which are nearly hyperbolas, having a common asymtote at the axis, and terminating at the periphery, in tangents, almost parallel to each other and to the plane of revolution. These disks are stiffened and connected by radial ribs, and the shaft is fixed in them by rib-feathers. Circular mouths at the centre of the disk correspond to similiar mouths terminating the air-trunks, with which they make tight joint by means of ordinary cup-leathers. The property of the curve which determines the shape of the disk, is, that a circumferential section at every distance from the axis shall have the same area, which also equals that of the indraught openings just described. This remarkable "ejector" appears capable of giving a higher duty than any fan previously used, and the actual pressures obtained, as will be seen from the following table, are strictly proportionate to the square roots of the velocities: Diameter of Ejector in feet. 20 feet.. 21 24 22 66 23 66 66 25 66 26 27 66 28 66 29 66 89 66 Number of revolutions per minute, and pressure in inches of water. 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 0.65 0.94 1.27 1.66 2.11 2.63 3.15 3.74 0.73 1.04 1.42 1.85 2.35 2.90 8.51 4.18 0.83 1.19 1.62 2.11 2.67 3.29 4.00 4.75 0.87 1.26 1.71 2.24 2.88 3.48 4.33 5.04 0.95 1.36 1.86 2.43 8.07 3.73 4.59 5.49 1.02 1.47 2.00 2.62 8.82 4.11 4.96 5.90 1.12 1.62 2.20 2.88 3.64 4.45 5.44 6.48 1.20 1.72 2.35 3.07 3.88 4.79 5.80 6.91 1.30 1.87 2.56 3.32 4.21 5.15 6 29 7.48 1.37 1.99 2.68 3.52 4.45 5.53 6 65 7.92 1.47 2.12 2.89 3.77 4.77 5.92 7.18 8.49 By the use of this ejector, and of appropriate valves in the connecting pipes, the cars are Fig. 4. blown through the tunnel from the Euston Station, or sucked back from the further terminus. In the first case, the necessary supply of air is obtained from out of doors, by means of passages under the floor, and in the latter the outdraught is discharged by the same means. The arrangement for allowing the car to come out of the tunnel at either terminus is shown in Fig. 4, which represents the termination of the tube with its various appliances. Above, at the right, is seen a spring-valve, which may be so adjusted that the resistance offered to the escape of air from in front of the car, when near the terminus, may be such as to bring it to rest at a convenient point outside. Vertically under this is seen a wheel at the end of a long lever, upon which presses the advancing car. This lever, thus depressed, sets free at its other end the detent of the door, which closes the tube or tunnel, and a counter-weight then quickly raises this last a moment before the car reaches it. The velocity at which the cars or trains are run in this tunnel is about 163 miles an hour, the short curves before mentioned necessitating a reduction of speed. This velocity is obtained by the use of a 22-foot ejector, making 100 to 110 turns per minute, which develops a pressure of 3 to 4 inches on a water-gauge. Mo VOL. VII.-40 tion is given to the ejector by means of a small steam-engine of 15" diameter and 16" stroke, set upon an inclined framing, and having its crank keyed directly to the shaft of the ejector. About 15 trains, each way, are now the daily work done by this apparatus, which is but a small percentage of its capacity. The general arrangement of parts and ground plan of the Euston terminus are shown in Fig. 2: the right is the boiler next to it, the engine attached directly to the ejector, from which two tubes lead to the tunnel, a long one for suction, and a short, direct passage, for blowing. Opposite to the end of the tunnel, on the farther side of the room, is a short closed passage, which acts as an air-buffer to the cars, should the valve arrangement before described fail to bring them to rest at the desired point, namely, on the track between these two. POISONS, ANIMAL. In some experiments on the poison of the cobra di capella, which George B. Halford, M. D., Professor of Anatomy in the University of Melbourne, has been lately engaged in, he has discovered that when a person is mortally bitten by the cobra, molecules of living "germinal" matter are thrown into the blood and speedily grow into cells. These cells multiply so rapidly that in a few hours millions upon millions are produced at the expense of the oxygen absorbed into the blood during respiration; and hence the gradual decrease and ultimate extinction of combustion and chemical change in every other part of the body, followed by coldness, sleepiness, insensibility, slow breathing, and death. The cells which thus render in so short a time the blood unfit to support life, as described by the professor, are circular in diameter, on the average ofth of an inch. They contain a nearly round nucleus of th of an inch in breadth, which, when further magnified, is seen to contain other still more minute spherules of living "germinal" matter. In addition to this, the application of magenta reveals a minute colored spot at some part of the circumference of the cell. This, besides its size, serves to distinguish it from the white pus or lymph corpuscle. The professor adds to his account of the action of this powerful poison that he has many reasons for believing that the materias morbi of cholera is a nearly allied animal poison, and that if this, on further examination, should prove to be the case, we may hope to know something definite of the poisons of hydrophobia, small-pox, scarlet fever, and, indeed, of all zymotic diseases. PORTER, DAVID R., a political leader in Pennsylvania, and twice Governor of the State (from 1839 to 1845), born in Pennsylvania, in 1788; died at Harrisburg, Pa., August 6, 1867. He was a lawyer by profession, and early took a prominent part in the affairs of the State. He was repeatedly a member of each branch of the Pennsylvania Legislature, and was the first Governor elected under the State constitution of 1838, receiving a majority of 5,496 votes over Joseph Ritner, the Whig candidate and previous Governor. Charges of irregularity in the election in Philadelphia County gave occasion for much feeling in the organization of the Legislature, and disgraceful proceedings at the State capital, since famous as the "Buckshot War," were the consequences. These difficulties were the occasion of a proclamation from Governor Ritner, calling out the militia to repress an outbreak, and of appeals for United States troops for the same purpose. These were refused by Congress, as it appeared that the apprehensions of the Whigs were unfounded. It was feared by the friends of Mr. Porter that his inauguration would be prevented by force, and it was alleged that Governor Ritner would hold over for another term, but in the high state of political excitement the bitterness of which is not even yet forgotten, each party was liable to misjudge the intentions of the other, and the alarm of the Democrats was probably as groundless as that of the Whigs. Thaddeus Stevens was a member of the Legislature, and the leader of the Whigs, and, on his motion, Charles B. Penrose, of Philadelphia, was elected Speaker of the House; but the Democrats, aided by a few members of the Whig party, organized what was called the "Hopkins branch of the Legislature," and elected William Hopkins Speaker. At length an agreement was arrived at by which both Speakers resigned; after which Mr. Hopkins was elected, and the message of the Governor, principally devoted to the late unhappy differences, was received. Mr. Stevens was called by his opponents "the oracle" and conscience-keeper of Governor Ritner, and both he and Governor Porter were the objects of much obloquy from their respective political enemies, the dominant faction in the case of Mr. Stevens even going so far as to deprive him of his seat in the Legislature, and order a new election. The second inauguration of Governor Porter was not attended by any remarkable circumstances, and his administration of the affairs of the Commonwealth was wise and temperate. The later years of Governor Porter's life were spent in retirement from political affairs, and in the management of his extensive busi ness interests as an iron manufacturer. He had the reputation of being a man of great private worth. In the winter of 1867, notwithstanding his great age (being then in his seventyninth year), he was nominated, by President Johnson, Collector of the Port of Philadelphia, but was rejected by the Senate. PORTUGAL, a kingdom in Europe. King, Luis I., born October 31, 1838; succeeded his brother, King Pedro V., November 11, 1861. Heir-apparent, Carlos, born September 28, 1863. The ministry in 1867 was composed as follows: Presidency, De Aguiar (appointed September 4. 1865); Interior, Da Silva Ferrao de Carvalho Martens (March 9, 1866); Justice and Worship, Barjona de Freitas (September 4, 1865); Finances, Da Fontes Pereira De Mello (September 4, 1865); War, the Minister of Finances ad interim; Navy and Colonies, Da Praia Grande de Macao (September 4, 1865); Foreign Affairs, Do Casal Ribeiro (May 9, 1866); Public Works, Commerce, and Industry, De Andrade Corvo (June 6, 1866). Area, 36,510 English square miles; population in 1861, 3,693,362; in 1863. 3,986,558; with the Azores and Madeira (in 1863), 4,350,216. The population of the Portuguese colonies in Asia and Africa is about 3,880,000.* The largest cities are Lisbon, with 224,244 inhabitants; and Oporto, with 89,321. The revenue in the budget for 1867-'68 was estimated at 16,884,419 milreis, and the expenditure at 22,357,332. Public debt in June, 1866, 194,655,394. The army, according to the law of June 23, 1864, was to consist, for the kingdom, of 1,512 officers and 30,128 men, on the peace footing, and 2,408 officers and 68,450 soldiers on the war footing; for the colonies, of 9,453 men of the first line, and 21,411 of the second line. On March 1, 1867, the number of effective troops was 1,372 officers and 18,449 men. The fleet, in 1867, consisted of 26 arined vessels, 19 non-armed vessels, and 2 vessels in the *For a list of Portuguese colonies in Asia and Africa, with the population of each, see ANNUAL CYCLOPÆDIA for 1566. No important change is stated except in Mama, which formerly was reported as having 29,000, and noW (since November 8, 1866) 100,000 inhabitants. Great discontent was shown in Portugal with the expenditure entailed by the changes in the ministry of Foreign Affairs, which had created many new places. It was contended by the malcontents that, with proper economy and prudence in the administration of the public money, the ends might be made to meet; that Portugal, instead of losing her credit abroad and drifting into a national bankruptcy, might maintain a very respectable position among the nations, and that the people wanted a diminution in the army of civil servants, and no more useless frigates, costing mints of money, laid down at the arsenal. In Oporto several riots broke out on account of the new taxes; but they were easily suppressed by the military. A deputation from the Municipal Chamber of Oporto presented a petition against the new taxes to the King, but the latter replied that he had to perform his duty according to the constitutional charter. The explanations which the ministry gave concerning the riots in Oporto, in the Chamber of Peers, were declared by that body to be satisfactory (by a vote of 42 against 7). The most important act of the session of the Portuguese Chambers was the passage of a bill for the reform of the penal code, and the abolition of capital punishment. The bill was passed in the Chamber of Deputies with only few dissenting votes. They also sanctioned a treaty of commerce with Turkey, and a treaty of extradition with Spain. far from being a mere partisan, and was too ingenuous and high-minded to abandon principle for expediency. No narrow-minded bigotry clouded his perceptions of right, and though persistent in pursuing the course he had decided upon, he was invariably honorable and just. His personal popularity was great, both among his friends and political opponents. In 1851 he was elected Governor of Kentucky, being the first successful candidate of his party for many years. This result was largely due to his amiable qualities, acknowledged integrity and qualifications, and the personal influence he possessed over the masses. In the winter of 1858-59 Governor Powell was elected by the Kentucky Legislature United States Senator for the long term, commencing in 1859. His senatorial career was in every respect honorable to himself and creditable to the State. Without any pretensions to great genius or splendid oratory, he was yet a clear and forcible reasoner, an excellent working member, and, above and beyond all, a firm and uncompromising adherent to constitutional principle. As a committee-man his services were invaluable. He served on the Judiciary, Pensions, and Printing Committees, but was not reëlected at the expiration of his term, owing to his extreme anti-war views. PRESBYTERIANS. I. OLD SCHOOL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.- -The statistics of this Church, as reported to the General Assembly, in May, 1867, were as shown in the following table. There were no reports from the Synods of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Memphis, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia, which are practically extinct, as all the congregations have united with the Southern Presbyterian Church. Albany.. Kentucky. Missouri.. Northern Indiana. 6,085 Ohio... Pacific. Southern Iowa.. Wheeling.. New Jersey.. New York. North Carolina.. POWELL, LAZARUS W., ex-Governor, and United States Senator, born in Henderson County, Ky., October 6, 1812; died in Henderson, Ky., July 3, 1867. His early educational advantages were excellent, and improving them amply, he graduated at St. Joseph's College, Bardstown, in the summer of 1833, being at the time nearly twenty-one years of age. Two years afterward he was admitted to the bar, having in the mean time graduated at the then flourishing law school connected with Transylvania University. He then entered upon the practice of his profession, join- Northern India.. ing to its duties the occupation of a farmer, and evincing remarkable energy in both pursuits. Governor Powell early embarked in Philadelphia political life; and in June, 1836, he was elected to the Legislature. Bringing a large amount of energy and enthusiasm to the discharge of his duties, he proved a most useful member, and at the outset of his career gave full promise of that distinction he subsequently gained. While positive and decided in his adhesion to the principles and policy of his party, he was Pittsburg Sandusky... Wisconsin Total... The following is a general summary of the statistics of the Church: Amount contributed for disabled ministers.. 12,202 The General Assembly of the Old School Presbyterian body met at Cincinnati on May 16th. A report on the secession in the Synods of Kentucky and Missouri was adopted by a vote of 207 to 6, declaring that members and churches would be received back on their application and declaration of willingness to submit to the established authority of the Church, but declining fellowship with all who refuse to return before the meeting of the Presbytery and Synod in the spring of 1868, and that they would be considered as having voluntarily withdrawn. On the subject of union with the New School Presbyterian General Assembly, the majority report, favoring reunion on the basis of the report of the joint committee, was adopted. A pastoral letter was adopted, deprecating the ordinary desecrations of the Sabbath, and counselling ministers and elders to cultivate in their families, and in all over whom their influence extends, just and scriptural views of the sacredness of the day, and recommending to pastors to preach as often as convenient on the proper observance of the Sabbath. At the suggestion of the Presbytery of Chicago, the Assembly decided to call upon the presbyteries to report the number of unbaptized children whose parents are members of the communion. The Synods of Kentucky and Missouri, which for several years had been greatly disturbed by difference of opinion concerning the deliverances by the General Assemblies since 1861 on the subject of loyalty and slavery, were in 1867 fully dissolved, one party remaining in connection with the Old School Presbyterian General Assembly, and the other refusing to surrender the position taken by their "Declaration and Testimony." The latter were divided on the question whether it was expedient to join the Southern Presbyterian General Assembly, but it was expected that a majority would ultimately adopt that course. II. NEW SCHOOL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Twenty-three Synods........ Total number of Presbyteries, 100; of churches, 1,560; of baptisms, 9,175; of persons in Sunday-schools, 163,242. The statistics of the principal societies are as follows: Foreign Missions.-Contributions, $110,349. The missions are located in Western Africa, South Africa, Turkey, Syria, etc., Southern and Eastern Asia, Pacific Islands, and among the North American Indians. The number of missionaries is 43. Home Missions.Receipts, $128,500; missionaries, 419; conver sions, 2,500; additions, 3,000. Church Erec tion Fund.-Contributions, $18,762.78; total receipts, $24,298; grants, $20,700. The following table shows the advance of the Church from 1839, the year when it was organized, until 1867: From which it appears that in 28 years they have gained 28 per cent. in presbyteries, 39 per cent. in ministers, nearly 22 per cent. in churches, over 59 per cent. in total of members, and 406 per cent. in contributions to home and foreign missions. By far the greatest advance has been made during the last four years. The General Assembly of this Church met at Rochester, N. Y., on the 16th of May. The Standing Committee on the Erection of Churches reported one hundred churches without buildings of their own, and recommended that one hundred thousand dollars be raised to assist in providing buildings. The report on union, of the joint committee of the two Assemblies, was approved. The matter of constitutional changes was referred back to the Total number of presbyteries in 1867, 54; missionary presbyteries, 3; congregations, 736; foreign missionaries and teachers, 26; home missionaries, 125; baptisms, 4,111; contributions to church funds, $108,265; total contributions, $634,888; average per member, $10. The General Assembly, which was held in May, received favorable reports from the foreign missions. The Board of Education reported that forty young men had been assisted during the year, eighteen of them engaged in literary and twenty-two in a theological course of study. An appropriation was voted to carry on the missions to the freedmen, and the Board were instructed to inquire into the feasibility of forming a connection with the American Union Freedmen's Commission. The most exciting subject which came before the Assembly was the McCune case." Mr. McCune was condemned for holding views favorable to open communion and on the requisites of church membership, which were regarded as at variance with the standards of the Church. IV. SOUTHERN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.-The following are the statistics of the Southern Presbyterian Church for the year ending October, 1867: Synods in connection with the General Assembly 10 47 850 1,309 68 5,078 2,432 80.532 1,677 Ministers and licentiates.. Churches... Candidates for ministry (reported). Members added on examination.. Members added on certificate. Total number of communicants.. Adults baptized.. Infants baptized. Children in Sabbath-schools and Bible-classes. Amount contributed to sustentation.. 39,473 $24,882 Amount contributed to foreign missions. Amount contributed to publication... Amount contributed to education.. Amount contributed for congregational purposes, Amount contributed for miscellaneous purposes, Amount contributed for presbyterial purposes.. Whole amount contributed. 8,449 9.612 11,402 10.823 452,463 41.899 5,212 576,242 Comparing them with the statistics of the previous year, we find an increase of one presbytery and of about 14,000 members. The latter number is not actual increase, but chiefly the result of more complete returns, the returns of the year before having been very incomplete. The General Assembly of this Church met in Nashville, Tenn., on the 21st of November. Delegates were present from the Synods of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Memphis, Mississippi, Nashville, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. The committee who had been appointed to confer with a committee of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, on the subject of union, reported that they found all things favorable to union except that the Cumberland Presbyterians asked for modifications of doctrines, some of which were only verbal in their character, but others so fundamental as to require the deliberations of the General Assembly. A committee from the "Declaration and Testimony" Synod of Kentucky presented the case of that body, which was admitted to the General Assembly. The Rev. Dr. Pressly, of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of the South, addressed the Assembly to the effect that the body he represented declined the terms of union tendered by the previous General Assembly. The report of the Church Sustentation Fund shows that 104 ministers, representing perhaps 250 churches, have received aid from it. The foreign mission contributions of the churches were reported at $13,000. Eighty-six thousand books and 335,000 copies of the Children's Friend have been published during the year. The Book of Church Order was reported rejected by a majority of the Presbyteries. V. CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.-This Church had, in 1860, 927 ministers, 1,188 churches and 84,249 communicants. The number of presbyteries was 96. In 1867, according to the papers of the Church, the number of ministers exceeded 1,000, and that of communicants 100,000. There are official Boards on publications, missions, and other objects. Number of educational publications, 24; weekly papers were published, in 1867, at Waynesburg, Pa., Alton, Ill., and Nashville, Tenn. The General Assembly of this Church met at Memphis on the 16th of May. The most vexed question which engaged attention was the deliverance of last year concerning slavery and the war, which was regarded by some members as reversing the deliverance of preceding years, and as signs of undue conversion to pro-slavery tendencies. The matter was settled by the adoption of a resolution that this deliverance did not repeal the decisions of former Assemblies, and that neither this decision nor those of the former Assemblies could be set up as tests of membership unless they were referred to the presbyteries and approved by them. The Assembly adopted a resolution referring the subject of the moral and religious treatment of the black men to the Standing Committees on Education and Missions. In consequence of the action of the General Assembly on deliverances of former Assemblies, |