Ixxx. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 



produce only minute crystals. The lecturer alluded to the fact 

 that diamonds had been found in the Canon Diablo meteorites, 

 and to many other interesting points as to the origin and 

 qualities of these stones. 



Many other valuable chemical investigations and discoveries 

 have recently been made, but before passing on I will only 

 allude to the danger in which the indigo planting industry lies 

 through the extensive production of the dye by chemical pro- 

 cesses, and the greatly increased manufacture of artificial silk 

 from collodion. This may, I expect, be easily distinguished 

 from the real article by burning a few threads, substances of 

 that nature being usually very inflammable, if not explosive. 



ENGINEERING. 



Some of the chief engineering works completed during the 

 year are the Victoria Falls bridge over the Zambesi, 600 feet 

 long, the falls being about 380 feet in height, or nearly 2^ times 

 that of Niagara, though the volume is far smaller. A bridge of 

 1,000 feet across the Mersey was opened, as well as the largest 

 British graving dock, at Southampton. 



The water of Niagara was so much lowered by the power 

 companies that a dam has been built for the Victoria Park, in the 

 shape of a huge column of concrete, arranged so as on com- 

 pletion to be upset into and across the river. A chain runs up 

 the middle of the column to hold together the sections into 

 which it is divided. The plan reminds one of that pursued by 

 the beavers, which cut through trees at their base, so that they 

 may fall across the river to make a dam. It is probable that 

 legislation will intervene to prevent the wholesale destruction 

 of the picturesque interest of these falls, much of the water of 

 which has been already diverted. 



The Panama Canal progresses, and opinions are divided as to 

 the advantages of a sea-level canal, or of various schemes for 

 canals with locks, some rising to a height of 130 feet. The cost 



