223. Stansfield, W. Jan. 3. Shearing - instruments. -A shearing-instrument for pruning purposes comprises a circular or semicircular blade 9 eccentrically pivoted at 8 to an extension 2 of the handle member 2 having jaws 4 between which the blade works. The blade is connected by a link 11 to the other handle member 1. The extensions 2, 2 on the jaws 4 support and guide the blade during the cutting operation; the extension 2 is lightly larger than the blade so as to shield it when not in use, and the extension 2 acts as a stop to prevent the blade from striking against the base of the aperture between the jaws.
