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The accompanying engravings represent a horizontal, center-vent water wheel invented by James Martin, of Florence, Ala , which is now in use by the patentee, driving a cotton mill, and working in the most successful manner. It is simple in hs construction, and is plainly shown in the cuts, of which Fig. 1 is a perspectiv e view, Fig, 2, a vertical, and Fig. 3, a horizontal section. The water is taken from the two large square pipes, A and B, Fig. 1, by the four vertical pipes, C C C C, Figs. I and 2, down to the level of the wheel. where it is turned to a horizontal direction, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2, passing into four chutes, d d, Figs. 2 and 3, which gradually contract towards the circumference of the wheel, forcing the water into the buckets, c e. The buckets are formed in curves of which the radii are equal to the width of the rim of the wheel, the spaces between the buckets being 4, inches apart at the periphery where the water enters, and contracted at the discharge in proportion to the head of water. The water thus entering on four sides of the w heel, any strain or pressure upon the axle is avoided, and when the velocity of the wheel is properly proportioned to the head of water, the' motion of the water is nearly all transferred to the wheel, and thus a high percentage of aseful effect is obtained. In regard to the practical value of this improvement, the inventor says:" This wheel has been fully tested as to great economy of water. I am now using one in my cotton mill, giving 35-horse power with a 4O-inch wheel, under a head of 12 feet, using but 200 inches of water, and the water being measured before it reaches the wheel, any waste around the wheel comes out of the amount. There is no humbugging by claiming that it uses less water than it really does. The water is applied on scientific principles, and for simplicity, durability, and economy, of construction, it cannot be beat." The patent for this invention was procured through the Scientific American Patent Agency, July 3d, 18G0, and further information in relation to the matter may be obtained by addreiSing the inventor, James Martin, at Florence, Ala. THE WAY LIGHT.In giving an account of a lecture recently delivered in Philadelphia by Professor Rodpers, of the University of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Press makes the lecturer claim the invention of the Wily electro-light for the late Dr. Hare. Th is, we think, must be a mistake. He was the in .entor of the oxy-hydrogen (Drummond) light, but we never read or heard of him as being the inventor of the electric light.
