Volume 29 (1874) (428 pages)

{July 11, 1874. MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS. W. B, EWERs ces er eesssee eee DEWEY & CoO., Publishers. a. T. DEWEY, GEO. H. ATRONG. Ww. B. EWER, INO. Ls BOONE. SENIOn Enron. Office, No. 338 Montgomery St., S. E. Corner of California St., liagonally across from Wells, Fargo & Co.’s. SvpsoprPrions payable in advance—For one year, $4; six months, $2.25; three months, $1.25. Remittances hy registered letters or P, OC, orders at our risk. SING RaTES.—1 week. Lmonth. Smonths. lyear eaine: 5 80 $2.00 $5.00 $3.00 $7.50 24.00 6.00 14.00 40.00 Large advertisements at favorahle rates. Special or reading notices, legal advertisements, notices appearing in extraordinary type or in particular parts of the paper, inserted at apecial rates. San Erancisco: Saturday Morning. July 11, 1874. TABLE OF CONTENTS. GENERAL EDITORIALS. —Improved WaterWheel and Pressure Regulator; Giant Powder for Fishing; Academy of Sciences, 17. Who is this that Cometh from the North? Recent Patents; Society of Engineers of California; Patent Rivet Pocket Fastening, 24. Aaron's Amalgamation Process; English Companies and Titles to Mines; Primitive Methods of Quartz Crushing, 25. General News; Patouts and Inventions, 28. " ILLUSTRATIONS.—Improved Water-Wheel and Pressure Regulator, 17. ‘rapiche, or Chilian Mill; Rude Arastra for Crushing Cre, 25. CORRESPONDENCE. — How our Swamp Land may he Reclaimed; Foreign Corporations and American Mines, 18. SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS.—Ozone—A New snd Correct Method of Supply; Audihle Safety Lamp; Sound: Facts and Fancies ahout Heat; The Moon and Vegetation; Naphthaline; Flame; Tellurinm, 19. MECHANICAL PROGRESS.—Making MatchSticks: Metallic Floors; Fish Scale Crnaments; Steel Boilers; Lacquer; Coating Metals; Penholders, 9. MINING STOCK MAREKEET.—Tahle of Daily Sales and Prices and Comparative Prices for the Week; Notices of Assessments; Meetings snd Dividends; Review of Stock Market for the Week, 20. MINING SUMMARY from various counties in Oalifornia, 20-21, 4 USEFUL INFORMATION.—Ftching Iron; Preserving Iron; Preserving Wood with Tannin; Spurious Coins; Czone; Fixing Pencil Drawings; Linseed Oil; Sharpening Razors; Spontaneous Combnation of Hay: Water-Proof Cement, 23. GOOD HEALTH.—The Human Fraine; Rice Water; Air and Bathing: Milk ag a Diet and its Effect on the System; Stetistics of Intemperance, 23. MISCELLANEOUS. —Incomhustible Paper; Cleopatra Ore, 18. Fair of State Agricultural Society, 1874; A Novel Cure for Dyspepsia; Prospecting; Idaho Mines; The Hazard Mino; Clive Growing; Protection to Game; Pioche Mines; Gold Mining; Accident at the Belcher; No Water in the Sun, 22. Selling Cut; Plute District; Nevada County Mines; A Second Comstock Ledge; Alameda Coal Beds; A Word for Miners; Clearing Steam Pipes of Condensed Water: Saline ‘Water aud Lead Poisoning, 26. A New Enterprise: Ths Amador Consolidated Mine; ScientificEducation; Alteration of Wines in Vats of Masonry; Butter Made hy Steam, 27. Removal. July 13th, 1874, the husiness office of this Journal will he removed jnst one hlock east of our present location, to No. 224 Sunsome Street, southeast corner of California, over ths Bank of British Columhia, where This removal is made in consequencs of the sale of the huildwe have secured large and elegant qnarters. ingin which we are now located, to parties who will proceed immediately to demolish the present structure, and erect a new and magnificent hlock in ita place. Bar Formrp.—The waters of the Ynba have deposited an immense sand bar at the junction of the Yuba and Feather rivers. The bar extends straight across the Feather river, and is 2 formidable barrier to the passage of the waters. Watir Powrnr.—The present manufacturing company, at Los Gatos, will not replacé the woolen mill recently burned. The splendid water power shonld attract outside capital sufficient to restore the woolen enterprise, Suvice Rozsinc.—According to the Idaho World, some Chinamen in the employ of the Bnena Vista Bar company, cleaned the flame up lately in the ahsence of the watchman, and it is thought got away with ahout $2,000. Tuexe is still a good deal of ore being taken out of the surface of the mines at Gold Hill, aloiost at the top of the ground. In this way the surface has heen lowered 20 or 30 feet in many places. ’ Cuanuzs Durwina, an old and experienoed mill mun, hus received the appointment of Superintendent of the mill of the El Dorado South Company, at Belmont. Tue Coos Bay and Oregou coal mine is to ho properly opened immediately, under the supervision of Dr. Henry, the manager. B, Puruznrex has purchased ground in San Luis Obisoo on which to ereot an iron foundry and machine shop. Six bundred and forty men are at work for the railroad company at Sacramento. ‘Who is this that, Cometh from the os North?” The Comet! He ison his way, And singing as he flies; The whizzing planets shrink hefore The specter of the skies; Ah! well may regal orbs hurn hiue, ~ And satellites turn pale, Ten million cuhic miles of head, Ten hillion leagues of tail! Thus ssng Holmes of a hig fellow of 2 oomet which visited our solar system many years ago; and now ‘Whois this that cometh from the North?’’ may well be ssked hy overy oue who, as deepening twilight hrings out the “starry hosts,’’ turns his eye to the north, and there, amid the old familiar stars, heholds a stranger fisnnting his fiery hanner in the face of the venerahle polar star, while ‘threatening a flank sttack on the very nose of the celestisl grizzly!’ No wonder that such apparations have in past sges caused more or less consternation among people in thocommon walks of life, snd perplexed and even frightened to desperate straits men of science, and powerful monarchs, even, with fears of physical or political change, orcslamity. Butin the presentage of enlightenment and sstronomical resesrch, these suhlime wanderers in the infinity of space are having their motions defined, their paths mapped out, and their masses scientificslly interrogated in such a manner that the scientistis not only able to determine their approximate weights, but so to analyze their substance, as to determine the very elements of which they are composed, and their actual conditions of existence, Instead of the present appearance, all imposing and majestic as it is or promises to hecome, being a cause of dread or fear, it is now welcomed as presenting a most unexpected and fortnnate occasion to add a new and important leaf to the pages of science. How great is the joy, to-day, of the many patient night watchers on their lookout towers, at the appearance of this celestial visitor! The busy world at large, which has no taste or opportunity for holding snoh intimate communion with the starry hosts, cannot indeed conceive of the extent ot this joy; bat all who have any general knowledge of the opportunity which is now for the first time presented to the astronomer of applying the recently devised in struments and newly discovered principles of research to this class of heavenly hodies, must feel a marked gratification at the probability of soon finding a new lesson in the science of astronomy, prepared aud spread out by the patient star gazers for their leisurely aud ready comprebension. The present aerial perambulator promises to become the comet par encellence of perhaps the age, Although we know not whence he comes or whither he goes, his rapid increase of brilliancy and extent of caudal appendage, which his course evidently proves must yet he vastly increased, cannot fail to s00n render it one ot the most remarkable heavenly wanderers which have visited our system for many centnries—if, indeed, ever before. Its approach to the earth will be amply near for the most carcful application, in all! its details, of that most wouderful instrument, the spectroscope, which, in its present high state of improvement, has never before been applied to a comet, under anything like the present favorable circumstances, Comets’ Taits—What are They? There is nothing about a comet, or in all nature, more mysterious than the appearance and motion of the tail or train of a comet. Theories by scores, and wild euough to make one’s hair stand on end, have been suggested to account for these phenomena, but almost invariably the propounders soon find themselves utterly disregarding all the workings of known physical aws, and are compelled, one after another, to abandon the theories they have conceived. When 2 comet is first seen hy the telescope in the far off regions of space, it is geuerally withont any tail. That appendage is developed and grows more and more conspicuous as the body approaches the ‘central lumiuary, and is always observed up@w the side opposite to the snn, or pointing away from it. Of what does that appendage consist? Is it matter? If so how can we acconnt for the inconceivable rapidity of its motion, especially when “swinging ronnd the circle’' at its perihelion passage. If-these appendages do consist of matter, emitted from tho comet’s body, it mnst be under the control of forces incomparahly more energetic than gravitation, and of anature entirely different. Professor Pierco and Prof. Bessel have each, iudependently of the other, offered the sugcestiou that they may consist of electricity. Some have supposed they might be simply the result. of light—that the sun's rays, in their passage through the unknown substance of the nncleus of the comet, may aoquire some new power, analagous perhaps, to polarization, hy which they become visible; while those rays which simply penetrate space, are, as we know, invisible. This latter theory has received a powerful impetus in connection with eome marvelous results which Prof, Tyndall has ohtained in his researches upon the actinic power of light. By passing a heam of light through a certain chemical substance—the vapor of liquid, hydrochloric acid— the Professor found that in even the most attennated form to which ke could reduce the amount of that vapor, a luminous white actinic cloud was formed, resembling in all known respects and phenomena the substance of the tail of a comet—and particularly in its absolute transparency and luminosity. The cloud, which was formed within a glass tube, did not present the smallest conceivable obsecnration to any ohject placed hehind it. And still the cloud itself gave off a Isrge amount of light. Nothing could give a hetter idea of the substauce of the tail of a comet thsn such au actinic cloud. The Phenomena Explained. The application of Professor Tyndsll’s dis covery to the explanstion of the cometary principle nnder discnssion is as follows: A comet is held to be a mass of vapor, decompossble by solar ligbt—the tail being an actinio clond, resu'ting from such decomposition, and projected into spsce. The tail is therefore not mstter projected from the comet, but simply a beam of actinic light (the other rays heing mostly ahsorbed hy the comet) projected from a “ty etary matter, or cosmic’ dust, is precipitated, and thus made visible, precisely as the atoms of dust are made visible hy a beam of light passing through a dark room. This explauation, of course, supposes that the sunlight has a different power, ou heing psssed through a vapory comet, from that which it possesses when it has not traversed such a medium; otherwise all space would he lit up like a comet’s tail, It seems to he the aclinic rays alone which possess this power, the other rays heing sbsorbed hy the vapory mass upon which they hsve fallen, rendering that msss even more bright thsn the cosmic dnst illuminated inthe track of the penetrating actinic rays. Thus the caudal appendage of a comet is ina perpetual state of renovation, as is a heam of light thrown into a dark room by means of a movahle lens. The heam of light only is in motion, not necessarily the particles of dust, either in the room or in space. Nearly all the phenomena observed in these mysterious bodies are readily acconnted for by Professor Tyndall's theory, which will uudouhtedly he carefully studied, and, if possible, verified dnring the continuance of the present illustrious stranger within our reach of Vision. . Society of Engineers of California. The regular mouthly meetiug of the Society of Engineers of California was held on Tuesday eveniug flast, President Allazdt, 0. E., in the chair. The attendance was quite large and considerable interest was manifested in the proceedings. The principal feature of the meeting was the paper ‘Ou tbe Mechanical Condensation of Vapors’ hy James R. Smedberg, consulting engineer of the San Francisco Gas Light Company. Mr. Smedberg’s paper first considered the physical structure of yapors themselves, at some length. He next considered the mechanic] condenser of Messrs. Pelouze & Audoin, which is based npon Halley’s vesioular theory, and whose second and subsequent plates, or ‘‘plates of peronssion’”’ as they may be appropriately termed, open up the possibility of many uses hy the mechanical engineer, Mr, Smedberg exhibited models of a plate condenser, remarking upon the direction of flow and compact arrangement of the machine. This condenser is derived from that of Pelonze and Audoin; hut has no feature in common with it except the vital one of the percussiou plates, and that of the moving drom. The attention of the audience was then called to the practical effect ofthe latter machine in liquefying the viscous and obstinate ooal-gas vapors; and the paper olosed with one or two speoulations as to the value of the instrument iu purging other vapors of their entangled vapors. In this connection, Mr. Smedherg suggested that the vapors of mereury might be condensed on the same principle as tbis condenser operates, viz: by impact. He also mde ‘some suggestions regarding the utility of the principle 1fapplied to the drying of steam of ordinary tension, His remarks on tha latter subject occasioned some little discussion among the members of the Society. He gave an instance in support of the grounds he took as follows: Mr. E, F. Molera, Assistant United States Light House Engineer, justly attributing the lack of sonoronsness of certain fog horns on this coast, to the presenoe of water in the steam used to sound them, oaused a plate perforated with small apertures to be thrown horizontally acroes the base of the dome of the supplying boiler. The suspended molecules of hquid water, were, of oourre, vrought more or less completely into contact as the steam passed through these restricting apertnres, and a far drier and more elastic vapor was thus passed into the horn. The useful effect was greatly increased at a stroke, as its valuahle warning was found to cover a circle ot more than douhle its previous range, Mr. Smedberg’s paper desoribed in detail an improvement of his on the principle brought forward hy Messrs. Pelouze and Audoin, ot the condensation of vapors hy percussion of its molecules. Meohauical difficulties have heretofore prevented its operation, but Mr. Smedherg has overcome these obstacles and porfected a machine which will be of great use in gasworks. We regret that want of space forbids onr giving even a synopsis of the valuable and interestiug paper. A pispatcu, dated July 2d, states that the Ahbott Co. havo struck a new deposit of cinuabar, which promises to be something grand. the sun into space, and upon which interplen. Patent Rivet Pocket Fastening. » Alfred Rix, a well-known San Francisco lawyer, and M. A. Wheaton, & noted patent lawyer, are now in Austin taking testimony in regard to who first invented the patent riveted overalls, A large amount of money is dependent on the issue, one heavy San Francisco firm having sued another for damages for infringoment of pstent, for which the plsintiff paid the sum of $20,000 and refused an offer of $150,000, The evidence tsken before United States Commissioner Shannon at‘Austin tends to show that the article is no novelty at all—a hnmhle tinsmith, Billy Rowe hy name, in the employ of Smith & Starratt of thst place, hsving been ‘engaged in riveting overalls with the rame rivets and in the same manner for years past, wcich fact will probably invalidate the patent— on the ground that the riveting is no novelty— and anybody can wear riveted overalls without the “$2 per ton royalty.’’—Exchange. Our exchange probshly is uot aware tbat the recent decisions of our United States Courts: do not justify its statement that the ahove ‘fact will probably invalidate the patent.’? On the other hand we very much doubt the possibility of defeating the patent referred to by the ‘‘facts”’ stated above. It is always easy to find some one who is willing to swear to prior use after an inventor has made a success of his invention. If the party referred to, “Billy Rowe by name,’ has used the invention for the past five yesrs ‘the said “Billy Rowe by name” isa very foolish “Billy Rowe’’ that he didn’t secure a patent on it and reap the advantage which the patentee is now doing. If ‘‘Billy Rowe’’ did casually fasten pockets with rivets itis very evident that he did not make an invention. If he did he didn’t knowit or he undoubtedly would have secured a patent on it. Davis, the patentee, was an independent inventor and, heing also a sensible man, he did what any sensible inventor would do—secured his invention by patenting it. Further, after secnring his patent he has succeeded so farin making a success that his riveted overalls have driven all of the common overalls out of the market; and theconsequence is, he has the comhined capital and influence of onr wholesale clothing merchants pitted against him. No wonder under such circumstances that they were able fo find some one willing to testify that he has made the article for several years, We believe Davis has a good and snbstantial patent. Recent Patents. Among the patents rocently obtained through Dewey & Co's., Minine anv Sorentrero Press, American and Foreign Patent Ageucy, the following are worthy of mention: Untoapinc Heaper Wacons.—Henry Klehn, Crow’s Landing, Cal. Auimprovement in that class of false bottoms for header wagons, in which the load is lifted bodily, as in a sack, from the wagon. Consists in making the false hottom or uetting iu two parts, which are united on the underside of the load by a detaching apparatus. To, deposit the load, a pull upon a cord releases the apparatus, so thst the bottom opens and allows the load to fall out. Can Opener.—A. H. and C. J. Hall, Suisun city, Cal. This patent coversa simple and cheap device for cutting open the tops of tin cans, and consists of a cutting roller monnted upon a shank at the end of which is a prong. The prong is stabhed through the center of the can top, and serves a fuloram about which the shauk is operated while the cutter cuts out the top of the can iu a circle. Brare SHox.—Henry C. Deering, Hope Valley, Cal. Covers an arrangement for applying and securing a rubbing face on the contaot side ofa brake shoe. The device consists of two straps which are hinged at the opposite oorners of one end of the block, so as to shut down against the opposite edges of the block, and clamp the face or rnhbing piece to the block, leaving a sufficient space between the etraps for the rim of the wheel to bear. Annan Trap,—Aug. M. Gass, Campo, Cal. This patent relates to a very simple and cheap, yet effective trap for catcbing gophers, squirrels and other animals, Tar anp Faucet ror Beer Caszs--Juo. G Schiffer, 8. F., Cal. Relates to an arrangement for tapping beer barrels withont danger of losing the contents. Consists of a faucet provided with a driving spindle. A metal bung with central opening is permaneutly secured in ibe barrel head, the faucet cau be sorewed iuto this bung. A wooden plug is secured in the opeuing before the heer is placed in the hurrel ; when the barrol is to he tapped, the faucet is screwed into the hung, and the wooden plug driven into thebarrel by striking the projecting end of the spindlo. Trcxet Cuasp.—Hiram N. Rucker, Plainshurg, Cal. This patent covers a very neat und useful clasp for holding tickets, and is intended for the use of conductors, passengers and other persons who carry cards or tickets about their persous, It cousists of a boxfor holding the ticket or card, which is made in two parts. These parts are so united that they can slide upon each other, in order to increase or diminish the size of the holder to accommodate any sized card or ticket,

{July 11, 1874. MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS. W. B, EWERs ces er eesssee eee DEWEY & CoO., Publishers. a. T. DEWEY, GEO. H. ATRONG. Ww. B. EWER, INO. Ls BOONE. SENIOn Enron. Office, No. 338 Montgomery St., S. E. Corner of California St., liagonally across from Wells, Fargo & Co.’s. SvpsoprPrions payable in advance—For one year, $4; six months, $2.25; three months, $1.25. Remittances hy registered letters or P, OC, orders at our risk. SING RaTES.—1 week. Lmonth. Smonths. lyear eaine: 5 80 $2.00 $5.00 $3.00 $7.50 24.00 6.00 14.00 40.00 Large advertisements at favorahle rates. Special or reading notices, legal advertisements, notices appearing in extraordinary type or in particular parts of the paper, inserted at apecial rates. San Erancisco: Saturday Morning. July 11, 1874. TABLE OF CONTENTS. GENERAL EDITORIALS. —Improved WaterWheel and Pressure Regulator; Giant Powder for Fishing; Academy of Sciences, 17. Who is this that Cometh from the North? Recent Patents; Society of Engineers of California; Patent Rivet Pocket Fastening, 24. Aaron's Amalgamation Process; English Companies and Titles to Mines; Primitive Methods of Quartz Crushing, 25. General News; Patouts and Inventions, 28. " ILLUSTRATIONS.—Improved Water-Wheel and Pressure Regulator, 17. ‘rapiche, or Chilian Mill; Rude Arastra for Crushing Cre, 25. CORRESPONDENCE. — How our Swamp Land may he Reclaimed; Foreign Corporations and American Mines, 18. SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS.—Ozone—A New snd Correct Method of Supply; Audihle Safety Lamp; Sound: Facts and Fancies ahout Heat; The Moon and Vegetation; Naphthaline; Flame; Tellurinm, 19. MECHANICAL PROGRESS.—Making MatchSticks: Metallic Floors; Fish Scale Crnaments; Steel Boilers; Lacquer; Coating Metals; Penholders, 9. MINING STOCK MAREKEET.—Tahle of Daily Sales and Prices and Comparative Prices for the Week; Notices of Assessments; Meetings snd Dividends; Review of Stock Market for the Week, 20. MINING SUMMARY from various counties in Oalifornia, 20-21, 4 USEFUL INFORMATION.—Ftching Iron; Preserving Iron; Preserving Wood with Tannin; Spurious Coins; Czone; Fixing Pencil Drawings; Linseed Oil; Sharpening Razors; Spontaneous Combnation of Hay: Water-Proof Cement, 23. GOOD HEALTH.—The Human Fraine; Rice Water; Air and Bathing: Milk ag a Diet and its Effect on the System; Stetistics of Intemperance, 23. MISCELLANEOUS. —Incomhustible Paper; Cleopatra Ore, 18. Fair of State Agricultural Society, 1874; A Novel Cure for Dyspepsia; Prospecting; Idaho Mines; The Hazard Mino; Clive Growing; Protection to Game; Pioche Mines; Gold Mining; Accident at the Belcher; No Water in the Sun, 22. Selling Cut; Plute District; Nevada County Mines; A Second Comstock Ledge; Alameda Coal Beds; A Word for Miners; Clearing Steam Pipes of Condensed Water: Saline ‘Water aud Lead Poisoning, 26. A New Enterprise: Ths Amador Consolidated Mine; ScientificEducation; Alteration of Wines in Vats of Masonry; Butter Made hy Steam, 27. Removal. July 13th, 1874, the husiness office of this Journal will he removed jnst one hlock east of our present location, to No. 224 Sunsome Street, southeast corner of California, over ths Bank of British Columhia, where This removal is made in consequencs of the sale of the huildwe have secured large and elegant qnarters. ingin which we are now located, to parties who will proceed immediately to demolish the present structure, and erect a new and magnificent hlock in ita place. Bar Formrp.—The waters of the Ynba have deposited an immense sand bar at the junction of the Yuba and Feather rivers. The bar extends straight across the Feather river, and is 2 formidable barrier to the passage of the waters. Watir Powrnr.—The present manufacturing company, at Los Gatos, will not replacé the woolen mill recently burned. The splendid water power shonld attract outside capital sufficient to restore the woolen enterprise, Suvice Rozsinc.—According to the Idaho World, some Chinamen in the employ of the Bnena Vista Bar company, cleaned the flame up lately in the ahsence of the watchman, and it is thought got away with ahout $2,000. Tuexe is still a good deal of ore being taken out of the surface of the mines at Gold Hill, aloiost at the top of the ground. In this way the surface has heen lowered 20 or 30 feet in many places. ’ Cuanuzs Durwina, an old and experienoed mill mun, hus received the appointment of Superintendent of the mill of the El Dorado South Company, at Belmont. Tue Coos Bay and Oregou coal mine is to ho properly opened immediately, under the supervision of Dr. Henry, the manager. B, Puruznrex has purchased ground in San Luis Obisoo on which to ereot an iron foundry and machine shop. Six bundred and forty men are at work for the railroad company at Sacramento. ‘Who is this that, Cometh from the os North?” The Comet! He ison his way, And singing as he flies; The whizzing planets shrink hefore The specter of the skies; Ah! well may regal orbs hurn hiue, ~ And satellites turn pale, Ten million cuhic miles of head, Ten hillion leagues of tail! Thus ssng Holmes of a hig fellow of 2 oomet which visited our solar system many years ago; and now ‘Whois this that cometh from the North?’’ may well be ssked hy overy oue who, as deepening twilight hrings out the “starry hosts,’’ turns his eye to the north, and there, amid the old familiar stars, heholds a stranger fisnnting his fiery hanner in the face of the venerahle polar star, while ‘threatening a flank sttack on the very nose of the celestisl grizzly!’ No wonder that such apparations have in past sges caused more or less consternation among people in thocommon walks of life, snd perplexed and even frightened to desperate straits men of science, and powerful monarchs, even, with fears of physical or political change, orcslamity. Butin the presentage of enlightenment and sstronomical resesrch, these suhlime wanderers in the infinity of space are having their motions defined, their paths mapped out, and their masses scientificslly interrogated in such a manner that the scientistis not only able to determine their approximate weights, but so to analyze their substance, as to determine the very elements of which they are composed, and their actual conditions of existence, Instead of the present appearance, all imposing and majestic as it is or promises to hecome, being a cause of dread or fear, it is now welcomed as presenting a most unexpected and fortnnate occasion to add a new and important leaf to the pages of science. How great is the joy, to-day, of the many patient night watchers on their lookout towers, at the appearance of this celestial visitor! The busy world at large, which has no taste or opportunity for holding snoh intimate communion with the starry hosts, cannot indeed conceive of the extent ot this joy; bat all who have any general knowledge of the opportunity which is now for the first time presented to the astronomer of applying the recently devised in struments and newly discovered principles of research to this class of heavenly hodies, must feel a marked gratification at the probability of soon finding a new lesson in the science of astronomy, prepared aud spread out by the patient star gazers for their leisurely aud ready comprebension. The present aerial perambulator promises to become the comet par encellence of perhaps the age, Although we know not whence he comes or whither he goes, his rapid increase of brilliancy and extent of caudal appendage, which his course evidently proves must yet he vastly increased, cannot fail to s00n render it one ot the most remarkable heavenly wanderers which have visited our system for many centnries—if, indeed, ever before. Its approach to the earth will be amply near for the most carcful application, in all! its details, of that most wouderful instrument, the spectroscope, which, in its present high state of improvement, has never before been applied to a comet, under anything like the present favorable circumstances, Comets’ Taits—What are They? There is nothing about a comet, or in all nature, more mysterious than the appearance and motion of the tail or train of a comet. Theories by scores, and wild euough to make one’s hair stand on end, have been suggested to account for these phenomena, but almost invariably the propounders soon find themselves utterly disregarding all the workings of known physical aws, and are compelled, one after another, to abandon the theories they have conceived. When 2 comet is first seen hy the telescope in the far off regions of space, it is geuerally withont any tail. That appendage is developed and grows more and more conspicuous as the body approaches the ‘central lumiuary, and is always observed up@w the side opposite to the snn, or pointing away from it. Of what does that appendage consist? Is it matter? If so how can we acconnt for the inconceivable rapidity of its motion, especially when “swinging ronnd the circle’' at its perihelion passage. If-these appendages do consist of matter, emitted from tho comet’s body, it mnst be under the control of forces incomparahly more energetic than gravitation, and of anature entirely different. Professor Pierco and Prof. Bessel have each, iudependently of the other, offered the sugcestiou that they may consist of electricity. Some have supposed they might be simply the result. of light—that the sun's rays, in their passage through the unknown substance of the nncleus of the comet, may aoquire some new power, analagous perhaps, to polarization, hy which they become visible; while those rays which simply penetrate space, are, as we know, invisible. This latter theory has received a powerful impetus in connection with eome marvelous results which Prof, Tyndall has ohtained in his researches upon the actinic power of light. By passing a heam of light through a certain chemical substance—the vapor of liquid, hydrochloric acid— the Professor found that in even the most attennated form to which ke could reduce the amount of that vapor, a luminous white actinic cloud was formed, resembling in all known respects and phenomena the substance of the tail of a comet—and particularly in its absolute transparency and luminosity. The cloud, which was formed within a glass tube, did not present the smallest conceivable obsecnration to any

ohject placed hehind it. And still the cloud itself gave off a Isrge amount of light. Nothing could give a hetter idea of the substauce of the tail of a comet thsn such au actinic cloud. The Phenomena Explained. The application of Professor Tyndsll’s dis covery to the explanstion of the cometary principle nnder discnssion is as follows: A comet is held to be a mass of vapor, decompossble by solar ligbt—the tail being an actinio clond, resu'ting from such decomposition, and projected into spsce. The tail is therefore not mstter projected from the comet, but simply a beam of actinic light (the other rays heing mostly ahsorbed hy the comet) projected from a “ty etary matter, or cosmic’ dust, is precipitated, and thus made visible, precisely as the atoms of dust are made visible hy a beam of light passing through a dark room. This explauation, of course, supposes that the sunlight has a different power, ou heing psssed through a vapory comet, from that which it possesses when it has not traversed such a medium; otherwise all space would he lit up like a comet’s tail, It seems to he the aclinic rays alone which possess this power, the other rays heing sbsorbed hy the vapory mass upon which they hsve fallen, rendering that msss even more bright thsn the cosmic dnst illuminated inthe track of the penetrating actinic rays. Thus the caudal appendage of a comet is ina perpetual state of renovation, as is a heam of light thrown into a dark room by means of a movahle lens. The heam of light only is in motion, not necessarily the particles of dust, either in the room or in space. Nearly all the phenomena observed in these mysterious bodies are readily acconnted for by Professor Tyndall's theory, which will uudouhtedly he carefully studied, and, if possible, verified dnring the continuance of the present illustrious stranger within our reach of Vision. . Society of Engineers of California. The regular mouthly meetiug of the Society of Engineers of California was held on Tuesday eveniug flast, President Allazdt, 0. E., in the chair. The attendance was quite large and considerable interest was manifested in the proceedings. The principal feature of the meeting was the paper ‘Ou tbe Mechanical Condensation of Vapors’ hy James R. Smedberg, consulting engineer of the San Francisco Gas Light Company. Mr. Smedberg’s paper first considered the physical structure of yapors themselves, at some length. He next considered the mechanic] condenser of Messrs. Pelouze & Audoin, which is based npon Halley’s vesioular theory, and whose second and subsequent plates, or ‘‘plates of peronssion’”’ as they may be appropriately termed, open up the possibility of many uses hy the mechanical engineer, Mr, Smedberg exhibited models of a plate condenser, remarking upon the direction of flow and compact arrangement of the machine. This condenser is derived from that of Pelonze and Audoin; hut has no feature in common with it except the vital one of the percussiou plates, and that of the moving drom. The attention of the audience was then called to the practical effect ofthe latter machine in liquefying the viscous and obstinate ooal-gas vapors; and the paper olosed with one or two speoulations as to the value of the instrument iu purging other vapors of their entangled vapors. In this connection, Mr. Smedherg suggested that the vapors of mereury might be condensed on the same principle as tbis condenser operates, viz: by impact. He also mde ‘some suggestions regarding the utility of the principle 1fapplied to the drying of steam of ordinary tension, His remarks on tha latter subject occasioned some little discussion among the members of the Society. He gave an instance in support of the grounds he took as follows: Mr. E, F. Molera, Assistant United States Light House Engineer, justly attributing the lack of sonoronsness of certain fog horns on this coast, to the presenoe of water in the steam used to sound them, oaused a plate perforated with small apertures to be thrown horizontally acroes the base of the dome of the supplying boiler. The suspended molecules of hquid water, were, of oourre, vrought more or less completely into contact as the steam passed through these restricting apertnres, and a far drier and more elastic vapor was thus passed into the horn. The useful effect was greatly increased at a stroke, as its valuahle warning was found to cover a circle ot more than douhle its previous range, Mr. Smedberg’s paper desoribed in detail an improvement of his on the principle brought forward hy Messrs. Pelouze and Audoin, ot the condensation of vapors hy percussion of its molecules. Meohauical difficulties have heretofore prevented its operation, but Mr. Smedherg has overcome these obstacles and porfected a machine which will be of great use in gasworks. We regret that want of space forbids onr giving even a synopsis of the valuable and interestiug paper. A pispatcu, dated July 2d, states that the Ahbott Co. havo struck a new deposit of cinuabar, which promises to be something grand. the sun into space, and upon which interplen. Patent Rivet Pocket Fastening. » Alfred Rix, a well-known San Francisco lawyer, and M. A. Wheaton, & noted patent lawyer, are now in Austin taking testimony in regard to who first invented the patent riveted overalls, A large amount of money is dependent on the issue, one heavy San Francisco firm having sued another for damages for infringoment of pstent, for which the plsintiff paid the sum of $20,000 and refused an offer of $150,000, The evidence tsken before United States Commissioner Shannon at‘Austin tends to show that the article is no novelty at all—a hnmhle tinsmith, Billy Rowe hy name, in the employ of Smith & Starratt of thst place, hsving been ‘engaged in riveting overalls with the rame rivets and in the same manner for years past, wcich fact will probably invalidate the patent— on the ground that the riveting is no novelty— and anybody can wear riveted overalls without the “$2 per ton royalty.’’—Exchange. Our exchange probshly is uot aware tbat the recent decisions of our United States Courts: do not justify its statement that the ahove ‘fact will probably invalidate the patent.’? On the other hand we very much doubt the possibility of defeating the patent referred to by the ‘‘facts”’ stated above. It is always easy to find some one who is willing to swear to prior use after an inventor has made a success of his invention. If the party referred to, “Billy Rowe by name,’ has used the invention for the past five yesrs ‘the said “Billy Rowe by name” isa very foolish “Billy Rowe’’ that he didn’t secure a patent on it and reap the advantage which the patentee is now doing. If ‘‘Billy Rowe’’ did casually fasten pockets with rivets itis very evident that he did not make an invention. If he did he didn’t knowit or he undoubtedly would have secured a patent on it. Davis, the patentee, was an independent inventor and, heing also a sensible man, he did what any sensible inventor would do—secured his invention by patenting it. Further, after secnring his patent he has succeeded so farin making a success that his riveted overalls have driven all of the common overalls out of the market; and theconsequence is, he has the comhined capital and influence of onr wholesale clothing merchants pitted against him. No wonder under such circumstances that they were able fo find some one willing to testify that he has made the article for several years, We believe Davis has a good and snbstantial patent. Recent Patents. Among the patents rocently obtained through Dewey & Co's., Minine anv Sorentrero Press, American and Foreign Patent Ageucy, the following are worthy of mention: Untoapinc Heaper Wacons.—Henry Klehn, Crow’s Landing, Cal. Auimprovement in that class of false bottoms for header wagons, in which the load is lifted bodily, as in a sack, from the wagon. Consists in making the false hottom or uetting iu two parts, which are united on the underside of the load by a detaching apparatus. To, deposit the load, a pull upon a cord releases the apparatus, so thst the bottom opens and allows the load to fall out. Can Opener.—A. H. and C. J. Hall, Suisun city, Cal. This patent coversa simple and cheap device for cutting open the tops of tin cans, and consists of a cutting roller monnted upon a shank at the end of which is a prong. The prong is stabhed through the center of the can top, and serves a fuloram about which the shauk is operated while the cutter cuts out the top of the can iu a circle. Brare SHox.—Henry C. Deering, Hope Valley, Cal. Covers an arrangement for applying and securing a rubbing face on the contaot side ofa brake shoe. The device consists of two straps which are hinged at the opposite oorners of one end of the block, so as to shut down against the opposite edges of the block, and clamp the face or rnhbing piece to the block, leaving a sufficient space between the etraps for the rim of the wheel to bear. Annan Trap,—Aug. M. Gass, Campo, Cal. This patent relates to a very simple and cheap, yet effective trap for catcbing gophers, squirrels and other animals, Tar anp Faucet ror Beer Caszs--Juo. G Schiffer, 8. F., Cal. Relates to an arrangement for tapping beer barrels withont danger of losing the contents. Consists of a faucet provided with a driving spindle. A metal bung with central opening is permaneutly secured in ibe barrel head, the faucet cau be sorewed iuto this bung. A wooden plug is secured in the opeuing before the heer is placed in the hurrel ; when the barrol is to he tapped, the faucet is screwed into the hung, and the wooden plug driven into thebarrel by striking the projecting end of the spindlo. Trcxet Cuasp.—Hiram N. Rucker, Plainshurg, Cal. This patent covers a very neat und useful clasp for holding tickets, and is intended for the use of conductors, passengers and other persons who carry cards or tickets about their persous, It cousists of a boxfor holding the ticket or card, which is made in two parts. These parts are so united that they can slide upon each other, in order to increase or diminish the size of the holder to accommodate any sized card or ticket,