lume. The first of these in importance, are the papers and models lodged in consequence of the premiums offered for the best Essays on the improvement of

"

Rail-Roads.

It will be seen from former volumes, that the Society, from its earliest institution, directed its attention to the means of facilitating the communication with the remote districts of the Highlands of Scotland, by means of roads and bridges. The importtant object in view having been happily attained by the joint operation of the public aid so liberally afforded, and the exertions of the proprietors,-the Society, as noticed in last volume, proceeded to consider the means of facilitating conveyance by means of Rail-roads, which, it was thought, might be adapted to more general use than they are at present. The general result of the information acquired, will be found in the first paper published in the volume; -an abstract, prepared from the various Essays and Models received, by Mr Stevenson, civil engineer, a gentleman whose professional experience rendered him well qualified for such a task. There is reason to expect that the suggestions in these papers may lead to farther improvements, and ultimately to very important practical results.

Stoves for Cottages.

At the General Meeting in January 1822, the Earl of Elgin presented to the Society the model and description of a stove which his Lordship had seen in use in the Netherlands, and which, with a view to an economical and advantageous application of fuel, promises much benefit to the cottager, in situations where there is a scarcity of this most necessary article. The thanks of the Society were voted to Lord Elgin, and an engraving and description of the stove ordered to be published; which are given in this volumę.

Odometer or Road-Measurer.

At the General Meeting in January 1821, James Hunter, Esq. of Thurston, presented an instrument improved by him, very convenient, and of ready application, for measuring distances, or the lengths of walls, ditches, &c. This instrument Mr Hunter has called an Odometer; and an engraving and description of it are now published. For it and the self-acting pump, noticed in last volume, the Society's Gold Medal was voted to Mr Hun

ter.

Instrument for ascertaining the Composition, Thickness, &c. of Mineral Strata; and Apparatus for boring in Quicksands.

Ten Guineas were voted at the General Meeting in July 1822, to Mr John Busby, mineral surveyor, for an instrument invented by him for ascertaining the Composition and Thickness of Strata at different depths, in boring for coal, and other minerals, of which a description and relative engraving are now published. An account of the apparatus, and method practised by Mr Busby for sinking through quicksands, will also be found among the papers published in the department of mechanics, in the present volume.

Milk-Churn.

A premium was voted by the General Meeting in January 1823, to Mr George Firth at Bayfield, in the Island of Sanday in Orkney, for a method devised and practised by him, in applying the impulse of wind on sails to work a Milk-Churn. By this expedient, a saving of labour is obtained. A drawing and description of the Churn are contained in this volume.

Implement for Sweeping Chimneys.

The Society's Silver Medal was voted at the General Meeting in July 1822, to Mr James White,

civil engineer, Edinburgh, for a model and description of an ingenious machine invented by him, intended to supersede the necessity of climbing-boys in sweeping chimneys. A description of this ma chine, with an engraving, are given in this volume.

Instrument for measuring Standing Timber.

In 1821 the Society voted Ten Guineas to Mr Robert Monteath, wood-surveyor, Stirling, for an instrument invented by him for measuring growing timber. As there is an engraving and description of it in a book lately published by Mr Monteath, intituled "The Forester's Guide," any farther detail is here unnecessary.

Machine for Sowing and Watering Turnips.

It was noticed in last volume, that the Society had voted a premium to Mr John Common at Denwick, near Alnwick, for an Improved Double-drill Turnip Sower. A model of this machine, with an additional apparatus for watering the drills in dry seasons, was submitted to the Society in 1822, by Mr James Crozier, nursery and seeds-man at Alnwick. By means of the apparatus supplied by Mr Crozier, the drills are watered, and the moisture covered in with the seed at the time of sowing. The moisture thus applied consequently can

not be rapidly evaporated, nor is the soil so liable to become hardened, as when the surface is watered, or heavy rains fall, after sowing. A model of this improved machine is deposited with the Society.

Steam-Boat for Canal Navigation.

In 1822 the model of a Steam Boat on a new construction was submitted to the Society, by Mr Robert Wight, jun. Abercromby Place. The plan proposed, as shewn by the model, was, by introducing and conducting the water through the vessel, by means of a passage or channel passing from the bow direct through the centre of the vessel, under the cabin floor, to the stern, where the channel becomes a little wider. One paddle-wheel in the centre of the vessel is to be driven by a steam-engine, and to act on the water in the channel at a proper distance from the bow. The channel is proposed to be made a little wider from the wheel to the stern, in order that the hydrostatical pressure of the broken water may be exerted obliquely in assisting to propel the vessel forward.

The Committee for Mechanics having been of opinion that a boat of the proposed construction, if found to answer, might be calculated for Canal Navigation, because the breadth of the vessel would be necessarily less, and the agitation of the water occasioned by the wheels at the sides, in the common case so injurious to the banks of canals, would be