Kirwanian Society of Dullin, 6 1 



trading the air and filling the syphon. The syphon is 

 filled in an instant by one or two strokes ot" the pump with 

 the hand, and the conimunication between the pump and 

 the syphon can be cut off at pleasure by a stop-cock. The 

 principle is applicable to ail sizes of syphons, and almost 

 every kind of liquor may be drawn otf with the utmost in- 

 cility. Mr. Kerr has already made many syphons on this 

 plan, and thev are found to save considerably both liquor 

 and fune. When constructed in this way, the difficulties 

 attending the use of the common syphon are completely 

 removed, and the instrument is rendered so perfect that it 

 will probably be found incapable of any further improve- 

 ment. A small one was exhibited and worked in presence 

 of the meeting. 



4. Account of another improved syphon by Mr. Jolin 

 Plutton. This syphon is extremely simple, and has been 

 used by Mr. Huf.on with much advantage in his chemical 

 manufactory. It has a stopper at the extremity of the 

 longer leg, and a valve opening inwards ai the extremity 

 of the other. It is filled in the usual way by inverting ii, 

 and p )uring in the liquor at one end. After this, the stop- 

 cock being shut, the syphon is placed in its proper position, 

 with the end of the short leg immersed in the liquor. The 

 atop-cock is then opened, and the liquor, forcing up the 

 valve at the short end, flows out. When the quantity re- 

 quired is drawn off, the stop-cock is shut, the valve at the 

 other end falls down, and the syphon rernainin;! full can be 

 laid aside; and when it is to be used again, nothing more is 

 necessarv than to put it into the liquor and tutn the stop- 

 cock. A syphon of this description, which Mr. Hutlon 

 has employed for some time, was exhibited and used in 

 presence of the meeting. 



At the close of the proceedings the President observed, 

 l-hat the regulations direct meetings of this kind to be held 

 occasionally in the course of each session ; and that, if con- 

 ducted as the meeting had been that night, they would 

 be productive of the greatest advantage in bringing into 

 notice many usehd inventions, and giving publicity to im- 

 provements, by which society at large might be benefited ; 

 and he recommended to those (strangers as well as mem- 

 bers) who miglit have it in their power to make such 

 communications, to bring them forward at future meetings, 



KIRWANIAN SOCIETV OF DIJBLIN. 



3u\, 13lh. — The receipt of several specimens was re- 

 ported 



