the shoulder at I it fires the priming contained in the cavity at b. HH is a screw by which the power of the action of the spiral spring G G G may be increased or diminished as necessary.

Figs. 5 and 6 represent another apparatus, which may be used in the same manner as the preceding. The inner circle B represents a section of a flat cylindrical piece, having a central stem on the opposite side or face to be screwed into the barrel where the touch-hole is commonly placed. (Another section of the cylinder B is given in Fig. 7.) The axis or central line of the said stem is perforated or drilled up to half the thickness of the cylindrical piece, so as to meet another hole D B drilled or made in the edge of the said piece. The space A A between the inner and outer circles denotes another flat piece, of which the inner part is hollowed out so as very accurately to fit the outside of the first-mentioned cylindrical piece, and to be capable of revolving upon it when turned by the handle C. At E is a plug or punch inserted in the hole in the edge of the moveable piece, and kept from immediately touching the same by means of a spring, of any suitable form. On the opposite part of the circumference of the moveable piece, and through the handle at C, there is bored a hole or cavity K, quite through to its inner surface, in which a considerable quantity of the chemical compound before mentioned is put and confined. G is a cock or arm for giving a stroke upon E. It may be set, discharged, and impelled by the same machinery and means as are used with respect to the cock of a common gun-lock; or the stroke may be given by any other means. The several parts of the mechanism are secured in their places by caps and screws, or by any other well-known means commonly used in

* These letters are not marked on the drawing attached to the reford, and there are other letters on parts to which there is no reference. works

3

works of this kind. In the use of the apparatus last described, the hammer G is to be raised and cocked, and the handle C brought round to the position as in Fig. 6, where it is stopped by a pin or projecting piece H. At this instant the hole or cavity K is brought immediately over the channel or hole D B, into which a priming falls out of K, in consequence of the slight stroke or jar produced by the sudden stoppage of C. Immediately after this operation the handle is to be returned to its first position, as at Fig. 5, which brings the plug or punch E directly over the channel or hole D B, in which position only it is possible to give the stroke so as to inflame the priming, and discharge the piece. When this last effect is required to be produced, the trigger is to be drawn, and then G strikes E, and the contents of D B taking fire, explode through the touch-hole, and set fire to the charge, without allowing the escape of the gas or vapour in'any direction but into the chamber and towards the muzzle of the piece. In witness whereof, &c.

Specification of the Patent granted to JOHN LAME, of the State of New York, in North America, at present residing in King-street, in the City of London, Merchant ; for certain Improvements in and upon a Machine for extracting Fresh Water from the Salt Water of the Ocean, (by Distillation,) and other Purposes, at Sea and elsewhere. Dated July 25, 1806.

To all to whom these presents shall come, &c. Now KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I the said John Lamb do describe my invention and improvements as follows:

First. My machine or machinery, which I call a hearth or camboose, for the use of ships and vessels, or other

wise

wise, for the purposes of cooking at sea, as also supplying, from the evaporation and condensation of sea or salt water, a sufficiency of good fresh water for the ship's use. The hearth or camboose is to be made of cast or wrought iron, or any other proper metal or material, of either a square, oblong, or other convenient figure.

Secondly. The front rauge or fire-place, where the fuel is introduced, to be în one or two parts, and one or two dampers or douters made so as to raise up and slide down on to the front grate, or a door or doors, oval or bulk, or any other convenient shape, so as to close and shut up the front, and confine the heat arising from the fuel consumed.

Thirdly. The oven to be about the length of the whole front range or fire-place, and at a suitable distance back from the front, with a door at one end, as usual; and (if required) a partition across, and a door at the other end.

Fourthly. Two dampers, made to be raised, and when necessary, to fall perpendicularly on to the top of the oven, by which the whole front fire is commanded; that is to say, by raising both dampers the fire draws under, and communicates to all the kettles, boilers, or coppers, for the purpose of cooking, and also to supply from the evaporation and condensation, or distillation of sea or salt water, good fresh water, for the ship's use, at the same time of cooking. By raising up one damper the fire communicates to two or more boilers, or to one boiler only, as may be required, by raising up the other damper. When no fire is required in the front, the dampers are to. be down, and the fuel introduced (into a small door made by the side of the oven) directly under the two or more cooking boilers. All the boilers are to be placed in the back part of the hearth or camboose; and by drawing out a horizontal damper, to be made in the back side of

the