If this arrangement be used in cases where the link is used as an expansion device, there will be, of course, some block slip while running in the intermediate gears.  But even then, it is to be observed that the motion of the pin, A, relatively to the rocker arm is one of vibration about the moving center, J; and its motion relatively to the sliding block, E, is one of vibration about the center, P, whose motion relatively to E is a small amount of sliding in the direction of the slot, due to the fact that the rocker arm itself, which virtually carries the block, E, vibrates about O, while the suspension-rod, S, vibrates about another fixed center.  It will thus be seen that, finally, the block slip will be determined by the difference in curvature of arcs which curve in the same direction, whether the engine be running forward or backward; whereas in the common modes of suspension the block slip in one direction is substantially the half sum of the curvatures of two arcs curving in opposite directions.

Consequently it would appear that the average action of the new arrangement would be at least equal to that of the old in respect to reducing the block slip when running in the intermediate gears, while in the full gears it entirely obviates that objectionable feature.

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THE NEW RUSSIAN TORPEDO BOAT, THE POTI.

The Russian government has just had built at the shipyards of Mr. Normand, the celebrated Havre engineer, a torpedo boat called the Poti, which we herewith illustrate.  This vessel perceptibly differs from all others of her class, at least as regards her model.  Her extremities, which are strongly depressed in the upperworks, and the excessive inclination of her sides, give the boat as a whole a certain resemblance to the rams of our navy, such as the Taureau and Tigre.

[Illustration:  THE NEW RUSSIAN TORPEDO BOAT, THE “POTI".]

A transverse section of the Poti approaches an ellipse in shape.  Her water lines are exceedingly fine, and, in point of elegance, in no wise cede to those of the most renowned yachts.  The vessel is entirely of steel, and her dimensions are as follows:  Length, 28 meters; extreme breadth, 3.6 meters; depth, 2.5 meters; draught, 1.9 meters; displacement, 66 tons.  The engine, which is a compound one, is of 600 H.P.  The minimum speed required is 18 knots, or 33-34 meters, per hour, and it will probably reach 40 kilometers.

The vessel will be armed with 4 Whitehead torpedoes of 5.8 m., and 2 Hotchkiss guns of 40 cm.  Her supply of coal will be sufficient for a voyage of 1000 nautical miles at a speed of 11 knots.—­L’Illustration.

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A NEW STEAMER PROPELLED BY HYDRAULIC REACTION.

The oar, the helix, and the paddle-wheel constitute at present the means of propulsion that are exclusively employed when one has recourse to a motive power for effecting the propulsion of a boat.  The sail constitutes an entirely different mode, and should not figure in our enumeration, considering the essentially variable character of the force utilized.