dy and the absence of all
internal machinery enable the constructor to carry the stated enormous
quantity of explosive matter. With minimum charge of powder in the
chamber of the gun, the speed attained by the projectile reaches 310
feet in the first three seconds.

The question may be asked, in view of these facts, whether the boasted
costly steam ram is not superseded by the cheap aggressive system
represented by the Destroyer. Evidently the most powerful of the English
steam rams could not destroy an armored ship as effectually as the
projectile from the submarine gun, the explosion of which is capable of
shattering any naval structure.

It should be borne in mind, also, that being protected by heavy inclined
transverse armor, the Destroyer, attacking bows on, can defy ordnance of
all calibers. Again, the carrier of the submarine gun, in addition to
the swiftness of its projectile, can outrun ironclad ships.

* * * * *

RECENT INVENTIONS.

Mr. Francis M. Osborn, of Port Chester, N. Y., has patented a covering
for a horse that protects him from the weather and from chafing. The
blanket has a band, also stays and straps, the use of which does away
with the surcingle and affords a most efficient protection for the
horse, and may be easily worn under harness in wet weather or at other
times, when desirable.

A novel device, designed especially for containing boxes of cigars and
protecting and displaying their contents, has been patented by Mr.
Robert B. Dando, of Alta, Iowa. The invention consists of a case
containing shelves, on which are fixed the covered cigar or other boxes,
cords connecting the box lids and case doors, so that the opening of the
case doors causes the box lids to open.

An improved bottle stopper has been patented by Mr. Andrew Walker, of
Cincinnati, O. The invention consists in combining with the stopper caps
connected by an intermediate spring.

Mr. James B. Law, of Darlington Court House, S. C., has patented an
improved construction of buckle for fastening the ends of cotton and
other bale bands; it consists in a buckle having a permanent seat for
one end of the bale band, a central opening, into which the other end of
the band is entered through an oblique channel, and a bar offsetting
from the plane of the buckle, notched or recessed to prevent lateral
movement of the band, and connecting the free ends of the buckle on each
side of the oblique cha