the part of the cart, or other carriage, on which the machine is to be occasionally placed.
The whole of the barrels and cogged wheels are contained in an iron box L; the sides of which are represented in the plate, as taken off, in order that the arrangement of the different parts may be better conceived.
The pullies on the stage (GG) may, in most cases, be affixed to the machine itself, which is adapted to every direction, and will suit carriages of every construction.
The model corresponding to the present engraving, is made on the scale of about four inches to a foot; and the inventor states, that it will raise upwards of five cwt.—he is therefore confident, that his machine, when constructed of its intended size, will be capable of loading a ton weight by one man only; and that, even upon this enlarged plan, it does not exceed 112lb. in weight.
Loadstone. See Magnet.
LOAM, in agriculture, a species of earth, less cohesive than clay, but more compact than chalk.
There are several varieties of loam; the most common of which we shall enumerate.
1. The clayey, that is likewise called string, stiff, cold, and heavy loam: it consists of a mixture of clay and coarse sand; is distinguished by the name of Windsor loam, and is much used for making bricks, building furnaces, &c.
2. The chalky loam; the constituent parts of which are chalk, clay, and coarse sand.
3. The sandy loam, consisting of the same ingredients as the preceding kind, though the sand prevails in a larger proportion. The two latter varieties are frequently blended, and compose what is called a deep crumbly loam. This was formerly supposed to be unfit for vegetation, till it had been exposed for several years to the influence of the sun, air, frost, &c. Experience, however, has evinced the contrary; and it is certain, that though the vegetative powers of this barren earth (as some have disdainfully called it) remain latent for a longer time than in soils which have undergone a proper degree of fermentation; yet, after its surface is broken up and properly stirred, it will, at the expiration of one year, be well adapted to the production of crops.
A deep crumbly loam is particularly calculated for the growth of fruit-trees; and, if it be laid in ridges during one winter, and the succeeding summer, it will afford ample nourishment to such trees; even though it should have been turned up from the depth of 6 feet in the ground.
Lob-grass. See Brome-grass, the Soft.
LOBSTER, or Cancer, L. a genus of insects comprising 20 species; the principal of which is the grammarus, or Common Lobster: it has a smooth breast, four pair of legs, six joints in the tail, and rounded train-fins.
These creatures inhabit the clearest water, at the foot of rocks that impend over the sea. They are brought in vast quantities from the Orkney isles, and several parts of the eastern coast of Scotland, to the London markets. Being extremely prolific, they begin to breed in the spring, and continue to spawn during the greater part of the summer. Dr. Baster counted 12,444 eggs under the tail of one lobster, beside those which remain-
