IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH APPARATUS, PARTICULARLY APPLICABLE TO SUBMARINE CABLES OF GREAT LENGTH
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Ferdinando Tommasi, of Paris, in the Department of the
Seine, and Republic of France, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH APPARATUS, PARTICULARLY APPLICABLE TO SUBMARINE
CABLES OF GREAT LENGTH."
Sealed the 26th May 1877, and dated the 2nd March 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ferdinando Tommasi at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd March 1877.
FERDINANDO TOMMASI, of Paris, in the Department of the Seine, and Republic of
France. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH APPARATUS, PARTICULARLY
APPLICABLE TO SUBMARINE CABLES OF GREAT LENGTH."
The box shown in elevation and plan, Figs. 1 and 2, encloses 10 exactly similar
apparatuses (with a single exception herein-after referred to) to that shown in
elevation and sectional plan at Figs. 3 and 4.
In Figure 3 the plate A¹ is removed in order that the pieces which it would have
hidden may be seen.
By pressing with the finger on the button or knob B, the spring C causes the
ratchet wheel D to make 1/8 of a revolution, which by means of the toothed wheel E
and pinion F produces a '/, of a revolution of the washer. This washer is of hardened
india-rubber and serves as nave to the four springs H set round it like spokes.
These springs, the ends of which are of platinum, and which are perfectly insulated
from each other, slide by the effect of the rotation of the washer G upon plates
of platinum arranged for this purpose in the concave part of the pieces of hardened
india-rubber I and K.
*

page_text: Figure 5 shows the arrangement of these plates, which for thorough comprehension
of their working, I have been compelled to draw as seen in plan, whereas in
accordance with the position of the springs H they should have been represented as
seen in side view.
The result of these arrangements is that when one of the springs H places the zinc
pole of the pile in communication with the earth, the other spring H places the copper
pole of the same pile in connection with the cable, and that on the contrary when
one of the springs H places the copper pole of the aforesaid pile in communication
with the earth, the other spring H places the zinc pole of the same pile in connection
with the cable. The result is a reversal of current at each contact, established by
the springs H, between the short plates and the long plates fixed in the concave
part of the pieces I and K. Therefore by pressing on the knob B, two successive
waves of electric current are sent into the cable, both of equal duration, but
always of a different designation; that is to say, if the first is positive, that which
follows will be negative, and so on.
If instead of fixing one long and two short platinum plates in the concave part
of the pieces I and K, as shown in Fig. 5, four or even six short and one long one
are fixed therein, it is evident that by pressing on the knob B, four or six successive
waves of electric current of equal duration will be sent into the cable, and that it
depends solely upon the manner in which the short plates are placed in connection
with the poles of the pile, whether these waves are always of a different designa-
tion, that is to say, whether a positive wave is always followed by a negative one,
and vice versa.
By varying the grouping of these waves ten different combinations may be
obtained without going beyond a maximum of six waves per group.
The signs produced upon the receiving apparatuses (as will be seen herein-after) by
nine of these combinations represent conventionally each of the nine numbers or
numerals, and the signs produced by the tenth combination represent the zero or
nought.
The ten copies or repetitions of the apparatus shown, Figs. 3 and 4, differ from
each other only by the number of plates used, and this is the exception alluded to
at the beginning of this description. The result of all this is that the operator or
sender of the telegram or dispatch (this telegraphic dispatch being always written
in figures as herein-after explained) has no other operation to perform than to press
successively the knobs marked with the numbers composing the figures, which be
is to transmit according to the indications of the dispatch.
It need scarcely be observed that by means of its spiral spring each knob or stud
returns to its place directly the pressure of the finger of the operator is removed,
and that this movement has no effect upon the washer G, owing to the spring L,
which compels the wheel E to turn only in one direction, and also to the ratchet
wheel D, which permits the spring C to rise again by sliding over its teeth, and con-
sequently without setting it in motion.
SHEET II. RECEIVING APPARATUSES.
These apparatuses are composed,
1°. Of a relay, shown Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4.
2º. Of a "Morse" instrument, the modifications in which are shown, Figs. 5 and 6. 4
3°. Of a striking work, shown Fig. 7.
4°. Of a commutator, not shown on the Drawing.
The part A is of one piece, it is of steel, tempered and magnetized. A rib in the
middle of this piece ends at each side in a conical pivot, the lower pivot resting by
its point only on the point of an inverted cone hollowed out of a hard stone, and the 5
upper pivot resting by its point only upon the point of a cone hollowed out of a
small block of well tempered steel. The hard stone is set in the lower screw, and
the block of steel in the upper screw, which are placed at the end of the fork B, the
base of the cones hollowed out of the hard stone, and the small block of steel having
a diameter equal to twice the diameter of the pivots (although their depth is the 5

page_text: same as that of the cones of these latter), the surfaces being everywhere perfectly
smooth and polished, and the arching or curving of the piece being absolutely
perfect, the result is, that the frictions of the piece A are almost null, and that never-
theless the centre of the pivots cannot be displaced, and must forcibly always
remain in the centre of the cones made in the steel and the hard stone.
The centre of rotation of the piece A is placed in the axis of the two poles of the
electro-magnet formed by the double horse-shoe, around which wind the insulated
wire covering the reels C; the result is that so long as no current passes through
this wire the piece A remains motionless and parallel to the cheeks of the reels
either from the effect of the attraction which the two poles of the electro-magnet
(which at this moment act simply as iron) exercise equally upon its two poles, or
from the influence of the magnetized bar E which compels the piece A. to keep the
same direction as itself; but directly a current, however weak, circulates in the
aforesaid wire, the horse-shoe is immediately transformed into a magnet, and its two
poles become, the one positive, the other negative; the piece A is then compelled to
turn upon itself under the quadruple influence which the poles of the electro-
magnet exercises upon it, for its negative pole is attracted by the positive pole and
repelled by the negative pole of the electro-magnet, while its positive pole is
attracted by the negative pole and repelled by the positive pole of the aforesaid
electro-magnet. Now as the negative pole (N) of the piece A is always approaching
the side of the positive pole of the electro-magnet, and as the operator or telegraphist
may at pleasure send the current so as to transform into positive pole either the
pole on the right or that to the left of the electro-magnet, the south pole of the
piece A may at the will of the operator travel either to the right or to the left, and
consequently touch either the spring F or that G. The piece A being in metallic
contact with the fork B by the intermediary of the small block of steel, the fork B
being in connection with one of the poles of a local pile, the spring F with the
electro-magnet H, the spring G with the electro-magnet I, and these two electro-
magnets with the other pole of the same local pile, the result is, that when the
negative pole of the piece A touches the spring F the armature K. is attracted, and
the spur wheel L prints a red dot upon the strip of paper; and when on the contrary
this pole comes against the spring G the armature M is attracted and the spur
wheel O prints a blue dot on the same strip of paper (see Fig. 8). The end of the
negative pole of the piece A is covered with platinum, and the ends of the springs F
and G are of gold. The two spur wheels L and O, the rotation of which is produced
by the clockwork of the apparatus, each rub constantly against a washer, dipping in
a trough always full of red printing ink for the one, and blue for the other.
The result of all these arrangements is shown, Fig. 8.
When the knob or button 1 is pressed a red dot is printed on the strip of paper,
followed by a blue dot, when button No. 2 is pressed 2 red dots are produced upon
the strip of paper, each followed by a blue dot, and so on.
By means of an ordinary commutator the spring F may be placed in connection
with the electro-magnet P (Fig. 7), and the spring G with the electro-magnet Q; in
this case each pressed knob or button will produce as many strokes of the bell upon
the two bells as it would bave produced red and blue dots if the springs F and G
had been put in connection with the electro-magnets H and I.
The spark produced at each breaking of contact between the piece A and the
springs F and G might be very detrimental to the proper working of these pieces,
for whatever metal be employed there always forms upon its surface an insulating
coating which materially prevents the circulation of the current of the local pile. It
is precisely to avoid this serious defect that I have invented the following means
The set screws D and J (see Figs. 5 and 6) are each in connection with one of
the poles which serves for the working of the electro-magnet H.
The set screws R and S are each in connection with one of the poles of the pile
which serves for the working of the electro-magnet I.
The set screws D and R as well as the pieces T and U are insulated from the
beam-or-balance-upon which they are fixed.

page_text: When the armature K is attracted the piece T comes against the spring V, and
consequently closes the circuit of the pile directly between the two poles, the result
is that at the moment when the piece A breaks contact with the spring F, as the
current of the pile can freely circulate in a conductor which offers infinitively less
resistance than the electro-magnet, there is no break in the circuit between the
piece A. and the spring F, and consequently no spark.
When the armature K leaves the electro-magnet H, contact being broken between
the piece T and the spring V there is evidently production of spark, but it produces
no inconveniences.
The operation I have just described is repeated in absolutely the same manner
when the piece A breaks contact with the spring G, the circuit of the pile being in
its turn closed by the contact of the piece U and the spring W.
The nine numbers and the zero, as well as the unlimited number of ciphers or
figures resulting therefrom, may be conventionally interpreted either, as letters or
numerals, or as words, and even entire phrases.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Ferdinando Tommasi in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd
August 1877.
FERDINANDO TOMMASI, of Paris, in the Department of the Seine, and Republic of
France. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH APPARATUS, PARTICULARLY
APPLICABLE TO SUBMARINE CABLES OF GREAT LENGTH."
I divide the apparatus composing my improved system of electric toleoronhy.
on the accompanying two Sheets of Drawings, Sheet 1 represents the first, and
Sheet II., the second.
The following is a description of their arrangement and working:
SHEET I-MANIPULATING APPARATUSES.
The box shown in elevation and plan, Figures 1 and 2, encloses ten exactly similar
apparatuses (with a single exception herein-after referred to) to that shown in
elevation and sectional plan at Figures 3 and 4.
In Figure 3 the plate A is removed in order that the pieces which it would have
hidden may be seen.
By pressing with the finger on the button or knob B the spring C causes the
ratchet wheel D to make 1/8 of a revolution, which, by means of toothed wheel E
and pinion F, produces 1/4 of a revolution of the washer G. This washer is of
hardened india-rubber and serves as nave to the four springs H set round it like
spokes. These springs, the ends of which are of platinum and which are perfectly
insulated from each other, slide by the effect of the rotation of the washer G upon
plates of platinum arranged for this purpose in the grooves of the pieces of hardened
india-rubber I and K.
Figure 5 shows the arrangement of these plates which, for thorough comprehen-
sion of their working, I have been compelled to draw, as seen in plan, whereas
in accordance with the position of the springs H they should have been represented
as seen in side view.
.
The result of these arrangements is that when one of the springs H places the
zinc pole of the pile in communication with the earth, the other spring H places
the copper pole of the same pile in connection with the cable, or the aerial wire
(accordingly as the communication is submarine, underground, or by wires suspended
from posts), and that on the contrary, when one of the springs H places the copper

page_text: pole of the aforesaid pile in communication with the earth, the other spring H places
the zinc pole of the same pile in connection with the cable or with the aerial wire
The result is a reversal of current at each contact established by the springs H
between the short plates and the long plates fixed in the groove of the pieces I and
K. Therefore by pressing on the knob B two successive waves of electric current
are sent into the cable, both of equal duration, but always of a different designation;
that is to say, if the first is negative the other is positive, and vice versa.
If instead of fixing one long and two short plates in the grooved part of the
pieces I and K, as shown in Figure 5, four or even six short and one long one are
fixed therein, it is evident that by pressing on the knob B four or six successive
waves of electric current of equal duration will be sent into the cable or aerial
wire, and that it depends solely upon the manner in which the short plates are
placed in connection with the poles of the pile whether these waves are always
of a different designation, that is to say, whether a positive wave is always followed
by a negative one, and vice versa.
By varying the grouping of these waves, ten different combinations may be
obtained without going beyond a maximum of six waves per group, the three
reversals of current inclusive..
When desired, only two knobs or studs may be used and consequently only two
combinations, one of which will represent conventionally a dash and the other a dot,
and the ordinary "Morse" code be used; or ten knobs or studs may be used, and
consequently the ten combinations thereby produced.
The signs produced upon the receiving apparatuses (as will be seen herein-after) by
nine of these combinations, represent conventionally each of the nine numbers or
numerals, and the signs produced by the tenth combination represent the zero or
nought.
The ten copies or repetitions of the apparatus shown, Figures 3 and 4, differ from
each other only by the number of plates used, and this is the exception alluded to
at the beginning of this description. The result of all this is that the operator or
sender of the telegram or dispatch (this telegraphic dispatch being always written
in figures as herein-after explained) has no other operation to perform than to press
successively the knobs marked with the numbers composing the figures which he is
to transmit, according to the indications of the dispatch.
°
If the mode of transmission adopted is the "Morse" code, the sender has only to
press with his finger on the knobs which produces a red dot and a blue dot (which
conventionally represents a dot) or upon the other which produces a blue dot and a
red dot (which conventionally represents a dash) accordingly as he is to send one
or other of these signs as aforesaid; the manipulator is in this case composed of two
knobs or studs instead of ten.
It need scarcely be observed that by means of its spiral spring each knob or stud
returns to its place directly the pressure of the finger of the operator is removed,
and that this movement has no effect upon the washer G, owing to the spring L,
which compels the wheel E to turn only in one direction, and also to the ratchet
wheel D, which permits the spring C to rise again by sliding over its teeth, and
consequently without setting it in motion.
To apply this system to aerial wires or those suspended on posts, as in these
conductors, the unequal duration of the waves of electric current produce no incon-
venience; an ordinary manipulator may be used, arranged so as to reverse the current
automatically after each useful emission.
As herein-after explained, the receiving apparatus will in this case be so arranged
that the reverse current will produce no sign. This apparatus will be an ordinary
"Morse" apparatus, upon which dots and dashes will be produced as usual.

page_text: relay is in duplicate, but as these two apparatuses are placed back to back, Figure 7
can show but one of them).
"Morse" receiver, the modifications of which are shown, Figures 5
3º. Of a
and 6.
4°. Of an ordinary interruptor and electric striking work not shown upon the
Drawing.
The small bar A is of one piece; it is of steel, tempered and magnetized; its lower
pivot which terminates in a cone rests by its point only on the point of an inverted
cone hollowed out of a hard stone, or in a small block of well tempered steel,
the upper pivot which also ends in a cone also rests by its point only upon the
point of a cone hollowed out of a small block of well tempered steel. The hard
stone or the block of steel are set in the lower screw and the block of steel in the
upper screw, which are placed at the end of the fork B; the base of the cones
hollowed out of the hard stone and the small block of steel having a diameter equal
to twice the diameter of the pivots, and a depth equal to that of the cones of these
latter, the surfaces are everywhere perfectly smooth and polished, and the arching
or curving of the piece is absolutely perfect; the result is that the friction of the
pivots of the small bar A are almost null, and that nevertheless these pivots
must forcibly always remain in the centre of the hollow cones, and that conse-
quently the position of the small bar A never leaves that vertical line notwith-
standing the evolutions which it is to perform.
The centre of rotation of the small bar A is placed in the axis of the two poles
of the electro-magnet formed by the double horse-shoe, around which winds the
insulated copper wire which forms the four reels C. The result is, that so long
as no current passes through this wire the small bar A remains motionless, and
parallel to the cheeks or flanges of the reels C either from the effect of the attraction
which the two poles of the electro-magnet (which at this moment act simply as
iron) exercise equally upon its two poles, or from the influence of the magnetized
bar E which compels the small bar A to keep the same direction as itself; but
directly a current, however weak, circulates in the aforesaid wire, the horse-shoe
is immediately transformed into a magnet and its two poles become, the one
positive, the other negative. The small bar A is then compelled to turn upon itself
under a quintuple influence, namely,-
1°. The quadruple influence which the poles of the electro-magnet exercise upon
it, for its negative pole is attracted by the positive pole and repelled by the negative
pole of the electro-magnet, whereas its positive pole is attracted by the negative
pole and repelled by the positive pole of the aforesaid electro-magnet.
2º. The influence which the passage of the current in the two reels, placed in
front of the north pole of the small bar A, exercises upon this latter; the result is
that the small bar A is so sensitive to the slightest passage of the current in the
reels C that of the current of a single element "minotto," after having traversed
a resistance equal to that of a transatlantic cable, is more than sufficient to make
it work. Now as the south pole (N) of the small bar A is always approaching the
side of the positive pole of the electro-magnet, and as the operator or telegraphist
may at pleasure send the currents so as to transform into positive pole either the
pole on the right or that to the left of the electro-magnet, the south pole of the
small bar A may at the will of the operator travel either to the right or to the left,
and consequently touch either the spring G, or that, F. The small bar A being in
metallic contact with the fork B by the intermediary of the small block or small
blocks of steel, the fork B being in connection with one of the poles of a local
pile, the spring F with the electro-magnet a (see Figure 7), the spring G with the
other electro-magnet of the other interrupting relay, which is not seen in Figure 7;
and these two eléctro-magnets being in connection with the other pole of the same
local pile, the result is, that when the south pole of the small bar A. touches the
spring F the armature b is attracted and the spring c touches the button or stud d,
and when the south pole of the piece A touches the spring G the same manoeuver
is produced upon the other interrupting relay. Now the knob or stud & being.in

page_text: connection with the set screw i, which is itself in connection with the electro-
magnet H by the intermediary of the set screw q (see Figures 5, 6, and 7), the spring c
being in connection by means of the set screws 1 and r with one of the poles of a
second local pile, and the other pole of this pile being in connection with the afore-
said electro-magnet H, the result is, that at each contact between the spring c and
the knob or stud d the armature K is attracted, and the spur wheel L prints a red
dot upon the strip of paper.
When the current ceases to circulate in the electro-magnet a the armature b is
brought back to its place by the counterweight e, which in its turn, producing
interruption of the current of the second local pile in the electro-magnet H, naturally
brings the armature K back to its place.
It is evident that, inasmuch as the pieces composing the other interrupting relays
are identical with those immediately above described, they must produce upon the
electro-magnet I the same effect as these latter produce upon the electro-magnet H,
from whence it results that when the armature M is attracted, the spur wheel O
prints a blue dot upon the same strip of paper (see Fig. 8).
The two spur wheels L and O, the rotation of which is produced by the clock-
work of the apparatus, each rub constantly against a pulley which dips into a trough
always full of red ink for the one and of blue for the other.
Although the south pole of the small bar A is covered with platinum, and that
the ends of the springs F and G are of gold, and although the current of the local
pile which works the two interrupting relays is relatively weak (at most two
elements, "Daniell"), the spark which must necessarily flash between the south
pole of the small bar A and the ends of the springs F and G at each interruption of
the electric current might be injurious to them.
It is precisely in order to avoid this that the armature beach time that it is
attracted by the electro-magnet a automatically breaks the electric current between
the spring g and the knob or stud h, by the aid of the fork the aforesaid current
being compelled to pass by p, n, h, g, f, m, to reach the electro-magnet a, from
whence it issues by I and O to come back to the pile in passing by the spring F,
the small bar A, and the fork B; the result is, that the interruption of the current
taking place between the spring g and the knob h, the spark flashes between this
knob and this spring instead of being produced between the small bar A and the
springs F and G, for it will be well understood that the same manoeuvre is repeated
upon the other interrupting relay when the current comes back to the pile by the
spring G, the small bar A, and the fork B.
The spark which flashes between the spring g and the knob h does not produce
the inconveniences which it would have produced between the small bar A and the
springs F and G,-
1°. Because the contact between the spring g and the knob h is much more ener-
getically established than between the small bar A and the springs F and G.
2°. Because the pieces g and not requiring to be delicately and exactly regulated
like the pieces A, F, G, they may be easily cleaned from time to time.
The result of all the arrangements above set forth is represented by Figure 8.
When the knob 1 is pressed there is produced upon the strip of paper a red dot
followed by a blue one; when knob 2 is pressed two red dots are produced, each
followed by a blue dot; when the knob O is pressed a blue dot is produced followed
by a red one, and so on (see Figure 8).
By the effect of the pieces T, U, V, W, as well as of the set screws D, J, R, S, and
by means of an ordinary interrupter and a third local pile, an electric striking work
may be set at work at pleasure, which will sound a bell with each red and blue dot
produced by the receiving apparatus upon the strip of paper.
In applying this system to communications by wires suspended to posts, the
receiver will, as previously stated, be an ordinary "Morse" instrument, and there
will only be a single interrupting relay (Figure 7) instead of two. In this case the
piece A will close the circuit of the current of the local pile only when it touches
the spring F, and the part played by the spring G will be limited to that of serving

page_text: as stop to the small bar A at each reversal of the current, which will consequently
produce no sign upon the strip of paper of the ordinary "Morse" instrument.
If it is preferred to use the "Morse" code, even in sending messages through sub-
marine cables of very great length, the manipulator will have but two knobs or
studs, the one producing upon the strip of paper a red dot followed by a blue one
(combination which will represent conventionally a "dot"), and the other producing
upon the strip of paper a blue dot followed by a red dot (a combination which will
represent conventionally a "dash "), this "dot" and this "dash" referring to the
Morse" code; but I deem it more useful to produce the nine numbers and the
zero, as shown in Figure 8. In this case the illimatable cyphers resulting there-
from may be interpreted conventionally according to the following table, which
represents the beginning of a Dictionary to be drawn up expressly for this purpose.
$6

page_text: As will be seen by the preceding table there may be produced without exceeding
the use of five figures, 99999 combinations, that is to say, twice as many as art
required to express all the words and all the tenses of all the verbs used, not only
in the language of commerce, but in ordinary language.
The Submarine Telegraph Company will have at each end of the line a staff of
translators having for duty to reduce into figures the dispatches written in ordinary
letters, and to translate into ordinary language the dispatches received in ciphers.
The Dictionary, of which I have given an idea in the above table, would be drawn
up in several languages, care being taken that the same cipher represents the same
word and the same tense and person of the same verb in all these languages.
according to the desire of the sender, his dispatch would be delivered at its
destination either in ciphers or translated into the language which the sender would
himself indicate.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is or may be performed, I desire it to be understood that
my improvements are applicable to telegraphing by means of submarine or under-
ground cables, by wires suspended upon posts, or by any other conductor of the
electric current, and that I claim as secured to me by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent,-
Firstly. The arrangement of the tempered and magnetized small steel bar A
(Figures 2 and 4, Sheet II.), and principally in so far as regards its shape, its two
pivots with conical points, and the placing of its centre of rotation in the axis of the
two poles of the electro-magnet formed by the combination of the four reels C, sub-
stantially as shown and described.
Secondly. The arrangement of the two bearings or fulcrums of the aforesaid
pivots, and principally in so far as regards their part hollowed in the form of a cone,
the base of which is of twice the diameter of these pivots, while of the same height
as the cones of these latter; and as regards their nature, the upper bearing being of
tempered steel, and the lower one of hardstone or of tempered steel, substantially
as shown and described.
Thirdly. The arrangement, substantially as specified, of the electro-magnet formed
by the combination of the four reels C, which wind round a double horse-shoe of
very soft and carefully tempered iron; this double horse-shoe, although composed of
several pieces, forms but one as regards magnetism. This arrangement perniits the
small magnetized bar A to be in the axis of the two poles of the same electro-
magnet, and with its north pole perpendicular to the two reels which form the
centre of the aforesaid electro-magnet, which makes it much more sensitive to the
passage of the current in the reels than if it were between the two poles of an
ordinary electro-magnet, in which these two poles are parallel with each other
instead of being placed face to face on the same line, and especially if it presented
to the axis of these poles, not its centre of rotation, but only one of its ends.
Fourthly. The arrangement of the interrupting relay, substantially as shown,
Figure 7, Sheet 2, which permits it after each contact to interrupt or break auto-
matically the circuit of electric current from the local pile which passes between the
small magnetized bar A and the springs F and G, and to establish at the same time
contact between a second more powerful local pile and the receiving apparatus of
whatever kind.
Fifthly. The combination of the receiving apparatus, substantially as described and
shown, Figures 5 and 6, Sheet II., as regards the mechanism which permits printing by
the apparatus a red dot and a blue dot upon the same strip of paper at the will of
the sender.
Sixthly. The arrangement of each manipulator, substantially as described and
shown, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Sheet I., the result of which is to produce auto-
matically by simple pressure upon the knob or stud B the ten different combinations
of red and blue dots represented by Figure 8 of Sheet II.
Seventhly. The manner of utilising these combinations of red and blue dots
either to represent by two combinations only a "dot" and a "dash" of the "Morse"

page_text: code, or to represent the nine numbers and the zero, and to compose therefrom an
unlimited number of ciphers, each cipher representing a letter, a word, an entire
phrase, or a numeral at the will of the sender, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Ferdinando Tommasi, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
FERDINANDO TOMMASI. (L.S.)