Mechanical Science. — Evening Meeting. 847 



Baron Dupin addressed the Section on the subject of a paper he 

 had laid upon the table, entitled, " Researches relative to the Price 

 of Grain, and its influence on the French Population." 



Section G. — Mechanical Science. 

 The sitting of the Section occupied but a short time, during 

 which two papers were read, one of some interest, by Mr Henwood, 

 on Naval Architecture, and a second by Mr Coosham, on certain 

 improvements in Napier's rods. Dr Daubeny also exhibited an in- 

 genious instrument for taking up sea water from any given depth, 

 for the purpose of chemical analysis, being an improvement of an 

 admirable invention for that purpose sent out in the Bonite. 



Evening Meetings. 



In consequence of the incessant rain, the intended Promenade 

 and Horticultural Exhibition at Miller's Gardens was abandoned, 

 and notice given that the Geological, Statistical, and Mechanical 

 Sections would meet in the evening. 



In the Geological Section, Dr Hare of Philadelphia entered upon 

 a history of the many modifications of the Pile of Volta, and in par- 

 ticular drew attention to a form of it devised, ^nd long since de- 

 scribed by himself, but which he conceived had not in a sufficient 

 degree attracted the attention of European philosophers. Dr Hare 

 concluded by the exhibition of some striking experiments illustrative 

 of the igniting or deflagrating efficacy of his Voltaic arrangements. 



Professor Phillips followed with an account of the distribution 

 over the nortliern parts of England of Blocks or Boulders. The 

 Association, he observed, had formerly proposed a question regard- 

 ing this distribution, and the present was a partial attempt at its 

 solution ; and it was interesting both to the geologist and the geo- 

 grapher, as it involved the effects of running water in modifying 

 the surface of a country. In glancing over the north of England, 

 we find a great variety of rock formations, from the oldest slates to 

 the newer tertiary ; the country generally slopes to the east, with 

 the exception of the group of Cumbrian mountains, which form a 

 local conical zone. One striking feature in its physical geography, 

 is an immense valley running north and south, and passing through 

 a great variety of formations ; the Wolds of York being chalk, the 

 strata near Whitby of oolite, the vale of York new red sandstone, 

 while the carboniferous rocks are displayed in Northumberland and 

 Durham. All the country from the Tyne to the Humber is covered 



