TAIL PIECE FOR VIOLINS.--James Thoms, South Boston, Mass.--This invention relates to a new and improved manner of attaching the E-string to the tail piece of a violin, whereby a comparatively small portion of said string is wasted in case of breakage. HAME TUG.--James E. Covert, Townsendville, N. Y.--This hame tug, according to the present invention, is made of a strip of malleable iron or other suitable material, perforated or provided with V-Shaped holes or slots having a center tongue piece, for the reception of a V-Shaped block fixed at one end of the trace, by means of which block the trace is engaged with the hame tug, where through a suitably arranged spring slot that strikes against the end of the tongue to the said V-slots, the block is held firmly in place, and consequently the trace fastened to the hame tug. CENTER BOARD.--F. J. McFarland, San Francisco, Cal.--This invention relates to the location of the center boards of boats and sailing craft of all kinds, but is designed more particularly for freight carrying vessels. It consists simply in employing two center boards and locating the same at the extreme ends of the hull. MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.--George W. Van Dusen, Williamsburgh, N.Y.--This invention consists in a novel connection and arrangement of levers and valves between the plane of movement of the perforated surface or surfaces, and an airchest or chests, and the keys or levers for opening the valves to the reeds or for operating any other mechanism suitable for producing tones, whereby through such perforated surface or surfaces the mechanism forming the connection between it and the sounding mechanism will be operated through the perforations to produce the sound or note or notes desired, of whatever length such notes or sounds are to be. COMBINED SEAT AND DESK.--Rev Allen H. Burn, May's Landing, N. J.--The present invention relates to the combination of a desk or lid with a seat or bench, such lid or desk being hinged to the back of the seat in such a manner as to be raised or lowered at pleasure, and when raised, supported in position by means of supporting bars properly applied thereto. MACHINE FOR REFITTING CONICAL VALVES.--Charles F. Hall, Brooklyn. N. Y.--This invention relates to a device by which the conical stop valves of gas, steam, and water works may be refitted or repaired when from any cause they are rendered leaky and unfit for use. GRAIN-BAND CUTTER AND FORK.--E. G. Bullis, Manchester, Iowa.--This invention has for its object to furnish an improved instrument by means of which the bands of the grain bundles may be cut at the same time that the bundles are pitched to the person who feeds them to the threshing machine, and by the same operation. PROPELLING VESSELS, ETC.--Robert R. Spedden and Daniel F. Stafford, Astoria, Oregon.--This invention has for its object to furnish an improved means by which the motion of the waves may be used for propelling vessels or working pumps or other machinery.