The thanks of the Society were voted to Dr Wilson for describing the properties of the respirator, &c., and the communication was referred to a committee. 3. The third communication was a description of a Simple Variation Compass. By William Swan, Esq., F.R.S.E., V.P. (3591.) The author stated that the instrument he was about to describe had been made for him by Mr John Adie in the year 1852. In the beginning of that year Mr Adie had exhibited to the Society a very elegant instrument, intended to be used in conjunction with a theodolite, for determining the magnetic meridian; and the author at the time was desirous of having an equivalent instrument applied to a Kater's circle in his possession. As, however, the use of Mr Adie's instrument involved the temporary removal of the theodolite telescope from its Ys, while the telescope in Kater's circle does not admit of being removed, it was necessary to adopt an arrangement different from Mr Adie's. The instrument which the author showed to the Society consists of a collar fitted to the object-end of the telescope of a theodolite, carrying an arm furnished with a fine point, on which the agate cap supporting the needle turns. The needle is a collimating magnet facing the object-glass of the telescope, so that the cross wires of the collimator can be distinctly seen in the field of view. A light cylindrical tube, having a small aperture at its end covered with glass, with a reflector attached to illuminate the wires of the collimator, slides over the rest of the apparatus to protect the needle from currents of air. The needle is observed by causing the intersection of the collimator wires, as seen through the telescope, to coincide with the intersection of the middle wires of the diaphragm. The author stated that his instrument, like Mr Adie's, was intended to supply the desideratum of a cheap and portable azimuth compass, capable of determining the variation of the needle with much greater accuracy than is attainable by means of the ordinary theodolite compass, or even by the use of the prismatic compass. He conceived that Mr Adie's instrument and his own had each its peculiar advantages; while to Mr Adie exclusively belonged the merit of being the first to furnish the surveyor with a cheap and simple apparatus by which he could determine with precision the magnetic meridian line of a station. Referred to a Committee. The following Communications were also made to the Society Description of a new invention for Shutting Doors. By Mr Thomas Steven, builder, Bonnyrigg. A model was exhibited. (3588.) Referred to a Committee. Mr Bald exhibited two old drawings, the one of Alloa House, by the Earl of Mar in 1703, and the other a design for a circular building at the Caldron Linn, by James Francis Erskine, Esq. of Mar. He also exhibited a beautiful specimen of Chinese wood-carving and a shepherd's sun-dial ring. (3584.) Thanks voted. The circle divided as a rule for pitching of compound levers or wheels with tables. (3582.) Referred to a Committee. The following Reports of Committees were read and approved, viz. : 1. On Mr Elliot's Mechanical Illustrations of the Planetary Motions and Equilibrium of Saturn's Rings. (3558.) 2. On Mr Rodger's Collodion Calotype. 3. On Mr George Mitchell's Safe Lock. (3552.) Professor Kelland, Convener Mr Cay, Convener. (3578.) 4. On Mr J. T. Thomson's Semi-Revolving Lights. Mr Leslie, Con vener. (3571.) 5. On Mr Wilson's Water-Cock. Mr Kirkwood, Convener. (3575.) 6. On Mr Scott's Applications of Spiral Pump. Mr Elliot, Convener. (3654.) 7. On Mr Stewart Hepburn's Method of Electric Signals on Railways. Mr Leslie, Convener. (3574.) 8. On Rev. James Brodie's Paper on the Action of Sails and Rudders. Mr J. T. Rose, Convener. (3541.) The following Donations were laid on the table, viz.— 1. Model of a Collating Wheel or Machine for a Library. Presented by Robert Bald, Esq., M.E., F.R.S.E. (3583-1.) 2. A Specimen of Cutlery 200 years old, from Liege, being a DessertKnife, having the ferule of silver, and haft of porcelain. Presented by the same. (3583-2.) 3. The Assurance Magazine, No. 15, in continuation (April 1854). Containing Mr W. T. Thomson's Paper on Decimal Numeration and Coinage. Presented by the Institute of Actuaries. (3581.) L Thanks voted to the Donors. PRIVATE BUSINESS. I. The Minutes of last Meeting were read and approved. II. The following Candidate was elected an Ordinary Fellow, viz. : Graham Mitchell, Veterinary Surgeon, Springfield House, Abbeyhill. The Society held an Extraordinary Meeting in their Hall, 51 George Street, on Monday, 24th July 1854, at Eight o'clock P.M. William Swan, Esq., V.P., in the Chair. The following Reports of Committees were read and approved 1. On Dr G. Wilson's Communications on Colour-Blindness and Yellow Eye-Glasses. Mr Swan, Convener. (3496, 3539, and 3586.) 2. On Mr Bow's Appendix to 3509. Mr Slight, Convener. (3543.) 3. On Dr Stenhouse's Charcoal Respirator, &c. vener. (3594.) 4. On Mr Steven's Method of Shutting Doors. Dr G. Wilson, Con Mr P. Wilson, Con 5. On Mr Crais's Division of the Circle, in relation to the Pitching of Wheels. Mr Slight, Convener. (3582.) The following Reports not being given in, were remitted to Prize Committee when lodged 1. On Mr Blackwell's Prevention of Railway Collisions. Mr Paterson, Convener. (2570.) 2. On Mr Fleming's Screw. Mr A. Rose, Convener. (3532.) 3. On Mr Swan's simple Variation Compass. Mr Elliot, Convener. (3591.) The following Donations were laid on the table, viz. :1. Journal of the Geological Society of Dublin. Vol. VI. Part I. (1853-4). Dublin, 1854. 8vo. Presented by the Society. (3589.) 2. Donations by Charles Cowan, Esq, M.P.: 1. Abstract of Report of Conference at Brussels on Metereological Observations in 1853. (1854.) 2. Public Works, Bengal, &c. 1854. 3. Report on Loss of the " Tayleur." 1854. 4. 5. Do. do. "Olinda." do. 1854. "Annie Jane." 1854. 6. Report on Capabilities of Mercantile Steam Navy for Purposes of War. 1853. 7. Report on Drainage of Lands, Ireland, 1852. (3590-1-7.) 3. A Complete Set (wanting first paper, out of print) of the Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Birmingham, from 1847 to January 1854 inclusive. Presented by the Institution. (3592.) 4. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 3d May 1854. (3598.) 5. Bell's Popular Stenography. By Alex. M. Bell, Esq., F.R.S.S.A., &c. Pp. 46, and Plates. Presented by the Author. (3593.) 6. Donations by William Fairbairn, Esq., C.E., F.R.S., F.G.S., Manchester: 1. On the Application of Cast and Wrought Iron to Building Purposes. 1854. 8vo. Pp. 183. 2. Experimental Researches to determine the Strength of Locomotive Boilers, and the causes which lead to Explosion. 1854. 8vo. Pp. 66. 3. On the Mechanical Properties of Metals, as derived from repeated Meltings, exhibiting the maximum point of strength, and the causes of deterioration. 1854. 8vo. Pp. 116. (3599-1-2-3.) 7. Peat Charcoal for Sanitary and Agricultural Purposes, with Directions for its use. Prepared by the Irish Amelioration Society. 1852. 8vo. Pp. 16. Presented by Richard Hunter, Esq. (3600.) Thanks voted to the Donors. PRIVATE BUSINESS. I. The Minutes of last Meeting were read and approved. II. The following Candidate was elected an Ordinary Fellow, viz. : John Short, M.D., M.R.C.S.L., 4 Elder Street. III. The Society appointed the following Prize Committee to award prizes for Session 1853-54, viz. : Professor KELLAND, President. Dr NACHOT, V.P. Mr DAVID STEVENSON, C.E. Mr CAY. Mr LESLIE, C.E. Mr W. PATERSON, C.E. Mr ALEX. ROSE. Mr P. WILSON, Mr SLIGHT, M.E. Mr J. T. RoSE. Mr A. BRYDEN. Mr ALEX. KIRKWOOD. The Secretary, Convener ex officio. IV. It was moved by Mr A. Kirkwood, seconded by Mr Edward Sang, and adopted, that an extraordinary Billet should be issued, recommending to the Members to exhibit in the French proposed international Exhibition of 1855. The Society then adjourned till next Session. LIST OF PRIZE SUBJECTS FOR SESSION 1854-55. THE ROYAL SCOTTISH SOCIETY OF ARTS proposes to award Prizes of different values, none exceeding Thirty Sovereigns, in Gold or Silver Medals, Silver Plate, or Money, for approved Communications primarily submitted to the Society, relative to Inventions, Discoveries, and Improvements in the Mechanical and Chemical Arts in general, and also to means by which the Natural Productions of the Country may be made more available; and, in particular, to— I. INVENTIONS, DISCOVERIES, or IMPROVEMENTS in the Useful Arts; such as, but not limited to, the following, viz :— 1. Mechanical Arts. IMPROVEMENTS in Flax Machinery, and in preparing Flax for manipulation,—in the construction of Fire-Proof Buildings,— in applying Glass to new and useful purposes,-in methods of Uniting the Joints of Glass or Earthenware Water-Pipes, without employing White Lead or other poisonous substance, -in Sewerage, in Economical Appliances for increasing the Sanitary Condition of Towns,-in Methods of Warming and Ventilating Buildings,-in Ventilation of Mines,-in constructing Economical and Salubrious Dwellings for the Working-Classes,-in Extinguishing Fires,-in Locks,-in Tools, Implements, and Apparatus for the various Trades,—in Rifle Guns and Bullets,-in Bricks,-in Cements and Mortars,in Machines for Planing Wood,-in Printing Machines, Cases, and Rollers,-in Stereotyping,-in Cranes,-in the Machinery for Collieries, &c.,-in preserving Timber and Metals in Marine Works,-in Locomotive, Stationary, and Marine Engines, in Screw Propellers,-in Railways, Plant, and Signals, in Machines for Cutting, Dressing, and Boring Stone, in Microscopic Apparatus,-in Steel or other Metallic Pens, in new or improved Motive Power,—in the construction of Cameras and other Apparatus used in Photography, in the Temperature Correction of the Aneroid Barometer, &c. &c. |