200 



Eighth Meeting — February 10, 1^51, 



J. B. YATES, Esq., in the Chair. 



The resignation of Mr. R. Sharp was read and accepted. 



The following donations were received : — 



Suf/gestions for the Advancement of Literature and 

 Learning in Liverpool, by the Rev. Dr. Hume : from 

 the Author. [Read before the Society on Dec. 16th, 

 1850, and Jan, 13, 1851.] 

 The Law of Storms, by Dr. D. P. Thomson : from the 

 Author. [Read before the Society on Feb. 18th, 

 and March 4th, 1850.] 

 The President exhibited Henley's Electro -magnetic tele- 

 graph, in action. It was fully described by Mr. Rigby, one 

 of the agents for this town. This machine, which, to the 

 man of science is a perfect study, is by far the most simple 

 and beautiful of any yet contrived. The principle upon which 

 it operates is that of Saxton's electro-magnetic apparatus, 

 now much in use in the arts, the electric force being obtained 

 from the coil round the magnets, not from the electricity 

 in the magnets : no battery is needed in this apparatus. 

 As the dial plate contains two needles, few symbols are 

 required, and the process of reading off being simple, boys 

 can communicate the messages. 



An interesting conversation followed, in which reference 

 was made to a recent application of the instrument in warning 

 ships in port of coming danger from the approaches of circular 

 tempests. 



Dr. Thomson exhibited a specimen of sand from the shores 

 of Lake Ontario, containing nineteen per cent, of magnetic iron. 



