404 Proceedings of the Society of Arts. 



Rev. William Galbraith, M. A., Teacher of Mathematics. (686.) Thanks 

 voted. To be printed in the Transactions. 



2. Letter from Dr James Hunter, M. S. A., with specimens of writing 

 paper, from which all traces of writing executed with Dr Traill's " In- 

 delible Ink" have been effaced by water, applied with a camel-hair pencil, 

 although that ink is known to resist the most powerful chemical agents ; 

 also, Letter from Dr Traill on that subject, with written specimens and a 

 bottle of his ink, shewing an opposite result. (680.) Referred to a Com- 

 mittee to experiment with this ink, and different qualities of writing 

 paper, and to report. In the course of the discussion on this interesting 

 subject, several members brought under the notice of the Society the very 

 different chemical qualities of different sorts of paper, into the composi- 

 tion of which many kinds of foreign ingredients, extremely prejudicial to 

 the paper as well as the ink, were too often Improperly introduced, such 

 as acids, alkalis, earths, &c. ; and that this, as well as a difference in the 

 qualities of the inks used, might account for the different results obtained 

 by those whose communications had been read this evening. 



3. On a Method of obviating the consequence of the Expansion and 

 Contraction of the Rails of Railways ; with a Drawing. By Mr D. Hope, 

 34 Buccleuch Place. (584.) Referred to a Committee. 



4. Donation. — Report of the Directors of the Manchester Mechanics' 

 Institution, 1838. (677.) Thanks voted. 



5. Donation. — The Economy of a Coal-field. An Exposition of the 

 objects of the Geological and Polytechnic Society of the West Riding of 

 Yorkshire, and of the best means of attaining them. By James F. W. 

 Johnston, M. A., F. R. SS. L. and E., Assoc. Soc. Arts. Printed at 

 Durham 1838, at the request of that Society. From the Author. (585.) 

 Thanks voted. 



6. Donation. — Astronomical Observations made at the Royal Observa- 

 tory, Edinburgh. By Thomas Henderson, F. R. S. E. and R. A. S., Pro- 

 fessor of Astronomy in the University of Edinburgh, and her Majesty's 

 Astronomer for Scotland. Vol.1. From October 1834 to December 1835. 

 Published by order of Government. Edinburgh, 1838. From the Author. 

 (678.) Thanks voted. 



The following gentlemen were admitted Ordinary Mem- 

 bers, viz. — 



Mr George Wilson, of Summerlee Ironworks, West Thorn, near Glas- 

 gow ; John S. Patrick, Esq. of Trearne ; Dr H. ^\|. Nachot, Edinburgh ; 

 and Mr Alexander Aitken, ironmonger, Edinburgh. 



The Society appointed the following Committee of Twelve 

 Ordinary Members, to award the Prizes for Session 1837-8, 

 viz. — 



Sir John Graham Dalyell, kt.. President; John Dunn, G. L. Finlay, Dr 

 Fyfe, Richard Hunter, Robert Maxton, Walter Nicholl, James Slight. 



