January, 1879.
THE WEST SHORE.
5
LOCOMOTIVES WITHOUT KIKE. I INDIAN LETTUCE, OR WILD LETTUCE.
Machines on the above-named principle are
now at work on the tramway from Rueil to
Marly, near Paris, and with satisfactory results.
The system in use is one introduced by M.
Prancy, an engineer, and is based on the fact
that water boils at a lower temperature pro
portionately to the reduction of the atmospheric
pressure. It is well known that water requires a
temperature of 212" Fahr. to boil at the sea level ;
but at a higher altitude, or where the atmos
pheric pressure is reduced artificially, as in a
partial vacuum, it boils and produces steam at
a much lower temperature.
Acting upon this prinoiple, M. Francy takes
a reservoir of thin steel, we cannot call it a
boiler, for it has neither fireplace nor fire, and
introduces water at a temperature of 200 Fahr.,
and then covers up hermetically. The steam
it gives off at once tills the superincumbent
space, and produces a pressure of IS atmos
pheres. As soon as any of the vapor is turned
on for moving the machine the pressure is re
duced, and the water then begins to boil, pro
ducing a fresh supply ot steam. Of course that
process is but of limited extent, as, at the com
mencement, the liquid only oontained a certain
amount of heat, which is gradually diminished
as the reproduction of steam takes place at
lower temperature by the exhaustion of the
superincumbent pressure. So far a maohine of
this description would be obviously totally in
adequate to any prolonged journey. Hut for
short transits it has been found extremely ser
vicesble. As the amount of pressure required
to work the engine is only five atmospheres, a
series of valves are so arranged as to prevent a
greater amount of force issuing from the reser
voir than is necessary, and thus retaining as far
as possible the heat originally oontained in the
water. The driving part of the machinery is
nearly identical with that of ordinary locomo
tives, with a few modifications, with the purpose
of guarding against the useless waste of the
heat originally introduced into the reservoir.
Ualiynam Meuenger.
THE AGE OF STEEL.
By the various cheapening processes which havo
of late years been introduced into the manufac
ture of steel, that article is fast supplanting the
use of iron in the various industries, and notably
so for railroad purposes. Bessemer steel rails
are now produoed nearly as cheap as iron. It
now amx-ars to be onlv a matter of time, and
short at that, when Bessemor ami Soimens
Martin steel will be so cheap that they will
take the place of wrought-iron for almost every
purpose. The latest new proposed use 01 sveei
is lor tin plate makers, who, it is sam
about to abandon iron for that purpose.
The Bessemer steel trade, which had its
origin in England rather more than 20 yean
ago, still continues to be followed more largely
in that country than any other. Of about
2,000,0000 tons of Bessemer steel now annually
produced throughout tho world. England fur
nishea 750,000 tons; the United States, M.I.OOO
tons: France. 261.874 tons: and (iermany, ML
'-'"I tons. No industry in modern times has
soruni? un an suddenly into imiMirtance. nor has
any other caused greater changes in the way of
setting aside an old and introducing a new
order. To this industry in supplanting ths use
of iron is due the fact that thousands of fur
naces have been closed np and tens of thousands
w workingmen either thrown Idle or vans
ferred to other occupations. The age of iron
has become the age of steel. A new departure,
long threatened and greatly feared, has been
actually accomplished!
I in. Post Office department baa reduced the
prices of stamped envelopes on an average 20,
the effect of which baa been to largely increase
uis requisitions for the
Indian Lettuce is very generally distributed
long the Pacific ,-o.wt. It is fouud through
out Washington Territory between the Cascade
mountains and the sea, and extends at least as
far south as San Francisco and its vicinity.
Along our water courses iu the mountains, and
where they wind their tortuous ways through
Pnosnionus a Cum ron Sciatic.. It is not
ordinarily wise to try remedies for effecting
cures which one llnds in the newspapers. Hut
where tho ingredients are such that no harm
can arise from their trial, and the source frosa
which tho prescription emanates is likely to be
reliable, tho afflicted will gladly try almost any
remedy recommended. Dr. Vuliiianlsen reports
in Schmidt's lh.-ium.iry and the Pesth Mrdln
OklrWj. I'rtur, both good authorities, from
INDIAN LMKI
Sacramento, San Jouin and T.tare valley
and perhaps still further southward along the
anil pern.
roast tBToW 1 " .. : i x
aToist, .Lylo-n. rich and -
against the insurgents.
which the Ixodoe UnlUat K$trJ eopise. a saw
of ecutios winch lasted for two years and defied
all treatment. II then arrived at the idea oi
trying Ike internal rue of phosphorus, wkiek be
pTMeribsd in dues ul IS milligram in sa (abeat
uo fourth of a grain) three tirace a day. Tame
lays sufficed to obtain a marked isaprovesneae,
sad three weeks brought a complete care.
Kraci, watching Bismarck and A as trie, has
given oae year's notice of Use Uranlaatioa el ail
treaties of liiiwsasjne,.