k is brought to the narrow
form shown in Fig. 12, the eyes of the links being only just wide
enough to receive the end of the adjacent link enchained therewith
without gripping it. This operation is performed by a tool similar to
that shown in Figs. 10_a_ and 10_b_, above referred to.

* * * * *

AN ENGLISH STEAM FIRE ENGINE.

The steam fire engine of which we give an engraving is one specially
built for the Indian government by Messrs. Shand, Mason & Co., London.
It has the distinction of being the first steam fire engine supplied
for the province of Upper Burma, having been purchased primarily for
the royal palace, and to serve for the protection of the cantonment of
Mandalay. The engine is placed vertically in front of the boiler, and
consists of a double acting pump with valves which can be taken out
for renewal or examination in two or three minutes. The capacity is
200 gallons per minute, and the height of jet 140 ft. As shown in the
engraving, the fore part of the machine forms a hose reel and tool
box, and can be instantly separated from the engine to allow of the
independent use of the latter at a fire.

[Illustration: IMPROVED STEAM FIRE ENGINE.]

The engine is constructed with wrought iron side frames, fore carriage
and wheels, and steel axles, springs, etc. The tool box, coachman's
seat, and other parts are of teak. It is provided with Messrs. Shand,
Mason & Co.'s quick steaming boiler, in which 100 lb. pressure can be
raised from cold water in from five to seven minutes, an extra large
fire box for burning wood, with fire door at the back, feed pump, and
injector, fresh water tank, coal bunker, and other fittings and
arrangements for carrying the suction pipe. A pole and sway bars are
fitted for two ponies, and wood cross bars to pass over the backs of
the animals at the tops of the collars. Two men are carried on the
machine, a coachman on the box seat and a stoker on the footboard at
the rear of the engine. The whole forms a very light and readily
transportable fire engine.--_The Engineer_.

* * * * *

THE SYSTEM OF MILITARY DOVE COTES IN EUROPE.[1]

[Footnote 1: Continued from _Scientific American_ of July 11, p. 23.]

_France_.--The history of the aerial postal service and of the carrier
pigeons of the siege of Paris has been thoroughly written, and is so
well known that it is useless to recapitulate it in this pl