er adjustment of the valve before
beginning the engine. M.

* * * * *

MISCELLANEOUS INVENTIONS.

An improved finger ring has been patented by Mr. David Untermeyer,
of New York city. The object of this invention is to furnish finger
rings so constructed that they can be opened out to represent
serpents, and which, when being worn, will give no indication of
being anything more than rings.

An improved heel skate-fastener has been patented by Mr. Elijah S.
Coon, of Watertown, N.Y. This invention consists, essentially, of a
screw threaded hollow plug or thimble, a dirt plate for covering the
opening in the plug, and a spring for holding the dirt plate in
place. This fastener possesses several advantages over one that is
permanently attached to the heel. Being cylindrical, it is more
easily connected, because the hole for its reception can be made
with a common auger or bit without the necessity for lasting the
boot or shoe or using a knife or chisel. Being screw threaded it can
be readily screwed into place with a common screwdriver; this also
enables it to be screwed either in or out, in order to make it fit
the heel key. The screw thread permits of screwing it in beyond the
surface of the heel, so as to prevent it from wearing out by the
ordinary wearing of the shoe.

An improved velocipede has been patented by Messrs. Charles E.
Tripler and William H. Roff, of New York city. The object of this
invention is to obtain a more advantageous application of the
propelling power than the ordinary cranks, to avoid the noise of
pawls and ratchets, and to guard the velocipedes against being
overturned should one of the rear wheels pass over an obstruction.

Mr. Philip H. Pax on, of Camden, N. J., has patented a machine that
will cut lozenges in a perfect manner, and will not be clogged by
the gum and sugar of the lozenge dough.

Mr. John H. Robertson, of New York city, has patented an improved
mat, which consists of longitudinal metal bars provided with
alternate mortised and tenoned ends, and composed of series of
sockets united by webs and of wooden transverse rods entered through
said sockets and held therein by vertical pins.

Mr. Charles F. Clapp, of Ripon, Wis, has patented a novel
arrangement of a desk attachment for trunks. The desk and tray may
be lifted from the trunk when the desk is either raised or lowered.

A combined scraper, chopper, and dirter has been patented b