246 [February, 1843. 



As it was highly important to the interests of Commerce and of the 

 Navy that some test should be had which might be conveniently put in 

 use for ascertaining the degree of purity of sheathing copper; and as che- 

 mical tests were not always at hand, or readily applied by inexperienced 

 persons, Prof. Johnson had invented an apparatus, of simple construction 

 and easy management, called a test vice, which he exhibited and explained, 

 by means of which the degree of tenacity of portions of sheathing copper 

 could be readily ascertained. 



Strips of copper from different sources, about an inch in width, were 

 'hen subjected to the test, and their comparative value determined by the 

 number of bends which they would bear until fracture was produced. 



Prof. Johnson also exhibited two specimens of Cannel Coal, one 

 termed by him slaty Cannel, from Kentucky, and the other from Missouri, 

 called floating Cannel, from the circumstance of its floating on water' 

 which fluid it afterwards absorbs, and then sinks. Prof. Johnson also 

 gave the results of his analysis of these coals, which accorded in mos 1 

 respects with that of the Cannel Coal of Scotland, as obtained by Mr. 

 Richardson. 



MEETING FOR BUSINESS. 

 February 28, 1843. 



Vice President Morton in the Chair. 



The Society, after receiving the Reports of several Com- 

 mittees, and the monthly Report of the Corresponding Secre- 

 tary, and transacting some general business, proceeded to an 

 election for Correspondents with the following result. 



correspondents. 



William G. Lettsom, Esq., Attache to her Britannic Ma- 

 jesty's Legation at Washington. 

 S. Henry Dickson, M. D., of Charleston, South Carolina. 



Mijcj**. - - %i ? a ^ M " Mi. 



