A spark arrester has been patented by Mr. John C. Albrecht, of Columbus, Ga. Combined with a draught pipe is a cone with curved volutes, and in its center and underneath it an inverted cone, with spark pockets, and other novel features, the sparks being returned to the fire box, the invention being an improvement on two former patented inventions of the same inventor.

A steam condenser has been patented by Mr. John McIntyre, of New York City. It is cylindrical in form, a central perforated or slotted casing being used in connection with the cooling pipes, with a regulating valve to open or close the perforations or slots, in such way that the cooling effect will be more instant and the temperature of the cooling parts more equal than in ordinary condensers.

A car coupling has been patented by Mr. George W. Giles, of Buffalo, West Va. In connection with a suitable drawhead, a weight and pin are joined by a flexible connection, the weight being adapted to overbalance the pin, and the weight being projected into the path of the drawbar, so that the entering drawbar will raise the weight, and thus permit the pin to fall by its own gravity into coupled position.

A car coupling has been patented by Mr. Wesley E. Roberts, of Hartford, Ky. The coupling link consists of a straight bar, with a wedge shaped pointed lug at each end, a spring being fastened to the under side, and the coupling being effected by an arm dropping in front of the lug after the link enters the drawhead, the device being simple in construction, and one which can be operated from the side or top of the car.