the nozle B is made to screw off at C. The nozle ought to be cast solid, and great care taken in boring it. A space equal in length to the diameter of the orifice at the outward extremity should be bored cylindrically; the rest should be a continuation of the taper of the inside of the director, which dies away into the part of equal width. When the taper continues to the point, the jet begins to spread sooner than it is found to do, when the nozle is made in the way I have described. The inside of the nozle should be polished as fine as possible, and the orifice protected, by being sunk a little within the metal, as in plate 4, fig 9.*

Two Ladders.—These are generally used from six to eight feet long, that length being convenient to strap to the engine. When required longer, they are easily joined together by a piece of cord. They are very useful in many cases, such as getting into windows, crossing walls, chimneyheads, &c.

One Boat-hook-This is a common boat-hook, of such length as may be most convenient to strap on the shaft of the engine. It is used for pulling down ceilings, and taking out deafening-boards when the fire happens to be between the ceiling and the floor above. It is also used when a strong door is to be broken open. It is placed with the

• The directors used here are much shorter than those commonly employed. They are found equally efficacious, and much easier managed in many situations than the longer ones.

point upon the door, one or two men bearing upon it, while another striking the door, the whole force of the blows is made to fall upon the lock or other fastening, which generally yields without much. difficulty.

One Line 50, and another 80 feet long, of twoinch Rope, each with a small Hook at one end.These are generally used for hoisting the hose into the windows of the house, in which there is a fire, the stairs being sometimes so crowded with people and furniture, that it is difficult to force a passage, and when the pipe is laid in the stair, it is liable to be damaged by people treading on it.

One Chain 80 feet long, with a large double Hook at one end.-This chain is 3-16ths of an inch in size, and is used chiefly in ascending to or descending from the building on fire, by the windows, when the stair cannot be resorted to for that purpose. The hook is made as in plate 6, fig. 6; that form being preferred, from its being easily made. to stick into the floor, to catch the sole of the window, or to fasten readily to such object as may be at hand. A chain is used instead of a rope, as it is less liable to suffer from lying in the engine, where there must always be a greater or less degree of damp. The communication with the upper floors, too, is more easily preserved by a chain than a rope, the latter being liable to be destroyed by a sudden burst of flame. The chain is wrapped upon

a light iron frame, that it may be always in order

C

when wanted, as it is more liable to get entangled than a rope if left in a loose state.

One Mattock and Shovel.-These are useful in damming any running water or gutter, uncovering drains, &c. from which the engine may be supplied with water. The mattock should be short and strong, and the shovel of the sort called diamond-pointed.

One Hatchet.-The most serviceable hatchet for a fire-engine, is similar to that used by wood-cutters. See plate 6, fig. 7. The back part is made large that it may be conveniently used as a ham

mer.

One Saw. This should be a stout cross-cut saw, very widely set. It is useful in cutting off the communication between one house and another, which, when water is scarce, is sometimes necessary.

One iron Crow-bar.-This should be about two feet long. It is used in opening doors, breaking through walls, &c.

One Turn-screw.-This must be made to fit the screws, which fasten the barrels and valve-covers to the cast-iron sole, and is principally used to take down the engine.

One Piece of Sheet-lead.-This should be two feet and a half square, of six or seven lb. to a foot. It is used in covering the eye of a drain, over which it may be necessary to convey a current of water for the supply of the engine. When two or three engines come together, each having a similar piece

of lead, if the inclination of the ground be suitable, a supply of water may in this way be brought from a considerable distance.

One Suction-tub.-This is mounted on a carriage. See plate 7, figs. 3 and 4. In order that the tub may not be in the way of the shafts of the engine when working, it is generally made of an oval shape. It is used only when the engine is supplied by suction, from water conveyed in carts or buckets, and is greatly preferable to any plan of emptying the water directly into the engine. By this latter method there is always a considerable waste of water, arising both from the height of the engine, and the working of the shafts; and, in addition to these objections, only one person can pour in water at a time. When the water is poured into the engine from carts, it must stop working till the cart is emptied. All these objections are in a great measure removed, by placing the suction-tub clear of the engine. Five or six men may be stationed round it, to empty the buckets as they arrive. If water-carts be used, three of them may be emptied at a time without obstructing the working of the engine. The tub, which is frequently used for carrying spare hose, rope, &c., is made to fit exactly to the carriage, which is placed on two light wheels, the whole when empty being easily drawn by one man. The tub and carriage can also be linked to the engine if necessary, by two hooks, which are affixed to the after part of the engine for that purpose.

DIFFERENT MODES OF SUPPLYING FIRE-ENGINES

WITH WATER.

Having thus briefly described the different articles attached to each fire-engine, I shall now notice the various modes of supplying them with water.

The best plan for this purpose is that by means of fire-cocks. One or more lengths of hose are screwed on the fire-cock; the extreme end being put into the engine, the fire-cock is then opened and the water rushes in. When the water-pipes are large and the pressure considerable, two or even three engines may be supplied from the same firecock. In this latter case, however, a distributor is necessary; for description of which see "Fire-cock," page 40.

If the fire-cocks are all at too great a distance from the place on fire, to be reached by the supply of hose brought with the engine, the next resource is, to open the nearest fire-cock above the level of the place where the water is required. By covering the eyes of drains, and stopping up any crosswater channels, the water may in this manner be conveyed along the street, from a very considerable distance. From the nature of the ground it does not always happen that the water will run directly from the nearest fire-cock, to the spot where it is required; acclivities, buildings, and many other causes, may prevent this; but in some of these cases a few lengths of the hose attached to the fire-cock, may convey the water to a channel,