History of Mechanical Invenlions&c. 149 



turc of the air is obtained at the same instant with its dryness, and the 

 observation is less liable to be affected by errors of construction. 



Although we have not used Mr Daniell's very ingenious hygrometer, 

 yet we understand, from good authority, that it is an admirable instru- 

 ment. It has been employed, we observe, by Professor Moll and Dr Van 

 Beek, in their valuable experiments on the velocity of sound, printed in the 

 Phil. Tians. for 1824, p. 424. 



Am-. XXXI.- HISTORY OF MECHANICAL INVENTIONS AND 

 PROCESSES IN THE USEFUL ARTS. 



1. British Invention and Discovery Association. 



At a time when the improvement of the useful arts is an object of na- 

 tional importance, and when no security is held out by our patent laws to 

 inventors or discoverers, the establishment in London of a " British In- 

 vention and Discovery Company for the assistance, encouragement, and 

 protection of native genius," must be considered as a great event in the 

 history of our country. The capital is L. 750,000, which is already sub- 

 scribed. 



The business of the establishment will consist of three great branches : 



1st, The taking out of patents, both at home and abroad, for original 

 inventions and discoveries, and the manufacture and sale, or granting of 

 licences for the manufacture and sale, of patent articles. 



2d, The promotion of such new processes or arts as can be safely carried 

 on without patents. 



3d, The sale, not only of those patent articles and exclusive manufac- 

 tures in the property of which the company may acquire a share, but ge- 

 nerally all patent and privileged commodities. 



The company propose not only to make all the pecuniary advances ne- 

 cessary in each case, but to promote, by an active and extensive agency, the 

 interests of those who may confide in them. The remuneration they will 

 look for will be such an equitable proportion of the ultimate profits as may 

 previously be agreed upon ; and in no event, not even of the greatest ulti- 

 mate failure, will persons, contracting with them for the prosecution of any 

 supposed invention or discovery, be liable to the smallest share of the ex- 

 pences incurred. 



We understand that there are already many valuable plans waiting the 

 acceptance of the Association. 



2. Mr Bryce ' s Stomach or Moveable Branch Syphon* 

 One of the most valuable applications of the Syphon with which we arc 

 acquainted, has been recently made by Mr Bryce, surgeon in Edinburgh. 

 The object of this invention is to throw fluids into the stomach, and to ex- 

 tract fluids from it, in cases where poison has been swallowed, &C. In order 



• This Syphon is made and buM by Mr Mudcoil, surgeon's instrunicnt-niakci 

 in I'dinburgli. 



