18 



of each magnet being provided with coils of wire. In this instru- 

 ment a rather thick diaphragm is used. A reed call is attached to 

 the diaphragm, in this way dispensing with both battery and bell. 

 The capabilities of this telephone were shown by Messrs. Wollaston 

 and Scott, conversation and singing being distinctly heard all over 

 the room. Mr. Edison's carbon telephone was then explained, and 

 attention drawn to the microphone. The electro-chemical receiver 

 was not exhibited, but the piinciple on which it depends was 

 illustrated by an expeiiment devised for the lecture. It consisted of 

 a weight tipped with platinum resting on a piece of calico saturated 

 with a solution of caustic potash, the calico being stretched over a 

 plate of zinc. To the weight was attached a string, which passed 

 over a pulley, and to the other end of the string was fastened a 

 counterpoise just insufficient to di-ag the weight along. When the 

 current was passed between the platinum and the zinc plate, the 

 weight was dragged along, thus proving that the friction was con- 

 siderably diminished. The singing condenser was also briefly 

 explained and shown in action, and a few sheets of tin foil sang 

 "God save the Queen," in a most loyal manner. The Lecturer 

 alluded to the applications of the telephone in the case of the 

 di\'ing-bell, mines, and the telephonic exchange, and refen-ed to the 

 system introduced by the Telephone Company Limited, now used in 

 London, and about to be introduced into Manchester, Liverpool, and 

 Bii-mingham. At the conclusion of the lecture, a large number of 

 the visitors availed themselves of the opportunity of listening to 

 Bell's Telephone, and they were much pleased with the ease and 

 distinctness vnth. which they could cany on conversation. 



OCTOBER 18th. 



By the kind in^dtation of Professor Owen, C.B., F.R.S., the 

 Members of the Association and their friends assembled at the 

 British Museum, in order to hear an Address on some of the Fossil 

 Animals in the Museum. The learned Professor spoke for nearly 

 an hour and a half on certain mammalia, birds, and fishes ; and was 

 listened to mth very great attention by a large audience of ladies 



