2 1 8 Proceedings of the Society of Arts. 



A. Drawing and verbal description of an improved Escapement for a Chro- 

 nometer. By the same. 



5. Model of a machine and apparatus for conveying intelligence, {or for 

 making communications with great rapidity between points or places at a dis- 

 tance from each other, by means of Electric or Voltaic currents and Magne- 

 tism, was exhibited in action ; and a description of said machine and appara- 

 tus, with remarks on its utility and national importance, were read. By 

 William Alexander, Esq. 19 Windsor Street, Edinburgh. — At tHe request of 

 the Vice-President, the machine rapidly communicated the words " Queen 

 Victoria," "Society of Arts,'' ''Alexander.'' 



6. DoiMtion. — Descrizione di Alcuni Instrumenti da Misurare gli Angoli 

 per Riflessione, Memoria. Del Professor Gio. Battista Amici, Astronomo 

 deir J, R. Museo di Firense, — Socio della Societa' delle Arti di Scozia, &c. 

 (Printed at Modena, 1836.) From the author. 



The following candidates were admitted as ordinary mem- 

 bers, viz : 



Walter Jollie, Esq. W.S-f3 Albany Street; AVilliam Alexander, W.S. 19 

 Windsor Street ; Mr James Ruthven, architect, 33 Montagu Street. 



The Annual General Meeting of the Society was held in the 

 Royal Institution, on Wednesday the 6th December 18S7, at 

 eight o'clock p.m. Sir John Graham Dalyell, V. P. in the 

 Chair. 



The minutes of last meeting having been read and approved 

 of, a dutiful and loyal address to her Most Gracious Majesty 

 Queen Victoria, on her accession to the Throne, which had been 

 prepared by the Council, was unanimously adopted by the So- 

 ciety. Thereafter the following communications were read and 

 exhibited : — 



1. On an extraordinary instance of Refraction. By William Galbraith, 

 Esq. Teacher of Mathematics, Edinburgh, M.S.A — The thanks of the So- 

 ciety were given for this Papar, which was ordered to be printed in the 

 Transactions. 



2. Letters on the subject of the Society's Report on the best Alphabet and 

 Mode of Printing for the Blind, received from the following gentlemen, were 

 read, viz : — The Rev. William Taylor of York, Hon. M.S. Arts; the Rev. 

 Dr Lant Carpenter, of Bristol, Hon. M.S. Arts ; The Rev. Thomas Bold, of 

 liiverpool School fcr the Blind Thanks were given to these gentlemen. 



3. Donation. A Ky-ee-lee or Boomerang, being a missile weapon used by 

 the natives of Australia, possessing very remarkable properties. From Mr 

 Gunn, of the Dublin Advertiser Thanks given to Mr Gunn. 



4. Specimens were exhibited of various articles manufactured from Caout- 

 chouc, under Letters Patent, such as Elastic Web for Saddlegirths, Rollers, 

 Surgical Bandages, — Galashes, Sheet Rubber, Elastic Tubing, — Cables, — 

 and Towing-ropes, — Window-sash and Window-blind Lines, — Ropes and 



