of the superiority of this lock may be inferred from the fact that a double-barrel gun, fitted with two of these locks, has fully three times the thickness . of wood at the weakest point, which the snme gun would have fitted with the ordinary lock. The in-. his iavention tn the Chief Examiner of United States Ordnance, and other parties iaterested officially and otherwise ia military equipments, all of whom expressed themselves highly gratified with his invention, and assured him that it would must assuredly he introduced into all firearms hereafter manufactured for gnvernment use. The advantage uf such an improvement,in time of war, can scarcely he estimated, ennsidering the rough usage necessarily attendant npnn firearms, either in camp, on the mareh nrin battle. As a piece of mechanical skill, it takes front rank fur utility. It gives fully double ‘the ordinary strength to the gun at its weakest point, while nnt a particle of the efficiency uf the old gun is Inst by the application of this new inventinn. It is no more likely, and if anything less liahle, to get nut of order than the lock ordiaatrily in use. Our readers will nut be surprised that it was awarded a speéial preminm. ” Perhaps it may not he nutnf place here, to state that each and nll of these impnrtant inventions have heen patented through the Minixe anp Scirntiric Press Parent AoEency. Tur Excersion AMALOAMATOR—We don’t know of any better or more appropriate name by which to designate the new amalgamator recently invented by Messrs. Senntz & Knowlton, of Sacramento. It is a gold-saving machine, which we have nlready alluded to, and a working model of which we examined while in Sacramento last week. This machine is the result of much thought and experiment, and is quite a novelty in the way of gold-saving machinery. It consists essentially of two or more shaking tables, placed in a line endways, one above the other, like hroad staira. The tables are long boxes, with each end turned up and hent inwnrds, like the toe of a skate. Tho sand is fed into one end of the uppermost one, passes grodunlly, with a shnking motion, to the opposite extremity, at which place it is dischnrged through a circular opening nbout on inch and n half ahove the bottoin, into the next tahle below, and so on to the second nud third, if desired: although the experiments thus far reuder it very conclusive that but two tahles will be needed in netual practice. The tables are covered with a stationary covering, to the underside of which is attached a network of projecting teeth or riffles, the same being arranged in pairs, each puir representing a common staple, with square instead of round corners. These stationary teeth project downward so as to just clear the bottom of the pan or tahle, and as the latter works backward ond forward, with n aliding motion, while the former are stationary, the result is not only to prevent the sand from packing, but also to keep it in such a constant state of agitation as to repeatedly bring every particle of the same, with its golden contents, into intimate contact with the quicksilver. A great number of experiments on refuse tailinga, which have passed through the best pans, amalgamators and settlers in use, we are informed, have yielded up a very considerable amount of gold to the searching action of this new machine. The resnlta which have heen shown us, as obtained from the model machine, are really astonishing. This machine hns the merit of not conflicting with any of the pans now in use, aa it is used neither as a triturator nor separator of snlphurets; although, if it works as well in extensive practice, as the working of the medel would aeem to indicate that it will, it must avoid all necessity for setilers. The quartz must be ground, as usual, in pans, and the sulphurcts collected by n coneentrntor, after both of which this amalgamator should be used. A large machine was put in operation the first of last week at the Golden Rule mill in Placer county, and the report of its first cleanup,as compared with previous working, are quite as nstonishing as the reported efficiency of the model which we exnmiucd.” Rexeny ror tHe Bits or Ranm Anians. Mr. Youatt, a famous veterinary surgeon, who has been bitten severul times by rabid animals, relates that crystnls of nitrate of silver rubbed into the wound would positively prevent hydrophobia in the bitten. Truc or uot it is easily cocoons rnised from eggs furnished by him, from . yentor, while in Washington, recently submitted . tried, and is not dangerous.