408 Proceedings of the Society of Arts. 



Stenographic Characters for the use of the Blind. Edited by Mr T. M. 

 Lucas of Bristol. Embossed at Bristol, July 1837, and published by the 

 Bristol Society for Embossing and Circulating the authorized version of 

 the Bible. Presented by that Society, per Mr F. W. B. Rcid, the Secre- 

 tary. (562.) Thanks. 



11. Donation. — Instructions for teaching the Blind to read with the 

 Britannic or Universal Alphabet, and Embossing their Lessons, &c. By 

 T. M. Lucas, inventor and teacher of the system. Printed at Bristol, June 

 1837. Presented by the Bristol Society for Embossing, &c. the Bible for 

 the Blind. (663.) Thanks. 



Mr John Adie, optician, Edinburgh, was admitted as an ordinary 

 member. 



May 30. — Mungo Ponton, Esq. F.R.S.E., Vice-President, 

 in the chair. — The following communications were laid before 

 the Society : — 



1. On the " Principles of Propelling Vessels by Machinery." By John 

 Scott Russell, M. A., F.R.S.E.,Couns.S. A. Thanks. To be printed. (551.) 



2. A Specific Prize (the 7th) having been offered for *^ A convenient 

 and simple method of increasing or diminishing the distance of the floats 

 from the centre of the common paddle-wheels, during the motion of the 

 vessel, so as to adapt them to changes in the load and draft of water ;" 

 there had been received, and were read, the following communications, 

 viz. from 



(1.) Mr Nicholas P. Comins, Madeira Place, North Leith. With a 

 drawing. (475.) 



(2.) Mr Dixon Vallance, Libberton, Lanarkshire. (488.) 



(3.) Mr John Henderson, South Bridge, Cupar-Fife. With a model. 

 (510.) 



(4.) Mr George Wilson, 3 Hanover Street, Edinburgh. With mo- 

 del and drawing. (534.) 



(5.) Mr John Rose, 2 Great Junction Street, North Leith. With a 

 drawing. (538.) 



(6.) Mr Andrew Black, watchmaker, Leslie, by Markinch. With a 

 drawing. (550.) All referred to a committee. 



3. Drawing and Description of a "New Method of constructing a 

 Paddle-wheel" for Steam-vessels. By Mr Andrew Carrick, Calton, Glas- 

 gow. (607.) Referred to a committee. 



4. Drawing and Description of a " Hydrostatic Safety-valve for Steam- 

 boilers." By the same. (505.) Referred to a committee. 



5. A Specific Prize (the 10th) having been offered " For the best and 

 simplest method of ascertaining the quantity of absolute alcohol in any 

 mixture." The following communication having been received, was 

 read, viz. from Mr Nicholas P. Comins, Madeira Place, North Leith. 

 (478.) Referred to a committee. 



