[Illustration] SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN SUPPLEMENT NO. 481 NEW YORK, MARCH 21, 1885 Scientific American Supplement. Vol. XIX, No. 481. Scientific American established 1845 Scientific American Supplement, $5 a year. Scientific American and Supplement, $7 a year. * * * * * TABLE OF CONTENTS. I. ENGINEERING AND MECHANICS.--The Righi Railroad.--With 3 engravings. The Chinese Pump.--1 figure. The Water Clock.--3 figures. New Self-propelling and Steering Torpedoes. Dobson and Barbour's Improvements in Heilmann's Combers.--1 figure. Machine for Polishing Boots and Shoes. II. TECHNOLOGY.--The Use of Gas in the Workshop.--By T. FLETCHER.--Placing of lights.--Best burners.--Light lost by shades.--Use of the blowpipe.--Gas furnaces.--Gas engines. The Gas Meter.--3 figures. The Municipal School for Instruction in Watchmaking at Geneva.--1 engraving. III. ELECTRICITY, ETC.--Personal Safety with the Electric Currents. A Visit to Canada and the United States; or, Electricity in America in 1884.--By W.H. PREECE. IV. ARCHITECTURE.--The House of a Thousand Terrors, Rotterdam.--With engraving. V. GEOLOGY.--On the Origin and Structure of Coal,--With full page of illustrations. VI. POLITICAL ECONOMY.--Labor and Wages in America.--By D. PIDGEON.--Who and what are the operatives.--Native labor.--Alien employes.--Housing of labor.--Sobriety.--Pauperism.--Artisans' homes.--Interest of employer in the condition of his employes.--Wages in Europe and America.--Expenditures of workingmen.--Free trade and protection. VII. MISCELLANEOUS.--Ice Boat Races on the Mueggelsee, near Berlin.--With engraving. VIII. BIOGRAPHY.--DUPUY DE LOME--With portrait. * * * * * THE RIGHI RAILROAD.