the press remedied; and it is conceived that both of these objects may be accomplished by the following or some similar means, to which the attention of engineers or of others acquainted with the subject is requested. 1st, As to the inking apparatus, that attached to the machines of Messrs Cowper and Applegath, might be placed immediately behind the tympans of the Stanhope or Columbian presses, and be worked by steam-power as at present. Were the tympans and carriage of the press in separate pieces, but made so as exactly to fit into each other, the carriage might, after each impression, be taken from the hand, upon reaching a certain point, by the inking apparatus, and, upon the types being rolled, returned to the same point. In the interim the pressman could be laying on and off his sheets, and by the time he had done so, the form would be again stationed at his hand, and ready for his taking another impression. It is obvious that the great difficulty to be overcome here will be the construction of the machinery for receiving and returning the carriage, and making the carriage so nicely to fit the frame-work of the tympans as to preserve register, as it is called; but, after the ingenious contrivance of Mr Napier in his machine for receiving and giving off the paper, there can be little doubt of these difficulties being soon obviated. In this way the great desideratum of securing an equality of colour would be supplied; and the expense of an apparatus for each press, with an engine-power for the whole, would be compensated, by only one half of the men being required. 2d, We have lately seen a cylindrical machine by Mr A. Moir of Glasgow, used for pressing and glazing white paper, and, although this machine, in its present state, is not altogether suited for the pressing of printed sheets of books, yet it may also be easily adapted to this purpose. The labour of turning it, however, is perhaps such as to prevent its adoption, unless where steam-power is at hand; but, were every printing-office supplied with this power, the cylindrical pressing machine would probably soon supersede the tedious operation and expense of the glazed boards and hydraulic press. It will thus be perceived that the object sought to be attained is a still farther combination of manual labour and mechanical power; and could the above, or similar sugges tions, be carried into effect, another great step would undoubtedly be gained in the art of printing.

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

1. Edinburgh CABINET LIBRARY.-Narrative of Discovery and Adventure in the Polar Regions and Seas. Vol. I.

Narrative of Discovery and Adventure in Africa. Vol. II. Published by Oliver & Boyd. 1830.

THIS we consider one of the best, and certainly the most elegantly got up, and the cheapest too, of the series of similar works at present in progress of publication in this country, on the Continent of Europe, and in the New World. The narrative is written with spirit and in good taste, by Mr Hugh Murray; the scientific department, by Professors Jameson and Leslie, and Mr James Wilson. Professor Leslie's estimate of the climate of the Arctic Regions is interesting; Professor Jameson's memoirs contain the first connected views hitherto published of the descriptive and speculative geology of the Arctic Regions, and of central and southern Africa; and Mr Wilson, in his zoological sketch, makes us agreeably acquainted with the more remarkable animals of the African Continent.

2. Wilson's American Ornithology.

Or this very delightful and fascinating book, an edition, under the superintendence of the Regius Professor of Natural History of our University, is in progress of publication for "Constable's Miscellany*." The plates which accompany the expensive original work will not be engraved for the Edinburgh edition, Professor Jameson being of opinion that the publication of these would so much increase its price, as to prevent its becoming a household book throughout the country; which, we doubt not, will be the case in its present form. "Illustrations of Wilson's Ornithology" are announced; but with these, neither Professor Jameson nor the proprietors of Constable's Miscellany have any connexion.

It may interest our readers to know that the present system of popular and cheap works on science and literature, originated with the late Archibald Constable, Esq. The scheme was considered absurd by all his friends; but he appears to have known the public taste better than they; for Constable's Miscellany, an excellent work, has served, in some degree, as a general model for the popular works now publishing by all the great booksellers not only in Britain, but also in France, Germany, and Italy.

3. Observations on Fossil Vegetables, accompanied by Representations of their Internal Structure, as seen through the Microscope. By H. WITHAM, Esq. M.W.S., F.G.S. &c. 4to. Blackwood, Edinburgh.

THE geological public will feel indebted to our active and intelligent friend for this interesting and handsome volume. It is ornamented and illustrated with six neatly drawn, and well engraved, magnified representations of fossil and of recent woods, in which the structures are more correctly exhibited than is generally the case in similar works. The method of shewing the fossil structures, by cutting the woods into thin slices, and examining them by the microscope, is adopted; and although of late years less employed than it ought to have been, will now, we trust, from the interesting displays of internal arrangement which it displays, be more generally followed. The geological details in regard to the distribution and kinds of fossil wood, are also deserving the attention of naturalists.

4. The Aberdeen, Dundee, Leith, and London Tide Tables for the year 1831. By GEORGE INNES, Astronomical Calculator, Aberdeen.

We have carefully examined this very useful annual, and find it, as heretofore, remarkable for precision and accuracy. It is the best work of the kind with which we are acquainted.

List of Patents granted in England from 27th February to 14th September 1830.

1830.

Feb. 27. To R. W. Sievier, London, for "certain improvements in the construction of rudders in navigating vessels.”

To S. THOMPSON, Great Yarmouth, " for certain improvements in piano-fortes."

To P. C. De la GARDE, Exeter, for "certain improvements in apparatus for fidding and unfidding masts, and in masting and rigging vessels."

To W. HOWARD, Surrey, for "certain improvements in the construction of wheels for carriages."

To T. PROSSER, Worcester, for "for certain improvements in the construction of window-sashes."

OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1830.

N

Feb. 27. To T. R. GUPPY, Bristol, for "a new apparatus for granulating

sugar."

TO R. STEVENSON, Stafford, potter, for "improvements in machinery for making bricks, tiles, and other articles."

To J. RAMSAY and A. RAMSAY, and M. ORR, Greenock, for "an improvement in the manufacture of canvas and sail-cloth for the making of sails."

Mar. 20. To G. SCOTT, London, for "certain improvements on, or additions to, windlasses and relative machinery applicable to naval purposes."

To J. A. FULTON LAWRENCE, London, for "improvement in the preparation of pepper."

To W. E. COCHRANE, Middlesex, for "an improvment or improvements on his patent cooking apparatus."

To B. ROTCH, Furnival's, Middlesex, barrister-at-law, for improved guards, or protections of horses' legs and feet, under certain circumstances."

30. To J. RAWE, jun., Middlesex, and J. Bouse, of the same place, for "certain improvments in steam-boilers, and of quickening the draft for furnaces connected with the same."

To W. AITKEN, Carron Vale, Scotland, for "certain improvements in the keeping or preserving ale, beer, and other fermented liquors."

31. To D. T. SHEARS, Southwark, Surrey, for certain additions to, and improvements in, the apparatus used in distilling, and also in the process of distilling and rectifying."

April 5. To T. J. COLLIER, civil engineer, and H. PINKUS, London, for an improved method and apparatus for generating gas for illumination."

13. To T. W. A. SUMMERS, Middlesex, engineer, and N. OGLE of Mill-brook, Hampshire, Esq. for "certain improvements in the construction of steam-engines and other boilers or generators, applicable to propelling vessels, locomotive carriages, and other purposes."

24. To J. PERRY, bookseller, London, for an improvement or improve

ments in or on pens."

To J. M. INNES, North Britain, for "the manufacture or preparation of certain substances which he denominates the British Tapioca, and the cakes and flour to be made from."

To Commander S. BROWN, London, for "certain improvements in making or manufacturing bolts and chains."

To T. J. COCHAUX, London, for “an apparatus calculated to prevent, or render less frequent, the explosion of boilers in generating steam."

TO P. DESCROIZILLES, London, for certain improvements in apparatus for economizing fuel in heating water and air, applicable to various purposes."

To Lieutenant T. Cook, Blackheath Road, Kent, for " certain im

provements in the construction and fitting up of boats of various

descriptions." April 28. To J. WILKS, Surrey, for "an improvment in a part or parts of the apparatus for making paper by machinery."

To T. PETHERICK, Penfullick, in the parish of Tywardreath, Cornwall, for "machinery for separating copper, lead, and other ores from earthy and other substances with which they are and may be mixed, and which is more particularly intended to supersede the operation now practised or used for that purpose, commonly called Jigging.

May 4. To J. Walker, Middlesex, for "an improved cock for fluids." 8. To H. R. S. DEVENOYE, Middlesex, for " certain improvements in machinery for making bricks, communicated by a foreigner." 24. To M. BUSK, printfield near Bonhill, by Dunbarton, North Britain, calico-printer, for "certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for printing calicoes and other fabrics."

June 3. To J. H. Bass, Middlesex, for "certain improvements in machinery for cutting corks and bungs."

8. To J. LEVERS, New Radford Works, near the town of Nottingham, for "certain improvements in machinery for making lace, commonly called Bobin-net."

11. To Dr W. T. HAYCRAFT, Greenwich, for "certain improvements in steam-engines."

To G. V. Palmer, Worcester, for "a machine to cut and excavate earth."

17. To T. BRUNION, and T. J. FULLER, Middlesex, for "an improved mechanical power, applicable to machinery of different descriptions."

29. To R. HICKS, surgeon, London, for "an economical apparatus or machine to be applied in the process of baking, for the purpose of saving materials."

To Dr E. TURNER, Middlesex, and W. SHAND, Esq. of the Burn, in Kincardineshire, for "a new method of purifying and whitening sugar, or other saccharine matter."

To T. M. POOLE, London, for “ certain improvements in the apparatus used for certain processes of extracting molasses or syrup from sugar."

To S. PARKER, London, bronzist, for "certain improvements in producing the mechanical power from chemical agents, partly communicated by a foreigner."

To S. PARKER, London, bronzist, for “an improved lamp, partly communicated by a foreigner."

July 1. To R. ROBERTS, Manchester, for "certain improvements in spinning cotton or other fibrous substances."

To J. HALIVE, Chell-house, Staffordshire, for "certain improvements in the construction of, and machinery for, locomotive ploughs, harrows, and other machines and carriages."

To J. H. SADLER, London, for " certain improvements in looms."