IQ IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



3. Au adjustable attachment for a Buuseu burner, having three upright 

 posts for the support of dishes, and a platinum triangle, made of wire, pass- 

 ing through holes near the tops of the posts, to support a crucible, watch- 

 glass or small dish. The attachment permits the use of a "crown top" if it 

 is desired to evaporate a liquid rapidly without boiling, and it is provided 

 with supports for a cylindrical chimney which encircles the posts and pro- 

 tects the flame from drafts of air. 



4. An apparatus for electrolysis, consisting of a dessicator containing a 

 platinum triangle to support a platinum dish. A wire of the same metal is 

 connected with the triangle and passes through the side of the dessicator. 

 To prevent loss by spray, the dish is covered by a large watch-glass, iu 

 which is sealed a large platinum wire ending iu a spiral below to serve as 

 the positive electrode. The wire extends through a very small cork fitted in 

 the top of the dessicator, and thus can be raised, lowered or supported in 

 any position. 



EXPERIMENTAL ENGINEERING AT THE IOWA AGRICULTURAL 

 COLLEGE. 



BY G. W. BISSELL, PROFESSOR OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING. 



Experimental engineeiing at the Iowa Agricultural College is of two 

 kinds. The first kind has for its object the instruction of the student in the 

 use of and calibration of the instruments employed, and in the performance 

 by improved methods of a series of graded experiments whose variety and 

 selection are such as experience has shown to be productive of the best 

 results attainable with the facilities of the laboratory. 



The experiments under this head which are conducted by the students in 

 mechanical engiueei'ing are: Tension, tx-ansverse and compression tests of 

 the materials of construction, properties of lubricants, measurements of 

 power by absorption and transmission dynamometers, steam gauge and indi- 

 cator spring calibration, cement testing, fan-blower tests, calorimetry, 

 weir and water-meter calibration, efficiency tests of steam engines, boilers, 

 injectors, air compressor and steam heating, electric lighting and pumping 

 plants, and the thermal analysis of the steam engine. 



Owing to the number of experiments and students and the lack of dupli- 

 cate apparatus, it is necessary as well as advisable to maintain all apparatus 

 in working order, so that the student is not obliged to lose time and patience 

 and courage iu looking for things. While the experience obtained iu arrang- 

 ing apparatus might be useful as instruction, such preliminaries are apt to 

 discoux'age the beginner. Moreover, the practice, if followed with large 

 classes, would cause confusion and sacrifice discipline. System is necessary 

 in this particular. 



The actual performance of the above or any other set of experiments is 

 secondary to another feature of the work, which consists in the writing of 



