68 Proceedings of the British Association. 
a similar process, was rusted to the centre. Having enumerated 
the facts respecting the trials to which he had subjected this cu- 
rious material, Capt. J. stated the conclusion that he had come 
to, viz. that it is sufficiently tough not to break, and hard enough 
not to bend, under the trials to which it would be Jairly exposed : 
and that being alike free from magnetic properties and liability to 
oxidation from exposure to the air, it possesses the qualities requi- 
site for the pivot of the mariner’s compass: and he anticipated 
that when fitted with a ruby cap to correspond, it would be found 
greatly to improve the working. Besides the use of this sub- 
stance for compass pivots, Capt. J. stated that it might probably 
be found advantageous for other instruments, and especially for the 
points of the axes of the dipping needles, fitted on Mr. Fox’s plan, 
for use on shipboard.—Mr. Hawkins has used this native alloy for 
several years in tipping the points of pens, and nota single in- 
Stance exists in which any of these pens shows the least symp- 
tom of wear. He tried native alloy ona cap, in comparison with 
ruby, when he found that in the same circumstances, the ruby 
was ground away with diamond dust twice as rapidly as the na- 
tive alloy. He had made engravers’ tools of the same metal, and 
when made too sharp they cannot be blunted on the Turke 
stone, but only by diamond dust. yi 
The following papers were also read. 
On safety-valves for steam-boilers ; by Mr, Galline. 
On wheels of Locomotive engines; by Mr. Grime 
On the temperature of most effective condensation in steam vessels; by J. Scott 
Russell. 
On warming and ventilating buildings; by Mr. Ritchie. 
On timber bridges of a large size, in special reference to Railways; by Mr. 
Vignoles. 
Experimental inquiry into the strength of iron, with respect to its application as 
a substitute for wood in ship-building ; by Mr. Fairbairn, 
On raising water from low lands; by Mr. Fairbairn. ‘ 
Additional notice concerning the most economical and effective proportion of 
engine power to the tonnage of the hull in steam vessels, and more especially in 
those designed for long voyages; by J. Scott Russell. 
On the action of air and water on iron; by Mr. Mallet. 
On the turbine water-wheel; by Prof. Gordon. * 
On producing true planes or surfaces on metals; by Mr. Jos. Whitworth. 
Report of the Committee on the best form of Vessels. 
On the economy of railways in respect of gradients; by Mr. Vignoles. 
On the fan-blast-as applied to furnaces; by Mr. Fairbairn, 
On new rain-gauges ; by Jas. Johnston, and also by Mr. Thom. 
Ona Revolving Balance ; by Mr. Lothian. 
On the bustion of coal and the prevention of the generation of smoke in 
furnaces; by Mr. Williams. 
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