Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/440

406&#93; 4o6] CAR growth of the fish depends 6n the room, and quantity of food al- lowed them. The winter seasons sometimes prove so severe, that the water freezes as often as the ice is broken for ibe admission of air ; in conse- quence of which the carp frequent- ly perish. In such case, the fish may b6 preserved in a cellar, by the following expedient : Let each be enveloped in wet moss laid on a piece of net, and then be se- cured in a purse, so as to admit the air. Tlie net must be immersed in water, at first every third or fourth hour, and suspended to the ceiling ; though afterwards, such dipping may be performed once in six or seven houi"s. Their food ought to consist of bread, soaked in milk, which should be given in email quantities, and gradually in- creased, as the animal becomes accustomed to this mode of Jiving. By such treatment, many fish have been preserved alive for a consider- able time, and have even grown fat, so as to become more fit for the table. CARRIAGE.— In August, 1800, a patent was granted to Mr. Isaac Hadlby Reddell, for a new method of constru6ting carriages, intended to convey merchandize, either by land or by water ; and which may be removed (whether loaded or unladen), from the water to the land, and vice versa, with case, expedition, and safety. The patentee makes the bodies of sny size or shape required, principally of wood; but, to strengthen, and render the different parts water- tight, they are connefted with iron, or other suitable material. A proper number of wheels are next affixed, either in recesses, or in Aaxiow boxes or compartmeots^ that CAR are so construt^ed as to resist thtf water : these wheels are farther so arranged, that the bottom of the carriages be not more than six, nor less than three inches, above the ground. "When in the water, the carriages thus adjusted, may be fastened togetlier, and drawn by one horse ; but, in the contraiy case, it becomes necessary to se- parate them, and draw them up an inclined plane. — A more particular description of this curious contri- vance, is inserted in the 14th vol. of the " Repertory of Jrts," &c. In the year 1800, the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, &c. conferred a bounty of 30 guineas on Mr. George Davis, for his invention, calculated to prevent passengers in carriages from being injured, when horses have taken fright. As a mere verbal account would not convey an adequate idea of this useful machinery, we arc under the necessity of referring the reader to the 18th vol. of the " TransacHons of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts,'' ice. where the whole is illustrated with an engraving. — Let it suffice to re- mark, that the apparatus is fixed behind the spliuter-bar of a car- riage ; and the communication is, by means of a copper chain, car- ried through the boot to the side of the coach-box } so that, in case the horses take fright, or the reins break, the coachman can discharge the animals instantaneously. An advantage peculiar to this contriv- ance is, that the horses can be libe- rated even when the poles are at right angles, or are locked close to the perch} a position whiih other* wise overturns a carriage. — Mr. Davis's invention has been exhi- bited with complete success, in the presence of His Majesty^ a Com- mittee.