The Thermachion

[From the Peoría Traustiipt.J Mr. J. Chellew, of Glasford, Teoría county, is at work on a machine for producing heat by mechanical means. Mr. Chellew said: "Th at it is well known that heat was i kind of vibration or motion of the inolecules of matter, aiul that, therefore, it was possible to produce it by meehanical means. Iron, for instance, can be made hot by hammering it ; heat can be produced by rnbbing two sticks together, and many other illustrations of similar nature may be given, all showing that heat was a mechanical eflect." Starting with this idea, he went to work to construct a machine which would produce heat. His first attempt was a success ; the machine produced a low degree of heat. The motive power being the work of an old Seth Thomas clock, the trouble with the machine was that the vibrations were not regular, henee the law degree of heat ; but he feit encouraged ; that heat could be produced by a machine was evident ; with better machinery more heat could be prodticed. He then purchased as good a Seth Thomas clock as he could íind, having a compensating pendulum and other improvements, and went to work on a new Machine, which he calis a thermachion, it being the one the writer discovered him at work upon on a previous occasion. He was very reticent in showing his thermachion, as he wishes to secure a patent on it ; but I can say thnt it is a wonderful machine. It consists of a plain wooden box about two feet square and three feet high, and, attached to one side, like an addition, was a box made out of thin boiler-plate, being the same height and width as the wooden box, and about a foot deep. In the wooden box was the motive power ; in the iron box the heat is generated. The essential part of the heatproducing apparatus was a píate which Mr. Chellew calis a " model píate." Mr. Chellew requested me to insert a small wire through a small hole in the box, af ter previously starting the works. In a few seconds I withdrew the wire, and it was too hot to touch with the hands. He then took a small tin cup of cold water and put it in the iron box. In two or threè minutes he withdrew it boiling hot. Of course it is, as yet, very imperfect, being deficiënt in many details. The highest degree of heat yet ottained with it is about 250 dtg. But Mr. Chellew expects, when certain improvements he is now experimenting on are attached, to show 500 deg. of heat, or perhaps higher, and, with other improvements and discoveries, to genérate heat to any required degree. The same instrument will produce a high or low degree of heat, as may be required, which will be controlled by a " regulator." It is extremely portable, and, as there is no smoke or gas emitted from it, it can be placed in any room. The expense of running is nothing, except the oidinary wear of the machinery. It can be adapted to any purpose for which heat is required. It may be nsed for cooking or heating, being so portable it may be taken from one room to another. It may also be used for generating steam for any engine, and who can say the amount of saving it will effect 'f