84 BULLETIN OF THP: LABORATORIES 



opened and the plumbing of the toilet rooms has been carried out in 

 the most approved manner. 



The general electrical equipment of the building occupies a large 

 room in the basement and consists of a 55 horse-power boiler, a 50 

 H. P. Ball engine, direct-connected to a 40 K. W. Thresher multipo- 

 lar dynamo, which gives a current of 350 amperes at 1 15 volts This 

 plant is in operation every evening, supplying light to a number of 

 dormitory buildings and at the same time, with the aid of a to H P. 

 " booster " dynamo, charging a large storage battery which consists of 

 60 cells of chloride accumulator of 600 lamp-hour capacity. This bat- 

 tery supplies current for light during the remainder of the night, and 

 the next day for general laboratory uses, including current, lights, pow- 

 er for the shop motors, and heat for special purposes. 



The gas used in the building is gasolene gas and is supplied to all 

 the rooms by a Detroit gas machine of 75-light capacity. It is used 

 principally for heating, in Kunsen burners, gas stoves and assay fur- 

 naces for testing ores ; but it also supplies light to some rooms not yet 

 wired for electricity. 



Three electric lanterns and two complete outfits for producing the 

 lime Hght, give good opportunity for illustrating all subjects by stere- 

 opticon projections. The numerous appliancs peculiar to the several 

 laboratories will be described in connection with the special accounts 

 of those laboratories. 



Besides the first cost of about $40,000 for construction, over $15,- 

 000 has been spent for equipment. 



DEPARTMENTS OF PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY. 



The Department of Physics occupies ten rooms, most of which 

 are on the south side of the main building. Its ecjuipment has cost 

 about $7,000. The lectures in general physics are given in a large 

 room (45x26 feet) on the first floor. This is a laboratory and lecture 

 room combined (marked " General Physics" on the plan). A large 

 apparatus case, 20x5x8 feet, enclosed by glass doors so as to be acces- 

 sible from either side, almost bisects the room near the center. The 

 east end of the room is used for lectures and recitations, the other end for 

 individual laboratory work. In this way apparatus is placed so as to be 

 convenient for either purpose. The lecture portion contains seats for 35 

 students, a long demonstration desk, furnished with a tank-sink, gas and 

 wires from l)oth the dvnamo room and laboratory room. An electric Ian- 



