Proceedings of the Society of Arts. 423 



impressions from dried leaves were shewn, in which the different parts 

 seem to be as nicely delineated^ as in the other processes, where the re- 

 verse is given. Dr Fyfe, however, stated, that though they seemed to be 

 preserved, yet he could not positively assert that they were so, as they 

 had been prepared only a few days. He also mentioned, that, owing to 

 the unfavourable state of the weather, he had tried the camera obscura 

 only once, and though there was no sunshine, he had succeeded in get- 

 ting a very faint delineation, from which he was in hopes that, in this 

 way, a true representation may be obtained. He also stated, that im- 

 pressions may be got by using darkened chlorid paper, in the same way. 

 In this case the solution of iodid must be much weaker than that for the 

 phosphate, the chlorid being more easily acted on. In both cases the 

 solution is made of such strength, that when the paper is touched with 

 it, it acts on the phosphate or chlorid feebly, and then, before being 

 spread on, it must be diluted with a little water, so as just to have it of 

 such strength that it does not act. A specimen of impression from chlo- 

 ride was also shewn. 



The thanks of the Society were given to Dr Fyfe for this interesting 

 communication . 



2. Additional Notice regarding the late Mr William Blackie, optician. 

 Upper Hermitage, Leith. Communicated by Mr David Dick, architect, 

 Edinburgh. (640.) Thanks voted. 



3. Part I. of an Essay on the present state of Art, as applied to Bri- 

 tish Manufactures, by Mr John Whyte, pattern-drawer, 39 Clerk Street, 

 Edinburgh, was read. (601.) 



4. Specimen of Printing in Relief for the Blind, with Architectural 

 Embellishments. By John Alston, Esq. of Rosemount, Hon. M.S. A. 

 (639.) Referred to a Committee. 



5. Donation. — Description of Ramsden's Engine for dividing Straight 

 Lines on Mathematical Instruments, 1779, with Plates. From Mr Ed- 

 ward Sang, F.R.S.E.— M.S.A. (63.5.) Thanks voted. 



6. Donation. — Astronomical Observations made at the Roj-al Observa- 

 tory, Edinburgh. Vol. II. for the year 18.36. By Thomas Henderson, 

 Esq. F.R.S.E. and R.A.S. From the Author. (638.) Thanks voted. 



24^A April. — Sir John Graham Dalyell, Kt. President, iu 

 the Chair. The following communications were laid before 

 the Society : — 



1. The President read a Letter received from Cav. Gio. Batta. Amici, 

 Astronomer to the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Florence, Hon. Memb. Soc. 

 Arts, prefixing a Circular inviting the Members to attend a general Scien- 

 tific Meeting, to be held at Pisa in October next. 



2. Part II. of an Essay on the present state of Art as applied to Bri- 

 tish Manufactures. By Mr John Whyte, Pattern-Drawer, 39 Clerk 

 Street, Edinburgh, was read, (601.) 



