Entvuragenient of the Uaeful Arts. 395 



der Keith) Esq. of Dunottar, for the promotion of Science and the 

 Arts in Scotland ; and the acceptance of the same by the Council in 

 name of the Society. 



May 29. — A new system of Tangible Signs, comprising the Ro- 

 man, Greek, and Hebrew alphabets ; with numerical figures, alge- 

 braic symbols, musical notation, and a variety of other characters, for 

 the use of the blind. By Mr Robert Milne, professor of music, 7. 

 Nicolson Square, Edinburgh. Printed specimens exhibited. 



2. An Alphabet and Description of Double Frame and Type for 

 Printing in Relief, for the use of the Blind. By Mr John Johnston, 

 15. Cavendish Street, Glasgow. No printed specimens sent. 



3. Description of a new and economical Pump for Draining Deep 

 Mines. By Mr John Milne, teacher of drawing, &c. Edinburgh, 

 Cur. Soc. Arts. A model and drawings exhibited. 



SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. 



METEOROLOGY. 



1. Absolute Weight of the Atmosphere during Cholera greater 

 than at other times, — At a meeting of- the British Association, 

 Dr Prout exhibited a table containing the results of eighty-seven 

 experiments on the absolute weight of the atmosphere between 

 the 16th December 1831, and the 24th March 1832. The ex- 

 periments were usually made about noon, and as nearly as pos- 

 sible under similar circumstances. The following is a summary 

 of the results : The mean of all the experiments (with one ex- 

 ception, to be presently noticed,) is, that 100 cubic inches ofdry 

 atmospheric air, free from carbonic acid, at the temperature of 

 32% barometer 30 inches, in the latitude of London, weigh 

 32.7958 grs., the extreme differences between the highest and the 

 lowest observations being .0507 grs. The mean of the first for- 

 ty.four experiments, between the 16th of December and the 8th of 

 February inclusive, is 32.7900 grs. ; the mean of the last forty- 

 four, between the 10th of February and the 24th of March inclu- 

 sive, 32.8018 grs; the difference between the two series being 

 .0118 grs. The exception alluded to above occurred on the 

 9th of February, on which day the weigfit of the air was 32.8218 

 grs.; and it is remarkable, that after this period, during the 

 whole time that the experiments were continued, tlie air almost 

 uniformly possessed a weight above the usual standard ; so that, 

 as above stated, the mean of the forty-two observations after this 

 crisis exceeds the mean of tlie forty-four preceding it by no less 



