Report ~t~ l~ td~P~ I ~ ~ i~t Fire .~rms. 4~5

ic~tipttdty than was to be anticipated from eeneide~ing the large scale upon which i t is manufactured. In reflectingupon this; in connexion with the extreme pt~onenem to alteration, from the action of slight d~turbing causes, which sugar exhibits, and the many delicate pro- ceases through which it has to pass before it is brought to such a degree o f pmrity, the cQmmittee have felt t h a ~ e y could not withhold the~x- preesion of their admiration. •

The committee, moreover~ highly appreciate the enterprize and akiU.wi~ich the Me~rs. Levering & Co. were the first, in this country, to e~libit, in applying~ some of the refined improvements in modem mieace to a mo~imperta~t emd exteelive trralteh o£ the ma~ufac- turin~ arts. 9

lh conclusie4a, tt~e3 committee state ~at,jn;their~opinio~ the Messrs. Levering & *V_~.are dese~t~iRg otiOSe: ldghest a~ma~l~ o f the Institute, oaaecount oLthe perfection to w ~hieh they have brought the refining of sugar, and the great superiority ~ their doublt! io~fsugar.

B3r e~der o f the Committee, W u . H~mLT~N, Actuary.

PAilade~lti~ J ~ e 1~, 1845,

Report on HU~BELX.'S Improvement in Fire'Flrm~. The Committee on Science and the Arts eonetituted by the Franklin Institute of the State of

*Pennsylvania, for the promotion of the Mechanic ArtB, to whom was referred for exami- nation the improvement in Fire Arm~ by W~. W. Hvnaffi~.~, ESQ.., of Philadelphia, Pa. : ~BPORT~

That they have examined the same, and find it to consist, in the language of the claim in the patent, of a "breech opening aud closing on a rod as a centre, &c.," or, in other words, of a movable breech, which turns upon a joint formed of a screw bolt, which connects the barrel with the stock ; a correspondent screw bolt, parallel with that last mentioned, upon the opposite side of the. breech and barrel, also servesto connect the barrel with the stock, and aids in support of the recoil; there is, in addition, a connecting bar under the barrel, which aids in tying it to the stock. The whole forming a cradle, in which the b~eoch lies when in its place for firing, and in which it is held by a spring conveniently placed for that purpose.

The committee are of opinion that the construction admits of rapid • charging and firing, with cartridges, or otherwise, with ball and buck-

shot, or small shot, at will That the movable breech may be safely constructed, that the fastenings er ties by which the barrel and stock are connected are welt placed, and that the whole arrangement is not more bulky than seems essential in the construction of fire arms with a movable chamber.

It is proper to add, nevertheless, that the examination of the com- mittee was confined, necessarily, to a visual inspection. This arrange- merit, like every thk~g elN~ istiable to inconveniences ia use ; the ~om- mittee, as in duty bound~wiiIpoint out tfmse~likely~o a~eet thatuader consideration, the most prominent of which is the w a n t of: sufficient

406 Mechanics, Physics, and Cltemistrt£.

strength in the parts which attach the breech to the barrel ; a slight accident might bend or otherwise derange the screw bolts which con- nect the stock to the barrel, which, if it did not render the piece use- less, would throw the breech and barrel out of line, a very grave ob- jection on all accounts.

It is also evident that the junction of the barrel and breech, these parts being merely in contact by the bending down of the breech, must leave some space for the escape of vapor during the discharge, which will increase by wear, during use. It is probable that the in- gredients of the powder may produce irregular corrosive action on the surfaces of junction, which could not be compensated by the screw bolts, from which a loss of propulsive power would result.

There is some doubt as to the strength of the ties between the bar- rel and stock; an accident from failure in this respect .would be disas, trous. The utmost caution, therefore should he exercised to guard against the possibility of its occurrence.

These views are necessarily speculative, and must be received as the opinions of the committee, after examination and reflection, for whatever they are worth. A faithful trial, by oft repeated discharges under ordinary circumstances, such as could be given by the ordnance department of the General Government, would either establish its merits, or con.~ign it to its just fate.

The committee have expressed no opinion as to the originality of the above improvement ; not having investigated that point.

By order of the Committee, W I L L I A M H A M I L T O N , Actuary.

.Philadelphia, Sept. 11, 1845.

MECHANICS, PHYSICS, AND CHEMISTRY.

TO THE COMMITTER ON PUBLICATION OF THE ~OURNAL OF THZ ~RANKLIN INSTITUTF~

~lban3/, Nov. 3, 1845. GENTLEMEN,~We have lately attached to a cupola furnace for

melting iron an apparatus for heating the blast, the operation of which has produced great economy in the consumption of coal. Designing that the public should not remain uninformed of so great an improve- ment, and believing that it excels in its economical operatiou all other cupolas, I take the liberty of enclosing to you, for publication in the "Journal of the Franklin Institute," a description of the same.

Yoursj respectfully, FRANKLXN TOWNSEND.

1reproved Cupola for Melting Iron, constructed by M~.ssas. FaANK- LIN TOW~SZ~V, & Co., Albany, N. Y.

This cupola is of the ordinary construction, only being of enlarged dimensions, and made of cast iron. Its diameter at the tu$/~res, when lined With fire brick, is three feet; and its height, from the hearth to