236 



occasionally needed ; but the light was well maintained throughout, and 

 could, with great facility, be used for any time from a few moments to the 

 full extent to which one charge would last. To show the quantity of current 

 furnished, six small lamps connected in parallel were placed in the circuit, 

 and the whole were efficiently lighted in a way not achieved by any primary 

 battery of the same size hitherto introduced. A reading lamp of somewhat 

 greater illuminating power, worked by eight cells, and the further applica- 

 tion of the principle to miners' lamps were also exhibited. In the latter the 

 lamp was enclosed in the centre of the case, and protected by a bull's-eye 

 lens. At one end the battery plates were fitted in a hermetically closed 

 chamber, whilst at the other was a similar space containing the fluid, the two 

 communicating by means of suitable tubes. When the end containing the 

 plates was held uppermost the fluid naturally occupied the lower chamber, 

 and no action took place ; but on inverting the case the solution ran through 

 the tubes, and, coming in contact with the plates, put the battery at once 

 into operation and lighted the lamp. The great superiority of the light thus 

 produced, as compared with the best of the Davy lamps, was pointed out ; 

 absolute safety being also secured, and this at a cost for solution equal to 

 about one penny for ten hours. In reply to questions, Mr. Niblett stated 

 that the carbon filament of the lamp was calculated to last out 2,000 working 

 hours ; also that he believed the cost of a battery and lamp complete would 

 be about three guineas, though at present the invention was only being in- 

 troduced preparatory to its manufacture on a large commercial scale. 



The thanks of the meeting were heartily accorded to Mr. Niblett for his 

 exhibition and explanations given. 



Mr. Thos. Curties said he believed it had been generally felt that the 

 ordinary meetings of the Club which took place in July and August occurred 

 at a time when it was very inconvenient for many members to be present, 

 and as a consequence they were not largely attended. In order to remove 

 the difficulties which had been increasingly felt with regard to these meetings, 

 he gave notice that at the ensuing annual meeting he would propose such 

 alterations in rule 1 as would allow of those meetings being held as gossip 

 nights instead of ordinary meetings. 



Mr. Willson seconded the notice of alteration. 



Announcements of meetings, &c, for the ensuing month were then made, 

 and the proceedings terminated with the usual conversazione, the following 

 objects being exhibited : — 



Living larva of Mayfly Mr. F. W. Andrew. 



Actinosphcerum EicJihornii ... ... ... Mr. W. R. Browne. 



Antheridia and Archegonia of Char a ... Mr. H. A. Crowhurst. 



Scales of Moth (Zygcena) ... Mr. T. Curties. 



"Utricularia Mr. E. Dadswell. 



Rotifers, various ... .. Mr. C. Rousselet. 



Scale of Podura Mr. T. F. Smith. 



Attendance— Members, 49 ; Visitors, 5. 



